Listen to TOPS

TOPSThis is a case of the blogger who judged a book by its cover and turned out to be an asshole.  The photo I received of TOPS had this brooding 4 piece, two guys/two girls. I expected based on the photo that the band would bring some sort of noisy power pop or some erratic dance ensemble.  But, this track is really something quite special; if you don’t listen to it, you’ll be bummed.  Every note and chord hides this subtle beauty or perhaps a soft bit of innocence; I cannot stop listening to it.  Their album Picture You Now will be out later this year, but you can grab this song on a 7″ from Arbutus.

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Quick Rocker from Heeney

heeneyNew York rockers, Heeney, are gearing up to bring you your first full taste of their tunes.  They’ve been putting on blistering shows across NYC with the likes of Titus Andronicus and So So Glos, in case you need a reference point.  I like that the delivery of the vocals fit perfectly into the vibe created by the guitar work; the barking verse near the end adds a bit of intensity.  This jam will end up on the band’s debut, which is scheduled to pop up later on in the year.  No matter the delay, this song will definitely do enough to whet your appetite.

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Exclusive Premiere: Genuine Leather Release New Single (+ Album)

sayHaving spent a lot of time over the last year or so with Genuine Leather, I’ve found that the band is one of the more diverse acts playing around in Austin.  They always carry about a certain pop sensibility that endears them to audiences, but they can spin it in an indie vein or toss it about with a little twang; they seem to employ both on their latest single, “Say the Same Thing Twice.” It’s the latest in what is sure to be an excellent album, titled Losers, which the band are releasing on July 1st.  They’ve got a couple of great shows lined-up to celebrate too!  They play at the Blackheart on July 5th and Cheer Up Charlies on July 13th.  Their great music is second only to their dominating live show, so be sure to catch them at least once, if not twice. For now, enjoy their new single, on us.

 

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New Music from White Arrows

whitearrowsWhen I first heard the White Arrows a few years back, I wasn’t sure what to make of them.  But, after catching their live set, their album Dry Land is Not a Myth didn’t leave my record player for some time.  They use electronic beats to collide with strong guitar work, which you get here just after the 2.5 minute mark; they then move into an explosion of pop, which is always endearing.  This track below is the opener on In Bardo, their latest effort; it’s said to be a jump in a slightly new direction, and that seems to hold true, as there’s a more subdued element to this tune.  Look for the band on tour this summer, with the record coming out later this year.

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New Tune from Hiss Golden Messenger

hissIt’s been a quick turnaround for Hiss Golden Messenger.  After releasing Haw last year, the project is already back with another release, Lateness of Dancers.  This time, the album will be released by Merge Records, and as expected with such a move, there’s a definitive polish to the tracks that have been coming out.  That might irk some longtime fans, but you can’t deny the strength of the tune below; there’s an expressed naturalness to the delivery of the vocals and the traipsing of the guitar work. It’s going to be a special record come this fall, when it sees a release on September 9th.

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Rock Out with Dribble

dribbleChecking in on my favorite country of Australia, I stumbled upon this excellent new tune from Dribble.  It starts out innocently enough before blasting forth with a discordant bounce and riotous vocals.  There’s a spirit within the song that can only be fully realized when surrounded by a bunch of friends in a tiny little club.  Still, the track packs a huge punch, which is perhaps owed to Mikey Young of Total Control/Eddy Current, who recorded the band’s new 7″.  It’ll be out shortly via Cool Death Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/B1-High-St-Girl.mp3]

Download: Dribble – High St Girl [MP3]

 

New 7″ Coming from Dick Diver

artworks-000079121481-wi9lee-t500x500Australia’s Dick Diver have long been one of my secrets, but it seems that they’re getting their deserved accolades; it will only continue once people spend time listening to their latest single.  It’s the A-Side to their New Name Blues 7″, which is being released by Fruits and Flowers.  I think the guitar work on this track is some of their best, while the craftsmanship still revolves around their usage of male/female vocal interplay.  If you didn’t listen to their record, Calendar Days, which was on Chapter Music, then perhaps this will convince you where you went wrong.  Give a spin.

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Another Track from The Pharmacy

Pharmacy-blog-534x380I’m really expecting this new album from The Pharmacy to catch a lot of ears, especially considering that I felt their first album, Stoned and Alone, was vastly underrated.  This brand new single has a slower pace to it, which illustrates the band’s growth since their first release.  The guitars are taking their time, weaving a world of country-tinged chords that allow for the vocals to really take in all the focus.  If you’re a fan of Natural Child, then Spells will definitely be something to look forward to; it’s being released by Old Flame Records on August 12th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/03-Anna-Bella.mp3]

Download: The Pharmacy – Anna Bella [MP3]

Fresh Tune from Zola Jesus

zolaWhen I saw that a new Zola Jesus track was floating around the net, this was not at all what I was expecting, though I’m not saying I hate it.  Her first few efforts were filled with this ethereal pop, often focusing more on the emotional side of the songs than anything else.  But, this new track immediately shows she’s got something new up her sleeve; her voice still has it’s gentle tone, but the electronic beat is wholly unexpected. Sure, there were electronic touches fleshing out the sound early on, but this pushes the artist purely into the direction of straight electronic pop.  You know what. I like it, and if you do, look for Taiga to be released on October 7th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Zola-Jesus-Dangerous-Days.mp3]

Download: Zola Jesus – Dangerous Days [MP3]

 

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