The Native Cats Put Whole Back Catalog Up on DSPs

Admittedly, as a music journalist failure, I got into the Native Cats in a backwards sort of way, as I first fell in love with their singer Chloe Alison Escott (who did a Rock n’ Recipes with us!). But, if you’re like me, or have no point of reference whatsoever, you’re now in luck, as the kind (very kind!) folks over at Chapter Music have helped make the band’s entire catalog available for streaming on all the DSPs! You can now find your favorite Native Cats tracks from Dallas, John Sharp Toro, Process Praise and Always On! Expect a sound that’s right in line with where everything stands in the post-punk realm at present. So, take an act like Dry Cleaning and mix in the propulsive nature of Sleaford Mods, then throw in a stunner of a vocalist that’s going to keep you engaged on that end alone. Here’s a fun little playlist of the hits, as suggested by the folks at Chapter!

Chapter Music Share Another Single from the Particles Reissue

Slow days mean you can dive to the bottom of your emails and pick out the true gems, like this track from the Particles. You can immediately hear why everyone in our circle is so excited to get their hands on this 1980s Bubblegum reissue. A nice little shuffling guitar line runs underfoot, with the bob and weave from the bass lines while the drums play it extra snappy. It all reaches its apex when you toss it in with the candied vocals, just in case you needed something to sweeten the deal here. In addition to this single, Chapter Music have also made two other tracks available, giving you a total of 5 tunes to hear for those who are just being introduced to the charms. The reissue will be available on July 7th, with US folks able to grab it from Seasick.

Last Week’s Jams (5.1 – 5.5)

Last week started off with a smattering of great tunes, but I’ll admit to wearing out by week’s end…for some reason just felt like there wasn’t a whole lot out there tugging at me! We were really excited to share some great ATX stuff like the latest from Feeling Small and Johanna Heilman…with Alien Eyelid‘s great new single just a few hours away from our home base. Lots of acts we’ve been harping on had new singles, like Daisies, The Soft Walls; we also got a new single from one of our SXSW raves, Lifeguard. Oh, and we’re starting off with the Particles, as we’re over the moon they’re getting some reissue treatment from Chapter Music.

Chapter Music Announce The Particles Reissue

The incredible humans from Chapter Music have been sharing incredible Australian music with us for years, and as of late, they’ve also been dipping into the past to make sure various acts don’t go unnoticed. First it was Whadya Want? and now they’ve got a reissue of 1980s Bubblegum, a compilation from the Particles, which has all the indiepop and punk nerds really excited. Their sound is a little tough to pigeonhole, particularly as they seem to embrace elements of everything that was great about the underground musical scenes of the late 70s/early 80s…there’s a little punk, a little pop, and a willingness to take those sounds beyond and make something entirely new. Interestingly, they could slide right into everything we love about indiepop today, pushing hooks and bounce with a sharpness you don’t get elsewhere. If this sounds like something you might like, the label will reissue the release on July 7th. There’s also a great promotional video you can find HERE!

Chapter Music Reissue Whadya Want’s Skippy Knows

I don’t know much about Whadya Want, other than the band had an impact on the folks over at Chapter Music, who are some of my most reliable musical resources. So, when they sent over these tracks to let us know about their reissue of the band’s lone album, Skippy Knows, I figured it would only do us all justice to learn a little more about the band, if only through their hook-laden pop rock sounds. It’s a mixture of 80s dance club sounds, holding onto what was left of the post-punk of that period. Below, you get this groovy number that’s only here as a digital bonus track if you grab the LP; it reminds me of the sharpness of an Orange Juice track, so you can’t go wrong there. Skippy Knows will be reissued on April 14th.

Friday Album Streams: Alvvays, The Mall, Peel Dream Magazine and More

Well, Friday is here, and that’s a great reason to check in on some cool releases. Plus, get the bonus of knowing its Bandcamp Friday, so you get a chance to support your favorite artists and labels by streaming and jamming and buying! The Alvvays record has been buzzing everywhere, including our site, so we had to include that one. I’m personally stoked to hear how all the new Peel Dream Magazine songs fit together, as it seems like a different sound coming our way…we’re in for an exciting plot twist. There’s a couple other small releases here that we figured might fly under the radar, so wanted to be sure to include a bit of the other goods too! If we’re missing something cool, holler at us so we can be sure to give it a listen.

 

AlvvaysBlue Rev (Polyvinyl)

The MallTime Vehicle Earth

Peel Dream MagazinePad (Slumberland Records)

Cool SoundsLike That (Chapter Music)

CielNot in the Sun, Nor the Dark (Jazz Life)

No Zu Announce New EP + Share Liquid Love

It’s been quite a few years since we’ve heard original music from “heat beat” pioneers No Zu, but after the passing of member Daphne Camf in 2021, the band have regrouped to record a fresh EP for Chapter Music. Personally, they’ve crafted this undefinable sound, something that maybe blends a bit of every element that ever evolved on the dance floor into one cohesive sound. This new track wears some of the shades of post-punk, though there’s this sort of old school disco vibe to some of the accompanying vocal work. But, that’s just the beginning as the song twists into an almost jazzy funk party with dance floor ready vocal punctuation, delivering cool every step of the way. Then it all devolves into this cacophonous freakout of noise before slinking back into that throbbing groove. Their Heat Beat EP will be delivered to your door on November 18th.

Anne Cessna and Essendon Airport Return with New Single

Post-punk Icons Essendon Airport released a special 7″ in 1980 (the year of my birth!) with vocalist Anne Cessna, but the celebration of Chapter Music’s 30th perhaps has lured the band back…and rewarded us with a new single. The A-side is the sort of brilliant pop that was so exciting on the band’s 7″, mixing various textures in a fashion that many would like describe as modern trip-hop; it pulses and curls beneath your toes, inching its mood through your entire body. On the flipside, you get a more pensive sound, something that illustrates the group’s musicianship overlapped with poetry; I found that aligning it with artists like the Books seems apt on this tune. This new 7″ is available through Chapter Music, who will host a celebratory 30 year party in November, where Essendon Airport will take the stage!

Cool Sounds Share Like That Single

Whatever caused the shift in sonics for Dainis Lacey, we’re reaping the rewards on the listening end, particularly when it comes to the title track from the new Cool Sounds LP. It’s interesting that this is also the record’s closing track, as it seems to set us up for this sort of climb atop the mountain, only to find solace in this heavy pop masterpiece. There’s little shining diamonds in the corners, twinkling notes here and there splashing up to mix in with the pulse; it just reeks of cool for some reason, perfectly cinematic in its presentation. Like That is out on October 7th via Chapter Music.

Laura Jean Shares Too Much to Do Video

Laura Jean‘s new album Amateurs will drop in November, but today we get another glimpse at the world being crafted for listeners. This song does a great job teasing the listener, utilizing a vibrant piano and vocals as the backbone, with little string bits meant to create tension in step with those forceful piano lines. And, just as you think the song might not travel further, it drops in at the 1:36 mark, kicking off this insatiable groove that has you bobbing and weaving as the string work continues to add structure to the tune itself. Still, the song keeps building in a sense, with the vocals hitting an almost blissed out angelic tone, creating this sort of climactic moment that ends just as you feel it peak! A glorious 3 Act song you can easily adore this morning. Amateurs drops November 4th via Chapter Music.

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