Virgin Vacation, an instrumental quartet that blend math rock, improvisation jazz, krautrock and electronic beats, have released their eponymous debut EP on cassette, vinyl and digital formats – available from Bandcamp

The EP kicks off with a sound collage of a woman’s voice dispassionately recounting events related to the Hong Kong protests—before being crowded out by multiple copies of itself and a rising drone, reflecting the overwhelming news cycle in the city.

Independent comic book artist Lai Tat Tat Wing illustrates provides the EP’s cover art.

Track listing
Side A
1. Acid Rain
2. 5 Step

Side B
3. Third Eye
4. Voices

All Songs Written & Arranged by 假日貞操 Virgin Vacation

Lip Servants Release Debut Single Affectation / Stutter

With their roots firmly in the local punk rock scene, Lip Servants debut single is as they beautifully describe it “a nihilistic boogie to celebrate the end times.”

“An exorcism of grief and despair” the cascading torrents of seasick fuzz and propulsive powerhouse rhythms that are Affectation and Stutter are available for free on Bandcamp.

Lip Servants are Arthur Urquiola, Hans Schlaikier and Glen Lewis – familiar names to many from their previous bands Two Finger Salute, Star Whores and The Tracy Lörds- and you can catch them perform their debut tracks live at The Aftermath on 28 August, 2021.

Ni Liu Release 5 Track EP Desire

Cantonese rock metal band 逆流 NiLiu have released a new 5 track EP Desire which you can listen to on most major streaming sites.

Formed in 2011 Ni Liu have become popular stalwarts of the local music scene playing at multiple festivals and releasing several singles and EPs.

The band’s ability to write catchy melodies and moving chorus incorporating a wide range of musical elements make them well worth checking out, even if metal isn’t your thing.

Delay Our Misery Release Debut Single ‘The After Party’

Punk band Delay Our Misery, who only formed in January 2021, have released their debut single The After Party.

Amit Gurung (Bass/Vocals), Aaron Mordeno (Guitar/Vocals) and Justin Orcino (Drums) who make-up Delay Our Misery have a passion for pop-punk and list their influences as Blink-182, Ramones, The Beatles, Neck Deep and Belmont.

To quote the band “Amidst the pandemic and current events going on in the world, we wanted to make music that was more on the fun side to take our (and the listeners’) minds off the stressful and serious side of life. We all need to lighten up from time to time!”

Regret’s Eponymous Hardcore Debut

New hardcore band Regret have released an eponymous 7-track debut EP on cassette and through bandcamp.

A veteran of the local music scene singer Riz also plays guitar in Dagger, fronted the massively popular King Ly Chee and runs the popular Unite Asia hardcore music website.

Commenting on his new band and their debut EP Riz said “We were just looking to play something that was more straight-ahead hardcore punk whose simplicity and directness is better suited to capture the intense emotions we all have as HongKongers living through the tumultuous past couple of years.”

Regret‘s seven tracks, including We Exist, the band’s debut single released in March, are about political turmoil, minority rights, police brutality and censorship.

“The past couple of years have been heavy on the people of Hong Kong, but then you’re seeing similar issues pop up in Myanmar, Thailand, Chile, USA, and everywhere else,” commented Riz in an interview.

“Though you may find your own situation so utterly hopeless, seeing others fighting the same causes brings a sense of camaraderie. So instead of letting all of these dark, chaotic, uncertain emotions eat us up inside, we’re getting it out through this music.”

Regret: Riz, Kuro, Egas