Lamplight Share Confrontation Video

We’re a little over a month away from Lamplight‘s new self-titled album, and with that, we get to partake in a musical meditation of sorts, so join us for “Confrontation.” When the song gets underway, we find a slight little guitar tickle working over percussive string strokes and handclaps; the unified rhythm section almost lulls you into the track. It hangs there for nearly 1.5 minutes, lyrics sung almost like daggers, emphatically striking the notes for punctuation…and then it opens up. Guitars begin to bend and meld, much like the visual work of the video, carrying you away, like that moment during meditation when you have to focus to bring it all back…and Ian Hatcher-Williams does just that, bringing you back into the folds of the tune. The self-titled LP is out on March 1st via Western Vinyl.

Aisha Burns Covers Chris Isaak

I shit you not; I received four different emails from four different projects, all of which were covering Chris Isaak, and all of them covering “Wicked Game.” But, I’m only running this Aisha Burns cover because a) she’s always been kind to us at ATH b) it’s being released by Western Vinyl, who have also shared a lot of kindnesses over the years c) Aisha’s voice almost betters Isaak’s (yeah, I said it). Burns, in the press release, looks at the spell of unrequited love in terms of what its like to be both an artist and an African-American woman living in the United States, drawn to art and humanity despite those things not being reciprocated. Well, played Aisha!

Lamplight Announce Self-Titled LP

While it may be sunny here in Austin today, there’s bound to be some colder climes, patiently waiting for the music of Lamplight to brilliantly warm their souls. Every musical step here carries this weighted intent, with the edges of the tune billowing with emotional arrangements; I loved the piano plodding, but the twang of the slide guitar and gentle horns just lift this track to the heavens. In a way, it feels like something Pedro the Lion adjacent, albeit with huge feels that are pretty near inescapable. There’s this nostalgia to it, even in the lyrics, all of it allowing the song to just sit with you, stay awhile with your heart. Western Vinyl was surely on to something when they agreed to release the band’s self-titled LP next March!

Quien Es Geronimo Shares Levedad

If ever there was a song that felt like rubbing the sleep out of your eyes on a Monday, it’s this new track from Quien es Geronimo. The project is the moniker for Chilean songwriter Tomas Mendizabal, who is currently spending time in Mexico City, though the roots of this song stem from the artist’s time spent in Berlin. There’s a really light strum, almost like the melodic nature of the vocals was meant to be the dominating factor. Bits of electronic orchestration build and swirl around the strum and voice, peaking, then fading into obscurity as the track quietly leaves you, sated and calmed, ready for the rest of your day. This track is made available courtesy of Western Vinyl.

 

Activity Share I Saw His Eyes Single

Monday is generally thought of as the start of the work week, and I feel like Activity have created the perfect song that encapsulates that day and unfolds just as the week does. Carefully, the track opens, almost as if you’re rubbing the sleep from your eyes, little creaks of strings and ambiance hanging in the distance. Beneath, you can feel a rising tension, moving towards the next moment (or day), with the drums picking up pace and the guitars churning out a more dangerous mood. You get this back and forth, quiet and subdued, then bursting back into the swelling bit of noise. If you’re digging on it, the band drop Spirit in the Room this Friday via Western Vinyl.

Old Fire Share Window Without a World ft. Julia Holter

There’s this building tranquility in the forthcoming LP from John Mark Lapham’s Old Fire project, and perhaps no track on the album better epitomizes that than this carefully constructed new single, featuring Julia Holter. Everything about this tune feels like slow-motion, like some sort of glitch in the matrix where you can see/hear the goings-on, but only watch from your window. Julia’s voice is actually a sample Lapham used from “World,” but he’s almost made it robotic, which only increases the solitude of the vocal in the midst of this ever expansive tune. It’s really a quieting journey you won’t want to skip in this chaotic mess of a world. Voids will be out on November 4th via Western Vinyl.

Old Fire Announce Voids LP, Shares Don’t You Go ft. Bill Callahan

John Mark Lapham has teamed up with a bunch of our favorite vocalists to flesh out his latest Old Fire project, with participation from the likes of Adam Torres, Emily Cross…and as you’ll see below, Bill Callahan. While the song is a cover of the underrated John Martyn, I think the composition, film work and Callahan give the song a complete makeover. For starters, the black and white imagery leaves you emotionally naked while watching, as if it’s you being buried beneath the dirt in the video clip. The piano and string work add to the drama, but ultimately Bill’s voice just hits you. There’s something about those deep tones, a sweetness whose melody seems like a light turned on in the darkest of tunnels. I get the feeling we’re in for a moving collection when Old Fire releases Voids in November via Western Vinyl.

Wilder Maker Share Static ft. VV Lightbody

Everyone needs a crunchy indie rock tune in their day, and you’re not going to find a better one than this new Wilder Maker track, featuring V.V. Lightbody on lead vocals. On my first few listens, the song has this sort of nostalgic rock vibe, like an updated version on what attracted us to Fleetwood Mac. As the tune moves on, there’s this understated little band from the riffs, channeling good old classic indie rock vibes…the sort that get your feet stomping and your hands clapping. V.V. Lightbody’s performance is perfect for the track too; they add in this sort of smokiness that’s brimming with confidence. I love when the vocals and the drum seem to kind of snap into place together, picking up the energetic tick just a bit, at least in my old ears. Male Models will be out next week via Western Vinyl.

Lean Year Share The Trouble with Being Warm

Feel like we delved into some heavier notes this morning, so reckon I should toss in something a little gentler, a little mid-morning cleanser of sorts. This new Lean Year tune is striking, and there’s really not another cliche way to spin that. For starters, the setting of the song is this stark atmosphere, a sort of warbling synth builds the backbone, with a bare piano twinkling as strings work into the fold. Emilie Rex’s vocal performance is brilliant, especially as it hits the 4 minute mark; she has these notes that seem to cut right through you, though they still maintain this element of fragility and nakedness. Combined, you have this moving piece that feels like it touches on the grief that surrounds their new album, Sides; it’s out on September 2nd via Western Vinyl.

 

Wilder Maker Announce Male Models

We’ve been covering Wilder Maker for several years now, and I’m really excited with their new album, Male Models, being announced, courtesy of our friends over at Western Vinyl. Gabe Birnbaum’s songwriting and lyricism is something we should all cherish, but what they’re doing in this track really sees the band hitting their musical stride as a whole…with an added bonus performance by Katie Von Schleicher. In a way, it reminds me a lot of the Glands or something in Jason Lytle’s solo catalog; it’s rooted in this almost Southern spirit, tinged with boogie, but not afraid to try and push those boundaries into weird pop realms. Male Models drops on July 29th.

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