Now Spinning #1

Linkin Park classic vs new, Foxing, Bardcore and more!

Now that fall is here, and I attended my last Brat Summer party last week, immediately my taste in music switched to fall mode! 

A bit of background heads up on what I’m into. I’m an elder emo, modern metal head with roots in the hip-hop scene, as well as take pleasures in pop, indie and electronic. These are my go-to’s but I dabble in all sorts of genres and depending on what game I’m playing, book I’m reading etc. Check out my Mood Bored series to see how quickly it switches up week by week lol.

I find more fun in talking about fresh new music and active artists as opposed to the “classics” that many already cover. While I enjoy some oldies, I much rather talk about the music I was around for, took part in, or have some sort of understanding of its subculture.

This first edition features a lot of Y2K style alternatives, new emo, soul, indie and bardcore remixes for your fantasy tabletop gaming.

I hope you find something you can enjoy on here. Don’t hesitate to comment on what you’ve heard, what’s got you intrigued and your thoughts on them! I’m always here for nerding out on music. 

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On Vinyl

Linkin Park - “Hybrid Theory” 

(2024 re-release)

Fave songs 🎧: With you, A place for my head

Best paired with: 📺 Watching Anime AMV’s

Gaming - mech games: Zone of the Enders

With LP’s comeback, I’ve been deep-diving their older albums. This is one of my gateway albums into heavier music and one responsible for my music taste today. I know the rap/rock in Numetal was a trendy thing in Y2K but I don’t think it was done any better by any other band. I do have some feelings with the new Linkin Park songs along with the new female lead which I’ll talk about further down! 

Deftones - “Gore” 

Fave songs 🎧: Doomed user, (L)MIRL

Best paired with: 📺  watching sexy vampire films (Queen of the Damned)

🛁 relaxing bath with candles 

Last week I bought tickets to Deftones on their tour with Mars Volta (Both in my top 5-10 all time fave bands) so I’ve also been deep diving. Gore has grown on me, initially not being blown away by it when it came out, I find it to be while not the most energetic, the eeriest.  

Nine Inch Nails- “The Fragile” 

(vinyl unedited yet, but its a beaut)

Fave songs: The wretched, No, you don’t, The big come down

Best paired with: 📺  the Crow (original) 

Gaming - moody sci-fi (Mass effect, Bioshock) 

25 years old as of last week, I’ve included this in my “Mood Bored” this week which I talk more about this album. 

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Streaming - Albums

Tarquin Alexandra - “The Contortionist” 

I discovered this one thanks to

JustSomeMustard

. So Thanks! The whimsical and very creative instrumental is what hooked me first, as something you’d find in a movie soundtrack. Plenty of keys, acoustics, and speakeasy-groove piano, it reminded me of artists like Jill Barber. The vocal melodies are just as infectious. 

Orion Sun - “Orion” 

Ok, another not on the heavy side, yet still heavier on the emotional side. Just like the album art suggests, this is a poetic record about love and rebirth. Hints of R&B, indie rock, jazz and soul, this album explores a lot of self-love. 

Foxing - “Foxing” 

I only recently discovered this band, and already this is on my Album of the year list. They reminded me of the band Brand New, mixing a bit of emo, post-hardcore and shoegaze. 

Foxing might sound like a chaotic mess at first, but it's really a wild, beautiful reminder to stop, look around, and embrace what's in front of us before it's gone. It’s loud, dissonant, and even a little scary, but somehow also uplifting in the best way. Honestly, it's one of the most intense and rewarding musical experiences I've had this year! 

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Singles

Linkin Park - “Heavy is the Crown” 

I’ve written about my hopes of Linkin Park getting a new singer, a female lead from a punk background to be specific before they officially announced Emily from Dead Sara (Stoked that my prediction was correct!), and I’m already a fan. I go into detail in that blog on why how this brings a new life to this band. 

As for their latest track with Emily, this captured the youth and energy of Hybrid Theory. While I prefer the first single “Emptiness Machine” more for being more forward-pushing, it’s nice to hear Mike’s rapping back and some screams!! 

Spiritbox - “Soft Spine” 

Ohhhh Metal Mother ( Courtney LaPlante) is back! I got to see Spiritbox earlier this year open for Bring me the Horizon and did they sound ever so crisp live. I’m still obsessing over their 2021 album and EP last year “The Fear of Fear” and they go and drop this on us with intense, cinematic visuals to accompany the already heavy track. Please, please (Sabrina Carpenter been on rotation too) let this be part of an upcoming album!

Playlist

I’ve been super into bard/medieval remixes of pop music and starting to create a playlist for it when for fantasy tabletop sessions. Here’s an example:

Have a great weekend jamming to good tunes everyone! 

Cheers