Tag: art is hard records

Hear a Gem from Worst Place

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Worst Place is an up-and-coming London outfit, and they’re coming out of the gates with this new single sounding like a nice blend of gazy dream pop and Alvvays. There’s this cascading guitar chord that seems to be moving away throughout the whole song, juxtaposed to the soft pleasantries of the vocal mix. Pounding keys and ringing chords create a cacophony during the chorus that’s sure to enthrall. Probably just going to put this out as one of the best tracks you’ll hear all week; it comes your way courtesy of Art Is Hard Records.

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More New Tunes from Oro Swimming Hour

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Not quite sure what it is, but there’s something special with Oro Swimming Hour. At times, the songs almost feel muddled, as if they’ve done too much. But, this music needs patience and time; if you choose to give it that, the layers peel away leaving the core of the band’s pop sensibility bare and honest. It’s part folk, part bedroom pop and part experimentation…all of it leaving you enchanted. The group will be releasing their LP Penrose Winoa this Friday via Art is Hard Records, so be sure to sample another jam!

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Guitar Pop from Birdskulls

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You’re going to immediately recognize the vibe in this brand new Birdskulls song; it’s everything you love from bands like Dinosaur Jr, Weezer and Teenage Fanclub…and its filled with the hooks too! I love the vibe here, both youthful and nostalgic…perfect for air musicianship as you bounce around your bedroom. If this is something you dig, I suggest you keeping your eyes on the folks over at Art Is Hard Records, who will be releasing the band’s new EP later this Autumn.

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Another Stunner from Oro Swimming Hour

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Not long ago, I raved about the first single from Oro Swimming Hour, and I’m going out on a limb saying that this is even better than the last one. It starts off with this warbly quirk, but then settles into the bread and butter: the dueling male/female vocals. In listening closely that this is the sort of songwriting that’s extremely personal, almost as if they meant for you to listen to it quietly in your room (headphones work best). Can’t wait to get my hands on their album, Penrose Winoa, which will be released via Art Is Hard Records on July 28th.

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New Trust Fund with Gareth from Los Campesinos

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I knew something good was coming from Art is Hard Records, as they hadn’t announced their June Postcard single yet. Well, it was worth the wait, considering the single is a new one from Trust Fund, featuring Gareth from Los Campesinos, teaming up to cover The Beautiful South‘s “I’ll Sail This Ship Alone.” They take the classic pop ballad, add some textured scuzzy riffs, combine vocals duties and basically reinvent the song for a certified hit that they make all their own. It’s available as we speak, also out on 7″ flexi from the label, so get it before you regret it.

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Warbly Pop from Oro Swimming Hour

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At its core, this new track from Oro Swimming Hour is a great ballad. But, in order to up the ante a bit, the duo fill the song with wobbling atmospheric elements, throwing listeners off-kilter a bit with an intoxicating murkiness. They wrap up the natural warmth in shared harmonies, only furthering the understated enchantment that’s coming through your speakers right now. It should come as no surprise then that the band’sforthcoming Penrose Winoa will be handled by Orchid Tapes and Art is Hard Records; it hits on July 21st.

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Another Tune from the Sea Life

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Just over a month or so ago we dropped the newest single from The Sea Life, and here we are circling back to cover their newest single. It begins with a ringing distorted guitar and military marching percussion; you’re expecting the band to unleash a wall of noise. But, they pull it back to soften the blow, offering up a calm respite. Then distant howls are unleashed, a kin to a guitar pop band covering early Walkmen songs, and I totally dig it. They’ll be releasing their self-titled debut via Art is Hard Records on June 26th.

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Striking Song from The Golden Dregs

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Art Is Hard Records continues their run of great hits with their 2017 Postcard Series by releasing this stellar tune from The Golden Dregs. This song hits somewhere in the realm of Bill Callahan or Silver Jews, yet it definitely has its own story to tell. The deep tones of the vocals drew me in immediately, followed by impacting lines like “I wish that I was sacred/I wish that I was right.” The only thing that bums me out about this song is that there’s just one, as I could easily let my day get carried away listening to this band.

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Exciting Stuff from Factory Seconds

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I love how Art Is Hard Records always manage to unearth a golden gem from an up-and-comer; they were one of the early champions of Joanna Gruesome for instance. I’m really digging this Factory Seconds tune on their new Postcard Singles Series. There’s a little bit of indifference from the way the vocals are delivered, but the impact of the song is instilled in listeners via the sounds haunting the background. At times there’s these fading guitar chords staggering in the speakers, while little sonic blips also burst through. The group’s fairly new, but what an exciting bit of promise from the get-go.

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Quick Ditty from Hot Shorts

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Every year Art is Hard Records try to come up with unique ways to get new music out into the world, and this year they’re doing so with their Postcard Singles Collection. The latest to be part of the collection is Hot Shorts, a Manchester act offering distorted guitar pop. This track is all about discovering the metaphors for mundane life changes, such as hair loss. Something about this song reminds me of late 90s college rock, filled with hooks and huge riffs that ring out in your ears. Pick up the Postcard Single now.

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