now playing: July 2019
now playing is a collection of what we’re currently listening to at the grey estates.
Young Enough - Charly Bliss
Even though this record dropped a few weeks ago, it’s what I’ve been finding myself turning to when I’m in need of a soundtrack for something, anything. That being said, Young Enough has it all — it encapsulates what being in your early ‘20s sounds like in this new era of pop-emo psychedelic tunes. I can’t stop repeating the title track and “Hard To Believe,” as both are energetic, heart pumping numbers that blend vocals and synth perfectly. This might be a compact listen, but Charly Bliss has a badass way of saying everything they need to in under an hour. // words: kayla carmicheal
Cut Your Teeth - Necking
As the world continues its slow descent into total chaos and pure hell, Necking has arrived to offer you a break from it all. The nine tracks contained on their debut album, out now on Mint Records, are the equivalent of speeding off into the sunset with your friends, and watching the world burn behind you in the rearview mirror;Cut Your Teeth is an angry, unrelenting joy ride. It’s a message from a band that has clearly had it to up here, but decided the best way to move forward is with a whole lot of fuzz and some seriously ardent punk. Whether shouting out a repetitious reminder of existence against a chugging bass line and buzzing, furious instrumentals (“Still Exist”) or sharing guttural laments on the perpetual post-grad struggle (“Spare Me”), Cut Your Teeth is a relatable, entertaining thrashing through those moments in life that you just can’t stand to spend another second on. We can’t solve all our problems in a day, but with the help of Necking, we can at least temporarily pretend that life isn’t a total, complicated mess.
Fashion Conman - Girl Friday
There’s absolutely nothing predictable about a single second of Fashion Conman from Girl Friday. The EP, out now on Hardly Art, is a smattering of punk rock ideals, with the LA foursome taking inspiration from everything to Hole to The Bangles. It’s catchy, ferocious, and fast, and just when you think you might have gotten even a hint of what the band intends to present, they change it all up again. Take for instance the previously released single, “Decoration/Currency,” which concludes with a burst of frantically-paced screaming guitars and fervent shouts, or give a listen to the EP’s opener, “Headstones” that ditches surprisingly poppy beginnings for a biting finish. There’s a lot packed in here, and it’s worth fully exploring to discover it all.