Month: January 2018

Hear a New Jam from Luke Reed

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Luke Reed was in one of my favorite bands, Bent Shapes; I’ve always raved about their tunes on this here site. But, now Luke seems to be focusing on solo work; he’s got a brand new track that was just released today that follows the critically acclaimed reissue of Won’t Be There. This is the sort of dreamy pop we all adore, heavy on the synth washes and vocals that seem to just hang out there in the air. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a solid groove to the track, pushing the pace through to the charming chorus. As of right now, just a one-off single, but let’s hope Luke unleashes more on us this year.

Digging on Sara Renberg

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Something about simple pop songs with tongue-in-cheek lyrical content always finds a special place in my heart, which is why I’ve been digging on Sara Renberg such a great deal as of late. In the track below, there exists something that immediately makes her music familiar, as if you’ve been listening to her for years. Perhaps it’s the fact that Sara seems like she’s having a great time just writing the songs, maybe even cracking little jokes to herself as she pens the lyrics. She’ll have a new records titled Night Sands out on February 2nd via Antiquated Future Records.

New Music from Mary Bryce

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Mary Bryce has impressed us over the last several years, most recently with his band Smiile. But, she’s now ready to step out for a solo outing, and we’ve got a track for you to familiarize yourself with her songwriting. Immediately, you’ll notice the power of her voice; it has this huge range without seeming forced. The string arrangements accompanying the central piano passage are quite stunning, perfectly accenting Bryce’s voice as she stretches her pipes into the soulful closing in the song’s latter half…akin to the work of Amber Kauffman. Have at it kids.

A Place to Bury Strangers Return

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I’ve always been a casual fan of A Place to Bury Strangers; I’ve loved some singles, but never felt truly convinced by the fan. That might change if their new single is any indicator of what’s in store on the group’s fifth album, Pinned. They’ve always had a nod to industrial vibes in their craft, but this round, that comes out in a more ominous way; it’s almost like the group are gasping for their last breath as the central guitar groove drives home the minimalistic percussive element. It’s a striking number, surprising in the limited instrumentation…a sign that this new LP could be something special; look for its release on April 13th via Dead Oceans.

 

Brand New Tune from I Was a King

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If anything, I’m a pretty loyal listener, but being a fan of I Was a King has always been easy. They craft this beautiful mixture of heavy-ish indie rock and power-pop, and their sound seems ever evolving. This track relies more on the indie rock side of things, filled by crashing cymbals and distorted guitars grumbling in the distance. But, the smooth melody of the vocals cuts right through the noise, balancing the track in the most perfect manner. They even include some extra flourishes, such as the faint echo of children’s voices (at least that’s what it sounds like to me) near the 2 minute mark. This is a band that no longer needs to experiment or dabble in genres…they’re building their own sound, and I couldn’t be happier. The new single drops digitally on Friday with an album to follow later this year.

Brand New King Tuff

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Clicking on this new track from King Tuff, I was sure I knew what I was getting myself into; I figured it’d be a catchy, riff-laden rocker. Alas, you know what happens when you assume things, as King Tuff has instead crafted a brooding number from an artist in search of the unattainable…looking to fill that voice that’s begged him to create. The track predominantly operates on gentle keyboard notes, with a carefully plucked guitar chords creeping into it all. He’s been away for awhile now, and we’re grateful that he’s back with such a moving number.

Classic Vibes from Popincourt

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Tired of the modern musical landscape? Same. So why not take a trip with Popincourt, the French songwriter brandishing his own brand of power-pop…with just the faintest hints of Weller or Costello. The guitar chords chop right through from the get-go, stuttering at first, waiting to unleash their hook when united with a bouncing organ line. It’s almost like we’re inside some mod-club, shaking about whilst Popincourt serenades us all. Kick off your shoes, jitter about and feel yourself free with this catchy number. Look for it to appear on the band’s new record, slated for a Spring release on Jigsaw Records.

Charming Ditty from Cut Worms

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The formula for writing a great pop track is to really latch onto a solid melody; you don’t need much more than that to pull the emotional heartstrings of most listeners. And, when it comes to the work of Cut Worms, Max Clarke pretty much abides by this rule, though with an added element of artistic flare. This brand new track has the bare essentials, working with a nice strum and solid melody; it sort of has the feel of classic 60s pop songwriting. What’s most impressive are the elements that you’re likely to overlook if you find yourself immediately charmed…like the layers of extra guitar licks or the organ tinkering about in the distance. Whatever its is, it’s hard not to find yourself entranced by Mr. Clarke. And if you’re enjoying yourself, go check out his Alien Sunset EP on Jagjaguwar.

Have at Another Olden Yolk Tune

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The majority of early press for Olden Yolk probably relies around Shane Butler’s role in Quilt; that’s all well and good, seeing as it’s a good starting point. But, on the band’s latest single, it looks as if Caity Shaffer will get accolades…deservedly so. For the first half of the track, we get a sort of warped pop number, ringing guitars uplifting Shaffer’s voice all the way to the swell of the chorus. What struck me as the finest moment actually comes in at the 1:47 mark, completely changing the time and beat of the track…similar to what my faves Deep Time have done. It’s fleeting, but it’s an interesting touch that elevates the tune in some fashion. The group are set to release their self-titled album on Trouble In Mind on February 23rd.

Pleased to Meet You: Moon Revenge

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Moon Revenge is a brand new project, and in a sense a brand new adventure for Marie Parker. You might, or you should, recognize her name as part of Secret Cities, who’ve released several great LPs for our friends at Western Vinyl. This project, at the moment, focuses on Marie’s move from North Dakota to Brooklyn, documenting a woman’s journey to finding where “her core lies.” Musically, it’s as broadly sweeping as one would expect, built upon the backbone of piano and voice; you’ll also get to hear plenty of layered instrumentation (strings, etc) to fill out the sound as it comes through your speakers. A pretty great introduction if you’re asking me. Look for a full length debut to come later this year.

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