As the United States – under the control of a brazenly corrupt administration headed by a team of cruel psychopaths and Russian sympathizers – quickly descends into an outright authoritarian oligarchy, at least we continue to have lots of great music to help keep us from going totally insane. February 28th appears to have been a big day for new releases, which means it’s time for another installment of my Fresh New Tracks series. Today I’m showcasing songs by English rock band Amongst Liars, American shoegaze/indie rock band Icarus Phoenix, British-Danish electronic rock duo Perpacity, and Australian indie pop-rock band Thunder Fox.

Amongst Liars – “The Insane Ones”

I’m not normally a big fan of hard rock, but I sure do love English band Amongst Liars. Their aggressive yet melodic style of modern rock, fortified by fearsome vocals, have earned them a loyal and passionate following, me included. Based in the Brighton/Eastbourne area on the southern coast of England, the band consists of Ian George (lead vocals & guitar), Leo Burdett (guitar & backing vocals), Ross Towner (bass & backing vocals), Adam Oarton (drums), and James Brumeo (keyboards & piano). I first learned about them in early 2020 and was intantly blown away by their explosive debut single “Over and Over”. They’ve since released numerous outstanding hard-hitting singles (many of which I’ve reviewed on this blog) and two critically acclaimed albums, Amongst Liars in 2022 and By Design in 2024.

And speaking of trying to not go insane, Amongst Liars are back with a fiery new single “The Insane Ones“. As with all their music, the track was produced and mixed by David Radahd-Jones at Red City Recordings in Manchester, and mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering. About the track, the band explains: “‘The Insane Ones’ was written and recorded in autumn 2024, in anticipation of the events currently unfolding in the U.S., but we believe it is now more relevant than ever. The song addresses fake news and propaganda that spread false narratives and brainwashing, encouraging people to bring out the worst versions of themselves and support extreme ideologies promoting unnecessary intolerance and hatred towards fellow human beings. It may be heavy subject matter, but someone needs to address the narrative – even a humble ‘lil rock band from Eastbourne.” Needless to say, given my political leanings the song deeply resonates with me, with biting lyrics calling out our duplicitous leaders: “We are the insane ones they try to blame, to blame. They set us up so we can fight for them. They set us up so we can die for them.” The dramatic cover artwork was designed by Adam Ingrams.

Icarus Phoenix – “Poor Sad Indie Everything”

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland is Icarus Phoenix, a shoegaze/indie rock band comprised of frontman Drew Danburry (guitar & lead vocals), Eli Sims (drums), Leena Rhodes (guitar, vocals and synths), Brendan Russell (bass), Peyton Rodeffer (guitar & vocals), as well as Andrew Young (drums, percussion). Originally formed in 2020 in Missoula, Montana, the band has experienced multiple lineups. They’ve released quite a bit of music, starting with their self-titled debut album in 2021, followed by two more albums that year, another in 2022 and their most recent, I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said, last August (2024), along with numerous singles at what appears to be at a rate of one every three weeks. Danburry has independently toured and released a staggering amount of solo music since 2002 , including over 400 songs on over 20 albums and 13 EPs, and has played more than 800 shows worldwide, all accomplished almost entirely DIY.

As I always do for an artist or band I’m writing about for the first time, I listened to quite a bit of their back music catalog, and I really like their pleasing sound and intelligent, poetic lyrics. Their latest single “Poor Sad Indie Everything“, is positively stunning, with a gorgeous mix of shimmery and chiming guitars accompanied by enchanting strings consisting of viola played by Kevin Nelson and cello by Alea Nelson. Danburry’s vocals are soothing and sweet as he sings “When the love we find, takes flight into a different corner. Loss of blind defines, that ducking, flowing stream when stars align.” The band provided a brief explanation about the song: “Sometimes a moment of beauty stays with us. A moment that shines through brilliantly and sears itself into our brain. We’re lucky to experience said moment. We recognize that. So we write it down. Document it. Save it for later. We go back in our memory when times are hard. Something that gives life meaning. Purpose. Joy. Well….times are hard.” Indeed they are, which is why we need uplifting and beautiful songs like this.

Perpacity – “The Void”

Perpacity is an electronic music act comprised of British singer-songwriter, composer and producer Ian Harling and Danish singer-songwriter, composer and producer Martin Nyrup. They’re both accomplished musicians with over 20 years of experience, and have been collaborating together for over a decade. Their sound is characterized by haunting melodies, lush electronic soundscapes and driving beats, with thoughtful and compelling lyrics. Since 2015, they’ve released five albums and scores of singles, two of which, “Granite” and it’s B-side “Never Let Go”, I reviewed in 2022. Those tracks were included on their fifth album Discordia, released in June 2023. 

Now they’re back with “The Void“, the second single (after “Racing With Flamingoes”) from their forthcoming sixth album Poverty Of The Flesh, due for release in August. Released through the Town And Towers Records label, the song has a dark, brooding vibe that calls to mind some of the songs by Depeche Mode. About the song, Perpacity explain: “’The Void’ grew out of a conversation about the uncertain state of today’s world, and how best to act in the face of impending doom. The track highlights the inevitability of destruction, and the many ways people cope – through belief, denial, or simply by embracing and venturing into the void.” The guys drive home their message with darkly beautiful yet almost menacing industrial synths set to a hypnotic beat, overlain by their droning vocals backed by an otherwordly ethereal chorus. The accompanying video, featuring a mix of actual disaster footage and AI-generated imagery of hellish landscapes, provides an unsettling and fitting visual for their song.

Thunder Fox – “Never Got That Far”

Mere words cannot express how much I adore Australian band Thunder Fox. The Sydney-based five-piece is one of the most creative, wickedly funny and insanely talented – not to mention sexiest – acts around, and I’ve gushed about them and their music numerous times on this blog over the past five and a half years. Comprised of the charismatic and silky-voiced Sam Dawes (lead vocals & guitar), Travers Keirle (Sax, vocals & rhymes), Jesse Tachibana (trumpet, vocals & synths), Max Vallentine (drums), and Jarrah Murray (bass), they skillfully blend funk, soul, blues rock, hip hop, jazz and pop into their delectable music stew. In addition to sounding great, their music has a stylish and jazzy sophistication, thanks to their outstanding songwriting and musicianship, including having both a saxophone and trumpet player in their lineup. They’ve released a tremendous amount of music since 2016, including three marvelous albums, two of which – Love at First Sniff (2019) and Sanctuary (2021) – I reviewed.

Their latest single “Never Got That Far” was inspired by Sam’s coming to terms with his drinking problem and taking responsibility for any hurt and misunderstandings he may have caused. He elaborates: “’Never Got That Far’ is our apology on behalf of all those who didn’t know themselves well enough to do right by our friends. For all the fumblers and fuckpeople who wish they did better when they had the chance – perhaps for a time machine to take us back, to try it again. We’ve been there. Let’s cry about it real quick then grow and learn together!” Though somewhat melancholy, the song is also enchanting and lovely, with great guitar work and organ accompanied by Jesse’s wonderful trumpet and some fine harmonica. Sam’s soulful, plaintive vocals are vulnerable and filled with regret as he apologizes to someone with whom he could have had a romantic relationship: “So you’ll know, I often wonder who we’d be if I had met you there. Guess we’ll never know. But you don’t have to forgive me. Never made no one love me when they didn’t. Just know that I’m sorry we never got that far.”