Buffalo Music: New releases, previews from Soul Butchers, Wylie Something and more

By Elmer Ploetz and Chloe Kowalyk

Westside Gunn’s new album, “Heels Have Eyes 2,” dropped this week, with a dozen tracks.

Gunn, arguably Buffalo’s foremost rapper, released the first “Heels Have Eyes” earlier this year. He has been one of the city’s most prolific recording rappers as well as founder of his own Griselda Records (which has featured half-brother Conway the Machine and cousin Benny the Butcher, two of Buffalo’s other preeminent rappers).

He’s scheduled to open up for Erykah Badu on Oct. 3 at the Hollywood Bowl in California.

This writer (EP) is by no means qualified to offer an in-depth critique of the album, but it seems to mix some of Gunn’s more hardcore inclinations (gunshot-like echoes, the usual drug references) with a bit of preaching (the song “Amira’s Kitchen”).

For a better read on it, you’ll have to listen for yourself, but anytime Westside Gunn releases an album, it’s worth noting.

You can order the album HERE. As of this writing, most of the songs have already received over 100,000 plays each on Spotify. To play it there, you’ll need to make sure your app settings are set to allow explicit content.

The Soul Butchers: ‘Second Death’

The Soul Butchers’ “Second Death” album is set for release on Sept. 12, but you can preview a song below. You can also order the album HERE.

With a lineup that includes Justin Rowland on vocals, Allan Uthman on guitars, Rob Barnette on bass and Joe Peluso on drums, the sample song turns on the jets with Rowland’s voice sounding like its about to leave the 45 RPM scream mode and flip into Alvin & the Chipmunks territory. Loud and fun!

Wylie Something, ‘Up Through the Rust’

Local songwriter Jacob Smolinksi, operating under the name “Wylie Something,” has just released a new EP.

The EP, titled “Up Through The Rust,” was released on Friday, Aug. 29. It includes five songs.

“Up Through The Rust” has a very indie rock sound, and features distorted vocals and dreamy guitar rhythms. The instrumentals in all songs flow very well, with “God’s Country” being my favorite release on the EP.

“God’s Country” was initially released as a single on Aug. 1 as a teaser for the new EP.

“Light’s On But Nobody is Home” is another strong piece, with that same dreamy sound and vocals that seamlessly blend together as Smolinski laments each of the lyrics with such passion.

Fans of indie rock will definitely find a new favorite artist in Wylie Something.

The EP is available for purchase on Bandcamp.

Rock Voices Buffalo

Speaking of fun, Rock Voices Buffalo fits that category. It’s part of a “Rock Voices” organization with “no-audition” community choirs from throughout the northeastern U.S.

SUNY Fredonia professor James Harrington directs the Buffalo choir, which comprises about 50 non-professional singers doing oldies and pop songs and raising money for charity with their concerts. It looks like they’re having a great time just making music together.

Check out the video from their most recent show — particularly the version of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” with the lead singer in concert black dress … and Dee Snider boots. It’s exactly 30 minutes into the video. Coming from a largely middle-aged female choir, it’s cool!

BIG MARTHA at Sportsmen’s Tavern (Aug. 25)

Buffalo Rocks, a YouTube channel dedicated to supporting local musicians and the venues they play in, releases ton of high-quality videos of shows.

They recently uploaded a clip of the performance of “BIG MARTHA” at Sportsmen’s Tavern on Aug. 25.

You can check out their performance of “Jessica” with Grace Lougen sitting in on the the Allman Brothers HERE.