AMERICAN AUDIO: Emerging American artists that should be on your radar!

BOOT

Oct 6

4 min read

Whether its Folk, Indie, Rock our Alternative, discover the best new artists emerging out of America right now...

Animal Scream

Animal Scream is the psych-pop project of songwriter-producer Chad Monticue, and Don't Tell Me You Want Me is great insight into his surrealistically cinematic brain. Driven by heavy drums, reminiscent of Fontaines D.C.'s Romance era, and wrapped in the moody, hazy atmosphere of early The Neighbourhood, the track establishes a powerful sound from the start. However, rather than feeling like a mash up of influences, these elements are elevated by brilliant piano work that gives the band a distinctive sound of their own.

Vocally, the album generally leans into an Alex Turner Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino-esque croon, bringing a lounge-like sophistication to the track. Woven with their dream-soaked guitars, it carries an elevator music feel in the best possible way, the kind of lift you’d gladly stay in for a few extra floors. Monticue describes Animal Scream's upcoming record as “moody lo-fi night-driving music,” and Don't Tell Me You Want Me delivers on that vision effortlessly. It's a strong preview of what's to come.

Words by Ella Holmes

Loose Buttons

As we transition from summer into autumn, the debut album from American quartet Loose Buttons has arrived at the perfect time of the year. On the surface, many of the songs over an infectious m sunshine energy for singing along at summer festivals. However, there’s an underlying melancholy and grit that leaves a harsher lasting impression. Songs like ‘My Gemini’ and ‘Dream Life Rotation’ have a crunchy production that makes the percussion pop and guitar lines that radiate a coming-of-age energy. The melodies are instantly catchy and the vocals balance between candid spoken lines and earworming choruses with expressive singalong moments. Fans of Catfish and the Bottlemen and Inhaler will love these.

Some moments on the album lean into a slightly surf-tinged, laid back energy working in hints of The Strokes. Meanwhile tracks like ‘Sure Thing’ have a much grittier and in-your-face delivery that would be perfect for an indie club mosh pit. This mix of atmospheres makes the album have a very emotive flow to it, switching between carefree summer vibes and harsher poignant moments with a dash of youthful angst. A great new indie discovery for us!

Julez and the Rollerz

Attitude, bravado and peace amongst the noise are the defining features of this new song by LA’s Julez and the Rollerz. ‘Phaser’ pairs trashy lyrics with precise, detailed musical execution, shifting effortlessly between foot-stomping rock and peppy, cares-to-the-wind dance music. Their glam-grunge moniker makes perfect sense.

The arrangement channels the angular spank of Maximo Park; the melodic unison of the main vocal hook with the descending guitar lines is a particular treat. Meanwhile Jules Batterman’s snarky, confident vocals harken back to the iconic Debbie Harry, and I’m thrilled to see her bringing neck ruffs back into fashion. About bloody time.

All told, this is a fun, riff-heavy tune unafraid to show its softer side. The bass and toms-driven breakdown is an effective, rewarding release when the band dig into their final bluesy descent. Julez and the Rollerz let nobody leave the party without a story, and are entering an exciting new phase of their career.

Words by Jay Plent

Piper Connolly

They say that youth is wasted on the young, but teenage Pop-Rocker Piper Connolly reigning from Phoenix immediately dispels this, especially with her newest single ‘Beautiful Life’. Beginning with the ominous ringing of a telephone, we are invited into her world, or her ‘Beautiful Life’ rather, as a sleek bass and pumping synths instantly enchant us. These bouncing beats marry with the embracing lyrics, "I'm all together fascinated”, and “I’m by your side infatuated", as the chorus bursts in with its punchy grooves.

The track captures a care-free spirit, not juvenile or naive, but vibrant in its adolescence as it encourages you to let loose, scream, and have a boogie. The production, whilst not complex, but still just as meaningful, is animated, jumpy, anything but flat, as Connolly delivers ‘Beautiful Life’ as this truly exhilarating tune you can't help but get sucked into. Despite her age, Connolly's sound is thrilling, confident, and assured, making her an exciting fresh act to look out for!

Words by Haldana Juhl

Adam Jensen

Boston-born Indie-Rock powerhouse Adam Jensen’s latest track ‘Mother Mother’ is straight from his soul, ripping out every ounce of his vulnerability which he beautifully packages as this gut-wrenching, yet headbanging tune. Beginning with a smoky and gentle guitar that establishes the track's infectious melody, this quickly transforms into a blazing wildfire spread by thrashing drums that echo with pain, and layers of further guitars that glide with their crisp and satisfying tone. With clever composition, the vocals become central where every word that Jensen sings truly connects with listeners, bearing lyrics that illustrate loneliness and the need for comfort, something that many can relate to.

Certainly a track for us to lean on, the themes that run throughout are deeply personal, showing Jensen’s devotion to his craft, where instrumentally ‘Mother mother’ is electric and cinematic, one to have at full blast through our headphones and speakers. But what makes the track so incredibly lasting is the beating heart that thumps, with simple but direct lyrics like “Save me from myself” and “Mother Mother I feel so alone”, Jensen delivers with openness and empowerment in owning his feelings.