The Smallgoods Schedule Lost in the Woods

It’s been a long time coming, but we finally have a released date for the long-awaited new LP from The Smallgoods. Having mostly been quiet, at least as a collective unit, for the last 14 years or so, the band wanted to pick up where they left off with 2007’s Down on the Farm. According to Gus Franklin, the idea then and now was to rail against the staleness of the musical climate, crafting huge bold pop music with just a little quirks; they even went so far as to reference the Muppets. Here, you get that blast of pop, with layers of vocals and bounce thrown on top of extra layers of pop; it’s like building a fort out of pop blankets where you can hide out with all your friends. The band are set to release Lost in the Woods on September 24th via Lost and Lonesome.

Monnone Alone Shares Pepper Jar Single

We’re just a month or so away from the new Monnone Alone LP, so you’ve got to dip your toes into the warm water in Mark’s pool of pop. This new single quickly slides into this huge ringing chords, meant for arena rock status, but brought back to Earth by the softened jangling style of Monnone’s guitar play. While I love that big sound, bordering on crunchy power pop, I think I’m in love with the vocals on this tune; they kind of hang out there on a laundry wire of pop, blowing in the wind, occasionally gusting with these delighting notes that rise and fall so effortlessly. And if that wasn’t enough, how about the song’s fade out, just budding with infectious pop bravado. Stay Foggy will be released on September 3rd via all the usual pop purveyors: Lost and Lonesome/Meritorio/Emo Response/Royal Mint.

Monnone Alone Drop Time Is On the Run Video

Opening with Hamish Kilgour (the Clean) in your new video is bound to get some eyes turning your way, and well, if not, then at least the new Monnone Alone song is a ray of light in these rainy Austin days. I love the uplifting jangle of the guitar tones, almost hinting at sort of surf-worthy vibes, though the bright spot is the way Mark always plays with monosyllabic lines; the do-do-dos add an extra melodic texture that matches the electronic pulse of the tune. Plus, there’s a lot of open space in this tune for the guitars to kind of run and play, frolic about in the mix if you will. This is the second single on Stay Foggy, the new LP out in September via Lost and Lonesome/RoyalMint/EmoResponse/Meritorio.

Hot Coppers Share Sunflower Seeds Single

You’ve likely heard Gareth Parton’s work before; he’s produced work by the Breeders, Foals, the Go Team and more. But, the pandemic gave Parton the time to fall back in love with songwriting, which benefits us all as he shares his debut single as Hot Coppers. I’m not sure what I’m more in love with, his velvety vocals or the way the song’s have been masterfully arranged. Give it a close listen and you’ll hear an array of sounds, all lifting the song’s melodic core to listeners waiting at the altars of pop music. This has that early Jeepster Records feel to it, if that’s your cup of tea. Look for the debut album later this year via Lost and Lonesome.

Monnone Alone Shares Feel It Disappearing Video

This is our site and we do what we want! Sure, I introduced you to the great new “Feel It Disappearing” single from Monnone Alone a few weeks ago, but I wanted to remind you of its pull by sharing this brand new video version of the tune! It’s also in my Top 10 songs of 2021 right now; I think I have it at the No. 4 spot. You get some great images of Mark traversing the wild, socially distanced of course, not to mention some additional flare added in by director Simon Fazio. Still claiming that hook at the 2:17 mark might be one of my favorite 10 second pop nuggets of the year, period. Don’t you agree? Whatever. This song rips. This song appears on the forthcoming Stay Foggy LP (and on a 7″ too) available via Lost and Lonesome and Emotional Response.

Monnone Alone Announces Brand New 7″

It doesn’t seem like Summer of the Mosquito was released almost 2 years ago! Alas, Mark Monnone, formerly of the Lucksmiths, is at it again with a brand new 7″ under his Monnone Alone moniker, and hinting at an LP later in the year! Feuding guitar sounds open the tune, one bringing in fuzzy edges and the other a light-hearted beach stomp, giving off this sort of bewildering pop sensibility. And, while I love the steadfast pop quality, I think the true winner here is Mark’s vocal performance; he doesn’t seem to miss a note, almost as if he’s singing at some beachside lounge resort, making all the kids scream and swing about as they spill their Mai-Tais in the sand. You want to take a bite out of some truly great pop music? Then give this one about 12-13 spins; I know I certainly have. Like the Beach Boys, but honestly, better. The 7″ is out at the end of March via Lost and Lonesome/Emotional Response/Meritorio/Royal Mint. Here I go skipping down the hallways of our school screaming and bouncing “I’m going to lose my mind!”

Lacto-Ovo Share Nu West

While Lacto-Ovo largely been quiet for the better part of two decades, but with the recent digital reissuing of Shoes & You and Tsunami Pop, the band have rekindled the flame, so to speak. In doing so, they unearthed a lost CD from a recording session meant for their third album…and today, we’re excited to give you a first listen. It’s an oddball art-pop dance party, one you might associate with your favorite Devo impersonators. One thing I love, aside from the sheer infectiousness of those hook-laden beats is that the band blend this sort of class pop chorus into it; it gives the song this warmth that sort of offsets the electronic pulse of the tune leaving you with this endearing charm you’ll want to put in your pocket to take with you! The songs being supported by our dear friends at Lost and Lonesome, hinting that the final LO chapter may yet to have been written.

Great Earthquake Share I’m Hiding Behind a Mask Video

I first got turned onto Great Earthquake when Thinking & Making was released. I immediately fell in love with the songwriting, so when Organized Religious Sounds quietly dropped on Friday, I was rushing to listen to it. This great song is the perfect introduction to the record; it’s like this steady pop meditation on identity…do we want to be noticed or hide because its easier? The song’s unassuming, but I love that about it. It almost seems too subtle to be noticed, like hiding behind a mask…but there are these slight little tonal shifts the give the song its natural little charm. If you’re looking to spend some time today, you should probably stream all of Organized Religious Sounds, out now via Lost and Lonesome.

Girlatones Share Bingo Level Humour

We’re a few weeks away from Horn if You’re Honky, the brand new record from Girlatones; it’s one of the records I’ve been most looking forward to in this busy Spring season. Their newest single has this sprightly bounce to it, using these playful guitar lines and precision percussion to give the song a hop and a step that will surely lift your spirits. The warmth of the chorus adds in a layered melody and pop sensibility that’s so brief and delicate that it slides into your subconscious begging to be played on repeat. For my two cents, the track helps illustrate the variance on the new record, which actually has me more excited. I’ve loved every single thus far, and none of them sound exactly alike, so we’re all in for a collection of 10 solid hits! Horn if You’re Honky drops via Meritorio and Lost and Lonesome on March 20th.

 

Girlatones Share Respond to Love

Opening a song with the chorus seems dangerous, unless you’re Girlatones; they’re a fearless pop outfit from Australia with loads of experience in writing hits. Their newest single jumps right in with this bouncing bop; you can’t listen to those first 15 seconds and not be in head over heels with this tune. The verses don’t let you down either, shimmering like some of the best power-pop you’re likely to hear this day, or ever. Oh, and just a little melodic left turn at the 1:10 minute? You didn’t see that coming did you! Horn if You’re Honky already has my favorite tune of the year, so add this to another reason we’ll be pumped for its release by Lost and Lonesome/Meritorio Records on March 20th.

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