Thin City 新城 – WATERMELON
A twangy energetic mix of guitar rock and art punk that’ll leave a big ol’ smile on your face, Thin City are simply put, a blast. Infectiously catchy, with a heavy dose of C86-era power pop that’ll have you humming their tunes long after, their new EP off of Shenzhen’s Boring Productions is pure bliss. They tap into rock and roll in its purest form, sparking a sun-soaked party with each of their tracks that delve into everything from working girls to doomed beach trips, riding on the bubbly vocals of Catherine and Graham. There’s an anarchist spirit to the band’s sound – one that values humor, wonder, imagination and above all else — fun. A killer wave to ride into the New Year and an EP that’ll we’ll still be talking about come next winter.
Bandcamp: https://thincity-shenzhen.bandcamp.com/album/ep
Xiami: https://www.xiami.com/album/2104540374
Netease: https://music.163.com/#/album?id=75330772
Silent Speech 沉默演讲 – City Bird 鸟与城市
While it’s common for indie rock bands to pad out their sound over the years to appease the mainstream market, Silent Speech keep to their guns on their versatile and robust debut EP City Bird, out on Ruby Eye Records. Effortlessly maneuvering from one style to another they’re a melodic, emotional wry, and instrumentally charged blend of 90s alt-rock that’s above all else, genuine and assured. And while lead singer Wu Xiaoran’s voice may lean a bit into Thom Yorke territory at times, there is no denying it’s power and the layers found within each song that feel essential to the band’s scope. Indie rock that swoons one moment and then explodes the next, Silent Speech leave quite the impression.
Xiami: https://www.xiami.com/album/2104463392
Netease: https://music.163.com/#/album?id=75095193
DeadTrees – Forest
Lanzhou atmospheric black metal/depressive metal outfit DeadTrees released their debut EP at the tail end of 2018 on Pest Productions and it’s definitely worth checking out. The northwestern band strike the perfect balance between calm and turmoil; between peace and torment, that makes the genre so unsettlingly beautiful. There’s a tranquility to the desolate and decadent environment DeadTrees have conjured up – one that makes the epic crescendos and blood-curdling, wind-torn vocals all the more resonate.
Bandcamp: https://deadtreescn.bandcamp.com/album/forest
Xiami: https://www.xiami.com/album/2104405858
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