Late to the Game: Climax Landers

The good people over at Gentle Reminder Records sent a note about the forthcoming Climax Landers a few weeks back, and I’m just not really sitting down to absorb it, as I’ve been a fan of all the label’s picks. For me, these are sort of country-tinged rock bangers, akin to something like Nana Grizol or the Glands; it feels very much like a move from college rock vibes into something closer to Americana. You’ll also find some literary value in the lyrical work, and a a fan of clever wordplay, I’m definitely here for that side. If, like me, you’re on board, look for their new LP, Zenith No Effects on May 10th.

Aquaserge Share Le Saut du Tigre

Everyone in the blog realm always go one about French pop due to Stereolab being en vogue (as it should always be), but I’m here to latch on to another French pop act, Aquaserge. There’s a dark electronic pulse to this song, which is how I got completely sucked into it; I’ve been listening to a lot of the late Liars stuff I reckon. The vocals move in and out of different tones, rising in spots to build in a bit of pop sensibility, then slinking back to kind of hide in the shadows of the tune. That aforementioned pulse helps build the tension too, especially when paired with the fleeing characters of the video version. Cool vibes for a Thursday. You’ll find this track on their new LP, La fin de L’economie, out May 24th via Crammed Discs.

Goosewind Share Lime Time with Clementine Video + Announce New LP

How does one describe a band that’s been around for over years, continuously experimenting and shifting? In all honesty, you can’t. But, you can spend a little over three minutes with this brand new track from Goosewind, and you can hear how they’ve taken an amalgam of all their years of existence and moved into one sonic piece. A brief flirtation with heavy rock lines opens things up, but out of nowhere Melody’s voice comes into play, offering a faint hint at DIY lo-fi in its delivery; I started to think this was going to be a nod to K Records! Then Rick Goosewind takes control, using his baritone voice to bring in a bit of swagger as the track blends elements of psychedelia and rockabilly. They jump into the chorus quickly, with a bit of emphasis on the heavy guitar lines; you can still hear them layering the song brick by brick, only to pull back and settle into the verse again. Building the song in such a manner has the song teetering between cacophony and beauty, which epitomizes the secret charms of Goosewind. Think of this as a jam band featuring members of Halo Benders and Low, and if that sounds incredible, then be on the lookout for a copy of The Miracle of Tape, available April 19th via Shrimper.

Writhing Squares Share Fresh Single

At the end of April, Writhing Squares will release Mythology, their follow-up to the excellent Chart for the Solution LP (2021). A new single just dropped, and I love the growling ferocity of the tune, fused with the bands punch of electronics and sax work to elevate. It’s opening feels like a classic punker, gritty riffs running roughshod over the tune while the vocals are howled through the dissonant noise. That calamity stays true throughout, but the mix peels it out so the group can flex their style, with the sax running rampant in the tune’s exploratory latter half. Mythology drops on April 26th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Rock n’ Recipes: Outer World

Hopefully you took our suggestion last week when we encouraged you to give a listen to Who Does the Music Love, the debut LP from Outer World. Members of the group have been playing in other acts we’ve enjoyed (Dahlia Seed/Positive No!), so we reached out to Kenneth and Tracy to see if they could give us some insight into their LP. Plus, as an avid coffee enthusiast, with a slight sweet tooth, I was excited to get the recipe for their “Coffee Surprise,” which can easily be replicated at your home! Check out the band’s and stream the LP HERE. It’s out now via HHBTM.

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Zero Point Energy Closer to You

I have really high expectations for the debut from Zero Point Energy; the duo has already dropped one banger, and here they are following it up with another gem, although this one goes beyond just its musical relevance. Musically, there’s a steady 90s indie rock vibe to it; the guitars providing this dramatic punch that allows for Genesis to weave his vocals in and out of the mixture. Now, when going through the notes, Genesis wrote this tune as a “trans anthem,” hoping to give an underrepresented side of the trans experience from their perspective. That’s super important to have that narrative for young listeners trying to find their way, but in his commentary on the track, he says ‘I tried to keep it fairly lyrically universal in that its less about becoming a certain gender and more about the fiery somewhat painful forging of an authentic identity.’ As a teacher of young teens, having folks try to build a road map for navigation through adolescence always strikes a chord. Bad ass song: check. Great message: check. Picking up their new album: check. Tilted Planet is out May 17th via Danger Collective.

Merce Lemon Shares Will You Do Me a Kindness

I’ve been covering Merce Lemon for several years now, and when the band into town for “not SXSW,” they were definitely one of the top artists I had to catch live. They didn’t disappoint one bit, and now they follow that up with this enchanting ballad that might just break you. There’s this majesty in Merce’s voice, particularly as she curls some of the notes around the edges of the chorus here; I think its a hugely powerful turn of notes that stands alone in its power. Luckily, the arrangement doesn’t hurt either, with fiery solos occasionally ripping through the light strumming, blossoming into this huge feeling you won’t soon forget. This tune brought to you courtesy of Darling Records.

Silver Biplanes Announce New LP + Share Radiogram Video

A little over a year ago, Silver Biplanes dropped their debut, A Moment in the Sun; the album was filled with a sort of pastoral indiepop vibe, as Vanessa’s voice encompassed a nostalgic brand of pop we don’t hear often enough. Fast forward to today, and they’ve got a new single and a new record; they’ve described the new single as somewhere along the lines of “The Cardigans, Hawkwind, the Who and the Buggles.” Honestly, I don’t know what to make of that either, but it shows some of the exploration they take on with their new album, Traveling by Candlelight. You’ll get these little psychedelic nods in here, rolling around through washes of synths and guitar washes that coat the track in this dense pop haven. Sounds like they’re going to take the crisp joy of pop and see how far they can stretch it! You can get the new LP on April 2nd via WIAIWYA and Old Bad Habits.

Eels Shares Goldy Single

I know this new Eels track popped up yesterday, but I’m circling back on this one as it gives some of the songwriting credit to my good old pal Tyson Ritter. Mark E. says Ritter has become one of his ‘favorite, weird, eccentric and imaginative collaborators,” which resonates as I remember a teenage Ty spending hours watching Super Furry Animal videos and exploring anything he could. The song’s solid too, with this heavy wash that rides throughout it; I love how every note from E’s voice just drips with this emotion that seeps right into your skin. You’ll find this track on Eels Time, the new Lp that drops on June 7th.

Lip Filler Return With followup

London based group Lip Filler came onto my radar last year with the release of their self-titled EP which featured top song of 2023 “Monster Truck.” This year the band will power in to 2024 with more new music along with some planned summer dates in London, Manchester, and Bristol. Their latest effort, “followup”, is a pure stunner of a single with an electronic, dance theme paired with a killer guitar riff and energetic vocals. I am here for all of this.

Lip Filler will release this song as part of a new EP entitled witchescrew. That’s due out on May 26th via Chess Club Records.

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