Cool Sounds Return with Bugobeat

Danis Lacey flipped the script on all of us with Like That, the 2022 LP that saw Cool Sounds moving away from a very run-of-the-mill Aussie sound into something with a bit more groove, a bit more funk. So, as we listen to the first single from the BUG0BEAT EP, it makes complete sense that Danis is pushing the oddities of funk just a little bit more; you can particularly hear the way the guitar lines and keys are shifted atop one another to kind of craft this dense dance groove. Personally, I love how there’s some middling guitar work that’s sort of the tether between the early days of the project and present funk. Chapter Music will be putting the BUG0BEAT EP out on March 1st.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (10.3 – 10.7)

Lots of coverage running around last week, and with ACL in town, there was some coverage of shows and what not. We ended the week throwing up some streams of our favorite LPs that dropped too. But, ultimately, you came here for the tunes, and we had lots of them. Personally, I loved new stuff from I Was a King, Heather Trost and Field School, not to mention the little twist in expectations thrown in by the latest from Smashing Times. RayRay loved some rockers from S.C.A.B and Fluung, and they’ve all been conveniently added for your listening pleasure below. Browse, and head back and see what we had to say if you’re so inclined.

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)

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.

Last Week’s Jams Today (8.8 – 8.12)

We cover a lot of tunes here, but in looking back at last week’s jams, there were so many hits that popped up on our pages. You wanna dance a little? Try the new Cool Sounds or the Dare? Looking for a little wayward jangle? Try on Old Moon or the Slow Summits! Maybe you just want classic pop? Well, check out those Alvvays and Elizabeth tracks! Wait, you need a reissue? Well, there’s great stuff coming out from the Variable Stars and Self Improvement! Plus, we had mellow jams from Old Fire and Kramies, to hit all the right notes. Just hit play and enjoy yourself while I get ready for the first day of school!

Cool Sounds Drop 6 or 7 More Video

First notes from Cool Sounds latest single definitely serve to remind us that the band has switched gears, digging out from the jangle pop side of the realm in order to give us a little more of a hip-shaking vibe. Pumping in a funky R&B groove right off the bat to set this song up is perfect, you’re instantly transported to a solid strut down the street, giving out high fives and hand shakes with confidence. Once the vocals kick to match up with the shuffling riffs, things continue to get funkier, almost spinning towards disco, albeit one with just a little bit of punk ethos thrown into keep the kids coming back. Add in that female vocal with its retro robotic nature and this song takes on futuristic and R&B and spins it into a new wile web. Like That will be out on October 7th via Chapter Music.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (6.13 – 6.17)

Well, we wrote up at least 25 fresh tracks last week, many of which we purposefully tried to make sure weren’t on all the other cool kid sites. That also might be why we missed a few that you’d expect us to cover. It was great to hear Cool Sounds taking some new risks for their new LP, plus we made sure we had that new Mary Onettes tune right up there. And, our old friends Big Bill dropped a new record, so we wanted to remind you of their gifts…and then, there were loads of other songs, meant to get you through those early Monday morning blues without having to think too much about what you’re listening to all day…just know it’ll be good.

Cool Sounds Announce Like That for Chapter Music

We’ve got two of our favorite Aussie things teaming up today: Chapter Music and Cool Sounds…one is a great label, and the other a great band. Today, Cool Sounds announce Like That, their first LP for Chapter Music, and they do so with this tasty musical morsel. Unlike previous albums, Dainis Lacey seems to have trimmed down the band, choosing to play the majority of the instruments this go around, which perhaps plays into the sound of the record. Lacey suggests that a mixing of Ian Dury and the indie dance scene of the late 2000s informs the whole LP…so you can see why we’re excited over here! Those are some of our favorite “cool sounds” too! The band will release Like That on October 7th.

Partner Look Announce Debut LP

We first brought you news of Partner Look last April, when the band dropped a quick 7″ after forming as kind of a spur of the moment projects between the Hasnain sisters and their partners, Lachlan Denton and Dainis Lacey. This is one of the unique things about the Melbourne scene right now, with friends trading places all over to create exciting new projects. Today, the band announce their debut self-titled LP, dropping via Trouble in Mind/Osborne Again/Spunk in February. Lachlan (of Pop Filter/LD + ER/Ocean Party) gets the lead on the vocals here, and his voice always has this familiarity and spirited vibrance; it adds to the bouncing rhythm section helmed by his drum work. There’s a little bit of twang in the guitars, sort of taking a kind of psychedelic folk boogie to the track that reaches its climax in the chorus when everyone joins in for a singalong. Try this one on for size.

Partner Look Drop New 7″

Oddly, I think I just now realized that Tuesday’s in Australia are still release days (I think?); we used to do that in the States until it seemed more fun to use corporate Fridays. Alas, today you can stream (and buy!) the brand new 7″ from Partner Look, featuring members of Cool Sounds/Pop Filter. The A-side has this deliciously infectious stabbing guitar riff that punctuate Anila’s vocals as they try to match the drum beat; the chorus opens up into a more dreamy affair, building in these group harmonies that are certain to share their charms…particularly when the harmonies are interrupted by the yelping vocal from the background…as if two-like minded souls were having an argument. Flip it over and you’ve got a more steadying indie rock feel, pretend Parquet Courts just got really really stoned, only you get a hipper vocal from Dainis. Again, you get a great chorus, ultimately making things as memorable as anything you’ll hear today. The 7″ is available today via I Heard a Whisper.

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