Coldbones – “New Heights”: It’s been quite a long time since we’ve written about a post-rock band on here. Quite a pity, really. Fortunately we opened an email sent by an oft-overlooked PR firm and we came across this band. Elements of shoegaze permeate the landscape this band paints. You can almost dance to this song. It’s triumphant, and speaks to that primal something within that wants to just be in a state of wonderment forever. I believe that day is coming, and this song is a small shadow of that.

Saud – “Mad Love”: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the former vocalist from The Crimson Armada (Metal Blade Records) is here to leave behind his former identity in favor of something a bit more… tender. “Try a little tenderness” as the old song says. In all seriousness, this bluesy love song is decidedly NOT cheesy, and shows great prowess in a medium often filled with said cheese. My favorite part of the song has to be the guitar work leading into the final chorus. Saud obviously has a deep appreciation for the classics in blues rock and he seems to be weaving his own elements into parts that have inspired him in the past.

Half Waif – “Keep It Out”: This song is a dreamy piece of performance art. Both aurally and visually (in the case of the music video). Half Waif does a fantastic job walking the line between the organic and the abstract, leaving me with satisfying feeling that is somewhat in a dark place, but comforting at the same time.  “Severed Logic” ended up as a top ten song of mine from 2017, is February too early to say I’ve found another contender?

Captain Kidd – “Bleed”: The dancepop of Captain Kidd seems to be getting more and more ethereal. They seem to be experimenting with how far they can push the boundaries of pop without alienating their target audience. My feeling is they won’t ever cross that line, but Bleed comes close. Dreampop for the masses is what I’d call this. Captain Kidd wants you to dance in your dreams, and do so passionately. They push the boundaries without compromising their accessibility.

The fin. – “Snow (again)”: This dreamy, floating kind of bop is over a lot more quickly than you might expect. At just under two minutes long, the hazey tune is a continuous build up that ultimately leaves us hanging. The song, while a standalone single, functions like a sort of reprise. It leaves us wanting more and anticipating what’s next.

My Epic – “Of Wilderness”: My favorite worshipful ambient post-hardcore band returns with their vibiest offering yet. Pun intended, because every song they pen is an offering to the One they worship. I always find something poignant to appreciate about this band, and in this particular song the refrain “I think we’re all lost til we’ve lived in the wilderness” really speaks to the necessity of trial and doubt leading to growth in one’s faith. The song doesn’t thunder in quite the same way as previous offerings, but it’s powerful nonetheless.