Spooky Cool
Singles: “Strange Rooms” and “Black Wine” (independent)
Richmond’s best underground —which means impossible to find information about online — prog-pop five-piece will release its much-anticipated debut. The two singles, “Strange Rooms” and “Black Wine,” will be released in September and October, respectively. Expect riff-infused ballads and powerful vocal harmonies that will have you unavoidably bobbing your head.
FM Skyline
“Deluxe Memory Suite” (Crystal Pistol Records)
A side project of the dynamic Pete Curry, FM Skyline started as a way for him to explore some new synthesizer equipment and quickly evolved into a vapor-wave masterpiece. Curry had been noodling with early mixes when a Canadian electronic label stumbled on a SoundCloud track and asked for an album’s worth of tunes. The musician obliged but the label disappeared. Luckily, we’ll still get to
Blush Face
“What Do You Want” (Trrrash Recrods)
The melancholy vocals of Allie Smith are likely to cause swooning as Blush Face’s take on ’90s pop nostalgia wraps you in its warm blanket. Recorded at Virginia Moonwalker studios with help from Russell Lacy and Tim Falen, the album may have fans of achingly beautiful-voiced, indie rocker Angel Olsen channeling her when this record drops in late September.
DeCo Slush
“The Color Theory” (independent)
Beneath DeCo Slush’s graveled croon are some fast-paced and creative beats from this young, modern rapper. Slush caught our eye with the particularly dark and dreary “Nightcrawler” in 2016, and an early listen for “The Color Theory” continues that melodic and bass-driven hip-hop, this time using a different color to represent each track. “If a color was a person and they made music, what would they sound like?” he asks. You’ll find out later this year.
Asylum
“Modern Hysteria” (Vinyl Conflict Records)
It’s been about two years since we last got a release from this speedy hardcore crew, so fans should be pumped when the record drops in October. Recorded with veteran local producer Ricky Olson at the Ward (People’s Blues of Richmond, Venomspitter), the band has a limited-run tour coming up, so stay tuned, in order to catch this awesome ruckus live.
Michael Millions
“Hard to Be King” (Purple Republic Music Group)
On his eighth studio release, Millions hopes to show maturity. He says that he wants to acknowledge his success but still come to terms with the reality around him. The mixing of jazz-horn loops over his commanding chant on the title track “Hard to be King” has us intrigued about the rest of this much-anticipated record. Millions has had some high-profile run-ins as of late, spending time with the hip-hop higher-ups at XXL, so snatch this record so you can say you were there before he blew up.
Tinnarose
“Wynd Palace” EP (Nine Mile Records)
Fresh from Austin, Texas, Tinnarose is a new addition to Richmond’s scene. The heavily ’60s pop-influenced trio offers swinging guitar licks, powerful female vocals and groovy jams for the fall season. Cue “California Dreamin” from the Mamas and the Papas. Keep an ear out for “Wynd Palace” when it drops in late September and don’t forget your bell-bottoms and homemade flower crown.
Buzzard Dust
“Shit Town” (Forcefield Records)
A local metal supergroup featuring members of Petrichor, Unsacred and the Jefferson Plane Crash, among others, this new five-piece is set to drop its first LP in mid-October. An early track, “Shit Town,” will likely have you smashing something or calmly preparing a meal, depending on your mood.
Left Cross
“Chaos Ascension” (Vinyl Conflict Records)
Left Cross brings the growl and howl from the dark clubs and basements that we’re gonna need to get into the Halloween spirit this year — walk into one of those Halloween stores blasting this record and let me know how that goes. It’s been about a year since its “Hell is Hell” EP, so this is a pretty hyped drop for fans of sludgy metal and double-bass drum kicks.
