Would you torch a million bucks? We mean literally—set it on fire.

This week on Music News, Decoy shares post-hardcore heroes The Armed’s tribute to The KLF, a British dance duo who set a fortune ablaze, all in the name of punk rock performance art.

Like The Armed, The KLF excelled at media attention grabbing stunts, scoring #1 hits in the process. But on August 23rd, 1994, they embarked on their most elaborate performance art piece ever, when they took a million pounds—actual money—and burned it while filming the whole process on Super 8. 

The resulting film, Watch the K Foundation Burn a Million Quid, can be found on YouTube, and you can of course grab the latest from The Armed, 2023’s Perfect Saviors, alongside the new shirt at Hello Merch. 

Plus: CREEM Magazine’s Summer Sunburn ’24 goes down this weekend in Brooklyn, on August 17 with Pissed Jeans, Knifeplay, Dazy, Native Sun, and Glimmer, the event also features DJ sets by Sick Thoughts and Kim the Beat, food, drink, weed, etc.

Charly Bliss, Forever (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp)

Out today, August 16, the latest from these New Yorkers embraces widescreen subversive pop. “We fell back in love with making music while making this record, and you can hear it,” the band says in a statement. It’s true, you can.

Fontaines DC, Romance (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Bandcamp)

And coming August 23rd, Romance, the fourth album from Irish indie rockers Fontaines D.C. Blending shoegaze, punk, jangle pop, and even a touch of nu-metal, the new album hits hard and with a ton of emotion. 

Spirit of the Beehive, You’ll Have to Lose Something (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp)

Also dropping next Friday, You’ll Have to Lose Something by Philly’s Spirit of the Beehive. Few bands are as interested in bending your brain as SOTB, but this new album leans hard into ominous rock & roll sounds, blending less genres but still fully weird and cool. 

Uniform, American Standard (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Bandcamp)

In the mood for something heavier? The great New York band Uniform is BACK on August 23rd with American Standard, which bristles with black metal energy and absolutely tortured riffs. 

Los Bitchos, Talkie Talkie (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Bandcamp)

Oooh boy! And to close, on August 30th, our favorite psychedelic surf cumbia combo Los Bitchos release the absolutely catchy Talkie Talkie. The Bitchos rule, blending global sounds to super hooky effect.