The first time I saw The Coathangers perform at Burgerama 4, they were black-clad, fierce and wild, switching vocals like telepathic triplets, yelling and shredding with seemingly reckless abandon. On Nosebleed Weekend, their fifth album, they seem tight and grown, but still throwing down belligerent rock chants and boasting everything from catchy, sawtooth guitar melodies to punk-influenced hooks.
Listen to: “Watch Your Back”, “Squeeki Tiki”, “Hiya”
Alex Turner‘s break from the Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane collaboration The Last Shadow Puppets is testament to his versatility in crafting a gorgeous album. Everything You’ve Come To Expect is full of haunting, seamless string backgrounds and dark, romantic vibes that simultaneously seduce and ache.
Listen to: “Aviation”, “Miracle Aligner”, “Bad Habits”
The prolific, psychedelic King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have released their eighth album in the last four years, the “never ending” Nonagon Infinity, which connects all nine tracks with unnoticeable transitions-including the last and first track (hint: hit repeat on the album). It races forward with a heightened, sci-fi movie gallop, inspired by everything from psychedelic wah-wah, 70s prog and modern day garage rock.
Listen to: “Robot Stop”, “Big Fig Wasp”, “Invisible Face”
Bless electronic duo Pet Shop Boys‘ and their latest album Super for getting me through hours and hours of sweaty cardio with a smile on my face. Almost every song is club-ready and all are pristine and carefully crafted, drawing from synthpop, house, disco, and Latin rhythms.
Listen to: “The Pop Kids”, “Happiness”, “Undertow”
Weezer‘s newest self-titled album, popularly dubbed their “white album”, warrants a review all unto itself, if only for me to ramble and sob about how flawless it is. Beach Boys-inspired and chasing their Pinkerton sound, Rivers Cuomo and Co. gift us with joyful, nostalgic, sun-drenched deliciousness that makes 2016 feel like the nineties.
Listen to: “Wind In Our Sail”, “(Girl We Got A) Good Thing”, “King of the World”
Lola Olvera 
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