Premiere: Bedroom-Beach Pop From Mr. Husband

Mr. Husband, out of Baltimore, is the project of Kenny Tompkins, who comes cut from the same cloth as other prolific pop weirdos such as Ariel Pink and R. Stevie Moore. Since his debut release Plaid on Plaid on Yellow K Records, back in 2016, he’s moved his way through various genres, but always centered around the intimacy of bedroom pop. This new track, “Friends,” which ATH is proud to premiere today, is no exception to the great songwriting of Mr. Husband. Springy guitar riffs jangle in the mix before Tompkins’ vocals join in, which are soon complimented by Beach Boys-esque “oohs” that finish off the blend of instrumentation in a golden light. Despite the sunny sound, as you’ll hear in the song, our narrator is coming to terms with cutting out an unwanted presence in their life, and talks about lending out a favorite record only to know he’ll never get it back. Regardless of the poor decisions of the song’s narrator, “Friends,” is a lo-fi pop gem with a catchy chorus and quaint elements that will delight any listener.

“Friends” is taken from Mr. Husband’s upcoming release, …& The Husky Section, which will be released on May 3rd via Yellow K Records and Good Soil Records, both digitally and as a limited run of cassettes. Preorder it here.

 

Another Tune from You’ll Never Get to Heaven

This Friday You’ll Never Get to Heaven will release their latest album, Images, but they’re releasing one final secret to guarantee they’re on your radar. While the band is known for crafting ambient soundscapes, this song more closely resembles ethereal dream pop. Static drips from the electronically produced music, almost dripping with sterility, if it weren’t for the light wash of keyboards jumping in from time to time. Across it all is a drifting vocal, carefully moving through your speakers and into the world. Those looking to indulge in soothing nighttime pop will surely want to grab the LP when it hits stores on Friday via Yellow K Records.

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Quick One From Mr. Husband

If you aren’t familiar with the name Kenny Tompkins, you really should be. He’s released tons of home recordings over the last several years and helped create super rising indie label Yellow K Records. He’s done it all. Today he’s let loose on us this new single called “Riding a Lightning Bolt” under his new moniker Mr. Husband. It’s a short, somewhat quiet pop tune that sounds like it came straight from Mr. Tompkins ever fruitful home recordings. I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

This track appears on Mr. Husband’s debut album Plaid on Plaid due out on May 5th via Yellow K Records.

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Enjoy New LUKA

lukaThere’s something so simply perfect in the LUKA track that’s been spreading throughout the Internets today. I mean, the song’s really almost a spoken-word piece, affected slightly by a quiet bit of guitar and percussion working beneath the vocals. The lyrics even have an easy honesty, although the content might be a tad bit painful. What’s best? You can’t turn your ears away…the perfect bit of pop. His album, Summon Up a Monkey King, is being released on Yellow K Records, who’ve already had a banner year on their own; it comes out on June 24th.

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Pleased to Meet You: LUKA

lukaThis tune from LUKA popped into the inbox yesterday, and while it took me a second or two to fall for it, but I’m totally hooked. At first, it was the intimacy and personality in the lyrical content, both poetic and revealing. But, upon multiple listens the reality of the ornate construction began to shine through more and more. Whether it’s the slightest hint of backing vocal, a touch of out of place percussion or even the strings, every detail seems purposeful. Feel free to immerse yourself in his work, and fall for him as I did. Also, look for his new effort, Summon Up a Monkey King on June 24th via Yellow K Records.

Everybody Wants To Love Japanese Breakfast

unspecifiedSometimes you hear a track for the first time and it grips you so much that you just know it’s going to be either stuck in your head or blasting out of your headphones for the next week. This week’s jam has gotta be “Everybody Wants To Love You” from Japanese Breakfast, which is the side project of Little Big League’s Michelle Zauner. This track leaps and soars; the cotton candy vocals mix so well with the backing vocals that you can’t help but to sing along. Honestly, I don’t even care if this track is yesterday’s news to you; jam it loud and relish in the lushness.Their debut album,Psychopomp,will be out April 1st viaYellow K Records.Don’t forget to look out for sets from them during SXSW as well.

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