Cindy Announce Why Not Now LP

For all the bands that the masses adore, it makes zero sense to me that Cindy isn’t up there in that upper echelon of indie rock. Perhaps they’re too careful or too quiet, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to continue to immerse myself in everything they do musically. The video below accompanies the news that the band will release Why Not Now on April 14th, which will likely continue to spin at my house throughout the entirety of the year. There’s something about how the band feel so studied in their craft; there’s not a single note that seems out of place, as if they’ve structurally engineered the perfect pop song. It moves slowly, sure, but carries this solemnity in its melody that I find magnetic. If you’ve not been able to indulge in this band, then by all means, stop waiting. Why Not Now will come out via Mt. St. Mtn. and Tough Love Recordings.

Julian Never Shares Ursuline Single

We are not too far off from the release of Pious Fiction, the new LP from Julian Never, thus we deserve one final single before it hits the streets. Right? This one gives us a slightly different glimpse at the craft, and most noticeably the voice, of Julian Elorduy. There’s something about the production here that gives Elorduy a more darkened croon, something almost haunting in his presence. The guitars are stripped back a bit, save for their little solo jaunt around the 2 minute mark, so the vocals are forced right up front, giving off this American gothic appeal to the tune. It’s nice to hear a slightly different twist on Julian’s work, only building our anticipation for Pious Fiction; it drops next Friday via Mt. St. Mtn.

Julian Never Shares Grassharp Single

These last few weeks have been hard on the underground pop scene, losing some incredible humans we all adored in some form or another. Some of those artists define the classic era of DIY indie rock to me, so its nice to hear folks like Julian Never reimagining those sounds and giving them a fresh spin with their work. On the band’s latest single, Julian Elorduy has this almost Lynchian vocal delivery, heavy and soulful, stretching to break out and be free. Behind him, the musical element feels very cinematic, little flourishes of ambiance and rising and falling, with a light strum holding the track’s gravitational center. If you’re as fascinated by what’s at play here as I am, be sure to grab the group’s Pious Fiction LP from Mt. St. Mtn. on January 13th.

Julian Never Delivers New Single + Preps Pious Fiction

After a tasty little 7″, it looks like we’re finally getting a full length from Julian Elorduy’s project Julian Never. Quick stick hits let the song rush right in with this feathered voice, providing a softened light jangle not too far off from what you’d get from a Reds Pinks and Purples track. Pushing forward, textures build behind the vocals and the sound takes on a bit more bulk, feeling a little it more weight before Julian turns back towards the snapping snare hits and calmed vocal; I love how there’s this contrast between the soothing voice and everything working behind the scenes, like a ray of sun shining through a dense fog. Mt. St. Mtn. will release Pious Fiction on January 13th.

The Intelligence Share My Work Here Is Dumb

The latest album from The Intelligence officially drops this Friday (though rumor has it you can stream it early!), so the band brought out one more single to get you in the groove. Sure, you can hear some of the slanted angular sounds in the stuttering guitar work throughout, but in that, you also get to hear a bit of the band’s infatuation this go round with Lee Scratch Perry; there’s this slightly low-end groove, like an anti-groove groove; your body’s not sure if it should dance, spasm or what, always being kept off balance. I just love a band that still surprises, so I’ll surely be jamming to Lil’ Peril when it drops Friday courtesy of Mt. St. Mtn.

The Intelligence Share Keyed Beamers + Announce Lil Peril

Every time I listen to the Intelligence, I just run this gamut of self-doubt. Am I cool enough to listen to this band? Will I even really get at what they’re doing? Somehow, I always end up gravitating towards a cliche Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy” moment…which again, seems to suffice with the newest single. It’s this disorienting piecemeal tune, bits of sticky cymbal work, primal electronic pulses, with Lars Finberg crafting his poetic lines so as to weave around the amps like a jumbled pile of chords. Then the song stutters, only to shriek back into place, plodding along with more texture, seemingly, only to remind us that we need to check our expectations of rock n’ roll at the door. With this jam comes great news; the band will release Lil’ Peril via Mt. St. Mtn. on September 30th.

RE Seraphin Shares Stuck in Reno Video

RE Seraphin just recently released the Swingshift EP, but the world doesn’t stop once you drop a release; you’ve got to tour and promote and tweet and all that jazz. So, today, we’ve got a new video for the single “Stuck in Reno,” bringing in a mixture of jangle and twang…surely a nod to Seraphin’s time spent down in Texas (right?!). This song has a nice little backing vocal track that really raises the bar on the melody, giving a soothing charm to the groove. If you’re into what you hear, its available in 12″ and Cassette formats via Mt. St. Mtn./Dandy Boy/Tear Jerk/Safe Suburban Home. Also, be sure to catch the band running up the West Coast in mid-July with Tony Jay!

Flowertown Announce Half Yesterday

I know Steve Albini winning a WSP bracelet is big news…but what’s even bigger is that there’s a new Flowertown LP on the way. Just listening to these two tracks, we’re reminded of the band’s approach to simplicity at pop’s finest. I mean, listening to the first of the two tracks from their forthcoming LP (you can find a VIDEO HERE), it just comes across with a steady strum hitting the right notes, albeit in understated fashion, allowing the melody to wash over your feet as you stand upon the shore gazing at your future. When Karina and Mike trade verses in the second tune, you can feel the intimacy of pop music drawing you into the quiet space where the two record, just the three of you, marveling at music’s moving moments. Half Yesterday is out on July 8th via Paisley Shirt Records and Mt. St. Mtn.

R.E. Seraphin Shares Big Break

While I’m sure we’d all welcome a second EP just like R.E. Seraphin‘s last one, A Room Forever, it seems that he’s pushing himself to get beyond the sound of his peers, even going so far as to look to include “Journey-style solos” in his new effort. For me, despite pushing to break loose from the confines of lo-fi, Mr. Seraphin doesn’t lose any of the subtleties that guarantee the joy of listening to his work. On this new single, you get the textured layering of guitar sounds, with some staking claim to that aforementioned bravado, while the other drives the tune’s rhythm forward. His vocals get some backing throughout too, adding another careful layer of harmony and charm to the mix; it’s clear he’s really maximizing his talents. His new Swingshift EP is out Friday via Mt. St. Mtn./Dandy Boy/Tear Jerk/Safe Suburban Home.

R.E. Seraphin Announces New EP

Long ago, RE Seraphin was a powerhouse Austin musician, but feeling the call, he moved out to the San Francisco area, where he’s been fortunate to polish up his stomping power pop sounds. We’re stoked to point you in the direction of the new Swingshift EP, which is dropping late this month via Dandy Boy/Mt. St. Mtn/Safe Suburban Homes. This is an interesting effort, featuring the constant drum stomp that serves as the song’s foundation. From there, the tune hangs on an almost garage vibe, though you can’t help but feel the Bay Area pop goodness shining through there, particularly as the song moves into the chorus, which wouldn’t seem too far out of line on a Papercuts LP. Stoked for R.E and company; the EP drops on May 27th.

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