From The New Quintet and The Cle Elum to Slow Blink and MULT, these are the local tracks that defined our summer.
Labor Day marks the end of vacation season and the start of football, making it a good time to reflect on this summer’s music releases from Chattanooga artists.
Chattanooga’s music scene is thriving in ways that might surprise even the most plugged-in locals. The talent here is remarkable, with artists consistently releasing great music that showcases just how vibrant and diverse our city’s music community has become.
This summer, we’ve seen an impressive wave of new music across various genres. To help you catch up on the highlights, we’ve compiled 14 of our favorite songs from the summer of 2024. (Okay—technically, a few are from late spring.)
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive—there are likely some gems we’ve yet to fully appreciate. What tracks from this summer caught your ear?
Let us know, and explore our picks below (unranked, in no particular order).
MULT, Blackout
Alternative, Shoegaze
MULT has been gaining serious momentum over the past year, and their single “Blackout” shows their evolving sound. Incorporating punchier, more aggressive riffs while still rooted in the hazy, ethereal realm of shoegaze, the track signals growth. Their debut album Back Around, out September 7th via Delayed Gratification Records, is poised to raise the band’s profile significantly.
The Ego Museum, Can’t Take It With You
Garage Pop, Psychedelic Pop
I Try to Cry When I Can, the follow-up to 2020’s Fast, Slow by Chris Johnson’s project The Ego Museum, is one of the coolest-sounding releases of the year. “Can’t Take It With You” is a funky, psychedelic track, blending new wave and bedroom pop into a catchy, genre-melting sound.
Christian Newport, As You Are
Indie Rock, Folk
Christian Newport lets loose on his latest single “As You Are,” delivering a raw energy not heard in his earlier, gentler 2023 release Sunny. This track leans more into indie rock than singer-songwriter territory, capturing the rowdiness and volume of his live performances.
The Banshees, On The Bridge
Alternative Rock
The Banshees’ first studio release is a moody, jangly alternative rock gem. With understated guitar licks and Irish frontman John Daly’s haunting vocals, the track unfolds with warm, ringing notes, capturing an eerie but compelling atmosphere.
Signs Following, Cicada
Experimental Folk
Frontman Josh Mays leads this exceptionally fun and innovative release from Signs Following, which features contributions from many local musicians active in various projects. “Cicada” stands out with its blend of instruments, textures, and the natural sounds of cicadas and birds. It’s one of the most intriguing local projects we’ve heard. Rolling Stone highlighted the track “Get Born” on its weekly playlist.
The New Quintet, Mississippi John
Traditional Folk, Old Time
The New Quintet’s debut single, “Mississippi John,” is a lively tribute to the pre-war blues legend Mississippi John Hurt. Their blend of ragtime, folk, and swing represents the glories of old-time tunes to modern audiences. The band has an organic sound that feels like an intimate, front-porch show.
Slow Blink, Violet
Ambient, Noise
We’ve previously praised Slow Blink, the ambient project from Amanda Haswell, for her ability to craft haunting, dreamlike soundscapes. Her latest track, Violet, spans nearly 31 minutes of spine-tingling, ethereal loops that feel like they’re tapping into another reality. It’s an immersive experience from start to finish.
Dixon Blake Callahan, The Cynic
Bedroom Pop
Dixon Blake Callahan’s music is effortlessly earnest and unapologetically odd, making him one of our favorite local songwriters. His latest single, “The Cynic,” offers a heartfelt message: “Go outside for just a minute, you don’t have to bear and grin it, you don’t have to be a cynic no more.”
The Cle Elum, Handclaps & Tambourines
Alternative Rock
Ian Lee and Sarah Sargent Pepper of The Cle Elum, who recently made their Nightfall debut, deliver a big, loud debut with It’s Ok If It Falls Apart. The album kicks off with our favorite track “Handclaps & Tambourines,” where Lee sets the tone: “I don’t care what the world needs, all I need is some hand-claps and tambourines.” This song simply rocks.
No Country, Something Blue
Dream Pop, Emo
No Country’s latest track arrived just in time for this list, blending dreamily distorted guitar with (at moments) math-rock-adjacent rhythms and sweet, reflective lyrics. The band’s “dreamo” style beautifully captures deep emotions, making both the song and the band standouts in local music.
Pinch Hitter, The Age of the Roach
Indie Rock, Garage Rock
Pinch Hitter may be a relatively new band in town, but they’re off to a strong start with their first three singles. (One of those singles is a very cool cover) “The Age of the Roach” caught us immediately. This garage punk jam hits hard from the first shout—”Well it takes and it takes / Until all the world is crumbling”—and keeps the energy high. Keep an eye on these guys.
Strung Like a Horse, Find Your Way Home
Indie Rock, Americana
Strung Like a Horse made waves with their 2020 album WOAH!, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse live act and showcasing frontman Clay Maselle’s songwriting talent. With top-tier musicians like Tyler Martelli and Dan Pinson laying the foundation, their success feels inevitable. Their latest record, Dirt, released last week, continues to blend indie rock with Americana, and the single “Find Your Way Home” is poised to become another standout track for the band.
Allure, Glider
Shoegaze
Shoegaze has seen a major resurgence both nationally and here in Chattanooga, with projects like Briteboy, Mult, and Lacing (RIP) leading the charge. We’re thrilled to see more bands exploring the genre and bringing fresh, original sounds. “Glider” by Allure—a band yet to make their live debut—is a standout. The track gradually builds a hazy, ethereal atmosphere before launching into a soaring guitar frenzy, anchored by a mesmerizing bass line.
Onion Milk, Sneak Out
Indie Pop, Lofi
Onion Milk’s debut single grabbed our attention with its catchy lofi blend of indie punk and synth-y emo. They put an interesting spin to their sound, making them an incredibly strong live band. We’re eager to see how they explore it further.
Keep these tracks on repeat, and stay tuned for more local gems.
Don’t forget to share your favorite summer releases with us here.
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