Every Friday, a staff member at the ugly hug curates a list of their five favorite new(ish) releases to share with us all. This week, our writer Nikki (Monsters in Hiding), put together a list of apocalyptical hugs, shoegaze stunners and heartfelt folk tunes to take into the weekend.

“everything to die for” by mui zyu

From a Featured interview, to a Guest List playlist, to my Hi-5 this week, Mui Zyu is a favorite on The Ugly Hug, and for good reason. At first listen, the dissonant melody notes (sharped 4^th for music theory nerds) in the chorus are unsettlingly interesting, and then they become addictive. After singing “we’ve got everything to die for”, mui zyu goes on with “thank god if you want to” which seems to capture the essence of this song and its place within her new album as what might be the most melancholy sounding but hopeful track. To me, it is a reminder that through our existential earthling nihilism, disappointment, rejection, we still have so much to live for, especially the people who keep us here. Thank you Shea for showing me this song.

“falling down” by Current Joys

Many of us know Current Joys (Nick Rattigan) from his harmonic tremolo and super reverb sounds in the popular tracks “Blondie” and “Kids” from his older albums. But if you haven’t listened to his new music, you might be in for a treat if you like the old sound, PLUS a heavy dose of emo screams over digital modulations and breakbeats. It’s like Current Joys experimented, found a new sound, and couldn’t get enough of making songs with it. I’ve included the song I think demonstrates this, and my favorite off his new album LOVE+POP Pt 2 – “falling down”. The melodic singing ends at “These capitalistic pigs have destroyed the planet”, and then half of the song rides out with his screams “it’s all my fault”. Nick Rattigan doesn’t hold back and I’m so here for it. Emotional summer banger for sure.

“jsuk” by Saturnalias

I’m very excited to expose you to Saturnalias if you don’t know them – a band of wonderful humans and musicians based in my NC hometown. It was hard to pick a track of their new album “Bugfest”, but the ebbs in intensity and sampled sounds in “jsuk”  are just too cool. I notice something different from the various layers and switch ups every time I listen. Singing drummer, Isa belts “Oh I need this” at the end of the bridge, feeling like an attempt to hold onto something comforting through chaos. If you like post-punk and shoegaze, I’m pleased to introduce you to the music of Saturnalias.

“Guardian” by Memorial (ft. Lomelda)

The songwriting in this one bleeds sincerity. From my interpretation, it paints the very real human experience of wanting to help others; but when we think we are responsible (a “guardian”) for their emotions, we neglect our own needs and can be left with resentment that only we ourselves can account for. Lomelda comes in on the second verse, sharing her classic slow vocal runs, which carry over so well when their two joined voices build and weave in and out over brushed drums. It’s a great shower song.

“Teeth” by Sour Worm

Sour Worm deviates from the digital, instrumental heavy songs released last year with this banger. Using what sounds like acoustic instruments this time, including a bold walking, clonking bass, this track is also lyric focused. It’s weird in all the best ways. Some elements are reminiscent of Modest Mouse and Alex G, like the rhythmic swing, violin solo, and descriptive word choices. It lyrically ends with an interesting final battling dichotomy to dissect – “It’s like pulling teeth trying to keep them [teeth] in my mouth.”

Written by Nikki Knapp