With North Lincoln's Midwestern Blood finally set for an April 21st release, why not look at its teaser 7" released at The Fest last year?

Neither "This Is Gonna Hurt" or "In Your Hands" will actually be on Midwestern Blood, but they come from the same recording sessions and thus seem to act as an apt preview of things to come. If they really are any indication, Midwestern Blood should be the band's best effort yet, easily. The band take their predictably Hot Water Music-ish sound to more pronounced and clear levels, with the emotion more crisp and less cloudy, sunkissed by hints of Hüsker Dü wistfulness. The title track is the standout, a longer, unwinding effort compared to the simpler and more brisk B side.

Only 200 of these and their screenprinted covers were made, but I think there's still a few available. It's definitely worth a listen if you can't wait another month for the full-length -- already gestating a year and a half -- to drop.