Happy Friday! Alternative New Music Friday #Happens With The Mysterines. The Liverpool, England female fronted band worked with Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, mixer and engineer John Congleton at his new L.A. studio. The band’s second album, Afraid Of Tomorrows, is out today on Fiction Records. Don’t be afraid to sink your teeth in deeper on Shawnski’s Fave Of The Week!

New Music This Week from Coldplay, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Søren Hansen, Suki Waterhouse, HARDY, Cowboy Mouth, and Vacations now available for airplay on Happens.vip Alternative Downloads.

Ratings Love! In the latest Nielsen May ‘24 PPM 12+ Ratings, WRXL (ALT 102.1)/Richmond rises 4.1-4.0 and WEDG (103.3 The Edge)/Buffalo leaps 3.3-3.7. 

Joe Siragusa, OM at WEDG says, “Credit goes to an amazing staff…Cass & Anthony, Jacka, Lexi, Stella and all of Team Edge!”

Something Corporate has partnered with Big Loud Rock and released their first new single in 20 years years as they kicked off their “Out Of Office Tour” last night. I have the details and music video in Music Info.

Alyssa Ray from 107.3 Alternative Cleveland checks in with a photo from an exclusive performance with Taking Back Sunday. Take a look on Alternative Photos. 

Dave Farra from The Dave & Mahoney Show checks in with exciting news. WYBB (98 Rock)/Charleston, SC has picked up the syndicated show, beginning Monday 6/24. Ryan Downey will have all the deets for you on the #Happens Rock side.

Condolences to A&R Worldwide VP & Passport Approved MD/Syndication Director Joe Arnold on the passing of Grandma Gressey.

Let’s dig in on the new music that needs to be on your radar.

ALTERNATIVE NEW MUSIC DISCOVERY  

Coldplay “Feels Like I’m Falling In Love” (Atlantic) 

Listen & Download HERE.

UK 4-piece Coldplay released their single “feelslikeimfallinginlove” today. The new single was produced by Max Martin. It’s the first single from Coldplay’s 10th studio album, Moon Music, which will land on October 4th. 

The album will set new standards for sustainability, with each LP made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (nine per record). The band’s last album was Music For The Spheres in 2021. Coldplay’s debut album was released 24 years ago and featured their first breakout single “Yellow.” 

On June 29th, Coldplay will headline Glastonbury Festival for a record fifth time. 

RÜFÜS DU SOL “Music Is Better” (Warner)

Listen & Download HERE.

Australia 3-piece RÜFÜS DU SOL released “Music Is Better” today. The electronic trio first premiered the song during their headline DJ set at Coachella earlier this year. It marks RÜFÜS DU SOL’s first new music since their 2021 Grammy-nominated album, Surrender. 

The long-awaited single captures the themes of hope, intimacy, and connection that have long defined the RÜFÜS universe, while showcasing a more expansive and ambitious sound than ever before. The single adds to a catalog that soundtracks life’s most formidable moments for an entire generation of music fans – from heartbreak to romance, euphoria and despair. 

In the three years since Surrender was released, RÜFÜS DU SOL won a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Recording in 2022 for lead single “Alive,” were twice-nominated the following year for Best Dance/Electronic Album and earned their fifth ARIA award in Australia. “Music Is Better” arrives ahead of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s only live show this year, headlining Portola Festival in San Francisco on September 28th.

Søren Hansen “Seventeen” (Enci)

Listen & Download HERE.

Nashville-based Søren Hansen is the co-founder of the Copenhagen, Denmark trio New Politics. His new single ‘Seventeen’ was released today and simultaneously dropped his self-titled debut solo album via Enci. 

Søren said, “I wrote “Seventeen” about my mom. She passed away in 2019 and I had so much I needed to say. But having been in America for so long and never really looked back just felt so selfish. Back when I was seventeen is where I have the most memories of how kind and sweet she was. This is my way of showing my love to her. When she got sick the whole world turned upside down for her and all I can do is cherish her memory now.” 

The vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer wound up planting roots in Nashville and carved out a lane for himself behind-the-scenes as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with a slew of acts across genres. As he kept writing and recording music, he couldn’t help but hold on to certain tunes for himself. They felt a little too close to his heart as he reflected on the ups and downs of childhood, the loss of his mom, and how he got here.

Suki Waterhouse “Supersad” (Sub Pop) 

Listen & Download HERE.

UK’s Suki Waterhouse released her new single “Supersad” on June 20th. It’s the lead single from her second album Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin, an 18-track double album, due September 13th. 

About Supersad, Suki said, “I tried to write a nineties song you could hear playing at the mall in Clueless or as an opening track for Legally Blonde.” 

Suki initially teased Memoir of a Sparklemuffin with the singles “To Love,” “OMG,” “Faded” and “My Fun,” drawing listeners into Sparklemuffin’s sticky stylistic web. The latter single is currently the soundtrack to the new Sonos Ace headphone campaign, in which Suki also stars.

Growing up in London, Suki listened to the likes of Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple with Oasis holding a special place in her heart. The artist, actress, model, and mother has been a model for major fashion labels and has appeared in many films, most recently she played Karen Sirko in the 2023 Amazon Prime music drama mini-series Daisy Jones & The Six.  

Suki has festival performances leading up to The Sparklemuffin Tour, 25-city North American headlining jaunt in support of her album, including Seattle’s Day In Day Out on July 12th, London’s All Points East on August 18th, and Salt Lake City’s Love Letters Festival on September 27th. Find the tour dates HERE.

HARDY “PSYCHO” (Big Loud Rock) 

Listen & Download HERE.

Philadelphia, Mississippi’s HARDY released his new single “PSYCHO” on June 20th from his highly anticipated album, Quit!! set to drop on July 12th. 

The new track from the Nashville based artist is already streaming over 2.5 Million per week. HARDY also recently shared his version of the Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre classic “Gin and Juice,” recorded at the personal request of the hip hop icons. 

HARDY is currently touring the U.S. on his headline Quit!! Tour. Find the tour dates HERE. 

Cowboy Mouth “Alternate Reality” (Cowboy Mouth) 

Listen & Download HERE.

New Orleans-born Cowboy Mouth released “Alternate Reality” on June 18th. It’s from Cowboy Mouth’s first full-length album in over a decade due out in 2025. 

Cowboy Mouth frontman, drummer, and co-founder Fred LeBlanc said, “‘Alternate Reality’ is a rock ‘n’ roll song about the crazy times we all seem to be living in these days. It’s a song about losing your mind in order to find your heart and soul, something that is etched as a vital part of the Cowboy Mouth ethos.” 

The band’s breakout single was “Jenny Says” in 2009 and Cowboy Mouth has perfected their rambunctious style over the band’s three decades together. During that time, they have sold over a half a million albums domestically, performed before more than 10 million people, and played over 3,000 concerts. Relentless touring has cemented their reputation and developed a devoted fan base through powerhouse live performances. 

“With every show, no matter where it is, we try to turn it into New Orleans during the middle of Mardi Gras,” LeBlanc proclaims. “It’s like a southern gospel revival without the religion” – unless your religion is rock ‘n’ roll! The new release coincides with the start of a summer tour. Find the tour dates HERE. 

Vacations “Midwest” (Nettwerk)

Listen & Download HERE.

Australia 4-piece Vacations first released their follow up single “Midwest” on May 31st and was just made available on #HAPPENS Downloads. It’s the 2nd single from the band’s third full length album, No Place Like Home, released on January 12th. 

Lead singer Campbell Burns said, “I’d never directly written a break-up song till ‘Midwest,’ contrary to how people interpret my lyrics, it never felt right to me. My lyrics are usually ambiguous and non-gendered. This wasn’t a choice, it just happened to be a writing style that resonated with me. I enjoy having songs that are universally relatable and open to interpretation, this is pop music after all. Lately though, I’ve been writing about my memories and unravelling them in exact detail. Almost like therapy, except you’re all there in the room with me. 

“Last year, I found myself in different situationships that were almost identical from each other. You’re trying to find a balance but ultimately it feels one-sided and falls apart without you even realising, because you’re still clinging onto the idea of it and trying to process what even happened. For me, every time I came home from tour, it’d be all over. It felt as if I was stuck in this cycle to the point where it became comical. My romantic life was a joke, and the duality between me at home vs. me on tour was further apart than ever.” 

Vacations return for summer dates on their “No Place Like Home USA Tour” beginning July 24th in Chicago. Find the tour dates HERE.

New Music Friday #Happens With The Mysterines

UK 4-piece The Mysterines release their second album, Afraid Of Tomorrows, today via Fiction Records. In advance of the 12 song collection, The Mysterines dropped three singles: “Stray,” “Sink Your Teeth,” and “The Last Dance.”

Formed in Liverpool, The Mysterines – frontwoman Lia Metcalfe, drummer Paul Crilly, bassist George Favager and guitarist Callum Thompson – have undergone a radical transformation over the past few years. Fresh with new purpose and reinvigorated from songwriting sessions while secluded away in the countryside (in between playing to 60,000-strong crowds while on tour with the Arctic Monkeys), The Mysterines spent a month working with Grammy Award winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen) at his brand new studio in L.A.. Afraid Of Tomorrows is a deeper and darker foray into The Mysterines’ psyche than its predecessor, and reflects the maturity and growth of the band. 

Frontwoman Lia says, “‘Afraid of Tomorrows’ is a mirror where you find you’re nothing more than a formless being, one made from celestial constellations – of traumas, of the old and new, mistakes, addiction, fear and happiness, loneliness, but ultimately a desire for life and the fight to keep living. It’s a collage of what’s been lost and of love unbounded.”

She adds, “We can feel the difference with this album. These songs show how far we’ve come. We’ve grown up a lot. I think it’s easy to look back and feel judgmental about your younger self, but we’re past that now. We feel like we know who we are as a band.”

The band’s 2022 debut album, Reeling was produced by Grammy-winner Catherine Marks (Boygenius, Wolf Alice).

The Mysterines are set to embark on their biggest headline tour to date this fall across Europe and North America. They have upcoming tour dates on September 10th in Los Angeles at The Roxy September 11th in Phoenix at Last Exit, September 13th in Colorado Springs, CO at Vultures, September 15th in Minneapolis at 7th St Entry, September 17th in Toronto at The Cave, September 19th in New York at Mercury Lounge, and will be playing at Riot Fest on September 22nd in Chicago. 

More New Music Friday Albums Out Today

Been Stellar – Scream From New York, NY (Dirty Hit)

Kate Nash – 9 Sad Symphonies (Kill Rock Stars)

Søren Hansen – Seventeen (Enci)

The Story So Far – I Want To Disappear (Pure Noise)

Until The Ribbon Breaks – Visitor (Vero Music)

MORE ALT ALBUMS HERE

GOING FOR ADDS

Impacting Songs Next Week (6/25):

Cage The Elephant “Rainbow” (RCA)

Coldplay “feelslikeimfallinginlove” (Atlantic) 

Dexter And The Moonrocks “Sad In Carolina” (Severance/Big Loud Rock)

Sum 41 “Dopamine” (Rise/BMG)

Vacations “Midwest” (Nettwerk)