Things I Missed: Jetstream Pony’s Misplaced Words

I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing it, and honestly, I’m not complaining about the job, but teaching this year (my real job!), has been absolute whirlwind, holding on for dear life all the way. So, I’ve missed some things I new I’d love, and am just not getting to dive deep into them, like this Jetstream Pony mini-album, Misplaced Words. I saw it, I knew it would rule, but now I want to make sure you’ve got space in your world to spend some time here. The band has been winning me over since their first 7″ popped up, but the opening track here is just “stop you in your tracks” good; the band doesn’t live up, following it up with what I’ve found is my favorite tune, “Courses for Obstacles.” Every track hits here, don’t be a dummy and waste your time not indulging in this joy, stream it below, NOW!

 

Lilla Parasit Share Eirik

My teenage years made me a label junky, so a lot of the new music I come across is due to newsletters and updates and the like; Swedish label Rama Lama Records is one such label that’s had my attention for the past few years. Today they’ve shared a new track from Lilla Parasit, which is sort of a Scandinavian supergroup of sorts; it’s a bombastic indie rocker, with all sorts of movement pushing and pulling at the song. I love the opening guitar riffs; they feel gut-wrenching before falling back to let the vocals come through. When the vocals fall away, this is where the band wins your heart; they fill the space with various arrangements, stretching the song into this pop exploration. The band will release their debut mini-album on March 20th.

Obligatory Wire Post

wire-band-2I think it’s time that we put aside the past of Wire at this point. It’s not that they haven’t been culturally significant since the late 70s (one of the reason’s this is an obligatory post), but I think it puts an unfair focus on their early work, and not on the excellent albums they’ve been putting out since their resurgence (the last three LPs are must own albums, in my opinion). On this brand new track, you can tell that it’s Wire; you can hear the playing style coming through, but it still feels as if the band are taking on new sonic territory. There’s shades of dream-pop, in angular post-punk sense, providing a texture of darker emotions that’s quite fascinating. This is the title track from the band’s forthcoming Nocturnal Koreans mini-LP, which will be out on April 22nd via Pinkflag.

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Bright New Indiepop Single from Alpaca Sports

alpacaI’ve long been a fan of Alpaca Sports, who won me over with their early work for Dufflecoat Records, and now they’ve got a new mini-album, When You Need Me the Most, ready for your ears. In honor of the new work, they’re giving you a glimpse at what’s to come with this playful new video for fans. The song’s spectacular, and it should further push the band into the hearts of fans around the globe. I implore you to give it a listen/watch, then head over to Elefant Records for continued news on the band and their mini-album; it should be out this October.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/rRRaOP5rsv4[/youtube]

Digging This New Tune from Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk

bbddmI can’t tell if I should label this tune as an instrumental or not.  I mean, there’s technically vocals, but they come in the form of “oohs” being used as an instrument behind the softened jangle of the ringing guitars.  Sure, there’s no lyrical content per se, but I was still able to find some sort of emotional pull in it that encouraged me to share it with you.  After a hiatus, the BBDDM is back at it with this new mini album, titled Kill the Fuzz, which is being released by Fire Talk Records on April 21st; it’s definitely something to keep an eye on, as this band has been underground for too long.

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The Return of Emma Kupa

emSince my fawning of former-Standard Fare leader Emma Kupa never seems to dissipate, I’ve got to promote the announcement of her new mini-album for Wiaiwya.  It’s not like she’s kept silent since her former act called it a day; she’s in Mammoth Penguins and she did that great single with Darren Hayman that made our year end list, but now she looks to go out on her own, albeit for a bit.  Her approach in the song below shows some slight changes, with a more subdued folk approach and a change to the subject matter (turning from love to family).  I love the strength of her voice too. The little album will be available in the Spring, but for now, just enjoy this dreamy track.