There was one morning in September that a friend of mine had sent me several messages before the sun had come up over the South Carolina sky. Of course, if you’re anything like me, there’s a friend or two around with music taste above reproach. This was that friend. Conversations normally consist of tour announcements and ticket prices in our area. However, these messages were coupled with a few other announcements from Apple Music.

It was certain: September was coming up a great month for new music at only thirteen days in. With iconic tours taking their first stops, full-length records being released, and plenty of singles on the way, it’s only fair that we cover some of our favorites from the last 30 days.

ALBUMS:

The Alexander Technique – Rex Orange County

Perhaps one of the more anticipated releases for this fall is Rex Orange County‘s The Alexander Technique. It’s the first full-length studio album to be released following the act’s cancellation of international tour dates in 2022. This is Alex O’Connor’s fifth record as Rex Orange County, and he’s here to prove it. Right off the bat, “Alexander” sets the stage for the record by detailing a trip to the doctor’s office. At the surface, it’s an anecdotal track about an attempt to solve chronic back pains. Within a few lines, listeners are in for a heavy-handed self-reflection under the fluorescent and frustrating lights of a physician’s office. Beyond that, the record is stacked with tracks that are quintessentially coming up Rex. However, it obtains a mature storytelling that could only develop through the unique career experiences of O’Connor. Somehow, he has managed to develop his technical skill, unique sound, and personal growth in tandem, all working intricately together. It’s a maturity that hasn’t lost its wonder. This distinct playfulness peaks through the airy and fun-forward sounds of “2008.” The maturity manifests through profound storytelling and introspection on tracks like “Therapy,” a track recounting details of O’Connor’s career thus far, giving listeners an intimate invitation into the sixty minutes each week that led to his recharge and return.

Author’s Favorite: “Sliding Doors”

Author’s Skip: “New Years”

I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore – COIN

COIN‘s newest record, I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore, is the pop-rock victory that this year needed. Being their fifth studio album, it’s no shock to see the band develop their sound in a way that proves both authentic and experimental. In light of recent projects, I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore feels like a natural sound and progression of musicianship. It’s always worth noting the value of sequencing, and COIN nails the place value for “It’s Hard to Care About Everything.” It’s what a record opener should be; an easy listen that sets a scene and tells the truth. Tracks like “Along for the Ride” and “Take It or Leave It” echo their past pop-rock anthems and are sure to be staples within the bands’ discography. Tracks like “Olivia,” Growing Song,” and “Problem” display the act’s ability to experiment with the sound they’ve built for themselves while remaining authentic in lyricism.

Author’s Favorite: “Along for the Ride”

Author’s Skip: “Sing Along”

CARVER – Carver Commodore

Discovering Carver Commodore in a live setting was one of the more pleasant surprises of the year for me. The act is a must-see for rock shows on the road right now. Their newest album, Carver, is a record that’s both phenomenally its own while reminiscent of the icons of the genre. The vocals from Payton Pruitt feel effortless and honest, with the musicianship laying a near spotless foundation underneath. Branded as the “friendliest rock band from Alabama,” Carver Commodore doesn’t let the genre get in the way of honest storytelling over tracks that punch back. Lines like “I’d rather be here in the valley with you than at the top of the mountain on my own,” share intimate, existential stories inside loud and fast rock tracks. The album has a beautiful, peculiar way of being exactly what you need. It’s been the soundtrack to having friends over and drives down the interstate, but has also invited me into the behind-the-curtain lives of the songwriters and finding pieces of myself in the stories they’re telling. For fans of anywhere from Arctic Monkeys to Tame Impala to Cage the Elephant, Carver Commodore and their newest record belong on your turntable this Autumn.

Author’s Favorite: “IN THE VALLEY”

Author’s Skip: “OK OK OK”

SINGLES:

“Lover” – Hollifield

They’re rocking, they’re rolling, they’re surfing, they’re just sort of surpassing genre into a surf-rock-and-roll reminiscent category of their own. Hollifield‘s new single is no exception to this. “Lover” was a long-awaited release for me, personally. Their newest single is bright and punchy, telling the story of a search for a “lover that comes when you call.” The easy, but well-crafted tune is the sort of music I’ll be holding onto tightly as we head into cold weather. The track feels like a supercut of all the most wonderful, shimmering, sunlit moments, and tells a story of the search we’re all too familiar with. Upbeat percussion and hopeful lyricism set this tune apart from other breezy love songs. The track sets up well for, fingers crossed, the next projects to come from Hollifield.

“Magpie” – Peach Pit

Peach Pit is an act that rarely misses. From musicianship, to branding, to visuals, they’ve created a cohesive and artistic presence that just won’t let you go. Anticipation is building for their newest record, Magpie, and they’ve met that with the release of the title-track. The newest single from the act comes at you fast with choruses complete with stacked melodies and an instrumental backing that doesn’t let up. It’s a dance-in-the-kitchen and blow-your-car-speakers-out single, a particularly interesting contrast to corresponding promotional single, “Did You Love Somebody,” as well as previous projects from the band. Peach Pit has a peculiar way of branching out into new elements in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelmingly experimental, but authoritative. The act claims new element’s as their own, weaving them into the sound they’ve been developing since 2016. Peach Pit, and their newest releases, are a masterclass in world-building as musicians. “Magpie” is no exception, but an example.

“Hell of a Time” – Surfing for Daisy

I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with songwriter of Surfing for Daisy, Nicholas Barcia-Dimeo. “Hell of a Time” is undoubtably well-crafted. It’s introspective and honest. The melodies drip with vulnerability, telling the story of a drafted soldier that reminisces on life in the late sixties in a letter to a lover back home. The track itself is stripped-down, yet you can’t help but feel the full range of emotions within the track. One verse tells stories of “Woodstock, cocaine, and the gypsy life,” and seamlessly leads into the sobering reality of “napalm dreaming, the children are screaming.” If you’re looking for a single that encapsulates the longing for better days, honest acoustic backings, or just beautiful vocals, “Hell of a Time” from the Jersey-based act is right where you belong.