Tag: lean year

Last Week’s Jams, Today (6.13 – 6.17)

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Well, we wrote up at least 25 fresh tracks last week, many of which we purposefully tried to make sure weren’t on all the other cool kid sites. That also might be why we missed a few that you’d expect us to cover. It was great to hear Cool Sounds taking some new risks for their new LP, plus we made sure we had that new Mary Onettes tune right up there. And, our old friends Big Bill dropped a new record, so we wanted to remind you of their gifts…and then, there were loads of other songs, meant to get you through those early Monday morning blues without having to think too much about what you’re listening to all day…just know it’ll be good.

Lean Year Share The Trouble with Being Warm

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Feel like we delved into some heavier notes this morning, so reckon I should toss in something a little gentler, a little mid-morning cleanser of sorts. This new Lean Year tune is striking, and there’s really not another cliche way to spin that. For starters, the setting of the song is this stark atmosphere, a sort of warbling synth builds the backbone, with a bare piano twinkling as strings work into the fold. Emilie Rex’s vocal performance is brilliant, especially as it hits the 4 minute mark; she has these notes that seem to cut right through you, though they still maintain this element of fragility and nakedness. Combined, you have this moving piece that feels like it touches on the grief that surrounds their new album, Sides; it’s out on September 2nd via Western Vinyl.

 

Another Number from Lean Year

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Western Vinyl will be releasing the debut album from Lean Year this Friday, and they encouraged us to drop one last tune in your lap today before its release. I think the structure of the song is one of the reason’s that the album is so intriguing. The negative space is filled with very careful samples, occasionally bubbling up to create atmospherics while a string is lightly plucked. Emilie Rex, for her part, does her best to enchant the listener with her delivery often hanging on the last gasp of varying notes. Just a slight build at the end before we fade out, and into Friday, where you’ll grab the LP at your local shop.

Beautiful Music from Lean Year

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One of the great things about following labels is that you can identify certain sonic similarities in the work they put out, much like Western Vinyl who’ve worked with artists like Balmorhea (among others). Sure, Lean Year doesn’t have the exact same sound, but if you listen carefully, you’ll be absorbed by the band’s cinematic quality (perhaps owed to Rick Alverson’s participation). Every note seems to have been dropped perfectly in place, every vocal line placed precisely in position. Quiet throughout, you’ll likely find yourself immersed in the expanse the band has created for you. Their self-titled album will drop in your lap (I hope) on October 20th.