Dream Pop from Mirrorball

Mirrorball is a fairly new band to the LA scene, though its two members have long been working in the musical community. But, their new project has this shimmering fragility that you can identify with almost immediately. The guitar chords seemingly dance in the distance, while there’s an electronic noodling that wavers in the foreground. There’s this forlorn vibe, almost making you weep as the song moves along…and I’m not even sad. They’ll likely draw some comparisons to Beach House, which are apt, but as a new band, there’s plenty of ways they can grow. For now, this single appears as part of Dangerbird’s Microdose Series.

Halfsour Share Paper Window Video

Here’s the thing about Halfsour; the band can pretty much change and adopt to any style to fit their need. You want power-pop? They got it? Need a noisy rocker? They got it. This new single off Sticky is a slow-burning ballad…like I said, they got it all. It’s built up slowly, rolling drums and Zoe’s voice primarily pushing the song forward. You can hear the guitar lines pop up here and there in the first 2 minutes; it’s then that things start to get a little bit broader. The guitar goes for a solo, and the song spreads its wings, with Zoe’s voice again riding on the back of this beautiful bird. Like I said, this trio can do it all. Just wait and see when the LP drops on May 24th via Fire Talk/Disposable America.

Jeanines Share Second Single from New LP

This debut from Jeanines is shaping up to be one of my favorite things this year, especially with this delicious new single from their self-titled debut. The opening few seconds have this steady pounding indiepop feel to it, and I’d already be convinced to fawn, but that’s not the twist that really hits for me. Just at the 33 second mark, there’s this vocal pitch change that seems both nostalgic and omni-present; it switches the mood from indiepop to classic doo-wop vibes (it also happens at 1:16). Brief and memorable, so it makes sense that their debut is being handed by the same label that brings you Tony Molina, the esteemed Slumberland Records…dropping on June 14th.

 

 

Stream the Powerful Swan/Koistinen EP

Be forewarned…the brand new Swan/Koistinen EP is a sobering four track collection. In the time of the endless scroll, we often talk about hyperbole and boost hopeful hyped artists. But, here we have two established musicians, Astrid Swan and Stina Koistinen crafting four songs that document their experience as cancer survivors; it’s four songs of these two women putting that experience on the table for all to see. Musically, I’m drawn to the throbbing pulse of “Hospital,” while I’m also growing to love the arrangements that accompany “Symptoms.” Honestly, it’s a tough listen lyrically, but perhaps one that provides many a fan with solace…ultimately ending in the joy of “Singing.” Just wanted to share it with you all; it’s available from our friends at Soliti.

Feelings Meeting Share New Single

There’s a really special release coming out on Friday, and I’m not sure how many folks will be listening, so I want those of you who lean to well-crafted pop to lend a careful ear to Feelings Meeting. The Montreal outfit will release Feelings Store on Friday, so they wanted to share one last teaser single. This song shows great restraint, choosing to build careful nuance into the tune rather than hit you with a swelling chorus or the like. Slight vocal pitches indicate the song’s movement, with little flourishes of texture shimmering just behind the front of the mix…all leading to the atmospheric close that wrap’s up the song’s brilliance. Enjoy.

Check New Terry vs Tori

The last I heard from Terry vs Tori was back in 2018 when they dropped an EP via Bedroom Box Records…but a good Internet friend sent me their way again, and lucky for me…and you. This track is their second from their forthcoming debut LP, and it’s got just the right amount of gaze blended with the jangle; it gives a constant sensation of moving/falling throughout, depending on how you wanna look at it. Erica Pender’s voice is perfectly fit right smack dab between both genres, riding it out with this effortless cool warmth that makes pop nerds swoon. No exact date on the release, but I’ll keep you posted! Also…the band is from Sevilla, which is where my dad’s currently living, so you know, small world; they’re the best of friends.

Fresh Music from The Lovely Sparrows

Last year Shawn Jones returned from a brief hiatus to bring us Shake the Shadow, his latest album under The Lovely Sparrows. It would seem that the process, and reception, reignited the writing bug for Jones, as he’s already returned with a brand new pair of songs slated for cassette release via Mr. Pink Records. One of the things that struck me on the latest LP that’s present in these songs is the arrangement work; I love Shawn’s voice, but there are just some little touches like the jangling guitar chord and beautiful sax in “Fortune Tellers and Strange Dogs” that puts the song over the edge. It’s the sort of song that pulls my ear close to the speaker trying to pick up on every possible sound. If you’re in Austin, the Lovely Sparrows play with Jonas Wilson and PocketSounds at the Mohawk this Saturday night!

Dehd Share Happy Again

There’s just something so thrilling about the simplicity of Dehd; but, in doing so, the band have to be spot on in everything they do in order to be successful. Three singles in, and they don’t seem to have missed a beat, and this might be one of their best tracks on the forthcoming Water. The vibe here definitely harkens to that sunny pop styling that launched a million garage band, with Balla’s style of curving his notes built to perfectly fit into the song’s tight structure; he even gets a nice little punch up from the backing vocals to drill home the song’s hook. It’s got to be hard to be the other band’s out there, as this bunch just seems and sounds like the coolest…all while playing it off like they’re not even trying. Look for Water on May 10th via Fire Talk.

 

Matt Kivel Shares Radiance

Last Night in America is dropping next week, and with the release date just a week off, Matt Kivel is sharing another tune. It’s one of my favorite on the record, but be warned, it can induce extreme relaxation and contemplation…perhaps dangerous this early in the morning. For me, it’s the mix on this record that really serves Kivel’s goal; he’s got this fragile voice, or so it often sounds, so you’ve got to let it shine. Throughout this track, the musical element is low in the mix, at least when coming through your speakers; the percussive element is so light it’s almost a faint rhythmic whisper, with the guitar careful not to step forward until the closing moments of the song. If, by chance, your’re reading this in NYC, go see his release show this Friday featuring our friend Daphne Tunes at the Park Church Co-Op.

Catchy Ditty from Party Pest

One of the things I love about the post-punk period was the clarity and space allowed in the music; there were bands leaving all sorts of empty space in their songs. Sometimes they were filled with groovy rhythm sections, other times it was merely just a stylistic choice to really build the song’s tension. Aussie trio Party Pest seem to employ those standards, working with precision rhythm while focusing on those angular guitar notes; the vocals get delivered in that Kathleen Hanna-esque howl, the style that makes you scared and entranced all at once. The band will deliver their Happy Man/I Can Do Better 7″ on May 24th.

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