October and November Singles

As we comb through the endless emails and PR announcements over the months that we’ve been away, some gems came to light that we just could not keep to ourselves. Here are some singles from the last two months that we are itching to share with you.

⬐Make sure to click on the playlist button to listen to these tunes. ⬎

Ester
“Only Mine” 

Oct. 2nd

A darkly edged synth track from Anna Holmquist and company. The standalone followup to this summer's indelible weak EP and their sophomore full length Turn Around which dropped right as the plague days began. This year may have been terrible, but Ester has helped get us through it.

Cloudtone
“Fullbreak” 

Oct. 5th

The fourth single from Cloudtone, who have been quietly building up steam for a couple years, finds them harnessing the polyrhythms of Eighties brit-pop and splitting it with layered guitars and a haunting vocal. Be on the lookout for more from this promising quartet.

Burr Oak
“Trying” 

Oct. 14th

Savanna Dickhut is no stranger to any who have been traversing the Chicago scene. The first of two singles on this list, from her full length debut Late Bloomer which is currently being shopped around, “Trying” captures Savanna’s earnest nature and talented songcraft.

Liam Kazar 
“On a Spanish Dune” 

Oct. 16th

We last ran into Liam at the start of Covid when we interviewed him for his debut single “Shoes Too Tight.” The former Kids These Days member, who splits time between KC and Chicago, continues the smooth classic rock feel with “On a Spanish Dune.” Channeling a motown ballad crossed with a Hall & Oates light funk, Liam has us grooving right along with him.

ARP (& friends)
“Midwest Classic” 

Oct. 18th

One of the scenes most prolific solo artists, Andrew Robert Palmer captures the immediacy of music with every tune. “Midwest Classic” was written about his wife’s feminist protests at her women’s college in Virginia. As ARP says, “I’m a regular guy doing a very small thing,” but it’s much bigger than Andrew would ever let on.

Blind Adam
and The Federal League
“An Act of Desperation”

Oct. 16th

We’ve missed Blind Adam’s combo of punk and western vibes. With their first release in over a year they bring a dirge in the long tradition of murder ballads. The title track and first single from their new record coming in 2021.

Glitter Moneyyy 
“Dangerous” 

Oct 20th

Even though Queen Trashley and TayyySlayyy have moved out west to sunny L.A., they’ll always be Chicago to us. This banger, produced by SuperKnova, is an ode to this summer’s movement. A reminder that there is much work and rioting to be done.

the Roof Dogs 
“Summer in Algeria / 
Devotion” 

Oct. 21

Ohio transplants the Roof Dogs’ first Chicago release is a doozie as they roll through two high energy tracks of their twangy indie rock that has plenty of swagger and fuzz. We’re looking forward to more from this potent quartet.

LOWERLIPDRIP
V: “FLAWLESS / SCANDALOUS”

Oct. 22nd

Hip-hop deconstructionists LOWERLIPDRIP return with their fifth double single release. Dew & blackrobeBLACKROBES have made a name for themselves in the Chicago scene with just a smattering of songs but their unconventional beats and staccato flows hold the secret to their early success.

Gal Gun
“Motherboard / Critical Hit” 

Nov. 11th

The third double single from their upcoming second full length Critical Hit (out December 12th), brings the indie pop of Gal Gun into focus. Releasing new music nearly every month of 2020, Gal Gun took quarantine to heart and had an outpouring of great material.

Burr Oak
“Flower Garden” 

Nov. 18th

Sincere and heartfelt, Savanna Dickhut’s latest single from her full length debut Late Bloomer, is the type of love song that derges up all the feelings that we’d all like to forget are possible.

Sonny Falls
“Winking Buick /
Which Side You're On”

Nov. 19th

Most of Hoagie Wesley Ensley’s new project All That Has Come Apart/Once Did Not Exist has already been released and these tracks encapsulate the vibe of the record in two songs. With an incredibly honest bent, “Winking Buick” and “Which Side You’re On” recount drug fueled nights and dead end jobs. A truthful representation of life’s choices and where they can lead.

Preston
“Sunday Sure”

Nov. 22nd

“Succubus” 

Nov. 25th

Two new songs from The God Awful Small Affairs vocalist Missy Preston under a brand new moniker. The side project strips down the sweeping sounds of TGASA and concentrates on the artist's penchant for crafting a solid story song to great effect.

Saba
"So and So / Areyoudown? Pt. 2"

Nov. 24th

One of Chicago’s most critically successful emcees of the last few years, Saba drops his second single of the fall. Seemingly stand-alones (there is no album announcement) the tunes take a lighter tone than his autobiographical instant classic CARE FOR ME, which appeared at the top of many lists in 2018.

Beach Bunny
“Good Girls (Don’t Get Used)” 

Nov. 30th

We end with a track that came out today! New music from those breakout stars Beach Bunny. The first single from their new EP Blame Game (out January 15th) finds Lili Trifilio and friends gaining confidence in their pop punk aesthetic, with an ear worm groove and lovelorn lyrical tropes that are sure to satisfy fans of Beach Bunny’s catchy style.

Make sure to check out our Music We Missed While We Were Away feature from earlier this month, and stay tuned for Part Two of the list on December 8th, We’ve got more excellent Chicago music in store.

If we missed your music please let us know and we will try to fit it in somewhere. Please submit here!