That’s it. Summer’s officially over. But before fall gets underway, let’s take a look back on the best local songs the season had to offer.
“What Should I Do” – The Pukes
The best campy horror films are vaguely familiar while at the same time establishing a singular aesthetic that elevates it a notch above the schlock. Garage punks The Pukes conjure a similar feeling on debut LP The Revenge of The Pukes. This track, in particular, mines well-trod musical territory, but still finds new ground.
Next show: Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., on Saturday, September 24 with Tacocat and Dude York, 9 p.m.
“Whatja Doo” – Bad Grades
Perhaps no person is more integral to the Milwaukee sound than producer Shane Hochstetler, who’s Howl Street Recordings records many of the city’s bands. In his downtime he also drums for Call Me Lightning, Zebras, Multiple Truths and the latest, Bad Grades, which also features members from Population Control, Northless and Volcanos. Its first released song, via Milwaukee Record, travels at breakneck speed.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Responsibilities (ft. BJ the Chicago Kid & Anderson .Paak)” – Thane
Producer Thane delivered a stellar first impression on July’s three-song Gravity EP, but that effort was simply a warm-up for September’s sonically immersive full-length Topia. “Responsibilities” represents the album’s mid-way point and sends everything spiraling in a different direction.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Not Making a Sound” – Something To Do
Milwaukee offers quite the variety of genres, but ska music has mostly been missing from the sonic landscape. That is, until Something To Do’s infectious Not Making a Sound filled the void.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“lanquidity with the Moor ft SB the Moor” – Scallops Hotel
There’s always so much to unpack from milo’s poetic verses. Fortunately, his songs don’t grow stale on repeat listens—especially on his alter-ego Scallops Hotel’s Too Much of Life is a Mood. The 10th spin can sometimes reveal new wrinkles.
Next show: Landmark Lanes, 2220 N. Farwell Ave., on Thursday, September 22 with Antilia Raid and s.al, 9 p.m.
“Notice” – Ju Preach
There’s always a younger generation of rappers looking to push the old out. Ju Preach is the latest of the new crop from the hip hop collective CCM, which includes IshDARR, BoodahDARR, EMAAD and E Coop, and you can almost feel a hard shove on his latest track.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“We Like (Mammyth Remix)” – The Rusty Pelicans
The recently reunited Rusty Pelicans represent the music scene’s past, but a new album Apartment 7 and this remix from Mammyth proves that the hip hop collective are as relevant as ever.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Off The Grid” Jay Anderson X Cristian Strehlow
This eclectic mix of jazz and electronic music from saxophonist Jay Anderson and producer Cristian Strehlow somehow feels weightless and grounded at the same.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Attached to the Lamp” – Sat Nite Duets
The opening track from new album Air Guitar is a celebration of life on the road of a rock ‘n roll band through the good (“I just want to go back to Asheville again/ Get attached to the lampshade with all of my friends”) and the bad (“Maybe we can go back to Cleveland/ And play for the sound guy and the other band/ And the opening act got picked up by his dad/ It happened before, it will happen again”).
“Finger Bones” – Soul Low
These simple yet effective three minutes from Nosebleeds presents a glance into the social anxieties of the digital age through a blinking cursor on a phone screen.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Holy Ranger” – Devil Met Contention
This dark, scorched-earth closer to Devil Met Contention’s Fuel the Lights burns through the remaining gasoline in one fell swoop.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“16 Tiny Mountains” – Ugly Brothers
The titular track from 16 Tiny Mountains rambles along before picking up the pace for a spirited, pastoral finish.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Uniform Souls” – El-Shareef
No song on this playlist makes me as nostalgic for summer than El-Shareef’s “Uniform Souls,” which feels like a perfect time capsule of the passing season. It’s the first single off the rapper’s forthcoming album, Matching Verts.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
“Stay in Your Lane” Foreign Goods
An upbeat, vibrant reminder to mind your business, from the hip-hop/blues/jazz collective’s first EP, Coronation, a live recording from Summer Soulstice.
Next Show: No Milwaukee dates scheduled
