Sub Pop will be the new home for Nation of Language – the Brooklyn, NY-based trio composed of Ian Richard Devaney (lead vocals, guitar), Aidan Noell (synthesizer), and Alex MacKay (bass guitar) – to release their new music worldwide in 2025 and beyond. The recent announcement comes with the dioramic official video for the ebullient new single “Inept Apollo” directed by John MacKay.

Devaney offers this on the “Inept Apollo” song and video:

“Work is a respite from pain. Whether it’s a paying job or just the thing you pour yourself into, having a direction to move in, finding a flow state, it can move focus away from the heaviness of the heart. So after life’s losses, in moments of despair, we resolve time and time again to dive headfirst into the work as best we can. But the artistic process also tends to be when imposter syndrome rears its ugly head – when I find my inner monologue spiraling: ‘this is the best coping mechanism I have at my disposal and I’m not even qualified to be doing it.’

“Accompanying the song is a killer music video by our friend and brother John MacKay: it is an homage to creative pursuits, and in some ways came to represent the feeling of living in a city as an artist. The video feels like walking through an old warehouse in Brooklyn, full of practice spaces and studios, each room occupied by artists striving to express and understand themselves and their place in the world. No matter how bizarre the act may seem or how much self-doubt or pain runs through the mind of the creator, the beautiful thing is the striving and continuing on, rather than the final product or any notion of “success.” The power of creation belongs to all of us; requires the approval of none.”

Nation of Language has attracted a rapidly growing and devout international audience via their danceable and impassioned take on new wave, post-punk, and shoegaze. They’ve released three albums, including “Introduction, Presence” (2020), “A Way Forward” (2021), and “Strange Disciple” (2023). They’ve seen coverage from Billboard, The New York Times, Document Journal, Brooklyn Vegan, MOJO, NME, Pitchfork, Stereogum, and have performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Nation of Language’s most recent release, “Strange Disciple” and its singles appeared on multiple “Best of 2023” lists, earning “Album of the Year” from UK retailer Rough Trade and coming in at #2 on KEXP’s annual listeners’ list. Recently, “Weak In Your Light” was featured in the series finale of the Netflix hit You.

Nation of Language has become a favorite on the international festival circuit, winning over crowds at festivals like Austin City Limits Festival, Desert Daze, Pitchfork Festival, Primavera Sound, Pukkelpop, Corona Capital, Outside Lands, and Bonnaroo, among many others.

Listen: Nation Of Language – “Inept Apollo”

Nation Of Language – “Inept Apollo”

With his debut album “Windser,” Santa Cruz born, LA-based artist Jordan Topf plants a Bold emotional flag, and balances anthemic hooks with deeply human storytelling. The new single “Lose You” has just gone full time on SiriusXM’s ALT Nation (check it out below)!

“With this collection of songs I wanted to document my own personal experience with relationships, finding clarity, and moving forward from past trauma. Letting go of things that were once too overwhelming to feel. I was thinking a lot about relationships. The traits we learn/inherit from our families. I avoided making the album a trauma dump, so it’s more of me using these songs as a means of coping with my own strange reality. During this snapshot of time I allowed myself to feel openly and truthfully. I allowed myself to feel like I didn’t have to put those past relationships on some sort of perpetual pedestal anymore. The fogged lens could be wiped clean from the dashboard and seen in broad daylight. There’s also a sense of hope. Hope for love, playfulness, happiness, and healing.” — Jordan Topf (Windser)

“Lose You” is a soaring and propulsive anthem that sees Windser grappling with the final moments of a fading love. Over a driving post-punk shuffle and falsetto lines, Topf pleads to hold on just a little longer. Co-written with Day Wave frontman Jackson Phillips, “Lose You” unlocks one of the album’s most cathartic moments.

In addition to the searing and deeply personal “Abandon,” which reflects on childhood trauma and emotional disconnection; the dreamy “Shut Up and Kiss Me,” written as a tender ode to Topf’s wife; the album also features and was preceded by the incredibly catchy and emotionally raw “These Days,” in which Topf sings “I’m so bored / I’m depressed / I’m a mess / These days” before launching into a hook that lands like a gut punch and lingers long after the final chorus.

Produced by Topf alongside Jon Gilbert (flipturn, Mt. Joy) and Matias Tellez (Girl in Red), the record includes contributions from Jerry Borgé (Lucinda Williams), Daniel Rhine (Phoebe Bridgers), and Dan Bailey (Father John Misty). It arrives following a steady climb through indie and alt circles: Topf’s nostalgic 2023 single “Memory” peaked at #5 on SiriusXM’s Alt Nation and spent 18 weeks on the chart, while his collaborations with Macklemore (“Maniac” and “Next Year”) led to performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. He’s also played major festivals including Lollapalooza and BottleRock.

Listen: Windser – “Lose You”

Windser – “Lose You”

On the heels of Child Seat’s “Hyperphantasia” hanging around so many new music radio show playlists these last weeks (a regular fixture with a SubModern Top 5 peak to date, and which garnered ‘em viral traction via TikTok), the up and coming LA duo follow up with the flirty and fiery anthem “Heart To Heart.” It’s a pulsing sonic rush of driving synths, retro guitars, and charged vocals!

“The potent 80’s-esque promise and artful sexuality of “Heart To Heart” is at once, a pure adrenaline injection as it is a desperate plea for passion in love and life. Amid the pulsating synth tones, artful guitar shapes, dance beats you have Madeleine Mathews massive vocal countenance. In terms of such a forceful throaty force of nature voice she has the artful power of singers like Annie Lennox or Alison Moyet, and yes, they come to mind because of their 80’s Halcyon days. A more contemporary comparison might be a Florence Welch or Adele, suffice it to say Mathews for Child Seat’s artistic pop rock / post punk lean is a perfect, killer, uniquely built voice.” — American Pancake

Child Seat is the LA powerhouse duo of Madeleine Mathews and Josiah Mazzaschi. Mazzaschi has over 20+ years of success recording and producing artists like Built To Spill, The Jesus and the Mary Chain, Rilo Kiley and more, as well as writing/performing for his own projects; Light FM, Motorhome, and Bizou. Mathews, who has fronted and written for numerous bands as well has won songwriting competitions, is defined by her unique vocals and powerful lyricism.

The band is currently in the studio finishing their third album which is set to release later this year—we’ll keep you posted!

Listen: Child Seat – “Heart To Heart”

Child Seat – “Heart To Heart”

New York City-based musician/producer Yuno has shared details for “Blest,” his debut album!

You can watch the official video for the album’s ebullient title track and new single “Blest” just below – the video’s directed by and starring Yuno, and he says of the accompanying visual, “I turned my entire home recording studio into a giant blue screen to make this video. I hope people in my building don’t get concerned about my storage unit filled with 1800 square feet of blue fabric and a 5-foot tall rose.”

All songs on “Blest” were written and performed by Yuno, co-produced by Yuno and Frank Corr, who also contributed keyboards, drums, and guitar throughout the album. It also features additional production and instrumentation by Patrick Wimberly (“True,” “Massive”) at The CRC in Brooklyn, and Nick Sanborn at Betty’s in Durham, NC (“True”). Blest was mixed by Steve Vealey and mastered by Joe La Porta.

Yuno has also announced some headline shows in support of the new album in June, which you can find on our Tours page.

Prior to the new single/title-track, Yuno released another “Blest” highlight “True,” which marries trap and dream pop, and marked the first new material since the release of his standalone single from 2021 “Somebody,” and the 2018 EP, “Moodie,” which features his breakout single “No Going Back.”

Listen: Yuno – “Blest”

Yuno – “Blest”

The Bug Club have shared “Appropriate Emotions,” a new offering and the closing track from the group’s forthcoming new long-player, “Very Human Features” (out 6/13)!

It’s no surprise that, in poking fun at the familiar, the humour is turned inwards and it’s The Bug Club themselves in their own firing line. It’s a rollercoaster unpicking of whatever-it-is The Bug Club do, while at the same time building on the work done in previous albums and presenting us with layers of creativity piled up atop one another.

Sam and Tilly, combined. There’s a name for that – and it’s tempting to think that they might be, given all the joking around. But the multi-dimensional nature to The Bug Club is what makes “Very Human Features” just as re-listenable as their previous work.

The new single tackles expectations and comparisons, with a loud-quiet-loud structure reflecting the ups-and-downs and outbursts unavoidable in frustration and anger. “Appropriate Emotions” manages to be deeply relatable while making its singers sound about as removed from the human experience as possible – perhaps that’s why it’s relatable.

The Bug Club is currently on the road supporting Very Human Features and their previous Sub Pop release, 2024’s “On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System by Means of Popular Music, or the Contemplation of Pretty Faces, Tinned Bubbles and Strife.” PLUS! Some of their older songs.

In June, the band will pair up with Sub Pop label mates Omni for a month-long trek beginning Friday, June 13th in Montreal, QC at Cabaret Foufounes and running through Friday, June 27th in Philadelphia, PA at Johnny Brenda’s.

Listen: The Bug Club – “Appropriate Emotions”

The Bug Club – “Appropriate Emotions”

Acclaimed TV On The Radio frontman and multi-hyphenate talent Tunde Adebimpe’s single “God Knows” from his highly anticipated debut solo album, “Thee Black Boltz.”

“God Knows” delves into the complexities of a bittersweet breakup, showcasing Adebimpe‘s distinctive vocals and introspective lyrics, and captures the raw vulnerability of heartbreak as he sings, “You’re the worst thing I ever loved, And you’re bad news but I still want to give you my love.”

The newly revealed song and album announcement comes on the heels of the vivid and introspective “Drop” earlier this year (see the vid below) and last year’s lead single “Magnetic.” “Thee Black Boltz” is produced by Tunde Adebimpe & Wilder Zoby, and executive produced by Zoby, with additional production and contributions from Jaleel Bunton & Jahphet Landis (of TV On The Radio), and more.

Showcasing visionary soundscapes, the album is a nod to Adebimpe’s propensity to write and sing about the human condition – in all its forms, under all its stressors, both big and small.

Listen: Tunde Adebimpe – “God Knows”

Tunde Adebimpe – “God Knows”

An homage to the heavy music that inspired the two brothers to pick up their instruments when they were kids, Franklin, TN’s Two Car Garage open the door on their first intro to radio with the instant “Skeleton.”

The duo also shot the Accompanying Short Film “LE ZOMBIETON” – it doubles as a narrative short story, which we Highly recommend as well (see below and jump straight to 6:13 in for “Skeleton”!).

“‘Skeleton’ was written from the perspective of a skeleton observing all of us fleshy bags of blood and bone walking around like we’re already dead and wondering ‘is this what it feels like to be alive?’ – almost like Pinocchio wanting to be a real boy vibes, but then kinda observing human beings and being like huh maybe it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” – Two Car Garage

+ ALREADY BUILDING: Apple Music -New In Rock, New Music Daily, Breaking Hard Rock, Spotify: All New Rock, Tidal: New Tracks (Rising), Rock (Rising)

Two Car Garage’s Caleb and Will Chapman have gone through life as somewhat of a dynamic duo. Being so close in age, the two were rarely separated. However, nothing brought them together more than their shared love for rock n roll.

As young boys in the 90’s, with a hand me down five string guitar and a worn out miniature drum set, the brothers eagerly observed everything about their favorite bands. It wasn’t just the sound that drew them in but the attitude, style, and culture that made them want to be part of it all.

They had instruments, baggy clothes, a venue with a built in crowd (their parents’ basement), battery powered lights (flashlights), and had even written their first song about the things that plagued their young minds called, “Football in the Air”. Caleb and Will agreed they had almost everything needed to start a real band, with the only thing missing the band name.

One fateful morning, Will ran into the kitchen excited to announce that he’d lost his second front tooth. When their mom saw the vacant space in Will’s top row of teeth, that’s when she said it…

Her observation on what Will’s new smile compared to, sounded to the two young brothers like a band as cool as Oasis and as rock and roll as Van Halen. On a football field or basketball court they were known as The Chapman Brothers, but when they picked up their instruments they would call themselves: Two Car Garage.

Like many first bands they eventually outgrew their name and moved on to many more before starting the acclaimed Colony House. The band has spent the last 10 years building a respected name in the indie rock space and a die hard following through the release of four full length albums and non stop touring.

Though Colony House has no plans of slowing down, the Chapman brothers have long dreamed of breathing life back into Two Car Garage. This rowdy, no holds barred project pays homage to the heavy music that inspired them to pick up their instruments in the first place and pushes against the boundaries of what is to be expected.

Listen: Two Car Garage – “Skeleton”

Two Car Garage – “Skeleton”

In celebration of today’s release of Royel Otis’ deluxe version of “PRATTS & PAIN (It Ain’t Over Til It Ends),” and with their Late Night TV Debut Soon To Follow On Jimmy Kimmel Live! (10/16), the Australian duo’s star continues to rise, as they’ve also treated fans to new single off the expanded debut album – “If Our Love Is Dead.”

“‘If Our Love Is Dead’ was born out of that feeling when you’ve been with someone for a while and you’re not sure if the spark is still there. You’re like… If it’s dead and it’s not there, then what are we holding on to? What are we doing it for? Are we doing it for the sake of just sticking it out, or do we actually just want to cut paths and move on with things?” – Royel Otis

The final jewel in Royel Otis‘ “PRATTS & PAIN” crown, “If Our Love Is Dead” closes out the deluxe edition It Ain’t Over Til It Ends; following on from releases of the joyously fizzy “Claw Foot,” grunge-tuned “Merry Mary Marry Me,” and tender “Til The Morning” – the latter which saw a first play on Apple Music’s New Music Daily with Zane Lowe.

Royel Otis will make their Late Night TV debut October 16th on Jimmy Kimmel live, yet another step closer towards the band’s growing global influence. The deluxe release follows a grand ARIA reveal that saw the band named the highest nominated artist for their upcoming 2024 Awards, having accumulated an incredible eight nominations, spanning the following categories – Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Indie Release, Best Rock Album, Best Aussie Live Act, Best Engineered, Best Producer, and Song of the Year for their cover of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ (triple j Like a Version). This is the second consecutive year the duo have been nominated, following a nod at the 2023 Award for Breakthrough Artist.

Listen: Royel Otis – “If Our Love Is Dead”

Royel Otis – “If Our Love Is Dead”