• Top Songs of 2019

    Phew, the end of the year really snuck up on me this time and it’s crazy to think we are moving on from the 2010s. Before we do so, Nathan

    Read more »

  • Top 25 Albums of 2019

    This is the list you’ve all been waiting for, well, sort of. This is my Top 20 LPs of the year. Admittedly, there’s none of the high profile hitmakers on

    Read more »

  • Levitation 2019: A Reflection

    Team ATH has been covering Austin Psych Fest/Levitation since its early inception, probably in the second year at Radio Room (sorry we missed the first year!), so we’ve seen the

    Read more »

  • ACL WE2 in a Nutshell

    Another Austin City Limits is behind us boys and girls and it’s always a good time to reflect on the music and experiences from the weekend. I considered myself very

    Read more »

  • SXSW 2019 – A Recap

    Yet another SXSW is in the books and it’s time for the ATH crew to reminisce a little and offer some highlight from the week behind us. I think we’ve

    Read more »

Strawberry Generation Share Recollections EP

Leave a comment

Rhode Island outfit Strawberry Generation have been hanging around, at least to our knowledge, for several years, with a handful of EPs to their name. Today, the band are out to share their Recollections EP for Sunday Records; it collects remixed and remastered versions of early tunes, as well as throwing in a brand new track to tease what’s coming from the band’s debut LP (out later this year!). For those unfamiliar with the group, you’ll find the band a multi-headed indiepop outfit, capable of charming with understated melodic gems like the below “(My Love is Like A) Satellite” or punchy pop numbers like “Coffee.” Listening through, you’ll notice they switch up vocalists quite often, which builds in a diversity not always present in the genre. New tune “Kitchen+ Crisis” is the slow blossoming pop sort, billowing with backing harmonies and some lush arrangements. Grab the EP now from Sunday Records, and look for the full length debut come this Spring!

That New A Sinclair Single

Leave a comment

Technically, our little break’s not quite over, but it’s time to get back into the music game with some things I hope you will dig, like the latest single from our friend A. Sinclair. I’ve always enjoyed the band’s work, but there’s something really special in this song. It’s like the urgency has been sort of pulled back, gradually letting the guitar notes sharply twist and turn their way through your ears; there’s even a slight twang to let the notes sort of hang out on the wind. It’s a rocker, but in the casual sense, letting Aaron’s voice work this calm drawl work beneath the brightness of the guitars. Let’s hope there’s more from A. Sinclair as this new year kicks on.

Big Baby Announce Fizzy Cola EP

Leave a comment

Been a hot minute since we’ve heard from Richmond’s Big Baby, but better get acquainted now as they’re brandishing six delicious new pop tunes you’ll want to consume…and we’ve got the lead single below for you. The band, fronted by Ali Mislowsky (also of ATH faves Young Scum), start with a heavy three second tease; they collect themselves, and they’re off. The guitar chords seem to be dancing and swirling around your ears, all the while the rhythm section keeps your toes tapping. In the vocals, you this coolly delivered warmth, but the hook is all about the falling notes in the line “can’t get you out of my head.” If you’re into the sugary sweetness on display, be sure to grab the Fizzy Cola EP from Hidden Bay Records or Jigsaw on January 10th!

Pop Rock from Non La

Leave a comment

Two things I love are when your favorite labels team up to work on something; you generally know something great is in the water. In this case, Kingfisher Bluez and Lost Sound Tapes have united to bring this great pop rock LP from Non La your way, and what a single to kick things off. It starts off with this sort of Sandy Alex G solo work, just a solid voice and a guitar line; even at its simplest, you’re intrigued. Then, gang vocals join in the fray, teasing for a second before the song jumps off to pure infectiousness; I don’t know if it’s the stuttering of “r-i-ght” or the the gang singing along, but there’s nothing that can make this track any more fun. Not In Love will be dropped on February 14th, and you can pick between vinyl and tape!

Handle Announce Debut Album, In Threes

Leave a comment

This Handle tune is exactly what I love about the end of the year; folks like to wrap up and pretend like the end of the year is over, yet there’s absolutely fucking amazing songs sneaking out there. This Manchester trio are making this sort of jazzy no-punk, using these incredible rhythms and wonky structures to sort of keep you off balance while you’re hit in the face with this barrage of vocals. It kind of makes you go in and wonder what the hell you just got hit with, so you press play to get that feeling all over again. The song’s little fade out also hints at some of the great little odds and ends that make up their debut, In Threes; it’s going to be released on March 6th via Upset the Rhythm and Maternal Voice.

Jangling Pop Number from Baseball Gregg

Leave a comment

A bi-continental recording project, Baseball Gregg have quite a story to share with the world. But, more important, they’ve got some incredible songs out there too, particularly this brand new single. Sharp little guitar riffs jangle in, then go deeper in tone to bubble beneath the surface, always adding a certain swagger to the track. The vocals are soft and understated, holding the tune together like this melodic little bit of glue; I love the chorus when they seem to take off like a shooting star, coolly rising into the ether of the tune. Just spend a minute or two tapping your toes and bouncing around with this pop jangle.

Imp of Perverse Share Despair Puff

Leave a comment

The great thing about living in any so called “music capital” is there’s still stuff you haven’t discovered, like Imp of Perverse. It’s the recording project of Sean Lochridge, who seems to have honed in on my love for really solid collage pop. He’s built layers of poppy little guitar riffs, buoyed by nice little textural synth touches that add some dense atmosphere to the track. The vocals are hidden, quiet in the mix, but it’s perfect in the way that it feels just like an added texture in the track, yet still stands out on its own. Happy to get turned onto this, and then hopefully get you hyped on it too!

More From Vola Tila

Leave a comment

Having just been named to our very prestigious Top Songs of the year list, Swedes Vola Tila are back at it again today with this new single “All Alone”. When compared to their last hit, this one is much more of a ballad style which evolves into some truly beautiful moments. It could be labeled as early MGMT stuff or maybe even a more Tame Impala style slower jam, but it is of course their own style and sound. I think it’s a rather fantastic way to start your Monday.

New Pelvis Wrestley Tune + Single Release

Leave a comment

Pelvis Wrestley have two things going for them: 1) an incredible band name 2) the music to back up said band name. They’ve got this great new single, “Susanna,” which they’ll be celebrating here in Austin over at Cheer Up Charlies (w/ Fanclub and Lord Friday the 13th). This new track revolves around a really heavy synth beat, propelling the song forward while Benjamin Violet hangs his pop sensibility along the vocals; I really love the rise and fall factor that coincides with the chorus on this one, particularly as it takes the song toward a soaring close. Come join the band tomorrow night at Cheer Ups if you’re in town, and keep an eye out, as rumor has it, there’s an EP on the way in 2020.

1 2 3 … 1,514