Flypaper Share Separate Nothing

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You may recognize Rory Sear from his time in Beachtape, but as of late he’s been focused on his new project Flypaper. During the pandemic, he found his way with an acoustic guitar, spending more time working on the simplicity in his own songwriting, with a nod to folks like Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. Here, on the latest single, you get drawn in by the intimacy; it’s not quite a Smith-esque whisper, but you certainly feel like you’ve been brought into Sear’s secret world. Then, the song drops in and there’s an eruption of pop, pushing drums and piano and soloing guitar lines to really bulk up the track’s flavor. If you’re looking for simplicity executed well, then perhaps you need to checkout Another Orbit EP, which drops May 10th via PNKSLM.

New Music from Winston Hightower

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I’ll admit that I was totally digging the first single from Winston Hightower‘s forthcoming LP, but for some reason or another, I lapsed, so I’ll make up for that below. Those of you that are into the modern fascination with post-punk are going to find yourselves a new hero, as both the tunes below are definitely hitting those notes, particularly with the sharpness of the guitar sounds. That said, the second single that dropped last week slows things down, letting the performance kind of dangle in front of the listener in all the right places; I can definitely hear some Tim Darcy comparisons in the vocal delivery too, furthering my own adoration. If you’re into it, Winston Hytwr is out on May 31st via K Records/Perennial Records.

Restless Leg Share Sow a Little Seed Video

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I’ll admit that Restless Leg have a bit of a nostalgic Oceanic sound, self-proclaiming that they worship at the altar of the Go-Betweens and the Clean. You can certainly hear the guitar lines making nods to those predecessors, particularly in the way the jangle just hits each note perfectly. That steady guitar chug allows for the rhythm section to build in an appropriate bounce, continuing their pop infatuation; I think they double-down though by adding in some nice vocal layers that perfectly mix up the flavors of what they’re doing. This tune appears on the group’s forthcoming Dance Around My Head, which will be out later this year via upstart label Sinister Porpoise Records.

Immaterialize Share If Dinner Single

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That Chicago scene is so hot right now! Another act to keep an eye on is the new project, Immaterialize, who’ve shared their latest single that seems perfectly fitting for an eclipse world. Upon pressing play, you’ll find a deep beat that pulses and trickles throughout the tune; you’ll also hear a cloud of atmosphere pressing into the speakers, creating this dreamy blanket of anxiety that you’ll somehow find comforting. I think that owes to the drifting of the vocal work, almost operating as more of an instrument than a pure vocal piece, allowing you to kind of watch as the song moves in then out. Drift right into this one!

Last Week’s Jams (4.1 – 4.5)

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New music comes hard and heavy during the Spring months, as its the perfect time to set up summer releases and tours. We tried to get to as much as we could, and grabbed 24 new songs for you to settle into on this Monday. New stuff from Austin’s Variety assures the band is still on the rise in my eyes. I’ve been really into the tunes from Bibi Club‘s new LP, and they throw a plot twist with some English sparkle on it; it matches up well with the dark wave from Houses of Heaven. Friends of the site like Gabriel Birnbaum, Kaspar and Snowy Band all had new work to share with the masses., plus be sure you taste the new Babehoven tune hanging out for you at the end. Press play for joy!

The Looniest Toon Shares Analysis Paralysis

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It’s difficult to put yourself out there, for starters. But, to do it with such sincerity and make it feel beautiful is even rare, so my hats are off to The Looniest Toon as they prepare the release of Tripp Avenue. Bex Gaspelin fills the EP with details of her own mental health struggles, building a musical world of her own as a coping mechanism. As I listen, the natural bounce of the synths working over a thumping drum spins you into an otherworldly realm, with the vocals operating as a glimmering message from a far off distance. The dreamy nature allows for the song to offer a beacon of light to listeners, a place to get lost all on their own. Give a listen.

Kaspar Announces Let Go + Share Let Go

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Finnish duo Kaspar are working on something that feels supremely familiar, yet in the current climate, it feels totally refreshing. They open their new “Let Go” single with this sort of brooding bit of cool, the vocals working on this fuzzed out guitar line, steadily building the song’s groove. As progression continues, they spin that groove into something a bit more playful as they drop in a little percussion, taking notes from artists like Beck where you get to walk the line between cool and openly pop. Personally, I love the lighter vocal touch that shimmies in the back of the track. They’ll release Calling the Waters on May 17th via Soliti Music.

Baby Blue Share Another Single

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We will finally be able to hear Of My Window in its entirety when its released next week, but for now, Baby Blue have offered one last glimpse at what’s in store for us. When the song kicks in, there’s this charming bit of baroque pop, sort of Camera Obscura adjacent; there’s an emphatic punch there, almost this direct playfulness. Soon, however, the band pulls it all back, letting the swagger subside so we can all catch our breath together. Here the song seems to carefully churn out little rays of sunlight, bright guitar lines creeping through the speakers before the tune gallops back into its more joyous moments. Of My Window hits on April 12th via Lost and Lonesome.

Stephen’s Shore Announce Neptune EP

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Every few years Stephen’s Shore gift us the glory of a new track, much like they’re doing today with the announcement of their new Neptune EP. It’s difficult to decide which aspect of the tune I’m more attracted to after my first five or six listens here. At one point, the way the jangling guitars open up on the back of a bobbing bass line feels like the sun’s coming up over the hills here in Austin; there’s a natural bright emotive quality that one can’t escape. That said, there’s this wistful nostalgia in the vocal presentation. The notes are warm, though there’s a bit of looking back that pervades, even in the lyrics. A bright way to kick off a new EP; Neptune is out via Meritorio Records on May 10th.

Marcel Wave Announce Something Looming

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If you were all aboard the Dry Cleaning brand of jangling post-punk with spoken words, but then felt a little desensitized, might I ask you to check in on Marcel Wave. In many ways, the bands both employ similar sentiments in some of the jittering mannerisms, but ultimately, I find this London bunch a lot more springy. Skip into the song and you’ll likely notice the fashionable post-punk plod, that is, until you hit the chorus where there’s a sparkling disco-ball vocal performance bouncing rays of light all across the track. There’s also some aggressiveness too in spots, hinting at the right type of edge we might find on Something Looming; the LP drops June 14th via Upset the Rhythm/Feel It Records.

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