Frozen Shores

January 2019 Alt Col Picks – Bring Me the Horizon, Maggie Rogers, FEVER 333, & More

Admin1 Comment

Lots of great albums were released in January, so here are our favorite records and EPs of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist of our favorite tunes? Click here!

  • FEVER 333 – STRENGTH IN NUMB333RS

FEVER 333 is a quasi-supergroup. Ex-letlive. member Jason Aalon Butler contributing vocals, Aric Improta of Night Verses on drums, and ex-The Chariot member Stephen Harrison on guitar. Their debut record delivers irrepressible energy, angst, and guts through hard-hitting instrumentals and politically-charged lyricism. This hip-hop-meets-punk amalgamation is exactly the medium for their message. Standout tracks include “BURN IT,” “PREY FOR ME/3,” “OUT OF CONTROL/3,” and “ONE OF US.” STRENGTH IN NUMB333RS will appeal to fans of Dropout Kings, SHVPES, and Linkin Park. Click here to listen.

  • Bring Me the Horizon – amo

Bring Me the Horizon further expands their sound on their latest project titled amo. amo displays the ever-evolving UK rock band stepping into uncharted territories, melding polished electronic elements with gritty guitars, pounding percussion, and visceral vocal performances. Standout tracks include “MANTRA,” “in the dark,” “medicine,” and “why you gotta kick me when i’m down?” amo is sure to attract listeners of blessthefall, I See Stars, and Sleeping With Sirens. Click here to listen.

  • The Lone Ghosts – Skeleton Season

The Lone Ghosts, comprised of Wavelight members Seb and Dan, have released their debut full-length Skeleton Season. With its haunting atmosphere, chilling lyrics, raw vocal delivery, and DIY attitude, Skeleton Season will keep you coming back for repeated listens … and sob sessions. Standout tracks include “Sugar Season,” “Wasteland,” “Sad on Halloween,” and “Skeletons.” Skeleton Season is bound to satisfy followers of Preoccupations, Varsity, and Anna Burch. Click here to listen.

  • Maggie Rogers – Heard It In a Past Life

Alt-pop queen Maggie Rogers offers up her strongest material to date on the debut long-player Heard It In a Past Life, which nearly topped the Billboard charts upon release. Filled to the brim with exuberant choruses, syrupy hooks, and buoyant musicality, Heard It In a Past Life is a joyous mixture of spirited pop and soulful songwriting. Standout tracks include “Light On,” “Give a Little,” “Fallingwater,” and “Burning.” Heard It In a Past Life will please fans of HAIM, Wet, and Broods. Click here to listen.

  • Alice Merton – Mint

After the late success of her 2016 single “No Roots,” Alice Merton finally yields her debut record titled Mint. Cool, refreshing, and smooth, Mint lives up to its name with glossy grooves, velvety vocals, and danceable beats, proving that Alice Merton is here to stay. Standout tracks include “Why So Serious,” “Funny Business,” “Lash Out,” and “No Roots.” Mint will attract followers of Florence + the Machine, Jade Bird, and Jain. Click here to listen.

  • Skyward Story – Reborn

After transitioning from the pop rock/pop punk outfit 3PM to Skyward Story, the Baltimore trio recrudesces to provide Reborn, their full-length (re?)debut that defines their new tone, identity, and commission. The band hasn’t completely dispelled their rough-around-the-edges rock sound, instead blending it with a more polished, pop-centric timbre. Standout tracks include “Trading Secrets,” “Riptide,” “New Beginnings,” and “Hey!” Reborn is sure to capture listeners of All Time Low, The Click Five, and 5 Seconds of Summer. Click here to listen.

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

  • Say Anything – Oliver Appropriate

The supposedly final record from this monumental pop rock/pop punk artist. Standout tracks include “Daze,” “Send You Off,” and “Pink Snot.” Oliver Appropriate is for fans of Motion City Soundtrack, The Starting Line, and Bayside. Click here to listen.

  • Born of Osiris – The Simulation

Standout tracks include “The Accursed,” “Under the Gun,” and “Cycles of Tragedy.” The Simulation is for fans of Chelsea Grin, Within the Ruins, and Veil of Maya. Click here to listen.

 

  • CommonWealth – Everyone Around Me

Standout tracks include “Fear,” “Vinyl,” and “Runaway.” Everyone Around Me is for fans of Movements, Glass Tides, and Valleyheart. Click here to listen.

  • Frozen Shores – Haven

Standout tracks include “Blood Box,” “Night Terrors,” and “Senses.” Haven will interest fans of LEDGES, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Crafted. Click here to listen.

 

  • The Twilight Sad – It Won/t Be Like This All the Time

Standout tracks include “VTr,” “Keep It All to Myself,” and “Videograms.” It Won/t Be Like This All the Time is for fans of The Smiths, Frightened Rabbit, and Idlewild. Click here to listen.

  • Afterlife – Breaking Point

Standout tracks include “Throat,” “Giving Back the Pain,” and “Holding On.” Breaking Point is for fans of Cane Hill, Sylar, and My Enemies & I. Click here to listen.

 

Extended Plays

  • dodie – Human

After over four years, singer/songwriter dodie (of YouTube fame) finally blesses us with a studio version of “She.” Standout tracks include “She” and “If I’m Being Honest.” Human is for fans of Julien Baker, Layla, and Fleurie. Click here to listen.

  • Naked Giants – Green Fuzz

Standout tracks include “Green Fuzz” and “That’s Who’s Really Pointing at Me.” Green Fuzz is for fans of Remo Drive, Daddy Issues, and Lady Legs. Click here to listen.

  • Young Culture – (This Is) Heaven

Standout tracks include “Breathe It In” and “Drift.” (This Is) Heaven is for fans of Dear Youth, The Happy Alright, and You vs. Yesterday. Click here to listen.

  • Lostboycrow – Santa Fe…Orange Juice

Standout tracks include “Orange Juice” and “Waste of Time.” Santa Fe…Orange Juice is for fans of Lauv, EXES, and ayokay. Click here to listen.

 

Let us know what you think of January’s releases down in the comments below!

Our Alt Col Picks are curated lists of the best albums and EPs for each month! We keep a schedule of upcoming releases and pick our favorite ones at the end of the month, giving them a spotlight here and on Twitter. To be featured in one of our lists, hit us up on our contact page or Twitter, though nothing is guaranteed. (We rarely make exceptions to include past releases, so if your album came out in June, we might be hesitant to include it in July or August, for instance.)