Rural France Share Tag Along Single

Having fallen in love with the first track from Exactamondo, it only makes sense that we reinforce our love for Rural France by covering their new single today. While “Packhorse” felt clean and brimming with pop sensibility, “Tag Along” seems to be a little bit of a sonic shift, playing with noise in the background, layered to juxtapose the sugary center. Don’t get me wrong, the vocals are still offering up their usual sweetness, so you can still be enchanted, but the edges feel rougher and maybe, dare I say, “lo-fi.” I like that we’re getting a peek at the variation we can expect when the LP finally hits; it’s scheduled for an April 26th release courtesy of Meritorio Records.

Dancer Share Bluetooth Hell

We’ve been able to hear a handful of Dancer tunes from their forthcoming 10 Songs I Hate About You, but if I’m being bold, this one might be the most exciting of the singles. Whether it’s the rolling of the beats or the sharpness of the vocal blasts, there’s something joyfully primal in their sound. But, at times, it can also be a touch off-kilter, reminiscent of Life Without Buildings or Love Is All, playing within the confines of post-punk but with a little more of an indie rock scrub. I definitely dig how the buzz comes right before the song closes, bringing the volume up before dropping out. The LP is out March 15th via Meritorio Records.

Rural France Announce Exactamondo

I was a really big fan of Rural France‘s debut, RF, which in turn led to my fandom of Teenage Tom Petties…and now it seems that Tom Brown and Rob Fawkes have put aside time to lay down another delightful batch of tunes. At first listen, it seems like the jangles, while still present, have been turned down a bit in the mix, building more of a broad pop approach to the duo’s songwriting; it sort of feels like they’ve branched into Teenage Fanclub territory with these big riffs rocking throughout, though I’ll admit, their adherence to the melody is constantly delighting on this tune. Look for Exactamondo to drop April 26th via Meritorio Records.

The Infinites Share The Bureaucrat

Had you been on this site at all lately, you would have hopefully heeded our advice to pick up the fresh LP from the Infinites, and today there’s another song to give you a nudge. Of the three singles we’ve heard, this one opens up with the most urgency, pounding drums and guitar lines rushing to set the scene for you; it’s that sort of driving sensation like you’re rushing towards the light on the horizon. Of course, Jared’s vocals are the steadying force, the sensible driver, letting you know that it’s okay to take it all in as you speed towards your destination. I loved the guitar work in-between verses, sharp and jagged like this old fella loves. Archetypes is out on February 16th via Meritorio Records.

Dancer Announce Debut LP on Meritorio Records

If you tinker around with the Glasgow music scene, the members of Dancer should be obvious, as it has folks from bands like Robert Sotelo and Nightshift, among others, meaning the band already comes in with built in promise. In a nod towards Heath Ledger, they’ve titled their debut 10 Songs I Hate About You, and now shared a new single to entice you to listen. Musically, they’re crafting a style that’s not too far off from their name, but sort of in an anti-dance fashion; the bass line walks you back and forth, sort of like a one-foot-two-foot hopscotch shuffle. Gemma Fleet’s voice hits sharply, as musical elements pulse in and out of your speaker behind the vocals, creating this mesmerizing bit of anti-pop. Really been looking forward to hearing the band’s full length; it drops via Meritorio Records on March 15th.

The Infinites Share The Queen

One of my most anticipated Austin record this year is the forthcoming LP from the Infinites. We’ve already hyped up their super “The Expat” single, and they’re raising the bar on this new one. Musically, the track feels like a ship at sea, rocking back and forth in the crafty groove the band have created. Steadying the ship, however, is Jared Leibowich (an ATHR alum!), with his voice shining its majesty atop as it guides the band’s pop sensibility. There’s several moments when the band locks in here, throwing out a rocking guitar solo just to flex the stellar musicianship on the stage. You’re going to want to grab Archetypes; it drops via Meritorio on February 16th.

The Infinites Announce New Record

The Infinites have been one of our favorite acts in the Austin scene; the band’s full of ties to our own ATH Records, with members of both Zoltars and the Hermits playing on this record…and we couldn’t be happier to see them all land on one of our favorite labels, Meritorio! Our first single offers listeners a glimpse at the group’s propensity for offering an indie rock groove; you can feel the movement in the way the song goes up and down, constantly moving and growing. Jared’s vocal work is some of his best today, coolly riding that steady movement as the guitar lines seem to dance all around him. If you haven’t listened to the band before, might we suggest also spending some time with their self-titled debut. Archetypes will be out on February 16th via Meritorio Records–Pre-Order it HERE!

The Maureens Share Fell in Love

I can’t understand why more folks don’t tune into the Maureens; they’ve got the same pop sensibility as modern-era Teenage Fanclub, albeit with just a little bit more sentiment. There’s something in their songwriting that feels like it was raised on their parent’s record collection, then ramped up with a modern bit of charm and swollen melodies. You press play here and you’ll immediately be hit with a wall of emotion, with a closing moment that feels like a climax in and of itself. This is the song you deserve today, and you can also build some anticipation for Everyone Smiles, out on January 19th via Meritorio Records.

Two Great Aussie LPs to Stream: The Brights + Pop Filter

Two great Australian acts release brand new records today, and oddly, both are being released by great Spanish record labels; but, they both come from different parts of the country, so there’s that?

Sydney’s The Brights have released Oyster Rock! today via Meritorio Records. It’s a collection of pop songs with little bits of Western twang lingering in the songwriting. You’ll find a few upbeat numbers, with most tracks working on a pensive point that allows the melodies to sit quietly with you for hours afterwards.

Pop Filter, up in Melbourne, are like the indie rock hydra; you cut off the head of one songwriter, and there’s another equally gifted craftsman’s head popping up. With so many songwriters, Cono feels refreshing at every turner, tossing out subdued little pop nuggets and bouncy bops of badassery. LP courtesy of Bobo Integral.

Friday Album Streams: Wurld Series, Frog, Deary

It’s that weird time of the year when everyone pretends that they stop writing music for a few months so we can browse the list of Best New Artists, or whatever. We do it too, though I’ll probably keep writing about songs if folks keep sending them to me. But, before the year “wraps up” and stuff, here’s a few more new records to listen to today that you’ll hopefully enjoy! Note: I included a few from last week, because last week I ran an Austin-centric streams post, so booyah!

Wurld SeriesThe Giant’s Lawn (Meritorio Records/Melted Ice Cream)

DearyDeary EP (Sonic Cathederal)

FrogGrog (Audio Antihero)

Steven AdamsDrops (Fika Recordings)

The Native CatsThe Way On is the Way Off (Chapter Music)

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