Friday Album Streams: Alvvays, The Mall, Peel Dream Magazine and More

Well, Friday is here, and that’s a great reason to check in on some cool releases. Plus, get the bonus of knowing its Bandcamp Friday, so you get a chance to support your favorite artists and labels by streaming and jamming and buying! The Alvvays record has been buzzing everywhere, including our site, so we had to include that one. I’m personally stoked to hear how all the new Peel Dream Magazine songs fit together, as it seems like a different sound coming our way…we’re in for an exciting plot twist. There’s a couple other small releases here that we figured might fly under the radar, so wanted to be sure to include a bit of the other goods too! If we’re missing something cool, holler at us so we can be sure to give it a listen.

 

AlvvaysBlue Rev (Polyvinyl)

The MallTime Vehicle Earth

Peel Dream MagazinePad (Slumberland Records)

Cool SoundsLike That (Chapter Music)

CielNot in the Sun, Nor the Dark (Jazz Life)

The Reds Pinks and Purples Share Is Your Mind That Free

For some reason, every time I listen to Glenn Donaldson and the Reds Pinks and Purples, I can’t help but thinking of a father singing to their child, myself singing to my own kids in fact. There’s something in Glenn’s voice that always feels paternal, like he’s built this magical world to help us all make sure that everything on the other side is going to be alright. And in that, there’s also something sleepy that comes across, something that allows you to rest your weary eyes (or mind) for a period of time; I find that piling the whole family up on the floor of our record room at home is the best way to spend that time with Donaldson’s records. You yourself can grab ahold of They Only Wanted Your Soul when it drops on October 14th via Slumberland Records.

Peel Dream Magazine Share Hiding Out Video

The release of Pad is just a few weeks away here, and as another single hits from Peel Dream Magazine, we can hear the sound being pushed beyond where we first encountered the project. This tune has a sort of tropicalia meets lounge vibe, coming across like the most relaxed piece of pop music you’ll encounter today; just imagine yourself loving a Kings of Convenience record that got remixed by a late night DJ, offering you a little respite as you prepare to settle for the day. Pad seems to have a little bit for every pop fan, with a little for you, a little for me, and a little for your friend; it drops on October 7th via Slumberland Records.

Peel Dream Magazine Share Pictionary Single

If you’re listening through to the collection of Peel Dream Magazine albums, Pad seems like it’s going to be some sort of plot twist. Sure, the underbelly of this new single certainly has loose ties to the previous releases, but there seems to be something else afoot here. It’s like there’s almost this pastoral nature to it, this sort of approach that feels like its grabbing onto the last bits of nature in our world. I love those minute little breadcrumbs leading me back through the catalog, but the fact that this sounds like an entirely new chapter has me thirsting to hear the track in the context of the whole LP. Pad will drop on October 7th via Slumberland/Tough Love.

Glenn Donaldson Is Making Me Broke

Okay, so maybe that’s a wee bit of hyperbole. But it seems like the last few years while many artists have struggled in the pandemic, Glenn Donaldson and his work seems to have only grown more prolific. Today, a mere weeks after the arrival of his last LP hit my doorstep (and after dropping a digital EP), the Reds Pinks and Purples announce a new mini LP of sorts. Actually, the mini LP takes a rare 7″, tosses in 6 more tracks from the band’s early days, and offers them anew. Old tunes or not, I can’t let this pass me by, can you!? They Only Wanted Your Soul is out in October via Slumberland Records.

 

Peel Dream Magazine Announces Pad

With two striking releases on Slumberland, it’s high time Peel Dream Magazine go for the trifecta, and it looks like that’s on the agenda, as the band today announce Pad. That said, those looking for a repeat of early successes will find the sound’s pushing in an entirely different direction. There’s still that faint hint of a synthetic backbone, though it hangs as more of a backdrop on this first single. In exchange, we get something that feels a little bit like our own frolic in a world created by the artist; in a sense, it feels like an adventurous take on a symphony, adding a bit of playfulness to the art. Definitely will be interesting to hear how the rest of the effort shapes up; Pad drops via Slumberland/Tough Love on October 7th.

The Umbrellas Return with New 7″

A little less than a year after their stunning debut, San Francisco’s The Umbrellas return with a bopping new tune, and a new 7″ to get in your collection. What I love about this new track is that you can trace the breadcrumbs back to the self-titled LP, but the sound feels sonically, well, different. The sharp jangles are a little less present, changed in favor of a fuzzier blast of guitar work, pushed forth with a little bit more rhythmic urgency. Still, the band don’t stray too far from the playful melodic harmonies, which is where you can hear the ties to their earlier work; it fills the stomping interlude as guitars scream behind it! The new 7″ is out on June 24th via Slumberland Records.

Jeanines Drop Who’s in the Dark Single

I’m not going to lie; I thought there wouldn’t be a finer pop tune this year after hearing “Any Day Now,” but it seems that Jeanines were intent upon topping even their own great pop, and we’ve got it below. Alicia Jeanine’s vocal performance instantly pulls at you, coming off like some angelic Nico impersonator; Jed’s backing vocals add a slight buoyancy too, as if the track needed it. Amidst all the frantic jangle and succinct drum work, Alicia hits these high notes meant to shatter your heart with their perfect tonality. Then, a quick summary warmly wraps up the tune and its title, leaving you with the perfect piece of pop to put in your pocket and take out when in need of a little joy. Just another stellar example to get you excited to pick up Don’t Wait for a Sign, out April 22nd via Slumberland.

Papercuts Release Past Life Regression + Share Video for Sinister Smile

I’ve made no secret of my Jason Quever adoration these last few months, knowing that it would all peak with the release of Past Life Regression. So, congratulations to Papercuts, and to you, as you can now spend your day immersed in one of the better LPs to drop this year. Plus, we get the added bonus of a new visual adventure to go along with “Sinister Smile,” which might be one of the record’s poppier tracks, at least in a certain sense. There’s something timeless about this whole record, drawing from all corners of the rock canon to craft a brilliant collection of escapism. Do what’s right, and rush off to buy Past Life Regression today, out courtesy of Slumberland Records. Stream the album HERE.

Jeanines Share Don’t Wait For a Sign

It’s only March, and it seems like my record collection is being dominated by the excellent year Slumberland Records is putting out…and the Jeanines new LP might just be the icing on this early 2022 cake. On this go round, the band sort of swoosh their way into the melody, sort of creating this sideways shimmy that has you pulling off some hipster hand jive with one leg jerking this way and that. The emphatic stomp of the drums punctuates Alicia’s vocal deliver, teasing what might otherwise be deemed a chorus. I love the tempo and directional twist just before the 1 minute mark, sweeping in with this charming refrain of endearment: “you’ll find me here.” Don’t Wait for a Sign is out on April 22nd via Slumberland.

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