Video Age Share Away from the Castle

It’s really hard to put my feelings into words when listening to this new track from Video Age. The song’s not really doing anything crazy different from acts like Real Estate or the like, but something in the way the production and execution are done is supremely gratifying. It all starts with that steady snappy percussive piece; it propels the track forward, allowing the guitars to hit some really crisp notes. Those notes jangle and churn, seemingly dancing around the deliciously dreamy vocals…that actually remind me of early Teenage Fanclub (weird that I wrote about the Teenies earlier today!). Jam the title track from the band’s forthcoming Away from the Castle, out October 27th via Winspear.

Dropkick Release Holiday Single

I typically do not go all in on holiday singles, but I will, however, go all in on anything coming from Dropkick, as the band haven’t led us wrong just yet. They’ve just announced a quick little two track single, recorded amidst the mapping out of their new LP, which should come in 2023; the single’s possibly meant to be a little stop-gap and tease while we wait. As with anything Andrew Taylor is penning, there’s a nice little strum, toying with the ability to ring out sharply if necessary; the vocals add in that holiday spirit, brining you the warmth of your favorite festive drink. Why not start off your day with this tune, eh?

Work Wear Share One Day Away Single

When I heard this Work Wear single the first run, I was really digging into the way the band flirted with light jangle rock, that roundabout churning guitars we know and love. That’s definitely still got its moments, but there’s also this earnestness in the vocals that I can’t seem to escape; there’s something that feels like we’re taking a journey with the band during the verses, all in order to arrive at the top of the mountaintop with an emphatic punch in the air. I love the balance between a sort of chugging indie rock and lighter indiepop vibe, balancing pop and left-of-the-dial til the end. Enjoy.

Dress Warm Share Take a Hint Single

Austin’s Dress Warm have been getting a lot of love around here lately, and I think this new single illustrates how much promise the band has going forward. Opening up with a heavy brand of guitar pop, there’s an immediate buoyancy to the tune, giving you a similar bounce in your own step. In that playfulness, you find the vocals hopping along too, bringing in a melodic softness to the light churn of the guitars, blanketing the song in this rewarding layer of charm that should resonate with nearly any listener. Stoked to hear more of what’s coming from the group!

Dress Warm Share New Single

Austin’s Dress Warm have a familiar sound, which should hopefully endear them to the locals, and you as well. They’re crafting these bedroom guitar pop songs, reminiscent of acts like Good Morning or Hovvdy; they even have some overlapping layers and a solo that remind me of Real Estate. So you’ve got these great little touchstones that can easily let you drift towards the weekend, riding atop the melodic wave they’ve crafted here for you. This is the sort of Friday tune that just makes you feel good, so press play again and again until your mood settles.

Teenage Tom Petties Share Boatyard Winch

We spent a lot of time last year supporting Rural France, the London duo of Tom Brown and Rob Fawkes; they dropped RF via Meritorio Records. But, Tom now has his own new project, Teenage Tom Petties that should definitely pop up on your radar today. This project isn’t a far stretch from RF, though there’s definitely a grittier feel to both the recording and the style itself…perhaps connecting the dots via a Boyracer or the like would work, in 7 degrees of Indie Pop. On the vocals, Tom definitely has a big Bob Pollard feel here, so the whole thing is built around this huge lo-fidelity guitar pop feel that very much feels like something GBV would have influenced. It’s a jam, and you like jams. The band will have a full album coming this summer via Safe Suburban Homes.

Ex Void Share No Other Way

You’ve got to imagine a band featuring members of Joanna Gruesome is going to have a lot of pressure to live up to their former name, and this new single seems to be the one that cements Ex Void as their own powerful force. As the song unfolds, it offers up a relaxed bit of casual indie rock, light jangles, but mostly just a burning fuzz of guitar work. For me, it was the chorus that really hits home, as I love the way the vocals rise and fall in tone, crashing into you with an emphatic punch that burrows into your mind. They’ll be dropping their Bigger Than Before LP in our laps on March 25th via Don Giovanni Records.

Loops & Loops Share Hate Finds a Way

Man, I’ve been hyping Loops & Loops over the last few months with no shame at all, but this new tune really blows it all away. At times it feels like the sort of perfect guitar pop you’d get from a Dean Wareham penned tune, which I consider the highest form of praise. Then, hitting the chorus, you get a touch more direct pop punk punch, quickly driving the melody right to the ears. It’s a fuzzy little tune, hitting all the right notes as it goes through, and I’ll be honest, I can’t stop pressing play again and again. Give Loops & Loops a try, I beg you.

Seasoning Share Friends Video

Admittedly, this tune’s been sitting in my email for a few weeks now, having dropped back in January, and the more emails I get, the more it falls down there. But, today’s the day I get to bring you the latest single from Seasoning! Stylistically, this fits into the modern realm of classic guitar pop, pulling from the likes of bands like Real Estate or Snowy, something with just a nice little hint of jangles to it. The vocals have that feel like its washing warmly across you, calming everything in the vicinity. Plus, the lyrical content is hyper relatable as we’ve holed back up this year again, and I miss my friends. Look for The Condensation EP later this year!

Ari Roar Shares Honors Around, Drops Made to Never Use

Dallas’ Ari Roar has appeared quite a bit on our site, so with his latest release, Made to Never Use, dropping this last Friday, I wanted to be sure that we gave the LP a little shout out. His work on this new record reminds me a lot of Albert Hammond Jr, focusing on sharp guitar pop with really solid melodic work that just makes you feel like life could get a little bit better. I love how the song begins to kind of roll in the chorus, like this Texas storm quickly blowing through with a burst of catchy pop before steadying itself and riding off into the sunset. Give a listen, won’t you.

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