H. Hawkline Shares Empty Room

Clearly, I’ve been obsessing with H. Hawkline leading into the release of the new Milk for Flowers LP, and with the release a few weeks away, Huw Evans and company have dropped their one final track. This one stretches the ornate, orchestral craft of the project, allowing Evans to deliver his most powerful vocal performance to date, with the added bonus of a bump to his acting resume too! I just love the cinematic nature of what the group are crafting, building this natural escape in their striking soundscapes. Milk for Flowers is out on March 10th via Heavenly Recordings, and I’m hoping it delivers on all the promises these singles have made.

H. Hawkline Drops Suppression Street

It amazes me when people will fawn over certain artists and completely ignore other craftsmen of equal or greater talents, like H. Hawkline. We’ve got a new single from his forthcoming record, Milk for Flowers, illustrating both the blossoming craft in the musicianship, as well as the wordplay that indicates the personal nature of the album itself. I love the line “I paint my face for everyone I meet,” and you begin to wonder if we’ll ever truly get to know the inner workings of songwriter Huw Evans. His longtime collaborator Cate le Bon also has a hand in production on the record, and we’re all the better for it. Milk for Flowers is available March 10th via Heavenly Recordings.

H. Hawkline Shares Milk for Flowers

So this is probably news from yesterday, but I’m indifferent as I’m a huge fan of over the top pop vibes, almost to the point of kitsch…yet still super cool, you know. This new H. Hawkline feels like that to me; there’s something in it that captures the personality of Huw that we’ve witnessed over the last few years, yet in that, there’s something almost theatrical and playful. I think with the help of Cate le Bon‘s production aid, he knows exactly where to hold back, so you still get of that familiarity coming through your speakers. Fun and hip and I’m sold; Milk for Flowers, the new album, comes out next year via Heavenly Recordings.

More Pop from Saint Etienne

There’s a pulsating electronic vibe that brings the latest Saint Etienne jam to your ears. The songs title owes a debt to both the Loft and Creation Records, but in the realm of pop, it’s the songs emotional pull that ultimately wins. Sarah Cracknell has sort of a smoky tone in her performance, though she seeps into the dreamy tones during the end of various lines, as well as during the chorus. I love how the group is taking on commonplace issues, such as the narrator missing out on the growing up of one’s children; it goes in line with what appears to be the overt message from Home Counties…there’s art and beauty in everything that surrounds us, no matter what that is. Look for the new LP on June 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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More New Music from H Hawkline

I hope you’re not tired of hearing me go on and on about H. Hawkline, as I’m going to continue with his latest single. In the opening seconds of this tune, there’s definitely a nice little Television guitar vibe, yet, Hawkline’s playful vocal display keeps you coming back. He’s got great control on this one, whether he’s channeling a hip crooner or hitting those high notes. It’s always nice when you hear an artists coming across with their own distinctive sound, and that’s the vibe I’ve been getting from these singles. I Romanticize will hit on June 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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No One Sounds Like H. Hawkline

Ranting and raving about an artist ins’t particularly my style, but every time I hear H. Hawkline write a new tune, I sort of swoon. His vocal delivery, particularly here, is rather distinctive, and it’s wholly central to my musical attraction. On this song, space is filled by bouncing piano beats and guitar chords that carefully echo through your speakers. Remember when we all fawned over Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley? Well, I’m going out of my way to say that as special as that duo remains, Hawkline’s doing it better. Look for the release of I Romanticize on June 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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Saint Etienne Triumphantly Return

It’s been almost five years since we heard from Saint Etienne, but it’s clearly worth the wait, as they’ve announced Home Counties today. Sarah enters the scene with a breathy vocal, almost delivered as spoken word before the 40 second mark where synthesized beats add emphasis to her pronunciation. I love the ghostly ambiance hiding behind the whole mix, as the song’s character Heather seems to take on her own role of a ghost fluttering about in SouthernEngland (as nodded to in the art work). It’s always great when the best come out with new tunes, so count me as an excited fanboy; the release will hit on June 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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New H. Hawkline Tune

H. Hawkline came into my music listening with his drastically overlooked In the Pink of Condition, but he’s just about wrapped up a new LP recorded out in LA. Here you find him centered around simple percussion and piano, allowing his voice to tantalize the listener; there are a few moments where it almost has a perfect bounce to match the musical accompaniment. Eventually, the song takes on a nostalgic pop note, moving into a moment of playfulness that’s utterly brilliant; it closes with pure ecstasy, so be sure to stay tuned until the end. For now, Heavenly Recordings is just tossing out this teaser track, but be on the look out for the full length later this year.

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New Hooton Tennis Club

hootenI really dig Hooton Tennis Club. They have this sound that reeks (in a good way) of classic pop sensibility, and when I listen to this new single, it’s so casual in its delivery that I’m hoping it doesn’t go overlooked. My ears hear remnants of late Brit-pop in the steady croon, with just enough hop swagger to remind the cool kids that this is what they should be listening to at the moment. Big Box of Chocolates, the group’s new record, hits today via Heavenly Recordings, so lend them your ears.

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Love the New Video/Song from The Parrots

The Parrots will probably get a lot of hype merely by their association with Hinds, but every time I hear this song, I get transported to their SXSW sets. They were some of the most energetic/enjoyable sets I caught that week, and this song was by far one of the most memorable. It even features a nod to Austin itself with the sporting of a Hotel Hot Burrito tee, so yet another reason for me to get behind this track. Their debut album Los Ninos Sin Miedo will hit on August 26th via Heavenly Recordings, promising to be a catchy bit of crunchy garage pop for us all.

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