Notable Releases of the Week (8/22) – BrooklynVegan: Rewritten as “Highlighted Releases This Week (8/22)”
The past week has been overwhelming, with the tragic news of Brent Hinds, co-founder of Mastodon, passing away in a motorcycle accident at the age of 51. Brent made a significant impact on rock and metal over the last twenty-five years, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
Despite the somber news, this week is big in terms of new music releases. Notable tracks include singles from Good Luck, Merchandise, Joyce Manor, and Steve Lacy. Additionally, some highly anticipated summer albums have dropped, such as Water From Your Eyes, Superchunk, TOPS, Blake Mills & Pino Palladino, Hunx and His Punx, Adrian Sherwood, Hand Habits, Winter, Tullycraft, and Jim Bob (Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine).
Among the honorable mentions for this week are artists like Mac DeMarco, Kid Cudi, Offset, Anand Wilder (Yeasayer), Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Nourished by Time, Laufey, quannnic, Hundreds of AU, Wreck and Reference, Arcadea (Brann Dailor of Mastodon), The Planet Smashers, Teyana Taylor, Ciara, Mariah the Scientist, Emma Louise & Flume, Squanderers (Wendy Eisenberg, David Grubbs, Kramer), Scree, Lila Iké, Kathleen Edwards, Delicate Steve, Ami Taf Ra, Ava Max, Jon Batiste, Dean Johnson, UMI, Jobber, Bootcamp, Case Oats, Pendulum, Bask, Malevich, Judy Blank, Old Dominion, Dominic Fike, Rudimental, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Walker Hayes, Sombr, Sir Chloe, Royel Otis, Glitterfox, Three Days Grace, and EPs from the Goo Goo Dolls, Lupe Fiasco, The Dare, and Divine Earth, and the 20th anniversary edition of Menos El Oso by Minus The Bear.
One of the standout releases this week is “Dreams of Being Dust” by The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. Known for their post-rocky emo sound, the band takes a bold turn towards metal and hardcore in this aggressive new record. Featuring guest screams from various artists, the album embraces hardcore, metalcore, alternative metal, and heavy prog elements. Singles like “Dissolving” showcase the band’s versatility, drawing comparisons to Deftones with their heavy sound. The album also marks a significant departure from their previous work, tapping into TWIABP’s roots in the hardcore scene and exploring heavier musical territories that have always been present in their music.
This unexpected shift in sound comes at a time when the band members are reflecting on the world’s current state and their personal experiences. With political undertones throughout the album, TWIABP delivers some of their most impactful and intense music to date. Co-lead vocalists David F. Bello and Katie Dvorak bring their signature chemistry to the tracks, creating a dynamic and distinctive sound that sets them apart from other bands. “Dreams of Being Dust” challenges fans’ expectations and showcases TWIABP’s willingness to evolve and explore new musical territories.
Overall, this album represents a bold and ambitious step for The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. As they navigate through heavier genres and incorporate political themes into their music, the band continues to push boundaries and maintain their unique sound. “Dreams of Being Dust” is a testament to their growth as artists and their commitment to creating music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level.