Rural France Share Guideropes

We’ve received two pretty energetic tunes from Rural France thus far, all hinting at an exciting new record from the group. Today, there’s a bit more of a relaxed vibe in their work, playing with our expectations while also illustrating some of the differentiation we’re likely to find on the LP. The crunchiness of the guitar lines hints at an almost Pacific Northwest rock jam, but while burning up their amps, the band also remain tethered to their pop tendencies, using dueling vocals and overlapping melodies to provide that emotional connection. All things are pointing towards Exactamondo! being a knockout; it drops on April 26th via Meritorio Records.

Stephen’s Shore Announce Neptune EP

Every few years Stephen’s Shore gift us the glory of a new track, much like they’re doing today with the announcement of their new Neptune EP. It’s difficult to decide which aspect of the tune I’m more attracted to after my first five or six listens here. At one point, the way the jangling guitars open up on the back of a bobbing bass line feels like the sun’s coming up over the hills here in Austin; there’s a natural bright emotive quality that one can’t escape. That said, there’s this wistful nostalgia in the vocal presentation. The notes are warm, though there’s a bit of looking back that pervades, even in the lyrics. A bright way to kick off a new EP; Neptune is out via Meritorio Records on May 10th.

Oh Boland Announces Western Leisure

Slow day on the scene as of late, but wouldn’t you know it, Meritorio Records had something up their sleeve just for us: Oh Boland. The Irish outfit has just announced their latest LP, Western Leisure, filling our ears with this joyous barroom rock n’ roll. For my two cents, its not too far away from what Paul Westerberg wanted, taking this sort of rock-steady guitar sound and infusing it with a bit more punch and twang. At times, you’ll find it hard to ignore the sheer exuberance from the boisterous gang vocals that seem to celebrate life. Here’s your chance to turn it up and just have some fun; Western Leisure is out on May 31st.

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!

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