The Columbia music scene is set to have a very special 2024. A slew of musicians are either prepping a new release or promoting one that’s already come out. Here’s a look at some of the local acts with new music out this year:
Admiral Radio, “Leave Me In The Dust”
The first single off of Admiral Radio’s as-yet-untitled EP bodes well for the rest of the release. “Leave Me In The Dust” is a rough-hewn mix of folk-reflection, country heartache and Americana roots.
Admiral Radio is a duo featuring Coty Hoover and Becca Smith, and their gorgeous but raw vocals are a highlight the track. Recorded in Nashville with members of the nationally-popular group Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, “Leave Me In The Dust” is an exciting, affecting calling card for the new EP.
Admiral Radio's latest single was recorded with members of the Nashville band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.
The Birdwalkers, “Words”
The new single by The Birdwalkers (formerly Paisley & The Birdwalkers) is a grimy, surprisingly menacing rocker that transitions from thorny indie-rock verses to a catchy-as-hell chorus, all buoyed by slashing guitars and a relentless beat. The song deals with the turbulent emotions one goes through when judged by others, and how those emotions can damage self-expression. It’s an unpredictable but compelling song that ends with unexpectedly beautiful, delicately layered vocal harmonies.
Chris Compton, “Don’t Fly”
Singer/songwriter Chris Compton’s new single, “Don’t Fly,” is a classic pop/rock ballad in the vein of acts like Snow Patrol or, in their more subtle moments, Coldplay. A sweeping track with incisive lyrics and a passionate vocal by Compton, “Don’t Fly” has more than a little folk at its roots, but the polished production turns it into something bigger and more universal.
Bones Hamilton, “Polaroid/Call Me”
Bones Hamilton is a Columbia, SC band known for its heady guitar and thrumming rhythms.
Bones Hamilton admits on his Facebook page that he doesn’t really know how to define the kind of music he makes because he simply does what he likes regardless of genre. The “Polaroid” single, released late last year, seems an example of that approach. The single mixes a thudding, low-fi rocker (“Polaroid”) with a raw and ramshackle slow tune (“Call Me”), both highlighted by a positively filthy guitar tone. Hamilton essentially answers the musical question, “What if The White Stripes and The Replacements had a baby?”
Patrick Davis, “Southern Roots”
“Southern Roots” is, like Admiral Radio’s latest, a calling card for singer/songwriter Patrick Davis’ forthcoming "Carolina When I Die" album. The tune is a low-key ballad that grows from a solo acoustic opening into a fuller Appalachian folk arrangement, fiddles and all. The song leans ever-so-slightly towards country twang, but Davis’ assured vocal and incisive lyrics are pure folk.
Hillmouse, “Quake”
Hillmouse is a pseudonym for singer/songwriter Tyler Gordon, and “Quake” is the first new song under this project name in more than a year. If you’re a fan of power pop icons like Matthew Sweet, “Quake” will scratch your itch, blending a blissful melody, sunlit vocal harmonies and a lovable, shuffling indie-rock groove.
Quark Lepton, "The Myth Of Snugglepuss"
Quark Lepton's "The Myth of Snugglepuss" was released in late-2023 by the Columbia-based artist.
Quark Lepton’s new album is, quite simply, epic. It’s a 13-track powerhouse of a record that moves from soothing, ambient electronica (“garden myth”) to twangy honky-tonk heartache (“The Empty Bottle”) to swaying, delicate indie-pop (“Contingencies”) and much more. As a listening experience, it’s the audio equivalent of looking into a kaleidoscope.
Teiji Mack, "Legendary Bird Pack"
"Legendary Bird Pack" is probably the most unusual entry on this list. It consists of three tracks, each under two minutes. Local MC Teiji Mack promises it's merely the “lunch box” to his upcoming album "Samsara," which he calls the “dinner course.” If these tracks are any indication, it’s going to be an adventurous journey. The tracks, “Moltres,” “Zapdos” and “Articuno,” are almost like a hip-hop suite. A dark and moody atmosphere pervades all three songs, and Mack shows off a stunning control of his flow throughout.
Lang Owen, “Girl With The Abacus In Her Head”
Another single that serves to introduce a new album, Lang Owen’s “Girl With The Abacus In Her Head” is one of the most unusual and affecting songs on this list, an excellent teaser for his upcoming "Cosmic Checkout Lane" album. It’s a subtly anthemic hybrid rocker/ballad with impressionistic verses and a simple sentiment in the chorus: “Take care of your promise, and it'll take care of you.” Delivered in Owen’s thorny vocal style, which recalls cosmic cowboy Jimmie Dale Gilmore, the song is quite moving.
PG RA, "Lover Boy P"
Columbia MC PG RA packed 14 songs into 31 minutes on his new album, "Lover Boy P," but each track is memorable, thanks largely to the precise, beat-heavy production and to PG RA’s masterful flow. He can be lightning fast and contemplative in the same tune, and his lyrical perspective seems to be fueled by pure honesty. Cue up the skittering, unpredictable “Put It In A Song” for an artistic mission statement.
PG RA's "Lover Boy P" contains 14 beat-heavy songs.
STANKFACE, “Blow To Your Pride”
STANKFACE is a neo-soul quintet that mixes plenty of funk grooves and hip-hop confidence into their mix, and “Blow To Your Pride” showcases that sound perfectly. A slinky, sensuous groove grounds the song while guitars and vintage-sounding keyboards dance over the top. Vocalist Cat Galan’s wry, powerful and versatile performance is simply the icing on the cake.
S'way & The Apostrophe, “For The Rest Of Time”
Perfect for both a mellow Sunday morning and a grooving Saturday night, S'Way & The Apostrophe's “For The Rest Of Time” is a warm and soulful mid-tempo number with burbling organ, bright horns and a skintight rhythm section. The sentiment is simple: “Will you dance with me for the rest of time?” That simplicity makes the song feel universal. It’s not as flashy as some of the other releases on this list, but it might be the most enjoyable listen.
2Ru3, "A Soulja’s Journey"
It’s difficult to believe that "A Soulja’s Journey" is the debut album by local MC 2Ru3. The seven-track release is a masterful blend of moody, atmospheric backing tracks and heartfelt verses about depression, suicidal thoughts, isolation and struggles with faith. 2Ru3 (pronounced “true”) expertly navigates his way through the album, ultimately finding a resolution with "Grateful," the final track. "A Soulja’s Journey" isn’t just a promising debut, it’s an exciting first look at a multitalented rapper, singer and producer.
