10 Releases To Buy on Bandcamp Friday

As many DIY musicians are well aware Bandcamp has been intermittently choosing days to waive all fees since the start of lockdown/the pandemic, giving 100% of sales directly to the artist. Originally this article was going to be a 2020 album of the year list but January has quickly came and went. Before January is over and 2021 inevitably consumes us, here is our unofficial album of the year list for 2020; all of which you should consider purchasing via Bandcamp this Friday, February 5th.

There were so many great releases in releases in 2020; unfortunately, this list does not feature all of them. We could have packed this list full of great music we heard this year but here are a few standout releases from last year that you need to hear. This list features many unique gems in different genres that you should purchase this Friday, Feb. 5th on Bandcamp.

Roe Knows Best – Muscle Memory

FFO: Motion City Sound Track, Saves the Day, Say Anything. 

Roe Knows Best, the solo project of Nutley, NJ-based singer/songwriter Rosanna O’Brien aka Roe released their debut 5 track EP in May 2020. Muscle Memory is 5 tracks of pop-punk excellence; featuring a multitude of instrumentation and delightfully distinctive phrasing with plenty of space & rhythm. Roe Knows Best generously donated 100% of the first week’s proceeds of EP sales to the World Health Organization; an organization that many believe is leading the world in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. After delivering such a solid 5 quality produced songs in 2020 we look forward to hearing future releases from this artist, perhaps a full length?  

Chatter Box & The Latter Day Satanists

FFO: RENT STRIKE, Ramshackle Glory, & Pat the Bunny. 

Chatter Box & The Latter Day Satanists – CO-based anti-racist folk-punk group singing songs about suffering under capitalism, police brutality, and harm reduction, dropped their latest album, The Difference Between Thieves and Crooks. This is their second full length preceding a series of single releases and their classic 2013 release Talk is Cheap Guns Are Expensive which is an absolute masterpiece. Long-anticipated The Difference between thieves and Crooks lives up to the hype and is absolutely an album you should check out.

Escape From The Zoo/Public Serpents – Split

FFO: Days N Daze, Cop/Out & Nausea. 

This split earned a spot on this list for many reasons, among them, its depth and range. Each band offering its own distinct sound this release is full of high energy punk music. At only 4 tracks the variation within the punk/skacore subgenres on this release is vast and dynamic in its creative scope.

Big in Sheboygan

FFO Standards, Don Caballero, & TTNG.

OK, you caught us, this one was released in November of 2019 BUT we only found out about the super sweet video for their track In Rat Park (They Don’t Like the Drugged Water) appearing on this release in 2020. This release is astounding and entirely instrumental; the variation & modality in style on their technical math-rock inspired sounds left us wanting more. From flowy shreds to choppy rhythmic patterns this release has something for every math fan.

Sweet Pill – Best of Me & Swallow the Pill ( 2 Single releases)

FFO Hop Along, Crying, & Waxahatchee.

The only regret we have about these releases is that there is not MORE of them! Sweet pill is so phenomenally good that we were extremely excited about what was released in 2020; the singles for Best of Me & Swallow the Pill. Both songs are very melodic with a simple flow to them that fans of any genre can enjoy. We will be keeping a close eye on Sweet Pill in 2021 👀

Fat Chance

FFO No Cash, Choking Victim & 

An EP ironically named These Trying Times is truly a testament to this band’s creativity. Dealing with recent line-up changes and …oh yea that worldwide pandemic thing Fat Chance would still bring us our coveted music in 2020. This EP lacks drums but that doesn’t make their acoustic version of Running, previously released on their full album, Do Not Resuscitate any less brutal.

Racoma – This Front Room

FFO: Beirut, Belle & Sebastian & Death Cab For Cutie.

Racoma is a Seattle-based 4 piece indie-alternative rock band that knows how to caress your ears with simple yet honest tunes that make you want to laugh and cry all at the same time. This album is full of inspirational songs that invoke calmness and feelings of sentimentality. Displaying a wide range without exiting the realm of “chill indie” sounding music this release is full of great energy & contrast from track to track. 

The Stupid Stupid Henchmen 

FFO: INDK, Morning Glory, & Night Gaunts

There’s no doubt about it that The Stupid Stupid Henchmen are an acquired taste for many; blending their ska/punk style songwriting with hip-hop sensibilities, elements of reggae, and tying it all nicely together with harsh vocal tones & smooth delivery. Singing songs of hope and positivity the Stupid Stupid Henchmen delivered just what the doctor ordered during the end of the world with this roughly 30 minute release of premium ska/punk music.

Aedan – Caged

FFO: Mikalea Davis, Pheobe Briggers & Gorilla Toss

Fool you once shame on you, fool you twice eh whatever you caught us 🙄 this one also was also released in 2019 but we still wanted to mention this absolute gem of an EP. Clocking in at 5 tracks the contrast in songwriting on this release is dynamic and diverse. Ranging from bouncy pop tunes to ethereal trance-like droning melodies this is an EP you need to check out. We, unfortunately, could not find a Bandcamp link to this artist please check out their website for more information on this awesome indie artist.

Bear & Grin – Be Gentle

FFO: The Get Up Kids, I Love Your Lifestyle & Prince Daddy & The Hyena.

The songwriting found on this album is second to none with all tracks featuring clever verses, infectious hooks, and simple, wholesome lyrical anecdotes. Featuring other NJ-based artists Sentient Moss, Halogens & Man Dancing this release is a must-hear.

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Huge Shout out to our 2020 Sponsors: Not Ned, Joe Billy, Weatherworn & MonkeyRat

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