Neighbor Lady Announce New Album

Neighbor Lady is one of those rare bands who first hit me with a beast of a single (“Let it Bleed”) and I immediately became a huge fan. This was back in 2018, and the band has been busy ever since releasing the album Maybe Later in 2020 and also touring with a stop here in March during SXSW. This year the group has a follow up planned with a brand new LP entitled For the Birds coming on July 1st via Park the Van Records. Prior to the summer release date, the band has offered up this bright and poppy new tune called “Felt”, which still has that lovely twang in the vocals of Emily Braden but with a band filling out their sound with lush layers and textures.

For the Birds pre-orders are live now.

Stream Black Twig’s Was Not Looking for Magic LP

The last few months, I’ve personally been hyping the new LP from Finland’s Black Twig, Was Not Looking for Magic. Below…I give you an early stream, as well as my track by track breakdown. If you’re interested in picking up the album, it’s out this Friday via our friends over at Soliti, and I promise you, its got my stamp of approval! Leaving the stream at the top as that’s what’s most important, but my track by track breakdown lives below!

 

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Watch a New Suuns Video

I’ve enjoyed the new Suuns material from their album Felt, which is really just one tune, but this brand new one is really something special. The song is a gradual stroll, slowly moving in step with the visual elements here; the vocals almost feel like clouds rolling over the musical element. You’ll easily find yourself captivated by the digital images that step in line with a wonky synth/keyboard element; it leaves you imbalanced in a certain way, which I think sinks you further into the track’s emotional vibe. Felt will be released on March 2nd via Secretly Canadian. They’ll also be here in Austin for Levitation.

Suuns Announce New Album, Share Blazing New Track

The folks over at Secretly Canadian rarely disappoint, and today is no exception as Suuns have announced their new album,Felt, will be out March 2 via that label. From this upcoming release, the band has shared a new single called “Watch You, Watch Me” which you can watch below. It’s a high energy number– there’s essentially no empty space in the mix, as instrument overlaps instrument, vocals distorted to sound like another wave of synthesizers. Different than anything else you’ll hear today, give the track below a listen and get stoked for Suuns’ new release.

 

New Music from Cavalcade

The Cavalcade hail from Northwest UK, and, well, they definitely sound like it.  They’ve just released their latest album, Many Moons, and its precisely what we’ve all come to associate with that area of prolific musicians.  Influenced by the likes of Felt, they’ve got a casual bit of smooth swing, pristine guitar cuts, and whispering vocals. It’s one of those records that just has you casually tapping your foot beneath your desk, falling in love, hoping that no one else around notices.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/01-Meet-You-in-the-Rain-1.mp3]

Download: The Cavalcade – Meet You in the Rain

Cats on Fire – Our Temperance Movement

our-temperance-movementRating: ★★★★½

Occasionally, you come across a group that is reminiscent of everything you truly love.  Clever lyrics, jangly guitars, smooth vocals; all joining in unison in order to craft that perfect pop song. Cats on Fire have constructed 10 such songs with their second album Our Temperance Movement. Consider us lucky that Matinee Recordings was able to put out this album by the Finnish quartet.

Immediately upon pressing play, you will more than likely realize that the band shares a certain affinity for bands such as Felt or the Smiths, sharing those classic vocal similarities, but not in such a fashion where you feel as if they’re merely playing the role of imitators.  Singer Mattias Bjorkas can hold the sway in his voice just like Lawrence or Morrissey.  But, you’ll find that in listening to his voice, it stands alone an a different entirely.

Now, the band probably has a lot of influential waters that they could soak up with a sponge, all of which are visible in their songs, but a different comparison comes to mind when listening to the album.  Our Temperance Movement recalls early Belle and Sebastian records, or just your favorite pop album, where every single song is so good that it would be hard to decipher which song on the album was meant as the single. You won’t be able to find a throwaway track here, which is an oddity in this year’s music output.

“Lay Down Your Arms” has that familiar jangly guitar you’ll recall from all those classic recordings, creating a mood of stomping about your local pub dancefloor.  As the vocals sway back across the song, you can’t help but feel moved by the meldious tune.  “Letters from a Voyage to Sweden” follows shortly after, with tales of watching a cruiseliner filled with adulterers and sodomites.  Even with such a taboo topic, the song rolls along; it’s the perfect song for quiet headphone moments lying in your bed in thought.

With songs like “Tears in Your Cup,” Garden Light” and “Fabric” neatly tucked into the latter half of the album, you’ll find that your listening experience is never lacking in above average tunes.  Especially when you encounter the bookend to the album “Farbic” with its backing female vocals and bouncy strum.

As the album wraps up completely you’ll be rushing to record your favorite tracks for that next great mixtape you are preparing for your friends.  You only want the best tracks, and every song on this album will suffice to prove to your friends just how great your tastes are; so go on and introduce them to Cats on Fire.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/02-lay-down-your-arms.mp3]

Download: Cats on Fire – Lay Down Your Arms [MP3]