New Releases We Can't Wait to Dig Into

So many records are coming out of Chicago we couldn’t fit 'em all in this week's post! From neo-soul to funky jams, from old time acoustic to indie rock darlings, Chicago has it all and these are some of the local records we just can’t wait to dig into. 

As we scan upcoming release lists, singles and endlessly scrolling through Instagram, we are still very much interested in hearing from you about Chicago music on the horizon. 

It’s Bandcamp Friday this week so head to Bandcamp tomorrow to purchase all your music needs, while all the cash goes straight to artists! The links on album titles will take you straight there.

Pansy  (Chicago)
Pansy
Earth Libraries

Vivian McCall explores the range of emotions and experiences during her transition in this much anticipated debut. The long standing member of Jungle Green has taken off on her own to continue the genre exploration and invention as a bad ass solo musician. The singles “Anybody Help Me,” “Woman of Ur Dreams,” and “Trash” have all explored and displayed different techniques and songwriting skills, promising an eclectic and emotive listen.

E Woods (Chicago)
Late Night
Rosebud Allday

On her solo debut EP, Emily Woods shows what her pipes can do as she transverses the neo-soul production of Marcus Reese. Filled with positive energy on singles “DO YOU” and “Buggin’” this record promises to be a summer long jam that will serve as a background to countless backyard blunt sessions.

Old Joy (Chicago)
Trash Your Life
Dark Circles

Started three years ago, and finally mixed and mastered in 2020, Trash Your Life is Old Joy’s long awaited full length debut. Alex Reindl and company have produced a “scum-pop” record they hope brings you back to the grand days of college radio in ‘94. If the lead single “Hook, Line & Sinking” is any indication they were highly successful! We can’t wait for more!

Tautologic (Chicago)
Wheels Fall Off 
Turtle Down

Funky and fun loving, Tautologic combines so many genre layers it's truly mind blowing. Reflecting the influences of it’s six members, there are elements of irish punk, ska, funk, blues, soul, new wave, R&B and ‘70s rock, all stirred into a soup of musical oddity that could only be born in the 21st century.

drea the vibe dealer (Chicago)
priestess of vibrations pt 3
Rosebud Allday

The third and final part in this trio of releases finds the inventive artist at the peak of her powers. With her trip hop influenced beats and one of a kind delivery, drea the vibe dealer blesses Chicago with her presence each and every release. These three tracks will stick around long after the fuzz fades, until you put ‘em on again...

Jess McIntosh and Aaron Smith (Chicago)
Jess McIntosh and Aaron Smith
Self Released

There is a growing number of musicians throughout Chicago that embrace the old timey tunes of Appalachia and the west, these two members of Joybird spent time last year exploring their roots, and getting down to the nitty gritty of what drew them to music and each other in the first place. These instrumentals and standards know the strands of time, and their beauty shows through.

That is far from all the new music this week, if you haven’t checked out our feature on Fauvely whose new record Beautiful Places drops this week, now is your chance. And we’ll have a feature this weekend on Doug Malone of Jamdek, who recorded the new Moontype record, and a review of Bodies of Water as well. Come back next week for more new music picks from your trusty Crowd Surfer crew. 

It bears repeating, we want to cover Chicago music, so if you have something coming out, please submit it!