Intrigued by New Light Beams

Light Beams came to my attention because of the participation of Justin Moyer, who plays in one of my favorite current acts, Puff Pieces. I’m even more intrigued because the apparent use of samples is all done sans laptops and click tracks…just operated by drum pads. It does give this single a slightly jittery vibe, but that seems to give off the vibe that this might be the natural progression left off since Q and Not U’s Power. Like the perfect blend between dance music and post punk…dance punk done right, if you will. Look for their self-title debut via Don Giovanni on September 22nd.

Still Betting on Whispertown

Over the last month I’ve really been on the Whispertown hype train; I might even be the engineer. She’s just dropped yet another single from her forthcoming I’m a Man, and I think this track offers a glimpse at another side of what her new record will offer. While her first two tracks seem to channel Jenny Lewis style pop, this track feels like its the best track that the Sandwitches never wrote. I particularly love the way she delivers the various verses. Look for her album on September 1st via Graveface Records.

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Groovy Number from Great News

Word from across the pond in Norway is that Great News are one of the most anticipated acts to have come out of the country, and with their debut album on the horizon we thought we’d give you a little taste of why folks are so excited. They employ a nice wash of synths and drums, akin to some of the later Phoenix works, though what’s more impressive is their use of harmonies…particularly when the vocals burst through in the chorus. Look for their debut to drop in early October via Eget Selskap.

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New Track from Kids on a Crime Spree

I haven’t heard too much from Kids On a Crime Spree since 2013, though rumors began to surface that the group was working on a split 10″ for Emotional Responsewith Terry Malts. Today, I’m stoked to share this new tune with you, one of the ones that will feature on their side of the 10″. It’s got this driving fuzzy vibe to it, at least on the surface. But, beneath, there’s almost like an 80s power pop style, merging perfectly with those distorted riffs. You’ve got to rush to grab this, as it’s guaranteed to go fast. There’s a link on the song that will allow you to join the ER Mailing list, giving you an exclusive chance to grab it on September 11th.

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Stream New Music from Damn Hands

Another act that’s coming back to us after a long time away is Austin’s Damn Hands. They just dropped the More Songs EP…their first taste of new music since 2013. You get two completed songs, as well as two instrumentals…which may or may not be revisited at a future point. I love the fuzzy lo-fi pop on opener “Shithead March,’ juxtaposed with the more garage-y “Open Range.” I’ll admit, love to see some lyrics added to the EP ender, “Sansui.” Hopefully we hear more from these guys before they go back into hiding, as I’m definitely digging these new tunes.

Uplifting Jam from Yumi Zouma

Yumi Zouma just dropped this new song today, highlighting the band’s soft pop approach. The heartbeat of the song, almost has you dancing, but more so, it carries you away spiritually. There’s something calming about the way the synth work just hangs in the background, never really pushing too far in the front of the mix. In a world where the headlines are all about the vapid elite pop stars, it’s great to hear pop done the right way. Look for the band’s new album, Willowbank, on October 6th via Cascine.

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Dreamy Indiepop from Say Sue Me

The great thing about the indiepop realm is that there are several diehard fans out there solely focused on unearthing gems, which is how I came to hear this new Say Sue Me track I’m sharing with you. The group hails from South Korea, but don’t let that fool you, as they seem to have the same knack for crafting infectious hooks as everyone’s indie darlings, Alvvays. I kind of just want to jam to this song all day long, so excuse me why I go do that. If you’re digging it, look for it to come via a new 7″ for Damnably Records.

Brand New Ephrata Tune

Seattle’s Ephrata have been hard at work on their new self-titled album, and it sounds like the efforts are going to pay off. I’ve been impressed with a few of the singles I’ve heard already, but this bouncing new tune’s going to win over a whole slew of folks. It almost carries that a classic girl group vibe, though with just a bit of haziness. That’s perfectly juxtaposed to the rhythm section kicking in some great pace and energy. They ride the track off into the pop horizon, guaranteeing a joyous ride for listeners. Look for their album on September 22nd.

The Millbrook Estates Drop New Single

Recently, rising Austin band Roaring Sun changed their name to the Timothy Leary themed The Millbrook Estates…and now they have their first single under said name. It’s precisely the sort of tune we’ve come to expect from these youngsters, delving into the pure psychedelia via washes of keys atop intricate little guitar bits. I love the understated drumming too, serving as the central nervous system for the track. Despite their age, these guys are really starting to find their groove, and hopefully that brings incredible things from them in the near future. Get lost in this tune.

New Music from Frokedal

Oslo’s Frokedal deserves your attention today. She’s just released a brand new double single, and it’s a pretty stunning two-song punch. The guitar work seems to intricate and personal, almost as if the strings are barely tickled to produce this enveloping sound. On “LTF,” I love the slight pitch raises in her voice, accompanied by some perfect accompanying bits that really make the song swell your senses. “Cracks” seems to have a more wistful bent, with a male counterpart aiding in the vocal performance. These songs seem huge, built for large audiences…though their sentiment seems quite personal. Join me in becoming a fan of Frokedal.

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