Tag: pop rock

The Squiggles Sign to Alcopop Records, Drop New Tune

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Niall McCamley was once a part time comedian, as well as the drummer for revered (and missed) pop act the Spook School; he is also just a super nice human being. But, as of late he’s been working on his own project, Squiggles; they just announced their signing to Alcopop Records for a brand new EP, so of course we’re all over it. The song’s video seems to hit on some self-reflection, offering up relatable admissions in between the track’s emphatic bursts of pure pop bliss. You also get some familiar friends in AC (Spook School) and Sophie (Life Model) adding in some stellar backing vocals, building on the hook power that Niall’s laying down. Like his former act, Squiggles seems to be walking that fine line between personal, motivational and all out joy. So come on, be a Squiggle.

Kindsight Share Don’t You Grow Up Single

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I’ve been writing about the stuff on Rama Lama Records for some time, and their newest singing Kindsight definitely has my attention today as they drop a brand new single. The track has these pop rock grooves, recalling the best days of early alternative rock from the early 90s…though updated with hints of jangle and bits of distortion. Still, the star has to be Nina Rasmussen, belting out these powerful notes throughout the song’s entirety. At times, she feels calm and rested, only to unleash these curling charms in the chorus that rise up and down in the most intoxicating fashion. Rumor has it that a debut is coming out next year!

Farewell Horizontal Share I’ll Miss This Headache

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I’ve been jamming a lot of Farewell Horizontal as of late, and I feel like you should too. I don’t want to minimalize their talent, but I feel like the duo have a sound that seems fairly simple; there’s no frills or necessary ambiance to disguise missteps. Their songs are just pure, unfettered pop rock. They’ve got these huge riffs that have just the right amount of distortion to make you feel like you’ve got morning fuzz on your teeth, but not outlandish enough to lose sight of the song’s melodic inclinations. There’s this faint little shift in the intonation on Pat’s vocals in the opening lines that just gets me every time I press play. Don’t be afraid to indulge on the good old rock n’ roll. Be sure to give their new album You’re Not an Empath a solid listen or two!

Lola Tried Drop Renvers EP

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Today let’s celebrate another great release from one of our favorite Austin bands, Lola Tried. The band haven’t released anything new since their eponymous debut in 2018, but they’re coming back with a vengeance, packing some pop rock that’s bold and boisterous. I love how the guitar work on this single seems to be holding back, just teasing us on the cusp of rock, all before letting lose to drop in these crunchy old school emo-style riffs. Lauren’s vocal control is phenomenal, bold and angry where it needs, holding onto melody when called for; the band’s backing vocals also add a nice little textural harmony in there that certainly doesn’t hurt. Stoked for the band, so celebrate with us by streaming the whole Renvers EP today. If you’re in the ATX area, the band celebrate the EP with a show tonight at Native Hostel.

Caleb de Casper Shares Too Many Boys Video

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Let’s face it, Austin’s just not that weird anymore, but one act still trying to map out their own world is Caleb de Casper. He’s crafting his own brand of pop music, seemingly made up of parts of disco, new wave, hard rock and probably a little bit of everything in between. I love how this opens up with this galloping club stomp, before this swinging guitar allows Caleb to make a seductive entrance into the track, both sonically and visually. But, as the song breaks down, it blasts into this heavy rocker, packing a huge punch for the listener as he explains ‘what it is to be a gay man in 2021.’ His album Femme Boy is slated for release later this year!

Baby Combat Share Tammy

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I’m a super sucker for good old fashioned pop rock, particularly when its all dolled up in an indie rock disguise, like the latest track from New York’s Baby Combat. The guitar work floats purposefully between surf rock and jangling dream pop, which of course, leaves plenty of room for the vocals to star in the show. They get presented in this fashion that seems like they’re going to soar through your speakers and out into the world, only to hold back on the last syllable and have them drop so they can set up the next rise and fall. Totally dig it, so why don’t you try these hooks on for size!

Did You Check Out Johnny Mafia

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Some days I wake up and I just want something loud and fun; I don’t give a shit about pretense or cool, I just want a straight-up banger of a hit…like this one from Johnny Mafia. This track races in immediately, utilizing gang vocals to anchor in that joyous celebratory nature; it’s precisely the attitude I was looking for to start off my day! The drums are pounding and furious, with the guitars just building up this huge wall of noise behind, though hanging on with just a slight hint of melody in there. The French outfit get bonus points for keeping it short, sure not to overstay its welcome, as you too much of a good thing can go bad! Check this track on the band’s new album Sentimental, out via Howlin Banana Records.

Liz Lawrence Tells Us Where the Bodies are Buried

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My infatuation with Liz Lawrence today is all about her willingness to take bits and pieces of various fads and weave them into something new and refreshing, like she’s done with her new tune. Opening with some vocoder vocals here kind of threw me for a loop, as it seemed to offset the power of her voice. But, then the bass enters and that vocoder fades, allowing Lawrence to dominate the track. Suddenly, a huge riff drops in and blows your hair back, then just as quickly a few synth stabs takes the tune and gives it this infectious bounce. While the raucous moments are enthralling, she even teases a touch of dreaminess too in between all her built-in hooks. A powerful tune for people who like to power dance in their bedrooms!

Ruby Bones Share Don’t Lose Your Head Video

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I’m full on embracing my adoration for pop rock this year, and at the moment, there aren’t a whole lot of acts doing it as well as Ruby Bones. This track, for instance, has solid gold arena rock riffs, handclaps and nice melodic vocals, even tossing in a couple of soloing guitar chords to make sure that we’re all on board with the aforementioned hooks! This is a fun way to revisit the end of last week and get your toes tapping before you go out into the world. If you enjoy this pop rocker, the track appears on the band’s new LP, Laser Tooth Tiger out on April 30th.

Another New Tune from The Deathray Davies

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Sixteen years later, and I knew I was waiting for this exact tune from the Deathray Davies! A few seconds of toying with me, then it drops right into this huge wall of pounding power-pop, pumping out these catchy riffs and tasty little melodic treats. I won’t lie, this reminds me of all the late 90s college rock, the catchy sort that somehow made it onto normal radio stations that Suburban kids like myself could record and put on mixtapes for their friends. It’s that brand of pop rock where you think you’re too cool for it, but then you decide, nah, I’m going to crank that shit up and rock out. Their new LP, Time Well Wasted, is out this April.

 

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