New Single From Psychic Shakes

It’s been far too long since I sang the praises of Max McLellan and his UK based musical project Psychic Shakes so I plan to remedy that today. Here for your listening pleasure if the new single, “Unfold You,” which is taken from the upcoming new album Forever Now. The single has a really simple, electronic beat driving things with a looping guitar and ever so delicate crescendos and shifts. It’s truly a lovely piece of songwriting.

Forever Now is due out on November 17th via Good Eye Records.

 

Scarves Announce New LP

I always forget how much I enjoy listening to Scarves. There’s something in the band that just screams Pacific Northwest, in its heyday. They’ve just announced their new album, their first since 2018’s Dinner Dates for the End of Days, and with it, they’re reminding us of their sound with “Heavy Eyes.” Something about Niko’s voice always reminds me of the earlier years of Built to Spill, when things weren’t quite so clean and the beauty was in the details that seemed misplaced. There’s also some similarities to early Death Cab, which I’m pretty sure is still okay to admit you liked (I did; I still do!), so if you’re feeling like you miss that PNW sound, then why not just listen to Scarves; their new album Delicate Creatures is out August 26th via Good Eye Records.

Sooner Shares Pretend Single

We covered the first few Sooner tracks, and as another one has hit the airwaves, it seems fitting we slide it into today…not to mention it’s a great jam. When I listen to the band, they seem like they’ve combined a bunch of influences to create their own sound; you can file them behind the Beths in one spot, or turn the page and find the more ethereal side of Beach House blooming. This particular single is all about that climactic build, toying with your feelings in the verses, coming in soft and quiet, only to churn out heavy bliss in the chorus. Definitely a band that should be on more people’s radar; their album Days and Nights will drop on March 25 via Good Eye Records.

Sooner Announce Debut LP, Days and Nights

It shouldn’t take you too long to get sucked into the sounds of Sooner; I know I got hooked the minute those guitar lines jumped right on in to my life, as my toes were tapping and my head was a-bobbing. While the sound borders on the poppier side of post-punk, the band ramp up the sound into a more distorted pop rock sound for the chorus, with the vocals pushing themselves higher in tone, driving the hook right into your ears. It’s the perfect blend of some of my favorite vibes, so I’m definitely looking at Days and Nights to be a sure-fire hit; it drops via Good Eye Records on March 25th.

Parrot Dream Share Final Single of 2021, The End

I’ve really enjoyed the work Parrot Dream have put into things over the last few singles, and all the way back to their last major release, and it seems they aim to end the 2021 year with one final gem to seduce you into their world. “The End” actually begins opening up on this cavernous emptiness, punctuated by a sampled drum and a thumping pulse. Little notes dance across the horizon, careful not to interfere with the rhythmic nature of the song itself. This is where Christina Appel lets her voice shimmer, calling to the listener like a siren, beckoning. A careful ear will hear the pulse speed up at times, and the cavern is filled with various notes that seem destined to intoxicate. And then its all wrapped up, because ultimately, we’ve come to “The End.”

Parrot Dream Share Automatic System

I’ve been a fan of the work that Parrot Dream have been putting together since I first heard some of the singles from 2018’s Light Goes. The group, now slimmed down to a duo, have just dropped this delicious new number. It all begins with this real heavy beat, looped so that it kind of tricks your mind into following it along its darkened synth pathway. Christina Appel’s vocals hit all the right notes, kind of hiding a bit just behind the front of the song with this sort of smoky billowing. Inside the song you get a bit of a rise and fall, some moments swelling to this grand nature, while others moments pull back and play with nuance. Hopefully we get to hear more from the band as this year goes forward!

Groovy Tune From Psychic Shakes

On this bright and sunny Monday morning, might I suggest you check out this new song called “Suddenly” from Brighton based group Psychic Shakes. Max McLellnm, the musician behind the Shakes moniker, has been on our radar since back in 2016, but we haven’t heard a whole lot from him since. Now it seems McLellnm has moved away from some of his surfier, bright pop vibes, and moved into a more groovy, R&B inspired pop sound. One can definitely find themselves getting a bit lost in the entrancing, mellow vibe of this track.

Psychic Shakes will release a new EP entitled Unsaid sometime later this year on Good Eye Records.

 

Parrot Dream Share B-Side

I was all about enjoying Light Goes, the debut LP from dreamy pop outfit, Parrot Dream. But, as is probably the case with almost every band you love, a few of the songs didn’t make it onto that LP, and they’re just now getting to see the light of day. This particular number, to me, seems like its a performance piece for Christina; her voice controls the entire mood, like an emotional tractor-beam for listeners. That’s not to say that the band don’t do great work behind her; they’re sharp and focused, but sure to stay clear. This B-Side appears with two other leftover tunes from the session that gave us Light Goes…which is available now via Good Eye Records.

Another Day Another Scarves Tune

I feel like the best way to start out my week is to have the latest single from Scarves turned up really loud. For me, the guitar work is one of the main winners here; it has these little notes that turn over and over in math-y rock fashion; it matches Niko’s voice with this frantic pace that builds this natural tension within the song’s confines. There’s so much space working behind the vocals too, adding to that build-up…and its important to note the group never fully give in to that trap. The band will release Dinner Dates for the End of Days on September 28th, with a scheduled Austin date on October 1st at Cheer Ups.

Still Bopping Along to Scarves

Seattle’s Scarves have just recently popped onto my radar, but I’ve been enjoying a pretty steady stream of the group’s new jams. The group seem to have that perfect balance between angular emo stylings and really great pop music; I think this track even takes on an almost Dismemberment Plan, seemingly working with different time signatures between music and voice. Niko has one of those insanely unique voices that seem fashionable up in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s one I’m hoping you won’t forget. Look for the group’s Dinner Dates for the End of Days via Good Eye Records on September 28th.

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