Tag: baltimore

New Tune From Moon Tide Gallery

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Often times I am finding myself constantly on the lookout for something new, different, and/or unique in the music world. The young Baltimore based songwriter and producer Mason Gainer has hit on something today with this new single “Venus Fly Trap” under his recording moniker Moon Tide Gallery. While listening to the song for the third or so time this morning, I keep getting this sort of Chemical Brothers beat paired with something a touch more washed out and shoe gazy like MX Lonely. Hopefully it will give you a little touch of creativity for your Monday.

This track is part of a new EP entitled Stop Looking at Me Like That due out in June.

The Smashing Times Share Candy Bar

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When I first encountered The Smashing Times, the band was all jangles and pop, and I adored it. Now, as they prepare for the release of their Bloom LP, the band are flexing their songwriting, showing off a maturity that shines equally as bright, if not more so. This latest single illustrates that growth, slowing down the jangle to build almost a garage rock ballad; it honestly reminds me of the last Harlem record that I thought was drastically overlooked. It’s like a the perfect sunny daydream, or the brilliant closing moment to a movie set. Can’t say enough great things about this band, so be sure to grab Bloom from Meritorio; it drops on October 28th.

The Smashing Times Announce Bloom

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At the end of last year, Baltimore’s The Smashing Times dropped this delicious 7″ I couldn’t get enough of, so I’m more than excited to hear the band are ready for a new LP later this year. Their sound, as the band describes it, draws inspiration from Felt, Television Personalities and the Pastels; I feel like this fresh single is a little bit of all of those. The crips guitar sound is definitely a nod towards acts like Felt, with a bit of the sort of paisley psychedelia from the Pastels also shining through in the tones. For me, the TV Personalities connection just comes in the manner that the band’s sound seems indifferent to trends; they seem like they’re a ramshackle lot bent on perfecting outsider pop. It’s intoxicating, and you can bet I’ll be spinning it nonstop when Bloom is released in October via Meritorio Records.

Stream Posmic’s Sun Hymns EP

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Posmic is a relatively new band featuring members of Post Pink and Wildhoney, and their new Sun Hymns EP is officially available for your indulgence as you go on your day. It’s going to be impossible to pigeonhole the group, as each song on this EP seems to branch into varying genres, dabbling in elements of psychedelic pop or touching on fuzzy power pop or linking up with more modern notes. “Whirly King,” for instance, sounds like the band said “Parquet Courts are cool, but what if they made less spastic pop jams with dueling vocal melodies?” Then there are other tunes that feel like the band’s DC area locale bleeds into the tunes, such as on “Mynah Hymn.” And don’t miss out by jamming to a few tunes, as “Black and Blue” is one of the EP’s secret weapons! Sun Hymns is officially out tomorrow via Let’s Pretend Records.

Repo Fam Share Dark Vision Video

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Repo Fam will be dropping their new Venus Fly album next week via Gentle Reminder/Home Late, and I wanted to make sure the Baltimore band were on your radar over here. When I first clicked play, I will admit that I thought I had the song pegged; I felt like I knew exactly where it was going. I was wrong, as the band take that sort of modern pop rock feel, and instead of pushing it in some formulaic manner where you drop the chorus in just the right spot, they defy that expectation, not even offering up a chorus at all. Instead, they draw you in with these brooding vocals and steady drum stomp; it gives the guitars room to flicker in the distance, offering discord and anxiety, or a “dark vision” if you will. Feels like a fun way to start off the day.

Wildhoney Share Flywheel Single

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It might have eluded many of us the other day, but Wildhoney dropped a brand new track this past week via the No Stagediving: Volume 2 Compilation. For me, it has the best of the band’s style, and might even entice me a little bit more with the heavier moments. Lauren’s voice holds the ship tightly together, sauntering in with that strong melodic performance that hints at pop sensibility. But, where they excel in comparison to their peers is that they just decide to let loose and let rip on this one. The shackles are off and you’re met with this hammering discord, but the vocals make sure you don’t mind…you don’t, do you? Proceeds from the compilation go to Baltimore’s the Ottobar.

Ditch Days Share Baltimore

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Earlier this year I stumbled upon Portuguese outfit Ditch Days, and with their EP on the horizon, I’m more than happy to share another tune from that release. This new track’s great, as it slowly drifts in by way of this meandering guitar line and hazy vocals. But, there’s the slightest uptick in pop sensibility that turns out around the 1:15 mark that really elevates the song’s vibe; I think it was there that I fell in love with this tune…especially with that buzz of guitars in the song’s distance. You can find this tune on Office Space, which is slated to drop this March.

Have To Share This New Wye Oak

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I am not sure what happened to my close relationship with Baltimore’s finest Wye Oak over the last few years, but I honestly didn’t spend a lot of time with their last two releases. Maybe it was the more electronic sound of 2015’s Shriek that threw me for a loop after many years of die hard fandom from their stunning debut If Children to the absolutely perfect 2011 release Civilian. For whatever reason I dismissed the band for a few years, I am notwback in full force with this new single “Fortune”. It’s a total stunner of a track with super heavy bass and guitar which harkens back to releases like the My Neighbor/My Creator EP from 2010. Simply put, I cannot get enough of this song today. Play, repeat.

Right now this song is intended only as a one off single as Andy and Jenn begin a short tour in February. Those dates can be found here.

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Have Another From Swoll

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I’ve stepped out of my musical comfort zone a bit recently, and I’m glad I did, because I’ve really been enjoying the new music from Matt Dowling and his project known as SWOLL. Today I’m pleased to share with you new single, “Shudder to Think”, as the second preview of the upcoming new album. When compared to the previous, more chill single “Unwound”, this new one hits much harder and would certainly be labeled an electronic pop powerhouse of sound. A little bit hectic at times, but super catchy and full of infectious energy.

SWOLL will release new album UNWOUND on September 27th via Blight Records.

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Slick New Track From SWOLL

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SWOLL is a Baltimore based electronic project featuring Matt Dowling (vocals), Ben Schurr (bass), Erik Sleight (baritone guitar), and Zak Forrest (lights). Having already released a critically acclaimed debut self-titled album, the band now has plans to release a new LP of material entitled Unwound. Of course a new single comes along with this album announcement and you can check it out below. Immediately this new single, and title track from the record, has drawn me in with a slick ass beat and some vocals unique and weird enough to stand out on the song. Could be a little bit Animal Collective with a little bit of the chiller side of Painted Palms as well. It’s a nice.

SWOLL will release new album Unwound on September 27th via Blight Records. Pre-order now.

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