Borzoi Drop Frantic New Single

Some songs come across the old Interwebs and you’re just drawn to them. The latest from Borzoi is one such tune (not that I haven’t enjoyed the others); I love how the song just seems so jittery and out of control…and yet it’s not. It’s controlled chaos, thrown out into the world with indifference; I just get the feeling of running around in a circle whilst the band seemingly increase the pace, driving me into a spastic frenzy…such feelings that only occur with the best of rock n’ roll. I love the call and response after the 2 minute mark, bringing the tune to an emphatic close. A Prayer for War is out tomorrow via 12XU, and it’s going to be brilliant.

Will Courtney Shares Take You Away

Tomorrow you’ll be able to get your hands on Crazy Love, the latest batch of song’s from Austin’s Will Courtney. On his final single before the release, he had me with the opening piano prelude…it doesn’t take too much. Then the track settles in with Will’s voice carrying a light bit of scratchiness, like a cooler Tom Petty…that is until he reaches the chorus. He stretches himself, reaching for higher vocal notes, which in my mind recalls the best of the Americana genre, especially when its accompanied by the layered musicianship behind it. You can tell with every note he hits, and every layered bit of instrumentation that Courtney’s fine-tuned all those bits of promise he’s shared with us over the years. Crazy Love will drop Friday via Super Secret Records.

The Proctors Bring Back Indiepop

It’s been a few years since we last heard anything from the Proctors, but it looks like there’s a new album brewing right around the corner. It only takes a few seconds for those crystalline jangles to circle around your ears and whisk you away to that happy place; I mean, even the song title references that sonic touch. But, what elevates this track, for me, are the nice little layered vocals that emphasize the melody; they build in a warmth that blankets the jangle just enough to open the doors to more than just pop fans. Not sure on a release of a new LP, or if it will even include this song…so we’ll keep you posted!

The New Papercuts Tune is Great

The opening minute of this new Papercuts tune has this bounding haze, matched by the obscured characters in the video; it’s got an infectious bounce that builds right into Jason Quever’s opening vocal lines. I don’t know what it is, but something about the way his voice is recorded just give me this imaginary sense of weightlessness; he does switch up the tone as he lets his voice fall atop the mix in what is perhaps the chorus. Eventually, the vocals fade into the background and we traverse through the video as the rest of the band come full circle back to the original bounding notes. This tune appears on Parallel Universe Blues, which is being released on October 19th via Slumberland Records.

Massage Return with New Video

If you’re looking for a song about all that can go wrong with loving someone, you’re not going to hear a better one than this new track from Massage. The rhythm section sets the song up perfectly, giving a steady driving pace and just the slightest hint of bounce. The guitars turns and churns in a relaxed jangle, allowing Gabi Ferrer to string her voice across the whole mix. It ends up leaving you with this feeling that even though the frustration of a relationship, there’s promise on the end; it’s uplifting and worth repeat listens all day long. You can grab Oh Boy right now from Tear Jerk Records.

Enjoying This Sun Breaks Tune

There are two great things about this Sun Breaks tune. First, it reminds me of a long-ago friend who first introduced me to John Atkins band 764-Hero around 98′; it led me down this weird path to where I am now, in a sense. Second, John’s new project, Sun Breaks, reminds me of where I dreamed pop music would go when I first heard some of the earlier Animal Collective stuff. It’s got this inherent bounce, a natural loop feeling, though its twisted tightly around a pop-centric coil. So I guess I find this tune both nostalgic and futuristic, and it’s not everyday you come across one such tune. You’ll hear this track on the album All on Camera, which is being released by Suicide Squeeze Records on October 26th. Maybe it’ll come with that Modest Mouse split 7″ that I somehow lost in my old age.

Blast Off with Cheerbleederz

I can’t stop blasting this catchy as hell Cheerbleederz tune. The London trio are crafting the most classic emo/pop-punk blend, using heavy-handed guitars to crank up the volume while they turn on the melody with their vocals. It starts off brash and up-front, but then sort of takes a calm approach to wrapping up the track as the group exclaim “I think we’re all doomed.” It’s quick and its fun, and you can play it all over again. This tune will appear on the new Faceplant EP, which is scheduled for release at the end of September.

The Raft Collect Songs for the Jellyfish EPs

One the last few years, Phil Wilson and his pop outfit the Raft have been dropping these casual singles and EPs, all of which had artwork depicting jellyfish; now they’ve collected all the songs and reordered them to put out the collection titled The Jellyfish EPs. The song’s have been reordered a bit, which gives the album a more cohesive flow, pitting soft-bellied tunes against the more emphatic numbers. I keep getting drawn into “Orion;” it has this power pop vibe if spun through a web of indiepop influences. But, if you’re looking for an album that’s solid songwriting from start to finish, then take a few minutes to spend it with this collection; it’s available via Shore Dive Records.

Enjoying This New Matthew Dear Tune

I’ve always had a soft spot for the work of Matthew Dear, but we haven’t really heard much from him since 2012, so with a new album on the horizon, I figure we should give it some attention. It’s a common electronic sound, with understated pulses subsiding so that vocals can ride over the groundwork. Oh, and speaking of the vocals, this track features Tegan and Sara throwing down some lines, which should draw some raves (myself included). All those voices combine in the end, as a dancer beat comes in to bring about a spirited exuberance. His music is always thoughtful and simultaneously playful, and I can always back that. Bunny comes out on October 12th via Ghostly.

Missing Pages Announce New 7″

We’ve been following Stephen Svacina on these pages for some time, be it with Jonly Bonly or Sweet Talk…and now we turn our attention to his latest project Missing Pages. The band are working on their debut LP at the moment, but while we wait, they’re going to tease us with a new 7″ for 12XU. The A-side has this driving guitar line, with Stephen and Garrick working against each other with these sharp chords circling one another like wrestlers about to lock up in the center of the ring. They continue to build up by pulling in additional vocals from bassists Ali, all culminating in my favorite part…the chorus of “it’s a long way down” is the perfect pop moment. Look for the new 7″ on October 5th; head HERE to grab a copy.

1 424 425 426 427 428 848