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Downtown Boys: Empowering A ‘Wave Of History’

Downtown Boys' debut album, 'Full Communism,' is out May 4. (Jen Cray/Courtesy of the artist) — Downtown Boys’ debut album, ‘Full Communism,’ is out May 4. (Jen Cray/Courtesy of the artist)

Punk has always had the capacity to speak uncomfortable truths. It’s loud, aggressive music that can provide a platform for expressing frustrations and anger: Some bands focus on the micro level, channelling and working through personal pain; others work in the macro by addressing larger social issues, corrupt institutions, or political disenfranchisement. Downtown Boys specializes in the latter, writing combustible and challenging songs that forcefully face difficult subjects head-on.

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First Listen: Speedy Ortiz, ‘Foil Deer’

Speedy Ortiz's new album, Foil Deer, is out April 21. (Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist) — Speedy Ortiz’s new album, Foil Deer, is out April 21. (Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist)

Wrote a long essay about Speedy Ortiz’s fantastic new record, Foil Deer for NPR Music’s First Listen series.

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Photo Gallery: Torres, In The Greene Space

Shot some photos of Torres performing for Soundcheck at WNYC’s Greene Space on March 3.

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Lady Lamb: Compelling Songs, Crackling With Distorted Power

Lady Lamb's album After is out March 3 via Ba Da Bing! Records. (Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist) — Lady Lamb’s album After is out March 3 via Ba Da Bing! Records. (Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist)

I first came across Lady Lamb The Beekeeper in 2011, in an opening set for Sharon Van Etten at the now-gone Red Palace in Washington D.C. And I’m pretty sure a majority of the people in that small room was being introduced to her songs for the first time that night as well. But as sometimes goes with opening acts, there was a moment when the jittery murmur of the crowd there to see another musician soon died down and eyes turned to the stage where an artist they didn’t know became a new discovery. That night, with just an electric guitar Lady Lamb — a.k.a. songwriter and guitarist Aly Spaltro — put on a compelling short set — and maybe for some, became a name to keep an ear out for.

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First Listen: Public Service Broadcasting, ‘The Race For Space’

Public Service Broadcasting's new album, The Race For Space, comes out Feb. 23. (Courtesy of the artist) — Public Service Broadcasting’s new album, The Race For Space, comes out Feb. 23. (Courtesy of the artist)

Wrote a long essay about Public Service Broadcasting’s ambitious space-themed concept album, The Race For Space for NPR Music’s First Listen series.

Speedy Ortiz, ‘Raising The Skate’

Wrote a quick bit about Speedy Ortiz’s fantastic new call to arms anthem, “Raising The Skate,” for NPR Music’s Songs We Love series. Check it here.

Joanna Gruesome, ‘Last Year’

Joanna Gruesome's new album, Peanut Butter, is out May 11. (Pat Graham/Courtesy of the artist) — Joanna Gruesome’s new album, Peanut Butter, is out May 11. (Pat Graham/Courtesy of the artist)

Wrote a short thing for NPR Music’s Songs We Love series about a new song by one of my favorite young bands, Joanna Gruesome. You can read that here.

NPR Heavy Rotation: Courtney Barnett, ‘Pedestrian At Best’: Witty And All-Too-Uncomfortably Real

Courtney Barnett's new album, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit', is out March 24 via Mom + Pop. — Courtney Barnett’s new album, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit’, is out March 24 via Mom + Pop. (Leslie Kirchhoff/Courtesy of the artist)

I wrote a short piece for NPR Music’s Heavy Rotation series on Courtney Barnett’s fantastically wordy new song “Pedestrian At Best” from her new album Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit. You can read that over here.

Below, you can read the fuller version.

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Lower Dens: Confidently Embracing Hypnotic Pop

Lower Dens' third album, Escape From Evil, is out March 31 via Ribbon Music. (Frank Hamilton/Courtesy of the artist) — Lower Dens’ third album, Escape From Evil, is out March 31 via Ribbon Music. (Frank Hamilton/Courtesy of the artist)

Whether in her early years as an inward-looking and confessional songwriter, or as the enigmatic creative center of Lower Dens, Jana Hunter has always seemed like a mysterious, reserved figure. Content to mask her voice amid the foggy, blissed-out atmosphere of the Baltimore band, Hunter came off like a shy frontwoman on stage, tolerating the attention because she was driven to perform as a means to push through her own anxiety and internal darkness.

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Novellus: Eerie Electronics, Shrouded In Secrecy

Novellus' Untitled EP is out Jan. 26 via New Ancestors. — Novellus’ Untitled EP is out Jan. 26 via New Ancestors.

Okay, I have no clue who Novellus really is. Maybe it’s a young upstart developing a following by withholding information. Perhaps it’s an established artist I already know, operating under a different moniker. Or, an enigmatic superstar dropping new music on the sly. Wait, I know! It’s Paul McCartney, right? No? Is it Burial? Probably not.

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