New Music from Snowmine

SnowmineFrom the very first time I heard Snowmine, I was in love; they’ve played our SXSW party and made several of our year end lists.  After dipping their toes in the waters of record labels, the band have decided to release their new effort, Dialects, on their own.  The first big single is definitely what I expected from the band, using these incredible instrumental accents to build a wall of pop extravagance. The vocals, as always, are delightful, reminding me of exactly why I fell so hard for the band in the first place.  I’m sure if you spend some time with this new single that you’ll feel exactly the same way we do.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Snowmine-Rome.mp3]

Download: Snowmine – Rome [MP3]

Fun Pop Track from COIN

COIN_Promo3.120854As much as I appreciate the weirder side of music or the crisp clean hits of jangling pop, I will always have a spot for straight-forward tunes built for large audiences.  That’s the feeling I get when I first listened to this track from COIN; it’s got an explosive chorus, not to mention a catchy vocal delivery throughout.  The guitars have that ringing quality that’s put a lot of bands on the map lately, such as Phoenix, so why not stick with a solid formula that makes you endearing?  You need a pick-me-up jam? This is the one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/time-machine.mp3]

Download: COIN – Time Machine [MP3]

Rock of Love from Audacity

audacityEarlier in the month I posted a Coathangers song that was going to be featured on a split 7″ with Audacity, and now I’ve got the other side of the 7″ to swoon over.  The pummeling pace from the drums is enough to stir my punk rock emotions up, but I freaking love the guitar work here too.  It’s sharp and still holds onto the furious edge that’s provided by the percussion.  It blasts through, creating a riotous mood that sinks into your bones before it fades out of your speakers.  You want to get amped up? Then pick up this split 7″ from Suicide Squeeze Records. The band will also be popping in Austin on October 24th, and we plan to be there jump up and down with the group!

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Casual Indiepop from Sweet Baboo

sweetbabooNot too long ago I wrote about Sweet Baboo, who released Ships earlier this year via Moshi Moshi.  He’s turned right around to ready another EP, titled Motoring Home.  For me, his music falls somewhere between the realm of Wave Pictures and Bubblegum Lemonade…both acts that are a must have for any fan of the genre.  I also like the fact that this isn’t a project that’s taken too seriously, especially when you come to the auto-tuned verse that lurks in the middle of the song.  Perhaps the greatest thing is you can sit back in your chair, allowing for a grin to creep up on your face as you revel in the simplicity.

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More Tunes from The Black Watch

blackwatchFinally the world seems to be catching up to my good tastes, with mega-zine Rolling Stone posting one of the new singles from The Black Watch.  On this track, you can see the group’s tendency to wrap their pop sensibility in blankets of discordant guitar noise, whilst still holding onto the propulsive beat.  You can only hold the great bands down for so long, and after 17 albums to date, it seems only fair that the group begins to grow mass recognition. The band’s new album, The End of When, is available now via Pop Culture Press Records, and I think its about time you joined the best secret fanclub out there; get on board my friends, you won’t regret it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/01IDontFeelTheSame.mp3]

Download: The Black Watch – I Don’t Feel The Same [MP3]

Swinging New Music from Fake Laugh

1292079_548783275186775_1750201815_oAnother month, another great postcard single from the lads over at Art Is Hard.  Their newest single comes courtesy of Fake Laugh, who are offering up this swinging bit of indiepop, which reminds me of some local Austin acts like Shivery Shakes.  I like the way the vocal spins a bit into different tunes, while the guitars sharply encourage foot tapping.  You should definitely give this tune enough time to make it all the way up to the chorus; it’s a beautiful release that makes the song completely worth it, as if you needed something more.  I guess I’m just going bust out great pop tracks for the world today…nothing wrong with that in my mind.

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Austin Spotlight: Sweet Talk Offer New Jam

sweettalkI spend a lot of my time at record stores, and one of my favorite clerks has to be my buddy Steven; he just happens to also rock in a rad local band named Sweet Talk.  Earlier in the year the band released Pickup Lines, which is a necessity for locals…and beyond!  The group is about ready to release a new EP titled Flash of Light, which comes out next week, so you can preview one of the tunes right now!  Apparently the EP is being released by 12XU, home of Gerard Cosloy; he’s a big deal, or so I heard. Anyways this is a good jam to mix up my indiepop rotation for the day; it’s gritty, poppy and totally worth your time.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/113527350″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Ballad from Prince of Assyria

princeofassyriaI’m feeling pretty overwhelmed with life in general at the moment, so I definitely need some mellower tunes to help calm the world.  Today, I’m happy to share with you one such tune from Prince of Assyria, who’ve just signed on to Soliti Music for the release of Changing Places in early 2014.  This song moves rather slowly, but in doing so, it allows for the extremely emotional vocal to rest atop the lightly strummed acoustic guitar.  You’ll also hear some nice orchestral arrangements haunting the background, which help to establish a forlorn mood.  I think some people will definitely be interested to hear this mellow gem.

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David Novick Get’s Re-Released!

daveHopefully those who’ve kept their ears to the grindstone have heard of the beautiful music being created by David Novick.  If not, then you’re all in for a wonderful surprise when God? re-releases his self-titled debut.  For me, there are two parts that attract me to the song initially: the guitar playing and the quiet whispy vocals.  But, then you get a gentle horn that works its way into the song, and the cycle of musical transcendence is completed.  If you’re in need of something special on your Monday playlist, then I suggest you go no further than this song right here in front of you.

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New Music from Stornoway

a1275489741_2I love music for the way it comes back into your life at random moments.  Today, while searching for good tunes to present to you all, I stumbled across  a new EP from Stornoway.  I was transported a few years back to a time when I was in love with the Oxford act’s Beachbomber Windowsill LP.  I had completely forgotten about the group until I found the You Don’t Know Anything EP, which will be released on November 11th.  I remember loving the way the lyrics were written, and I’m happy to see that those elements are still intact.  One change I can see is that there’s less of this grand-sweeping chamber pop approach, though the EP is not devoid of some of the nicer little touches, like soft horns.  Anyways, you should listen to this band; they’re pretty good, says I.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/05-Stornoway-You-dont-know-anything.mp3]

Download: Stornoway – You Don’t Know Anything [MP3]

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