Freshly Brewed: April 2023

Introducing Freshly Brewed, a new monthly series from Bummer Brews highlighting some of our favorite songs, albums, and shows from April that made our month.

Rat Saw God by Wednesday

What hasn’t been said about what seems like the Consensus pick for this year’s best record (so far)? Wednesday’s Rat Saw God is a perfect step up from the Asheville band’s past releases, full of a southern Gothic atmosphere and tracks that rock harder than ever before. Besides the band’s lauded combination of alt-country sounds and shoegaze, Karly Hartzman’s lyricism makes this record so compelling and capable of transporting the listener into her North Carolinian perspective. With mentions of a sex shop with a biblical name and taking too much Benadryl just for fun, Hartzman’s tales of everyday mundanity shine on Rat Saw God from softer, harmony-filled tracks like “Formula One” to the nine-minute epic “Bull Believer.” It’s been exciting to see how Wednesday has grown since my first listen back in 2021, and Rat Saw God has opened a new chapter for the band that is surely their best. - Gianna Cicchetti

As a fan of Origami Angel, I keep an open mind when queuing up their new music because I never know what I’m going to hear. I was a particular fan of their 2022 work, Depart, because I found that the sound suited them well, the more raw, heavy sound. But “Thank You, New Jersey” is the opposite and is giving kind of a Waterparks vibe that I enjoy from them as well. I think if you can do multiple genres and can do them well, you have something special about you because it’s hard to do, especially in a year's time. This was a poppy, melodic fast song, which is different from their past works, but I think they do it well. Overall I am just impressed with the versatility and love the risks that Origami Angel is willing to take because I will give it a listen every time. - Jess Beckman

Having been a fan of Fenne Lily long before the release of her debut album On Hold, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her voice and storytelling grow over the years. Her latest album, Big Picture was released earlier this month and Lily still manages to transport me into a dream like trance with her soft vocals. The album incorporates her conventional slower paced, acoustic tracks such as “In My Own Time,” while still providing listeners with tracks that have a more upbeat, optimistic outlook such as “Lights Light Up.” Lily embarked on her 2023 world tour after the release of Big Picture and it has left fans in awe of her work and performance. Playing in smaller, intimate venues, Lily mesmerizes fans with her goofy and wistfully, melancholic personality. Having had the delight of seeing Lily perform again after five years, I can say how her confidence has grown and her charisma still encapsulates me. - Kath Witts

I have been following Michigan based rapper NF’s career since late 2017 and seeing his continuous growth throughout the years has been amazing. The quality of his songwriting has only gotten better and the storytelling through his songs is so emotionally moving, especially on his new record Hope that was released on April 7th. This record focused a lot about a healing journey and being vulnerable and finding yourself. It’s a complete shift from previous releases like “Therapy Session” and “The Search’”which show themes of grieving the loss of someone and mental health struggles. Songs on this record like “Mama,” “Mistake,” and “Happy” tell a story of healing and acceptance. NF is embarking on a world tour this summer in support of the record and I’m hoping to be able to catch one of his shows in the future and experience these stories live. The emotion and passion behind them is very evident and I can’t wait to see what else is released in the future. - Kelly Hall

The highlight of my April was attending MUNA’s sold-out show in Seattle on the 17th. Following up a phenomenal opening performance from Nova Twins, MUNA took the stage to “What I Want,” off of their latest, self-titled album. Playing hits old (such as “Stayaway,” “Number One Fan,” and “I Know A Place”) and new (their latest single “One That Got Away,” “No Idea,” “Kind of Girl”), they captivated the crowd and had everyone on their feet singing and dancing along. Closing out the night to their hit single, “Silk Chiffon,” they reinforced the energy and enthusiasm that their entire performance oozed. In undoubtedly a scary and difficult time for members of the LGBTQ+ community, MUNA’s performance was a beacon of hope and a shining example of the pure, queer joy that comes when you are able to express yourself and live your best, truest life. - Megan Murayama

Prior to the release of “I’ll Ruin Everything That I See,” I had not heard of Overgrow. The band’s newest EP immediately drew me in, however, with a moody, gloomy sound. The 4 songs on the EP combine a lovely mix of higher energy sounds reminiscent of Movements’ Feel Something, with a softer side. The songs flow into each other incredibly well, with the higher energy of the opening track, “I’ll Ruin Everything That I See,” tapering off perfectly into the more hazy sound of “When You’re Not Around.” In Nowhere Without You,” the third track, this sense of gloom is built on even more, with the vocals sounding almost as if they are fighting to cut through the soft, melancholic - but still noticeably pop-punk/emo - instrumental. The clouds finally part on the final track, “This All Will End.” A haunting acoustic guitar and incredibly soft, floaty vocals lead us to comfort, with beautiful backing vocals accompanying the final line, “You’ll be alright somehow/One day this all will end.” The EP masterfully relates to feelings of self-loathing and loss, but ends on the comforting notion that even at our worst, we’re not alone and it’s not forever. - Ivy Young