Reptaliens Drop I Feel Fine

Another January release I’m excited about here is the new LP from Portland’s Reptaliens. Now, with this record, the full songwriting was paired down to just Cole and Bambi Browning, and while I’ve enjoyed previous releases, the switch in approach seems to have provided the perfect vehicle for Bambi’s voice. There’s just something coyly playful, but also sort of indifferent in the way each lyric is dropped out there into the world. Her performance in the chorus takes on a softer melodic tone, but I think it has a stunning contrast, giving the sound this sort of solid base to carry on its own adventures. Those little nuances included a mix of spaced guitar licks battling for space with the surfier nots, both constantly pushing to keep track with the voice. This is for sure a tune and a half! Multiverse is out on January 21st via Captured Tracks.

The Monochrome Set Have a New Album

In certain circles, the Monochrome Set are the legendary sort; they’re the band you secretly slide into a compilation for a crush, hoping that said person will realize either, how cool you are or how odd you are. They’ve been fairly active since the late 70s, save for a period in the 00s when all was silent. Luckily, recent times has seen the band reformed and working vigorously, with the announcement that they’ll be releasing a new LP titled Maisieworld via Tapete Records. The band still have this spritely quality, and I’m quite fond of the playful keyboard work in the back of this track; you’ll find it hard to ignore the natural swing of the track. Clearly the band still have few peers; look for their new effort on February 9th.

 

Subtle Pop from Little Person

Clearly I’m a fan of pop tunes, and Little Person just dropped this little frolicking ditty that you just have to hear. Crooning vocals hang in the air, moving effortlessly in contrast to the guitar work behind them. Just as you think the song’s going to settle into a quick close, the pace is picked up and electric guitars wrap back around your ears, drawing you into the track’s subtlety. There’s lots of little touchstones here too that should fall right in line with folks into the best of indie rock. Their new EP, I Feel Fine, will be out on April 3rd.

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