Solange, Broadcast, and Dropkick Murphys kick off 2013’s new releases

Pick Of The Week: New
Solange, True
Being the little sister of perfect pop diva Beyoncé, Solange Knowles has a lot to live up to. Fortunately, she couldn’t care less. The singer has crafted her own brand of style, music, and cool, all completely separate from her very famous sibling. She’s worked with Pharrell Williams, Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion, Blood Orange), Mark Ronson, and Chromeo, and her downbeat psychedelic-soul stylings are great in their own right. True, Solange’s excellent EP featuring the equally excellent single “Losing You,” was released online in late 2012 but is available this week on CD and vinyl for completists. A full-length is expected follow later this year.
Do Not Break The Seal
Black Veil Brides, Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones
With well over 2 million likes on Facebook, Black Veil Brides are kind of a big deal, but who the heck are they? As any tortured high-schooler knows, this Hollywood-based glam hardcore act is famous for its teased hair and makeup à la Motley Crue. The rhythm guitarist just goes by the name “Jinxx,” while the drummer’s nom de plume is “Christian Coma.” They also suck—a lot. Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones is the band’s third full-length as well as a concept album written in tandem with a film the group also made, Legion Of The Black, which follows “a group of rebels known as ‘The Wild Ones’ as they defend their hearts, minds, and bodies again F.E.A.R.,” whatever that is. We can’t say for sure that the record is incredibly terrible, but if the first single, “In The End,” is any indication, then yeah, it probably is.