Good Morning TV Share Entertainment

Originally created as a solo outlet for Berenice Deloire, Good Morning TV has now expanded into a full band, and we, the listeners, get the benefit of this expansion. We slide into the booth right next to Berenice, casually relaxing in the gentle pop waves and churning guitar lines. But, drawing nearer the two minute mark, the band starts to really come to life, awakening themselves and the listener by bursting in with this billowing noise that delivers this rewarding vibrancy. Then it all fades away, leaving us satiated but wanting more! We can get more when the band release Small Talk via Geographie Recs on June 18th.

Did You Check Out Johnny Mafia

Some days I wake up and I just want something loud and fun; I don’t give a shit about pretense or cool, I just want a straight-up banger of a hit…like this one from Johnny Mafia. This track races in immediately, utilizing gang vocals to anchor in that joyous celebratory nature; it’s precisely the attitude I was looking for to start off my day! The drums are pounding and furious, with the guitars just building up this huge wall of noise behind, though hanging on with just a slight hint of melody in there. The French outfit get bonus points for keeping it short, sure not to overstay its welcome, as you too much of a good thing can go bad! Check this track on the band’s new album Sentimental, out via Howlin Banana Records.

Tapeworms Return with Magic Pierrot

After dropping an incredible album in Funtastic last year, French outfit Tapeworms return with a real hit that was until now only included in the Japanese version of their LP! For those looking for an apt description, maybe take the more Stereolab-tinged tracks from a Peel Dream Magazine LP, then pump them full of Monster energy drink, and boom! I know, it sounds ridiculous, but there’s just no other way to really get at it; there’s great pace and energy, but the arrangements matched up with the vocals bury the song in this French pop atmosphere you’ll want to dig up for hours and hours on end.

Pastel Coast Announce New LP, Sun

Are you ready to get your summer playlist jacked up? Yeah you are! You want that perfect hit for cruising through the streets, warm breeze blowing through your hair; I know you do! Well, luckily, we get news that French band Pastel Coast is going to be dropping their follow-up to Hovercraft this summer via Shelflife Records/Groover. Listening through, its frantic pop, with a little bit of indiepop flare to it, but to be frank (“Hello, I’m Frank!), the song is super reminiscent of Phoenix before they became mainstream crossover darlings. Think about Phoenix circa It’s Never Been Like That, particularly “Rally.” The same sort of hook-laden pop potential courses through this Pastel Coast tune, but just as you’re about to pigeonhole the sound, the band seduces you with a counter melody that draws out the song’s approach, dipping their toes in a dreamier bit. You get it all here, and most of all, you get to revel in a great pop tune; Sun will drop this June!

Unschooling Give Us More is More

If you’re missing Omni, or just really into Omni, you’ve got to get over here and listen to this new Unschooling EP, Random Acts of Total Control. Just take a listen to the opening tune “More is More” if you need convincing of how great the band is. They’ve got that same sort of frantic nature to their riffs, kind of angular and buoyant simultaneously. One thing I’ve really enjoyed about the French outfit is super apparent on this tune is how little they care for formulaic arty post-punk; they do dip far more than their toes into that proverbial water, but they also seek out the ability to destroy its patterns, exploding like a fireball, cutting through your headphones. The EP is out courtesy of Howlin Banana Records.

Unschooling Share Social Chameleon Video

Listen, if you’re a fan of Omni, and the way they have those sharp danceable guitar cuts, then you’re going to love French outfit, Unschooling. For much of their new tune, it’s almost a solid carbon copy, even down to that sort of sedate vocal delivery. But, what I like about this lot is how they seem to kind of get frantic, anxious almost, forcing them to push the envelope as the song progresses. Then at the 2 minute mark, they’re like “nah, we’re going to turn this into a pop tune!” Nice twist, and has me stoked to hear the group’s Random Acts of Total Control, out on April 16th via Howlin Banana.

Special Friend Share Pastel Video

The latest single from Special Friend, well, its quite special. It’s a double edged pop affair, with this incredibly charming guitar work that gives it that old school sort of indie pop feel…the sort you’d expect to hear back in the 80s circle of pop. Still, its steadied by this really solitary percussive element, which allows for the song to structure the vocals, which ultimately win you over. I mean, these two voices are so perfectly fitting its hard to imagine either one existing without the other. Plus, just as the ghost on the video has captivated you; the 2:40 mark brings with it this uptick in energy, bringing out this frantic bit of jangling pop that should be played on all your speakers today! Ennemi Commun will be released by Hidden Bay Records/Howlin Banana on March 26th.

Dogs for Friends Drop King’s Dog Video

At the very tail end of last year, Dogs for Friends dropped their I’ll Pet You 4 Ever EP; perhaps not my favorite title ever, but dammit if the songs weren’t just really incredible. Today they drop their video for standout “King’s Dog,” so give a listen. It begins with this heavy haunting, dripping over this quietly propulsive beat; throughout the first minute or two you can hear these light guitar licks dancing about, but they finally kick in near the two minute mark, opening up the song to this divine bit of pop music. Felt like a really good way to start off the Tuesday morning.

Walk Home Drunk Announce Time Flies EP

If French outfit Walk Home Drunk hasn’t been on your radar as of yet, you might want to change directions in your life. They’ve just shared this rad new tune that I can’t get enough of today, which is why I am hoping you’re in the same boat. It starts by layering the line “don’t think it’s getting much easier,” with slight little changes to the lyrics; the way it’s performed casts this magical spell that just held me, awestruck. Then guitars begin to twist and churn, almost nodding to the noodling emo guitar work of the late 90s, but then someone jumps on the pedal, bringing in these heavy riffs that echoed through my living room for a good 30 minutes afterwards. The Time Flies EP will be released by the esteemed Hidden Bay Records on February 12th!

Bootchy Temple Share Nowhere Else

I get that writing about music probably isn’t the most apt way to adjust to the world right now, but I’ve always been one to retreat to music, so here I am again with this lovely tune from Bootchy Temple. On this tune from the French outfit’s forthcoming LP, they’re sort of fashioning themselves between the worlds of paisley and psychedelia; it reminds me an awful lot of a more exploratory version of the Clientele. It’s blissful, though feels like a soggy foggy day, which is sort of a unique accomplishment in and of itself, if I do say so. In Consummated Bloom will be out on November 27th via Howlin Banana and Safe in the Rain.

1 2 3 4 5 8