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Is that the warm glow of the sun we can feel from behind the clouds?

April is here. Longer days. Loads of chocolate. Really, what's not to like. Of course, the lighter evenings and better weather mean more time to get out on two wheels, which is, after all, what we're really all about here at Mutt.

However, we've still found time to put together our monthly round-up of what we've been listening to between making the most of that ever-extending sunlight. As always, it's the usual mix of brand new stuff that has caught our ears and classics that we can hum in our sleep we've listened to so much. Of course, it goes without saying that the volume should be set to the customary 'loud' position for optimum listening.

Now, where have we left that chocolate?

PINK CHAMPAGNE BLUES - GNOD

We've got a heavy hitter from psyche-noise collective GNOD to get the mood started. Screeching feedback leads straight into an absolute pile-driver of a beat and unforgiving bassline. And it doesn't relent. Taken from last year's 'La Mort Du Sens', which was an absolute belter, they also released new tunes in April with 'Hexen Valley'.

YOUR PRETTY FACE IS GOING TO HELL - THE STOOGES

Keeping the energy (and noise) level cranked up, this track from proto-punk classic 'Raw Power' (possibly one of the best albums ever made, just in case there was any doubt) sees Iggy and the boys at their energetic best. If you haven't heard this one before, you're in for a treat. If you have, then one more time never hurts.

SECURITY - AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS

Mullets ahoy! Melbourne punk thumpers Amyl & The Sniffers deliver a track all about trying to get in the pub when you (and your haircut) don't conform to the norm. 'Security' comes from last year's 'Comfort to Me' long-player. Unexpectedly, the video for this one sees singer Amy Taylor dancing solo in a graveyard. Excellent.

PUT YOUR THING ON ME - THE GRODECK WHIPPERJENNY

Back to 1970 for this sublime slice of proto-prog-rock-influenced funk from a bunch of jazz musicians led by composer and musician David Matthews. Matthews worked with some of the biggest in the business - James Brown, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, to name a few, so he knew his way around a track. This one is a stone-cold solid.

WIDOW - WORKING MEN'S CLUB

More from friend of Mutt and bloody talented bugger Syd Minsky-Sargeant. Syd and crew released this single from his band's upcoming second album, due for release this summer. Widow sees the band combining oblique lyrics with their accomplished neo-synth sound. We can't wait to hear more.

NATION'S PRIDE - THE CHISEL

The Chisel is a straight-up polemical street-punk outfit featuring Fucked Up and Chubby and the Gang members. Taken from their 'Retaliation' album released at the end of 2021, 'Nation's Pride' is a sarcastic take on the state of the nation and divide-and-rule politics. Loud and angry, just the way we like it.

WAKE UP DEAD - LAMB OF GOD, MEGADEATH, DAVE MUSTAIN

Heavy meets heavier. Lamb of God teamed up with Dave Mustain and, in parts, the rest of Megadeath to record this take on the Death's legendary track from the even more legendary 'Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?' album. All out riffola abounds, as you may expect.

LOVE BUZZ - NIRVANA

When John Robb made this debut single by a little-known Seattle trio single of the week on its 1988 release, little could he know what it would herald. From this noisy acorn, the solid oak of grunge was born. The rest, of course, is history.

 IMMIGRANT SONG - LED ZEPPELIN

All hail the zep. A riff you will never, ever forget and drums that can lacerate your kidneys from 20 miles, this is solid gold. Are there any songs about Viking invasions that come anywhere close to being as good as this? Don't bother answering that - there aren't.

 FEAR OF THE DAWN - JACK WHITE

Taken from this year's album of the same name, 'Fear of the Dawn' has elements of rock, metal, and glam, to name but a few. The album is the weirdness work-out you would expect, and we're here for it.

I'LL MAKE YOU SEE GOD - AFGHAN WHIGS

Greg Dulli is known for his abstract angst soundtracked by soul-influenced rock. This is the first new music from Afghan Whigs in the five years since 'In Spades' release and sees the band take a much more direct yet chaotic rock approach. This one deserves to be listened to loud.

 DEMOLITION ROW - METZ

Canadian punk chameleons METZ have always been difficult to pin down. With an always adventurous, continuously experimental sound, they were happy to surprise with each new release. New track 'Demolition Row' sees them evoking the spirit of such experimental punk noise luminaries as Suicide and Killing Joke. It really is that fucking good.

ALL BEING FINE - KING HANNAH

Traditionally, being the U.K. port that faced across the Atlantic, Liverpool was the gateway for importing American musical influence into the U.K. You would be forgiven for thinking King Hannah hailed from the rugged deep south listening to Craig Whittle's guitar, but Hannah Merrick's dry, everyday lyrical observations plant them firmly in their U.K. home.

NEW BEGINNING - AUTOMATIC

Imagine for a second that Bauhaus, Kraftwerk and Suicide merged into one band, taking electronic post-punk sounds and crafting nihilistic songs about the bleakness of modern life. If that sounds like your thing, you will absolutely love this outfit from L.A.

HOLD ON TIGHT - A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS

Once described as 'New York's loudest band' - an accolade not to take lightly - APTBS released new music this year with their 'See Through You' album. After 20 years at it, this noisy, industrial, futuristic electro-punk is still absolutely vital, and the album is best listened to as a whole. TBF we could have just picked the whole thing, but for brevity, we selected 'Hold On Tight' out for you lucky lot.

SIX HILLS - LEWSBERG

We absolutely guarantee that if you haven't heard Lewsberg already, then you are about to listen to your new favourite band. Hailing from Rotterdam, a city known for maverick creativity, they are named after a famously nihilistic and disillusioned local writer. Newly released 'Six Hills' is an addictive, unique, stripped-back charmer of a track that you can't just listen to once.

MOTORBIKE - GRETEL HANLYN

We didn't only pick this track because it is called 'Motorbike', which would be too obvious. No, we also chose it because of Gretel's tuneful alt-rock sound and her unique vocal delivery. Imagine Nico suddenly found a melody and a lot more bite. Interestingly, the song has nothing to do with motorbikes. But that doesn't stop us from loving it.

LUSITANIA - WEIRD NIGHTMARE

WAlex Edkins, frontman for METZ, gets a double entry this month. That's how good this guy is. His 'Weird Nightmare' project sees him upping the melodies and delivering anthemic noise-pop. 'Lusitania' is the second single from their forthcoming self-titled album. Keep 'em peeled.

BILLIONS - DEAP VALLEY

Lindsey and Julie deliver more noise from San Fernando on 'Billions'. Recently released as a remixed single, this track initially featured on last year's 'Marriage' full-length. Taking brilliantly sarcastic aim at the super-rich, this one has the riffs and swagger you come to expect from the Valley girls.

BEFORE YOU FORGET - BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE/THE TELESCOPES

Released as a limited single for Record Store Day at the end of 2021, this track sees two titans of noisy psyche-tinged shoegaze team up to produce something even better than the sum of its parts. Unbelievably, this isn't even a finished song but a demo for an idea of a song. We could be depressed by that talent level, but this song is so good that we can't help but finish on a high.

Hope you enjoy this month's pick of tunes as much as us. If you do, many of the artists featured are getting back out on the road and playing shows and festivals in the coming months. Get out and see them, let your hair down, and give them some support. We'll see you down the front.

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