New Music from Firestations

London-based Firestations have been on my radar for some time, and I’m really looking forward to the release of their new LP, The Year Dot. We’ve got their new single below, which should be an indicator of positive things to come when the album hits worldwide. This track takes on a darkened brooding pop tone from the get go, forcefully entering your listening space. But, while the song feels heavy, there are little touches that create the perfect pop balance, particularly the male/female vocals harmonize with one another. It’s like futuristic indiepop, and I dig it. Look for the album to drop on April 6th via Lost Map Records.

Show Preview: The Spook School and Diet Cig @ the Sidewinder (2/21)

Clearly this is the show pop fans have been waiting for, and you’d better get there right at 6:30 so you can prepare yourself for The Spook School. Sure, they’re the opening act, but they might just have released one of the best albums of the year in Could It Be Different. The record is insightful and biting, but also naturally charming…and no one is doing indiepop better than this band. And, they just kill it live. Hands down. Plus, you also get to see a few other way popular acts in Great Grandpa and Diet Cig…they need no introduction. You can still grab yourself tickets HERE, and once you do, get in line behind me because I’ll be rushing to the stage to sing along with the Spooks at the top of my lungs.

Brand New Fake Your Own Death

San Fran’s Fake Your Own Death have been pretty prolific as of late, dropping EP after EP, single after single, and they’re not letting up. Today they unleashed this brand new tune from a forthcoming EP, slated for release later this year. The group bleed elements of propulsive psychedelia with washes of shoegaze, reminding us all just how similar the genres can be at times. At times, this track seems like a more goth version of Fugiya & Miyagi, at least in the way the rhythm section keep the pace; they constantly push the issue, contrasting against the stark vocal deliveries. This is a fine addition to an already stacked back-catalog; we’ll keep you posted as more news drops about this forthcoming release.

Another New Track from Mount Eerie

It’s still really hard to listen to A Crow Looked at Me; it just seems like something so personal that I had a hard time listening, as much as I loved the songs. But, Mount Eerie returns with another album seemingly dedicated to his late wife Genevieve. This album, and the new single, still holds that quiet intimacy, retelling stories and memories that clearly defined the relationship of the two. There’s this enormous amount of honesty and openness in this process, and as we digest more songs from Phil, perhaps we too can strive for that in our own lives. Now Only will be released on March 16th, and we’ll all scamper off to our own quiet corners to sit alone with Elverum and his new songs.

Brand New Music from His Name Is Alive

Thirty years into the career of His Name is Alive, and the band still remain vital to the musical realm. Today they release a brand new single from their forthcoming record, Black Wings; it operates in three stages. The first 45 seconds are filled with ambient electronics and very light strings with light vocals floating through the noise. In the middle, synths seem more distant, as the focus moves to the pop vocal performance in the foreground; it should be noted here that this record evolved out of playing around with acapella harmonies and sound. Then the tracks spends the waning minute elegantly fading out…light strings, vocals as instrument and a careful wash of synth work…who else could pull that off as perfectly? Black Wings is a double LP, set for release on April 6th via HHBTM.

Must Listen: Brand New Hello Paris Tune

Perhaps one of my favorite things in the past year has been the discovery of Hello Paris. I’m not sure why they’re not on everyone’s radar, but hopefully you take a listen to the brand new track that just dropped. Musically, the guitars shine in the front of the mix, taking on these crisp tones that are destined to pick up your spirits. The vocals have this echoing effect that almost feels as if they’re reaching out to you from far off, trying to hold you tight. Honestly, there are few artists as captivating as Hello Paris at the moment. Fall in love below.

Circling Back on In Tall Buildings

RayRay already wrote about the forthcoming In Tall Buildings album, and it’s my turn to throw my hat into the ring after the band recently released this new video for “Curtain.” Steady electronic pulses serve as the song’s central backbone, while you’ve got to pay careful attention to Erik Hall’s voice to hear the switches from verse to chorus; these are subtle changes that beg a careful ear, as you’re likely easily entranced by the soft quality Hall presents. Near the track’s end, a discordant noise indicates a raise in volume and power, leaving you with an emphatic emotional punch before fading to black. Akinetic will drop on March 2nd via Western Vinyl.

Watch the New Video from There’s Talk

I know that the goal of most videos is to match some aspect of the track they accompany, but rarely is this achieved with as great a success as the new tune from There’s Talk. Minimal electronica opens up the song, matched by a slow drive down a neon-backlit road; Olivia Lee’s vocals move in and out of every turn, perfectly synchronized to the unfolding visual image. Once you’ve found yourself completely immersed, the track stops abruptly and changes directions; offering a heavier beat driven vibe, pulsing as the video seems to illustrate the affects of light on moving water. This is a real treat from start to finish, with the group’s Bathed Water Moon EP just around the corner with a February 23rd release date.

Enjoying This New High Sunn

PNKSLM is on a pretty solid roll right now, having just released the latest from Holy, but now they’re bringing in a slightly poppier vibe with the announcement of the debut from High Sunn. The opening minute of this track flirts with catchy jangle pop, though after 30 seconds, the frantic energy sees the song pushing further. Once the vocals from Justin jump in there’s definitely an earnestness…something that can’t be detained. There’s just hints of softness in the vocals on the chorus, which holds great contrast to the general theme. Look for Missed Connections on April 13th.

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