New Music Releases: From Slash and Serj Tankian to Dinah Jane and Deap Valley
New Music Releases is a column that keeps abreast of all the news from the music industry that often flies under the radar. Keep up-to-date with the underground and independent scene and find your next favorite band or singer-songwriter right here.
System Of A Down's Serj Tankian drops single ahead of EP 'Foundations'
Singer, poet, songwriter, visual artist, film producer, activist and author Serj Tankian, lead singer and lyricist for the Grammy Award-winning rock band System Of A Down has released his new single and video 'A.F. Day' worldwide on Gibson Records.
“This is a song I wrote in the early days of System Of A Down that I never released,” says Tankian. “The majority of the instrumentation and vocals are recordings from that time. Dystopian in mood, the song is a reflection of the angst and anti-authoritarian attitude I had to conformity.”
The new song 'A.F. Day' will also appear on Tankian's forthcoming EP titled 'Foundations' -- due out fall 2024. Tankian is currently in the midst of a US book tour which hit New York this week, and has multiple stops in Los Angeles next week at Barnes and Noble-The Grove May 21, and at Book Soup on May 24. On August 17, Tankian will perform with System Of A Down for a headlining, sold-out show at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.
Nashville-based Paige King Johnson releases single 'Somebody’s Gotta Do It'
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson has released her latest single 'Somebody’s Gotta Do It'. Written by Paige King Johnson, Scott Sean White, and Terri Jo Box, 'Somebody’s Gotta Do It' combines an upbeat tune with a love story that many can only dream of. Reflecting on her own experiences in life and marriage, Paige King Johnson brought heartfelt emotions to the studio for this recording.
"When we sat down to write, we just sat back and tried to have fun while writing this song. It's all tongue and cheek, trying to bring to light the laughter and lightheartedness that I believe is necessary in any marriage or long-term relationship. Not a day goes by that I don't enjoy just having fun with my husband, Griffin - whether it's singing him funny songs like this or making up crazy dances or telling bad jokes. Somebody's gotta do it!"
Deap Valley drop reworked version of single 'It’s My World' by Dosiopath
Deap Valley, the rock duo comprising Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards is about to kick off the final leg of their Live For The Last Time Tour. To celebrate the upcoming shows, Deap Vally has announce dthe release of a final EP, '(ep)ilogue', out on May 24. The band have also dropped a reworked version of their new single 'It’s My World' by Dosiopath featured on the forthcoming EP.
Of the remix, Solon Bixler, Dosiopath says, "I was listening to The Prodigy over and over again -- 90s house techno music -- hoping to retain the energy of the song and the hook, but adding an element of weightlessness and darkness. Kinda leaning into the darker side of the meaning of the song as I interpreted it." Deap Vally's Lindsey Troy adds, "‘It’s my world’ is about living your best life, being authentically you without giving a damn what anybody else thinks."
Dinah Jane releases single 'Ocean Song' from upcoming EP 'Forever Summer'
Popstar Dinah Jane has released new single 'Ocean Song' from the EP 'Forever Summer', out August 21. The accompanying music video will be released on May 24.
The former Fifth Harmony member returns with a catchy and upbeat summer anthem. Inspired by her Polynesian heritage, Dinah hopes to introduce audiences to the sounds of her culture through her new music.
“Ocean Song is my personal prayer to my ancestors. In this new era of my career, I’m so excited to put my cultural identity at the forefront of my music,” says Dinah. “I’ve been all around the world and I’ve seen so many high and lows in my career. Ocean Song serves as my return home to my ancestors, the elements, the ocean.”
Regarding the sound of the track, Dinah worked with JG Gilbert, a producer from the Caribbean. “The way we blended our unique island sounds is truly magical. I asked world renown Polynesian cultural expert Tiana Nonosina Liufau to add Polynesian percussion and ukelele elements to the record. That brought it all home for me.”
Slash's hotly-anticipated 'Orgy of the Damned' drops
Slash the iconic, Grammy-winning guitarist and songwriter has released his highly anticipated sixth solo album titled 'Orgy of the Damned' on Gibson Records. Slash has also dropped the third single and a new video for 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' featuring Demi Lovato’s powerhouse vocals.
Lovato says, "Slash is a legendary talent and friend I've known for years, so I was thrilled to collaborate with him again for his project. He brought such an amazing energy when we were in the studio and reimagining this iconic song together was effortless and fun. He had such a clear vision for the song and I’m grateful that he wanted to honor my story. I’m so proud of what we created!”
Next week, Slash will perform songs on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on Monday, May 20, Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22 alongside Cleto and the Cletones airing at 11.35pm (ET/PT)/10.35pm (CT) on ABC, as well as the following day on Hulu and YouTube. On Wednesday, May 29, Slash will perform an acoustic set in store at Amoeba in Hollywood.
Coastal Club releases new single 'Cpnversation' off their upcoming EP 'All of the Things You Said'
Cincinnati-based indie pop band Coastal Club will release their new EP, 'All of the Things You Said' on July 19. The band has released their new single 'Conversation' from the upcoming release.
Of the song, the band's Alexandre Hirlinger says, “'Conversation' ultimately emerges as a testament to the complexity of human experience, where the joyous rhythms of life often intertwine with the somber melodies of introspection. Its juxtaposition of upbeat instrumentation and sobering lyricism invites listeners to engage in a profound conversation with themselves, exploring the intricacies of belief and doubt that shape the human spirit."
'Conversation' follows the band's single 'Cigarettes' which was released last month. Lead guitarist and vocalist Hirlinger, describes the track as a reminder to cherish the moments that make us feel alive and invincible.
The Used set to release deluxe B-side album 'Medz'
Rock band The Used have announced a deluxe B-side album 'Medz', set for release on June 21 via Big Noise. Including previously released singles 'People Are Vomit' and 'Fuck You', 'Medz' offers eight new, never-before-heard singles from The Used from the 'Toxic Positivity' writing sessions with John Feldmann in 2022 and 2023.
Vocalist Robbietheused shared a quote from C.S. Lewis to give a deeper meaning to the collection of B-sides: “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say 'My tooth is aching' than to say ‘My heart is broken'.”
Alongside the announcement, The Used have released the title track of the upcoming album, 'Medz'. The track, with its bouncing, catchy rhythm paired with existential lyrics sung in frontman Robbietheused’s unique and enticing voice, is quintessential The Used.
Mest releases second single off upcoming album 'Youth'
Chicago pop-punk band Mest will release the new album 'Youth' via SBÄM Records on June 21. Following last month's release of the lead single 'When We Were Young' (feat. Jaret Reddick from Bowling For Soup), Mest has just debuted the second single, 'Hate You Siber' (ft. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills). The track delves into the theme of a toxic relationship, depicting how one might endure it by numbing themselves with alcohol, while also exploring the journey towards summoning the courage to break free from the toxicity.
Speaking about the recording of the new album, founding member and frontman Tony Lovato says, "The drives to the studio were about an hour and 20 minutes long. A lot of my inspiration for this record was found on those drives. I would just listen to all the records that I grew up listening to. Which brought back a ton of memories. It would just put me in another state of mind. I’m creating new core memories and living my life now, so that in 20 years I’ll look back fondly. The same as I do now. These songs are a cheers to the past with a here’s to the future."