Finding My Religion #12 & #13: Twenty-Three New Songs Curated by the Priest - 'You're Gonna Need a Little Music'
- 18 hours ago
- 12 min read
Late summer blues? We've got you covered. Twenty-three can't miss songs selected by us, for us. If you like some of them we'll consider that gravy.
SIDE A
Intro: "You're Gonna Need a Little Music" | Yard Act
Leave it to these brilliant English lads to take us on a logistically impossible road trip and somehow make it seem completely sensible. If you're like me and you program a soundtrack for any car ride longer than 2-minutes, their reminder may not be necessary, but for the rest of you, here's a bunch of new songs if you need a little new music...
You're gonna need a little music, OK
You wanna make my day?
All you gotta do
Is press play
01 "Stampede" | Genesis Owusu
Ghana via Australia rapper Genesis Owusu dropped an amazingly innovative record this year with the unwieldy title, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge, and "Stampede" is the perfect litmus test on whether this is for you or not. I'd argue it should be. The song mixes up the medicine, dropping a little Dizzee Rascal square-dance emcee flow to start, but soon veers off course into a chorus that sounds like a club classic you might've heard at the Hacienda in the Madchester 80s. G.O.'s creativity knows no bounds, in other words. No two songs the same make for a dizzyingly impressive outing.
02 "Amaro" | Bibi Club
Montreal bands are making some of the most adventurous music on the planet these days, it seems. Alongside bands like Yoo Doo Right, La Sécurité, and Population II, Bibi Club are bringing French Canadian avant-garde noise to new heights. Dark in theme, exhilarating in execution, their new record, Amaro, is a sonic marvel, begging you to take leave of your senses for just over 30-minutes. While I disagree with the premise of the song, that "the heart is a place that never dies," I'll buy it as long as it's sung by Adèle Trottier-Rivard or played by guitarist/producer Nicolas Basque—a true Québécois dynamic duo if I've ever heard one.
03 "Nosedive" | Man/Woman/Chainsaw
London buzzband Man/Woman/Chainsaw do something you don't always expect from a promising new British group: they show restraint. A delicate, slow-build craftsmanship permeates Cannonball, their debut LP, and your patience will be rewarded if you'll allow them time and space to do their thing at their own pace. "Nosedive" is a good example. It starts with a light synth flutter, a solitary drum beat, a little guitar lick, until a violin enters to add yet another layer of texture. It takes a full 50 seconds until we get to the understated tandem vocals of Billy Ward and Vera Leppänen (co-founders of the band). Little by little, the song builds to a glorious, but not ostentatious, payoff. It's a slow release formula that oscillates from minimalist pop to chaotic outbursts of noise with ease. I've found myself returning to it like a medication.
04 "I Thought She Was a Song" | Margaret Glaspy
Have you ever known someone who just seemed to live by their own rules without concern for fitting in or considering regret? Margaret Glaspy apparently has, all the way back to her high school days, no less. Margaret has retained some of this spirit I would argue; perhaps this is an ode to the person who changed her operating model for the better and forever. Her songwriting, her voice, her guitar playing are all pleasingly just off the grid, unlike anyone else, whether she's rocking and riffing or delivering a knockout slow burner like this gorgeously offbeat tribute. Already on my short list for Pickled Priest's Best Songs of 2026.
05 "Smokestack" | Valerie June
Yes, this is a dramatic 'reimagining', shall we say, of Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning," but even that characterization seems woefully inadequate. In fact, it's a totally new song that was clearly inspired by one of my favorite songs ever written and performed in any genre. That's a risky move, but my faith in Valerie, one of our country's true originals, has been rewarded. June's ambition was to whip up a song that combined, in her words, "[the] haunting imagery of Lead Belly's 'In the Pines,' the visceral edge of Nirvana, and the electrifying spirit of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's guitar work into a single roaring performance." Is that enough ambition for you? That she pulls it off is truly miraculous. Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the nasty guitar work supplied by June and foil Sean Walsh throughout. You may have heard Valerie June, but never quite like this incendiary creation. The Wolf would surely approve.
SIDE B
06 "Ammunition/Rawkaway" | Badger Hunt
From Brooklyn, a place where a new band forms every time some transplanted Manhattanite orders a venti, half-caf, 10-shot, iced ristretto, comes the beyond lo-fi rock band Badger Hunt. You'd better find a new hip neighborhood, kids, because making music like this guarantees you'll be priced out soon enough. Unless the world suddenly falls in love with your ramshackle brilliance like I did. Full Moon in My Pocket is a boutique item for sure and not one you'd find in a chic shop on Atlantic Avenue. Most in my world would dismiss my entire website out of hand if I put this on at a party, but I don't care. I think there's something here and I'm sticking to it. A couple songs reference iced tea. Another lets you make up your own lyrics (suggested: la la la, da da da, ba ba ba, doo doo doo, etc.). It ends with a couple bona-fide ballads that hint at potential growth areas for the band coming soon. The 66-second instro "Ammunition," tears right into de facto band anthem "Rawkaway" and everything you need to know to make your own decision is right here. Mine has already been made.
07 "Gorgeous" | Body Type
The contractually-mandated Australian rock band spot this time goes to Sydney's Body Type, a group of down under ladies that do the 90's indie-rock thing with modern topical content. Produced by drummer extraordinaire, Stella Mozgawa (of Warpaint), Tally is the band's third. Some cool songs littered throughout.
08 "Tic Tac" | The Tammy Shine
A solo turn from the long-time leader of undervalued Denver band, Dressy Bessy, Tammy Ealon continues to be one of pop-rock's best songwriters. I've heard very little about her new record as the Tammy Shine and somebody missed the memo. OK Shine OK has 12 great songs out of 12 in 41-minutes, and there are no skips. That's because no song sounds completely like the others. "Tic Tac" rolls off the production line back in the ten-spot where most other records of this ilk are running out of gas. Not many records get better as the go on, but side two of the record proves my point. I had a real hard time picking one song because they all have their own unique identity. If not this one, try "Not Today." Then mine the rest. A sleeper record that's been slept on.
09 "Tears Don't Fall (From Government Eyes)" | Mopar Stars
I love bands that sound like Mopar Stars; they've got a little blue collar grit under the fingernails (Replacements-esque) and an endearingly raw spirit (I hear some early Goo Goo Dolls) that serves their instantly catchy melodies perfectly. A real rock and roll band with heart: always a recommended investment for your musical portfolio. They're named after the parts division of Detroit-based Chrysler Motors and they've titled their first album The Official Researchers of the NJ Devil, but this band hails from Philadelphia and make no mistake about that (applies to everybody and everything from the city, too). They aren't afraid delve into some non-partisan politics either; the decidedly political "Tears Don't Fall (From Government Eyes)"—which I would've included in my favorite parenthetical song titles if I hadn't published it already—expresses frustration at Congress ignoring the lowly commoners. It doesn't punch you in the face, but the disappointment in our elected representatives is palpable. So there's more to Mopar Star than you might expect and they may not be all the way there yet, but they have a chance to do something big. I look forward to their upcoming tour with the Tubs, which will be a killer double-bill.
10 "Violent Peasant" | Mesh
You're not getting outta Philly just yet. Which could be the city's motto with some self aware legislative momentum. Objectively, a great song title, Mesh (not to be confused with the Bristol electronic duo of the same name), close out this side with "Violent Peasant" a highlight from their mostly inspired debut full-length titled No Fun at All, which isn't entirely accurate. I guess it depends on how you define fun. A band to keep an eye on in your peripheral.
Intermission:
"Creek Ala" | heavensouls
The perfect little rhythmic palate cleanser before we enter Act II from heavensouls, a godawful name, but a great sound. I would've toughened up the horn chart, but that's just me.
SIDE C
11 "You're So (Phisticated)" | Uni Boys
The second great parenthetical song title on this list is sheer quirky genius. It's a perfect title for a power-pop song and among the power-pop illuminati, the Uni Boys have cult status. If you have even a tinge of curiosity about what lubricates the salivary glands of such a group, start your schooling right here. I've already dragged it into my ever-growing playlist of power-pop classics (their second appearance to date) and I'm considering a couple others from their new self-titled record. When the planets align for the next International Pop Overthrow, these guys could have their day in the sunshine.
12 "Chauffeur" | The Womack Sisters
Daptone Records and resident producer Gabriel Roth strike again with the Womack Sisters. The label, not prolific, rarely misses when it puts something out and their winning streak continues with the Sisters' self-titled debut LP. On paper, this trio doesn't sound like a tough decision for the label. If the Womack Sisters (BG, Kucha, Zeimani) walked into my studio and somebody told me they were Sam Cooke's granddaughters, I'd at least see what they had to offer. Add in the fact their uncle was Bobby Womack and I'd just start rolling tape on the spot hoping for the best. I mean, how bad could they be? From the first notes of "Chauffeur," the question is definitively answered by the hairs raised on the back of my neck. Involuntary response generated. We all know there's nothing quite like familial harmonies and these three were made to sing together as a group. Not content to go full retro, however, "Chauffeur" taps into the underbelly of our Uber/Lyft-dominated lives, where people put in long hours behind the wheel in order to pay their rent, all the while carting drunk people all over the city, from one night club to the next. Each ride adds up and soon the driver begins to fantasize about a role-reversal. When it happens, someone is going to get a bit gratuity.
13 "19th Nervous Breakdown" | Elizabeth Cook
I've always been a fan of Liz Cook because she's just country enough to play the Grand Ole Opry and just ballsy enough to pull off a southern rocker like "Thick Georgia Woman" on her last record. It turns out she's also able to take on an old Stones warhorse, add some personalized lyrics and a dose of twang, and come pretty damn close to pulling it all off. The rest of the record sounds equally ballsy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, this coming from the gal who wrote "Sometimes it Takes Balls to Be a Woman" almost 20 years ago.
14 "Oval Room" | Margo Price
Speaking of ballsy women, Margo Price is another. She does what she wants when she wants with whom she wants, but she apparently didn't check-in with the Dixie Chicks when she put "Oval Room" on her new "mini record/max EP" LP, Days of Unrest. The title says a lot all by itself—these are troubled times—especially if you're of the left-leaning persuasion. It's a short yet stellar collection of song, but she gets her point across loud and clear throughout. With perhaps the chorus of the year in the chamber, "Oval Room" is so undeniable I chose it over a couple mariachi driven tracks, which is one of my biggest weaknesses. (But don't you dare skip those.) Margo has my deepest level of respect for putting this song out. Fire up the steamrollers, I guess.
Everywhere he goes, makes the people mad
Makes the poor men beg and the rich men glad
'Cause he's the president, but I don't care
15 "Deportee" | Ken Pomeroy
Since I used Margo Price's spot on "Oval Room"—and not on her fabulous mariachi-styled cover of Woody Gurthrie's "Deportee"—I've opted to include Ken Pomeroy's take on the song, taken from her covers EP, Tonight's News (which also includes a new version of an original, "Bound to Rain"). There's no confusion about why this song, originally recorded in 1948, is still so relevant today. One listen to the lyrics will make you angry that we as a country haven't learned from our past mistakes, instead doubling down on them. Also covered on the record: Jackson Browne's "Late for the Sky", Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' "Look at Miss Ohio", John Denver's "This Old Guitar", and interestingly, Bob Welch's Top 10 hit, "Sentimental Lady." All in her usual gorgeously stripped down style of course. Real nice stuff, if not as revelatory as Margo's.
SIDE D
16 "Dust in the Wind" | Chanel Beads
Abandon all hope of a Kansas cover, all who enter the world of this Brooklyn, New York trio (is there any other place a band can come from these days?—fuck). This time, their sound caught me by surprise, and I own their first record, which had the same fucking title as this one (Your Day Will Come) for some reason. I guess Brooklyn bands are trying to out-pretentious each other or make an artistic statement, surely both. All I can say is I found myself willingly entering their dark, underground sonic universe. What a great late-night headphone record this is! You'll get no more information from me. That's what the goddamned web is for and its AI Zagat-styled review engine. I say, just put it on and let your mind soak it all in. All you need to know is right here.
17 "Socially Awkward" | The Heads
Settle in. The rest of this mix is gonna take us a while. If your mind isn't open yet, then try the Heads' new Iggy Pop homage, yourprettyplaceisgoingtohell. It's not just your face going to hell this time. So is your house or your apartment, apparently. The record is a psych-rock freakout intended to clean out your cobwebs. This Bristol-based band doesn't ease up on the wah wah pedals for the full 73-minute duration of the record. "Socially Awkward" (you don't play this kind of music otherwise) frizzles and frazzles nerve endings and obliterates brain cells along the way. And not Trumpian Iran nukes "obliteration"; I'm talking real obliteration, end of civilization stuff, thank you very much. To quote the title of the album's penultimate track: "It's All Over Now Sunshine."
18 "Many Worlds" | Parts & Labor
I have a love/hate with Brooklyn, quite obviously, but it isn't the fault of the revered, unbridled-noise rock outfit Parts & Labor. I have everything they've ever released for a reason. Few bands harness their power while still maintaining the semblance of melodic rock songs each packing an almost triumphal emotional release. They've been gone for over a decade and thankfully have decided to grace us with their presence on the epic 79-minute opus, Set of All Sets. That title sounds about right. This is a power set. Leader Dan Friel put out a killer record in 2023 with his new band Upper Wilds (#22 on our year-end list), but this band is his main creative and spiritual home and they've made the most of it this time out. "Many Worlds" is an almost 8-minute electro-prog-rock-ish landslide with a chorus that should be echoing in the rafters of giant venues around the world if we appreciated what we should appreciate which we never will.
19 "Nipples on the Runway" | Fancy Weapon
Fair comment. Stupid song title. So stipulated. But this Melbourne band and their fractured guitar chord approach to rock and roll more than makes up for it with a whole record that sounds like the lead guitarist got tased shortly before going into the studio and spent the whole time figuring out how to move his hands and pull sounds out of this contraption currently in his hands. If his sound is remotely familiar to you, that's because the guitarist is Mick Turner, formerly of Aussie legends Dirty Three. Fancy Weapon is a bit of a supergroup, but only for those who are deep, deep, deep into the shag of Australian rock and roll. Oh yeah, that's Mudhoney bassist Guy Maddison holding own the bottom end, too. So not 100% pure, but close. Still, I love to let this sprawling, angular, strangled, spazzed stream of molasses drip from my speakers. There's something liberating about throwing out the rule book.
20 "Face A" | France
'Tis then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man
Came singing songs of love
-Donovan, "Hurdy-Gurdy Man"
No easy exit on this highway, people. Only long, meandering paths into the darkness. For our final trick, we offer a 20:35 drone masterwork from these French underground legends that I hadn't heard of until this year. They're from Le Puy-en-Velay if that means anything to you. Seriously, if you want to put yourself into a self-induced musical coma for a third of an hour, there's no better way to do it than immersing yourself in Yann Gourdon's undulating, electric hurdy-gurdy work on the band's new live record, Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts. Let's put it this way, there are no songs of love on the record anywhere, just hurdy-gurdy, drums, and bass cycling over and over again on the same theme. Watch the video above to see what I'm talking about. This shit hypnotized me as I watched it. After it was done, I had to shake my head a few times to break out of the trancelike state it created. A strange but welcome feeling.
Outro: "Music in My Soul" | William Shatner
We leave it to a guy who has fictionally traveled the unknown universe countless times to sum up our passion for music in a nutshell. Man, what a soundtrack he could've made for those trips! Live forever, Captain, live forever!
______________________
Mercifully for some, that's all for today.
Cheers,
The Priest