Gregor Announces Satanic Lullabies

While Gregor‘s perhaps not a household name over in the States, his compositions have always resonated with me, particularly the Destiny LP. Today, the artist announces a new album, Satanic Lullabies, describing it as ‘ if pre-Maga Kanye made a Disney soundtrack.’ His dulcet tones always created that feeling of lullaby, but he’s clearly balancing than gentle expectations of his voice with the darker side alluded to in the album’s title. Where his last album was filled with striking emotions, this first single is pretty bare and stark, so I’ll be interested to see where the whole of the album goes. Satanic Lullabies is out via Chapter Music on May 10th.

SXSW Tuesday In Photos

While Nathan was jet setting around on Monday, Tuesday was my first full day into the SXSW madness. Both of us started early with a focus solely on unofficial and sort of off the beaten path shows for the day. I stuck around the campus area at Tweedy’s and Hole in the Wall while Nathan headed over to the east side. We’ll be giving you a full recap of band highlights and photos later this week and on into next, but I thought ya’ll might want to see what it’s like out there, especially as weather and other factors may come into play as the week carries on. Hit the jump for some quick thoughts on Tuesday with photos.

Read more

Mammoth Penguins Share Everything That I Write

It should be obvious this many years on in our site that we’re probably always going to rep Emma Kupa acts, especially if its Mammoth Penguins. Today, they’ve got a fresh single from their forthcoming Here LP, and it’s pretty much a staple track for the band in terms of their sound. They have this enthralling pattern of taking their sharp angular licks and pushing them into distortion, which always pans out in this magnificent vocal display from Emma. Here, her voice hits its peak, only to fold back into the warm melodic range. And what, you don’t like bobbing bass lines? Then don’t stop here! But, if you do, Here is out May 3rd via Fika Recordings.

Unwed Sailor Share Blue Tangier Single

Having just caught Mogwai play the other night, it seems fitting that I’m settling into my midweek with a fresh track from Oklahoma’s Unwed Sailor. Both bands have always operated in like territory, creating narratives within the realms of instrumental rock, much like this single below. At its start, it’s harrowing in a sense, synth notes washing over a thunderous riff, until the the lead guitar begins its journey. That journey sees a glimmer of light work its way into the track, telling a story of reaching out of the darkness to find comfort, which is where you are just after the 1 minute mark. Thundering noise sneaks in too, but it’s a reminder that there’s a natural ebb and flow to the tale coming through your speakers. If you’re into instrumental storytelling, you need look no further than Underwater Over There, out May 10th!

Lightheaded Announce Combustible Gems

We were floored when we first latched onto Lightheaded; they had this indiepop sensibility with a nostalgic girl-group charm. Today, that sentiment grows, as they seem to be furthering their sound, albeit with all the same charms as their early work. It’s quite difficult to really get into the norm-core descriptors; there’s a bit of paisely jangling going on, but sort of an art-pop croon that wouldn’t be out of reach from a Nico or Mary Weiss comparison. Still, even in that artistic realm, there’s an element of joyousness that seems to naturally seep through the craft, making it difficult to turn away from all their work has to offer. Prepare yourself for Combustible Gems, which is out on May 17th via Slumberland Records.

Meet the SXSW Band: Holiday Ghosts

If there was one band I could pick on my “SXSW” to see list, it had to be Holiday Ghosts. I’ve adored the work for years, but like most acts, its hard to always get across the blue pond to play in the States, so hopefully we’ll be able to catch them this week! They’ve got a slew of unofficial shows, as they’ve backed out of the official part of the festival. They’re prepping for the release of their new LP, Coat of Arms, which I reckon is going to be chocked full of rad tunes. Check the shows after the jump!

Read more

Maria Chiara Argiro Shares Light Video

I’ve really been enjoying this brand new track from Maria Chiara Argiro; it’s a beat heavy pop track, but there’s some experimental work in the empty space of the tune, illustrating the broad range of Maria’s approach to the craft. Listening through, the song works in movements, at times clean and open, at other moments, layer upon layer get draped atop one another to really push the sound to the next level. You can easily label it as dance music, but then you can hear where Argiro is pushing things to the next level. Closer is out April 26th via Innovative Leisure.

Aluminum Announce Fully Beat

Aluminum popped up on my radar a few years back when they dropped their Windowpane EP. But, today they’ve announced their brand new LP for Felte Records, with a sound that seems to sort of draw from the spirit of the Happy Mondays in a sense. You can dance and twist to it, but there’s a buzzing guitar that knife’s its way through the song’s entirety. All the while, the vocals get delivered with a bit of bravado and a bit of throwback to an almost post-grunge alt rock. Definitely looking forward to hearing how the rest of Fully Beat unfolds; the LP drops on May 24th.

Hanemoon Shares Single + Releases Rain or Shine

Had a hectic wrap-up to last week, so didn’t get to dive into all the albums that dropped on Friday. But, one that was definitely in my musical wheelhouse, that might have slipped under folks radar, is Rain or Shine from Germany’s Hanemoon. The record is filled with these lightly jangled guitar lines, offering up subtle melodies that allow to let the day drift outside, melodically bouncing down the sunny road. If you’re missing the sort of bright pop styles popularized by the Lucksmiths and the like, then you’ve got to pick this one up immediately. It’s available today from Jigsaw Records!

1 2 3 4 1,927