This is fine.
There’s something animalistic about the way Cross Wires pull of their brand of pop. The chords are scuzzy, and the drum work just rolls the song right along; it’s executed with such an infectious urgency that you won’t be able to pull yourself away. Soft “has” in the faint distance only make the track more memorable, stuck in your head for the rest of the day. These Londoners will release their new mini-album, Living In a Radio City, on December 8th.
Sonny Smith is a songwriter who I adore. I’ve picked up everything he’s been involved in, from solo work to theater soundtracks to Sonny and the Sunsets. Today he’s announced his new album, Rod for Your Love, under his own name. It definitely wears that California-vibe; he manages to always carry an effortless cool. His press for the album promises a ‘fun, guitar-driven’ record, which could benefit us all. Toe tapping and innate hooks? Yea, that’s what Sonny’s great at. Stream the new video below; the LP drops on March 2nd via Easy Eye.
Today is the day! Spinning Coin‘s new album, Permo, officially hits the streets. In honor of the release, the band have dropped a new video for “Money for Breakfast,” which is one of the album’s standout tunes. I think it really highlights the casual pop vibes the group have created on this effort…a sound that leans more towards Aussie pop tropes of late, as opposed to the band’s hometown of Glasgow. You can also stream the whole new LP today right HERE, and then you’ll hopefully realize this is a batch of songs you need in your record collection; it’s available today from Domino!
Dream pop/indiepop fans hopefully have heard of this out of print album by Kaveh Kanes; it was originally released on Kolibri Rekords a few years ago. Lucky for us all, Jigsaw Records are giving us a chance to get it back in our hands. This little gem is filled with cascading guitar lines and atmospheric touches that are perfect for putting your head on your pillow and drifting into the day. There’s a little sample to get you in the mood below, but you can go over HERE and stream the release in its entirety, in case you hadn’t heard of it!
Big Bill are ready to release their debut full length, Stand By Your Bill. Today they’re happy to share the video for “Pharmacy” from said album, accompanied by a great little video. The stars of the video are clearly enjoying some karaoke, with scene changes in the distance via movie magic. Like many a Big Bill track, the song sets you up in one direction before jumping in another direction with the chorus of “never admit that you’re sick.” If you dig the sounds, as you should, then head over HERE to pre-order the album from the band themselves!
The Rosen brothers have previously supported Eleanor Friedberger in her live band,but they’re now focusing on their own project, Cones. It’s the best way to open up a Friday; it’s got a natural spritely attitude lurking beneath the subtle pop structures. Slight electronic pulses and looped drums provide the perfect background for the vocals to softly take a ride in the front of the mix. The emotional hook comes via the chorus where the tones take a slight turn and varying textures are added to flesh the track out. The single is now available via Dangerbird.
NO! The video is not weak, it’s the title track of the band’s brand new Weak EP, being released by yours truly in January of next year! This week New Noise were super kind, and dropped the video for the track. I wanted to circle back a few days later, make sure we got in front of you as well before you head off into the weekend. Don’t need to say much more than we’re really excited for 2018, and couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off than with Blushing‘s new EP. You can order it right HERE in 12″ vinyl format, if you dig; the band will have cassette versions specially for you too!
As previously mentioned, I’d caught the Jesus and Mary Chain a handful of times since their return a few years back, but I had yet to catch them in an intimate indoor setting, such as Emos. Some brief thoughts below.
Twenty something years into their career, and Refrigerator still have the knack for writing moving songs. Today we have this somber number built upon the back of a wurlitzer and light guitar strums. It’s the vocals that strike the most emotional appeal, almost like a softened Cohen sitting down at the piano. Accents from slide guitar build beautiful texture that leaves a lasting impact for listeners with careful ears. High Desert Lows will be released by Shrimper on February 9th of next year.
This may be yesterday’s news, but the song is too perfect not to share. Marlon Williams has a new album coming out on Dead Oceans, and he’s shared a new video for the lead single, “Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore” which features vocals from Aldous Harding. Just when you thought that Williams’ vocals couldn’t get any more soulful and moving, you add that extra level of Aldous Harding to the top and you get something so beautiful and perfect that you’ll want to drown in the sound all day. Simple, yet sweeping, the track puts the vocals at the center, letting them creep over you like fog. Take a peek at the video below and then get excited forMake Way For Love, which will be out February 16 of next year.
