Category: News

Check Out New Singles from CBVB

Leave a comment

After retreating to raise a family, former Pas/Cal member Craig BV Badynee is ready to make his return to the music biz, and he’s doing so with two pretty striking new tunes, courtesy of Team Love Records. His solo work as CBVB sounds an awful lot like the sophisticated pop you’d get from a Jarvis Cocker or Richard Hawley. Verses and arrangements are built around bits of swagger and rock n’ roll histrionics, while there’s a classiness that supersedes all the cool. While the arrangement in “The New Richter Waltz” drew me in, the vocal performance on “Grumbling Bellies” cemented my joy in listening; there’s a lot of playfulness in the tones that I found really rewarding.

Lame Drivers Return with Become An Island

Leave a comment

Nearly a decade after their last, New York’s Lame Drivers are back with a classic brand of pop rock that’s undeniably built for modern days. Bits and pieces of their new single pull from an amalgam of crisp guitar licks from the era where folks like Alex Chilton struck gold. That said, there’s a nice bit of edgy undercurrent running beneath, which becomes more apparent as the track goes on, so you’ve got a bit of a modern blend between classic and pop, putting them into a realm that momentarily feels all their own. Good to hear them back at it, and I look forward to Become an Island when it drops in June via Jigsaw/Bleeding Gold.

Special Swansea Sound Release News – Collector’s Notice!!!

Leave a comment

Okay, so I failed to get Heavenly/Swansea Sound down to Austin on their forthcoming trip; I tried, I swear! But, there’s great news on the collector’s front, as Swansea Sound are currently in the process of auctioning off the only white version of their lathe-cut “Markin’ It Down” 7″. The tune appeared on last year’s Twentieth Century LP, and they’ve run 100 copies of the 7″ on black vinyl…but this rarity not only can be part of your collection if you’re willing to bid on it, as your bid will go directly to support the Amazon workers on strike in Coventry. If you don’t want a copy…you have two options…just generously donate to the cause HERE or enjoy the song itself below. You can also become double the winner by doing both! Bidding for the rarest of the rare must be done HERE.

They’re also coming to the US for a mini-tour on the East:
June 2: Queens, NY – Trans Pecos
June 5: Washington DC – Quarry House Tavern
June 6: Providence, RI – Alchemy
June 7: Boston, MA – O’Briens
June 8: NYC, NY – Knitting Factory
June 9:Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas

Breezy New Tune From David Robert Pollock

Leave a comment

It’s been a bit of a slow week for me on the new music end as I still try to shake off the Spring festival lull. Los Angeles based artist David Robert Pollock is helping ease me into a chill Thursday with his lovely and enchanting new tune “I Want the World.” I am totally mesmerized by the delicate, intimate, and brutally honest nature of his approach to songwriting. What a lovely way to start your day.

This track appears on a new EP of the same name which is due out on April 30th via Snack Shack Tracks/Anxiety Blanket Records.

The Wesleys Share A Lot to Lose + Drop Debut LP

Leave a comment

If you’re looking for the perfect album to walk into Spring, might we suggest you put this debut LP from the Wesley‘s in your listening rotation? As a whole, the record’s pretty diverse; it’s like trying to decide between a path of Elephant 6 to your left or Dirtnap Records to your right, but the Wesleys said fuck it, we’ll play our own road. On the single below, they are definitely playing more towards the pastoral folk pop stylings, maybe even flirting with acts like Woods. The vocal harmonies hang perfectly in the air, and you get hints of groovy Aussie pop too with the way the acoustic guitar gets picked carefully atop that bobbing bass walk. The song’s within The Wesleys are the perfect blend between sharp power and melodic folk tendencies, leaving you with the perfect gateway into the changing of the seasons. Full album releases tomorrow courtesy of Little Village Records.

Premiere: New Single from Max Blansjaar

One comment

You may not know the name Max Blansjaar just yet, but, if proper time is given, you might just have a songwriter who will be with you for years to come. Upon first listen to his latest track, you’re likely going to find his clever wordplay supremely charming, recalling folks like John Darnielle or Jeffrey Lewis; it’s both witty and narrative, making up for an album that you can get lost inside. In the first 45 seconds, you’re sitting right next to Max while he’s strumming and making everyone in the room swoon; arrangements then drop into the mix, with overlapping guitar lines that blossom into this whimsical piece you won’t be able to escape. If you champion great lyrical work matched by a lively bit of folk pop, then find your way to picking up a copy of False Comforts, out on June 21st via Beanie Tapes.

Mandy Shares Forsythia

Leave a comment

Being a fan of Miranda Winters other gig, Melkbelly, is not a requirement to enjoy her new project, Mandy. What you will need, however, is a thirst for huge riffs and soaring melodies; they’re plentiful in the latest single from the forthcoming Lawn Girl LP. Those distorted waves of guitar noise greet you from the get go, and they continue to climb and crash against you time and time again. The necessary hook for repeat enjoyment (which you will have!) is definitely part of Winters’ vocal delivery; I enjoy the way her voice climbs up then drops back down in each little verse. This record’s going to rip, so turn up this tune and grab a copy from Exploding in Sound before the April 26th release date.

Gregor Shares Angels Single

Leave a comment

There aren’t a ton of artists out there making pop quite like Gregor does. You listen to his work and there’s so much space, allowing his voice to just reverberate as it billows through your speakers, much like in his newest single. I love the way it feels like Gregor is sort of haunting the shadows of this song; the guitar notes ring out, almost echoing while the dulcet tones from the vocals creep through all the empty space. And, just as one gets used to this sort of darkened stationary state, the vocals rise, a brief emphatic burst of up and down tones that faintly remind me of Bowie’s range within short phrases. Gregor’s work continues to beckon me with each new single; I’ll be looking forward to Satanic Lullabies, out May 10th via Chapter Music.

Lightheaded Share Moments Notice

Leave a comment

If I had to encourage you to grab one single record in the month of May, might I fully put my weight behind Lightheaded. They offered up the Good Good Great EP late last year, blending it bits of indiepop and 60s doo-wop, but this go round, they sound like they’re working to take an indiepop nod towards the Grateful Dead…though maybe that’s just me that hears a springier version of “Uncle John’s Band” in here. While they clearly have nostalgic tastes, their recipe of bridging those influences into something refreshing and exuberant make their sound all the more welcoming. They’re offering up a modern bridge to the past, and Combustible Gems is surely going to be high upon the list of records we’re clamoring to get our hands on here; it’s out May 17th via Slumberland.

Neutrals Announce New Town Dream

One comment

The announcement of a brand new Neutrals record is the sort of news I welcome with wide-open arms and a huge grin. You see, the Oakland outfit fronted by Allan MacNaughton have crafted a brand of jangling old school power pop that very few, if any, are capable of pulling off…as you’ll see listening below. The guitar style has that sharpness that seemingly mutes the jangular approach, giving it a bit more bounce and edge, a la the Television Personalities. They’ll get that nod more than one though, as I’m sure Allan’s voice/delivery will pull in some Dan Treacy comparisons; he has this matter-of-fact delivery that almost seems like he’s toying with you. This particular tune also gets some nice soft undertones from Lauren Matsui (also of Seablite), adding in a layer of cool that only makes my need to hear this whole LP even greater! New Town Dream is out on May 31st via Slumberland Records/Static Shock Records.

1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 1,449