Month: May 2020

New Stuff from Robert Sotelo

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I’m still catching up from last week’s releases that I either missed or accidentally ignored amidst all the fun of Bandcamp’s waived-fee Friday, like this new stuff from Robert Sotelo. It’s the recording project of Andrew Doig, who we’ve covered before with his Infinite Sprawling LP for Upset the Rhythm. This two song single came out Friday, and I’m absolutely in love with it; it’s these synth driven pop songs, crafted so uniquely that while I can hear lineage, I can’t recall anything current that really sounds like this. I was initially drawn to “Dear Resident” from the beginning of my listen, but on repeat runs through, “Operate Now” might be my favorite of these two tracks. It has this sneaky little directional change around the 1:40 minute mark that totally made me fall in love. Please spend some time with these tracks, out now via Permanent Slump. Oh…and if you click to go to the Bancamp page, there’s two great videos to accompany each track.

Love Sport Share Giant Hoof Video

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This week’s been a real struggle; I feel like it has to be Saturday, yet its Thursday? Whatever, I need to rock this day into gear, so I’ll turn us all towards this new Love Sport jam. It instantly feels like you’re out of control, as discordant guitar lines feel like they’re hurtling towards disaster. Then another guitar line comes in to settle things down, drive the song forward with intensity and purpose. Still, the vocals feel like they’re harnessing the band’s wild side, especially when the vocals get their backing reinforcement, often done in a euphoric howl. They’ll be releasing their excellent new And Justice for All LP on May 22nd via Soliti Music.

Gum Country Share Another Jam

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Honestly, I was just checking in on Gum Country this morning, wondering if another single had slipped by me. But, I was lucky, as I hadn’t missed a thing, though I had no idea this gem was coming my way. I love the pulsing energy from the guitars, pushing the pace with that steady rhythm in the background. The perfect blanket of fuzzy distortion wraps itself around the core of the song, not to mention the hazy bubble on the vocals; this is exactly what guitar pop music should sound like if you ask me. Don’t be afraid to listen for that slight little pop sensibility gurgling beneath the surface; put your head closer to the speaker if you need to! Somewhere will be out on June 19th!

The Berries Do It Again

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Matt Berry and his Seattle based project known as, The Berries, released one of my favorite albums last year, Berryland. Since then, I’ve been totally hooked and eagerly awaiting more music to consume from the talented multi-instrumentalist. Well today we’re lucky to enjoy this new one off single called “Ancient Steel”, planned as part of an ongoing single series throughout the year. Reserving any superlatives or adjectives to promote the song, I will simply tell you that it’s time for you to check out this band. Do it now!

You can also support The Berries by purchasing their last album, or other merch on the Run For Cover website.

Mamalarky Share How to Say Video

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If your first introduction to LA’s Mamalarky was the riotous single “Fury” back in January, you might be surprised by their latest single, as it offers up a different view of the group…though one that’s always been part of their sound. This short number uses some of the same sharp guitar sounds ringing out, though they’re crafted in a jazzier progression, similar to what we’ve come to expect from bands like Dirty Projectors. Livvy’s vocal control is incredible, going for playful to soulful to angelic, all in the span of a few moments. The video is fun and spirited, starring Livvy herself using whatever she can for al little bit of classic air guitar work.

The Dears Share Latest Single

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Okay, so this track’s probably a few days old by now, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw some support behind one of my favorite voices in indie rock, Murray Lightburn. On this new jam from the Dears, I definitely feel the power in his voice drawing me in, balancing his baritone with those rises to a higher note, matched by the softness of Natalia’s voice in all the right places. And, like much of their previous work, they use lush arrangements to add depth to every note, layering it on top of Murray’s acoustic guitar and Natalia’s piano lines; they still craft this orchestral rock magic that I’m drawn to nearly 20 years after I first heard them play. The band release their new record Lovers Rock next week!

Fuzzy New Number from Heart Beach

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It’s been a few years since Heart Beach dropped an LP, but while there’s no official announcement, the group have been hinting at something with a slew of singles in 2020, like the new one below. This new track was written while the core songwriting partnership of Claire and Jonathon McCarthy were struggling whilst living in Montreal, before moving back to Australia. You can hear some of the struggle in the lyrical content like “check the map because you don’t know where you’re going,” which in the context can work on multiple levels. I just love the interplay between the McCarthy’s, not to mention those fuzzy distorted edges swirling about the track. We’ll keep you posted if we hear news of a new record.

Wire Share Art of Persistence

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Wire were originally planning to release 10:20 on Record Store Day this year, but like so many things, we’ve got to make adjustments, so they’re rescheduling the release for the end of June. But, that means they’ve got to tease our interest, as if they needed it, by offering up another single from the LP. This tune seems like just a good old-fashioned guitar pop song; it’s got a driving rhythm and this guitar line that seems to be running laps around my living room as we speak. Softened vocals from Newman caress the slightest hint of rough edges into these smooth little doses of pop for easy consumption. 10:20 is out on Pinkflag on June 19th.

Houses of Heaven Provides A Slow Burn

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Nathan sent this one over to me a few days ago as my recent listening habits have included a high proportion of darker synth stuff, even for me. Xymox, Joy Division and Lust for Youth have been on the turntable as recently as last night. I let this simmer, but had not given it an honest listen. While crushing spreadsheets yesterday, I had the headphones up a little higher than normal (HD660s on JDS Labs Atom, if anyone cares about such things and if you do, let me know and we’ll talk gear a bit) and this track popped up again with its layered percussion and synth textures that move forward methodically commanding attention. “Dissolve the Floor” landed squarely.

Houses of Heaven are Keven Tecon, Adam Beck, and Nick Ott. Surrounded by the backdrop of the bay area’s social inequities, they have put together their first LP Silent Places on Felte Records, digital now and vinyl 5/22.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Share Falling Thunder

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My relationship with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is sort of a trouble one; I know the band are capable of some really great singles, but I’ve never quite fawned over them as much as everyone else (I can just think of a few who might’ve done it better). Up through this current album cycle, I’ve been sitting on the sidelines, but “Falling Thunder” is a track that feels like this is the single I will put on all my playlists. I love how the vocals fall from the high notes during the chorus, crashing into me in this blissful pop moment. This doesn’t feel formulaic, and they’re playing up the vocal melody far more often than I feel like they normally do, which really benefits their craft. Sideways to New Italy is out on June 5th via Sub Pop.

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