THE REPORT: 4/11/25
A NEW PULP SONG AND THE “BRITISH BABYTRON”
Quick Note: “The years they pass / The years they pass / Those motherfucking amps keep feeding back.” Another Gem Fumigation Spa song is out. That’s the band: John C and Willy D. Listen: Nina, Bandcamp. Alright, back to The Report…
Every few years, a stranger will stop me on the street and tell me that I look like Jarvis Cocker. For whatever that’s worth. Anyway: Pulp released their first single in 24 years and it’s pretty good. The band’s patented brand of patinaed British rock might’ve read as retro on the first go-around, but it has long since coagulated into a definitive aesthetic. Now there are multiple levels of pining at play. Speaking of ‘90s pastiche bands whose music has aged in a confusing way, Stereolab put out their first song in 15 years a couple days ago.
Billdiffern: “manchester babytron kinda insane lmfao.” Indeed! Beyond certain visual similarities, KAS rhymes in a hybrid style that connects two post-industrial regions: Northern England and Midwestern America. One thing he does that Babytron is often hesitant to do? Write a chorus.
Jane Remover “Professional Vengeance”
The new Jane Remover record is a bit of a flex, a display of mastery over a form they have discarded in the past. Of course I’m going to pick the song that is the closest to pop punk, but the whole thing is full of inspired takes on a variety of internet-native styles; in their hands, sonic tropes that sometimes sound grating or meandering—or worse, boring—lock into focus. I would like to hear a full record of songs like “Professional Vengeance.”
My YouTube algo has been serving some modest view count Columbus rap music, which has been nice. What we have right here is a jazzy track with manic kick drums. These kicks have a damn mind of their own! JuggFitz steps up to the challenge and raps like a slick kid from the most random of states. RIP Betty White.
Lightning Bolt recently posted a recording of their first show on Bandcamp. It’s from 1994 and it’s sludgy as hell. Just two young bucks getting loose at the student center; AmRep heads, take note. You can hear the band’s game-changing bass and drum style in an embryonic state, especially on this last track, which features choppy riff action and shards of feedback. An important rock document, or “rock doc” for short.
JOHN’S MUSIC BLOG PRESENTS… THE BONUS THREE
John Says: “Taken from a seven inch split with former JMB interviewees Voyeur, the Los Angeles band drops a moody piece of all-lowercase breakbeat indie. My back hurts.”
John Says: “A crushing, noisy freestyle from a cutty London legend. Big UK week on the blog.”
Lil Yachty, Veeze “Can’t Be Crete Boy”
John Says: “A Dipset flip is always going to be Aging Millennial Hipster catnip. But the beat switch keeps things interesting. Looking for a mix? This NTS guide to ‘Dipset Trance’ that my friend Jesse sent me will have you levitating in your throwback.”