In the start-and-stop history of No Spectators, we’ve tried a few different ways of reviewing new music. For this go-around, let’s revisit our playlist idea from 2024, minus the icky Spotify bootlicking.
“Treat Economy” by Cel Ray
One of the better albums of the year, Cel Rayzer makes Cel Ray sound like a force in the post-punky garage underground and a Third Man signing waiting to happen. Closing track “Treat Economy’s” our pick because it serves up a helping of the cheeky humor we got in spades from The Coathangers, Tacocat and other feminist punk notables from the aughts and teens.
“No Sense Makes Sense” by Doom Club
Doom Club continues the UK post-punk tradition of amalgamizing disparate modern styles into something equally angsty and danceable. Think PiL, Gang of Four, New Age Steppers and other usual suspects but with modern technology in place of lo-fi dub. “No Sense Makes Sense” and its killer bass parts make up the digital flipside of “World Wide On It.”
“She Got Me in Her Hands” by Judy
Judy is the LA-based duo of Blue Broderick (Diners) and Leah Levinson (Agriculture). The home recording project formed last December and quickly led to two EPs’ worth of material. The second of these EPs, Death of a Ladies’ Mutt, arrived on Aug. 6 and included this pop-rock nugget about lesbian lust– and the resignation required if it goes unrequited.
“Riff Randell’s Revenge” by PLRLS
As the title telegraphs, this one’s chock full of Ramones references, both musically and lyrically. However, PLRLS owe as much here sonically to The Briefs/Cute Lepers and other poppy electro-punks.
“Riff Randell’s Revenge” appears on the July release Sleeping in a Dress. Per YouTube, PLRLS is a five-piece band from Baltimore consisting of “a disgraced nightclub owner (Ottobar), a shattered TV personality (Ace of Cakes), an ex-chauffeur and a has-been graphic designer.”
“Slåss” by Radon
It wouldn’t be shocking if this one had turned out to be from a long-lost 7-inch from nearly 50 years ago, as this tune and flipside “Gymnasiekrök” don’t fall far from the Eddie and the Hot Rods or Vibrators trees. Instead, it’s by a young Swedish trio. Amazing stuff.
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