Another Tune from the Sea Life

Just over a month or so ago we dropped the newest single from The Sea Life, and here we are circling back to cover their newest single. It begins with a ringing distorted guitar and military marching percussion; you’re expecting the band to unleash a wall of noise. But, they pull it back to soften the blow, offering up a calm respite. Then distant howls are unleashed, a kin to a guitar pop band covering early Walkmen songs, and I totally dig it. They’ll be releasing their self-titled debut via Art is Hard Records on June 26th.

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Track Premiere: Picnic Lightning Prep Debut

picnicNeed some rock n’ roll in your life? Seems like you should get involved with Texas’ act, Picnic Lightning today, just to hedge your bets. It’s interesting in listening to their first single from their debut album; you can hear traces of influences such as Thermals or Segall, but hinting at pop sensibility like Nada Surf or Death Cab. None of those things are bad, and in fact, if you can pull it off, there’s likely some success in finding the perfect intersection where those sounds are bound together, which I think is why I’ve enjoyed jamming to this song so much today. Their self-titled album will be released on September 2nd via Dreamy Life Records, so for now, just let your ears buzz with joy.

New Chain of Flowers Track

chainofflowersIf you’re booking gigs with the likes of The Fall, Destruction Unit and Ceremony, you’ve got to be doing something right in my book, thus why I’ve caught onto Cardiff’s Chain of Flowers. Musically, you’re ears are surrounded by a huge wall of noise, with buzzsaw guitars grinding at the front of the mix. From the back of the club, however, you can hear the vocals echoing over a pounding rhythm section. The group is set to release their self-titled debut on October 16th via Alter, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that it lives up to the promise of the early singles.

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Melted Toys Offer Up Dreamy Pop

meltedtoysThose of you who enjoy the works of Twerps, Kurt Vile and Real Estate should pay close attention to what’s going on with Melted Toys.  The San Francisco band has a knack for writing these really relaxed guitar pop songs, with excellent craftsmanship.  There’s a slight bounce to the latest single, “Observations,” but the tune is so relaxed that you might not even notice it if you didn’t pay close attention to the drum beat.  It’s a sign that the band’s debut self-titled effort will be a relaxed bit of dreamy pop tunes to wash over you while you’re chilling out this summer; it’ll be released by Underwater Peoples on July 15th.

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Funky Jam from Rush Midnight

rushmidnightIf it weren’t for the immediate mention of Twin Shadow in this press release, I might have skipped beyond this tune from Rush Midnight; it’s the project of Russ who tours with TS.  What I really like about this song is that the electronic element is actually understated, allowing for the groove to remain subtle.  It allows you to focus on the smooth delivery of the vocal, while still inviting you to swing your hips and dance about.  The project’s self-titled debut album will be out on May 27th via Last Gang Records; it should definitely put a nice spin on our summer listening.

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Captured Tracks Signs Axxa/Abraxas

axxaI’m continuously impressed with the growth of Captured Tracks.  What was once a label heading in one direction, they’ve expanded with their Re-Issues (The Servants, Flying Nun, etc), and they continue with their recent signing Axxa/Abraxas.  This definitely continues the label focus on guitar playing, but there’s something different going on in the way the music is crafted, offering up more of a swinging sensation via the band’s psychedelic influences.  It’s good to see a roster grow, especially when the music is as exciting as that being created by this band; the label will release the band’s self-titled debut next March.

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Hey You Danceateria Types! Check Out World’s End Press

WorldsEndPress_PhotobyMaclean_Stephenson_2.132234I’ve got no qualms with my adoration of the Australian music scene, though I tend to have a certain arena from the country that I fawn over.  This new tune by World’s End Press doesn’t necessarily fall into that category, but it’s something worthy of including on your Friday night playlist.  It’s an electronic dance tune, playfully constructed to emit the maximum amount of frivolity. It’s got pulsing grooves, nicely spun harmonies and a general attraction that invades your spirit.  Yep, Friday’s are for dancing.  Stay tuned, as the world will get more from the band when their debut album is released on October 4th.

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Enjoy The Black Tambourines

blacktambourinesNo. This is not the famed Slumberland act, Black Tambourine, rather it’s THE Black Tambourines, a UK act who I first caught wind of via Art Is Hard Records.  The label is releasing the band’s self-titled debut today, and I’m pretty sure it’s a band you won’t be disappointed if you just spend a little time with this track.  It’s a pretty fun track that gets your spirits up, offering ramshackle guitar pop that inevitably sinks under your skin.  Guitars cascade in soloing fashion while the drums bang hard in your ears.  I don’t see why you won’t love these guys.

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Beautiful Pop from The Starfolk

TheStarfolk123a02.115320Really well managed harmonies in the midst of pristine pop songwriting is really what gets me going.  Bands like Nada Surf and Sloan have always had a heavy rotation on my stereo, so it seems fitting that I can now add The Starfolk to that last list.  I’ve encountered some really incredible songs this week, but this one’s on its way to stealing the cake.  There’s a light ringing guitar that carefully floats along, whilst male, and backing female, vocals gently rest in the foreground; it doesn’t hurt that there’s this wonderful string arrangement in the middle of the track. The band’s self-titled record comes out on September 10th via Korda Records.

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Promised Land Sound Debut New Single

PLS4_webPromised Land Sound is one of the latest bands to break out of Nashville, and while those before them have had a heavier edge (Pujol for ejemplo), these guys seem to sound exactly like what I always imagined would hail from their cit.  Guitars slide and there’s a blend of americana lurking in it all, but emotional pull in this song is what really sold me on the group.  They’ve completed work on their self-titled debut, which will see a September 24th release date on Paradise of Bachelors.  Dig the sound of the heart of America.

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