Electro Pop from Frst

I came across Frst due to the connection to Fujiya/Miyagi; synth player Steve Lewis is the man working in both bands. You can hear that sort of pulsating krautrock functioning as the song’s backbone, but it’s Johanna Bramli who lightens the mood with her ethereal vocals. Her notes seem so fragile, as if they could break upon the beats as they’re delivered; she delivers them in a casually soft manner, almost as if they’re just being whispered into the wind. The duo are now selling their new LP, Matters, which you can get your hands on by going HERE.

El Campo Share New Criticism

We’ve been keeping an eye on Texas outfit El Campo for quite some time, and we’re really pleased to share with you “New Criticism,” a new tune from the band’s forthcoming LP. The songs below are quite powerful, seemingly sprawling across the great landscape of Texas; I’m particularly in love with the way Jarid Morris’ voice soars just beneath the 3 minute mark…a pretty powerful moment. However, this song is also marked by hardship, as is the entirety of the new record; lead songwriter Jarid was dealing with lymphoma while drafting these songs…and there’s an honesty in staring at death that I feel comes across, particularly in the accompanying demo version we’ve posted below. Goldun Stair, Meet You There will be out soon…and we hope you’ll spend some time listening below.

 

Cinerama Covers ABBA

If you haven’t been keeping an eye on the continuous production of great singles from WIAIWYA, then hopefully you’ll turn your head with the latest, a split covers 7″ from the Wedding Present and Cinerama; they cover The Clash and ABBA…though is it really a split if David Gedge is behind both? Whatever. The ABBA cover streaming below is fairly gentle, much like the original tune; I always appreciate the prettier, more delicate, side of Gedge, which is how I’ve always come to think about Cinerama. The single comes out the first week of November, and then we’ll be able to talk about what a great job Gedge did with the Clash I expect.

Sharon Van Etten Announces New Album + ACL Appearance

One of the artists who will only be playing Weekend One of ACL is the always brilliant Sharon Van Etten. And, just in line with her performance, she’s announced a brand new album today. It offers a bit of a different vibe then where we last found her…and I’m still drawn to the power of her voice; she’s got this subtle range that I don’t think she gets credit for too often. Plus, while there’s still an element of dark undertones, the driving force behind the first single opens up the song to a more emphatic, almost anthemic, punch. Remind Me Tomorrow will be out on January 18th of next year. Catch her on 10/6 if you’re in Austin at the ACL.

Sloucher Share New Single

Looks like the majority of today is going to nod towards guitar pop, with the Pacific Northwest’s newest up-and-comers Sloucher. In a way, it sort of reminds me of early Nada Surf (maybe even early Death Cab). It’s super clear that the songs are built around a central melody, and there’s a stylistic softness that’s clearly aimed at maximizing the emotional potential. That said, I think the guitar work itself is quite special, especially the way the guitars cut back and forth in focus. The group are releasing their debut LP, Be True, on November 16th via Swoon Records.

New Harlem LP Coming Soon

First, this is not your older brother’s Harlem; it’s possibly not even the Harlem you know and love. But, it’s still Coomers and Curtis writing incredible pop songs that are destined to get repeat listens. With a new album, Oh Boy, on the very near horizon, we get the below single, which shows a great deal of maturity in the songwriting. This is late night Harlem, writing chilled songs with the same sharp-edged guitar their early work showed, only refined to maximize the melody…not to mention, aided by some solid background keyboard work. If you ever wandered what happened to the band…they’re back and you’re going to absolutely love what’s coming your way. Look for the new LP in early 2019.

The Seams Prepare a New LP

Toronto supergroup The Seams want nothing more than to have you spend the next three minutes drifting through the realms of pop music. The first single from the group’s forthcoming LP has an undeniable hook, established from the get-go by the bouncing rhythm section. That sits in direct contrast to the way in which the vocals are crafted, scrawled across the song as if done by some musical skywriter. It’s got all the touches that make musical waves nowadays, from a slight hint of the jangles, dreamy touch on the vocals and the faintest hint of paisley to top it off. Another Side of the Seams will be co-released by Meritorio Records and Hand Drawn Dracula.

Another Das Kope Jam

Das Kope is my current go-to for late night pop gems. His craftsmanship combines subtle electronica with these washed out vocals that definitely hit home at my house. I love how he teases you with this song’s intro, just building ever so slightly, then unleashing the bounce a bit more as it explodes through your speaker. Your toes are tapping, your arms are flailing and you’re having the time of your life spinning in circles while this jam plays in the background. It’s okay to let yourself go, so let this song cleanse you with its good positive vibes.

Start Monday with Sea Pinks

Monday’s are always a bit of a downer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that today might be great if you start off with Sea Pinks. They just dropped Rockpool Blues, their 7th album, and its everything cool that a Monday needs. It’s energetic and joyous in spirit; it takes on the heavy topic of feeling like a kid inside, even when confronting the responsibilities of adulthood. Crystalline guitar notes ring throughout, while the drumming steadies the whole outfit. As a huge sucker for guitar pop, this is how we should all start our week.

Spin This Tony Jay Tune

I’ve probably told everyone I know about the new Tony Molina record and how much I love it. Now there’s another Tony from California begging for my attention; this time it’s Tony Jay. The San Fran outfit have a slew of recordings beneath their belt, and they’ve readied a new one for us today. It’s a casual bit of bedroom pop that seems timeless; I’m particularly fond of the moments at 1:11 and 2:02 where the rest of the band aid in the chorus. Not only do I hear Tony M, but it sort of reminds me the later Hunx stuff too…clean and simple, but everlasting in your memory. Tony Jay has a brand new lathe cut 7″ available for you right HERE.

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