Rude
In 2023, Spiritual Cramp released their self-titled debut LP after a string of shorter releases beginning in 2017. Throughout the progression of those releases, the San Francisco band polished its approach, offering a catchy buffet of energetic, pop-inspired punk influenced by a hint of reggae and dub. The album was full of the expected political and sardonic lyrics.
On 2025’s Rude, vocalist Mike Bingham has turned the mirror on himself, offering a much more personal lyrical approach with themes of belonging, love and leaving home. The band has also honed its songwriting chops, offering bigger choruses, danceable rhythms and a production style creating more space for the band’s organic dub and reggae influences. With only a handful of the 13 tracks breaking the three minute mark, Rude is a concentrated dose of high energy rock begging to be played on repeat. Fans of the Clash, Devo and Talking Heads will find a lot to like in Rude, while fans of Weezer, the Killers and The Cars might become punk converts after a couple spins.
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
With Sturgill Simpson’s first breakout album, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, the songwriter couldn’t escape comparisons to Waylon Jennings while exploring more philosophical and psychedelic themes and charting his career divorced from Nashville’s impositions. This focus on independence and creativity quickly made Simpson one of the most recognizable voices of the new country outlaws alongside Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett and Zach Bryan. In his first appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, he spoke at length about his frustrations with establishment country music and his desire to explore new musical territory. He did so with 2016’s exceptional Memphis soul-inspired A Sailor’s Guide to the Earth. Since then, Simpson has been a chameleon, choosing to explore synth, funk and rock music, even contributing vocals to a full-on club dance track by Diplo.
In 2024, as promised in his Rogan interview, Simpson adopted a new moniker, Johnny Blue Skies, and released two new albums, one of which is reminiscent of ZZ Top’s late 80s output. Fans of Simpson might miss his powerful vocal range as the rhythms are the focal point of these songs, while readers left alienated by Simpson’s previous experimental forays might find it difficult to put down cold-hard cash for a physical copy of this release, unavailable through streaming services. However, if you’re a Simpson die-hard or adventurous listener, you might find this the perfect background music for your next party.
"Fans of Weezer, the Killers and The Cars might become punk converts after a couple spins."