Month: June 2020

Buzzy Guitar Pop from Special Moves

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If you’re looking for someone working the true DIY ethos, you might want to pay attention to Josh Hoey and their Special Moves project. On the horizon for the project is the Little Help LP, and while it begins with a looped beat, it quickly jumps into that fuzzy guitar territory with distorted guitars ringing out through your speakers as Hoey calmly delivers the vocal lines; there’s a female counterpart too that adds a nice textural balance to the song’s melody to boot. I kind of imagine this song being written by a fan of Blank Dogs that grew up with a much sunnier disposition; it’s nostalgic-leaning bedroom pop that begs your attention immediately! Look for Little Help on August 28th via Reflective Tapes and Solidarity Club.

e4444e Shares Solar Video

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I reckon I should stick with the Aussie scene first thing in the morning, so here’s a tune from e4444e off the forthcoming Coldstream Road. From what I’ve heard from Romy Church’s project, this tune is one of the more stripped down tracks present on the record, and perhaps that’s where the draw is for me. Church’s voice spends the first minute pretty much on his own, coolly floating atop the strummed acoustic guitar. When the 1 minute mark drops, textures start to be formed and layered, building in a sonic realm where one can let go and get lost. It’s a pretty special tune, to my ears. Get it this Friday via Spunk Records!

Thibault Share Centrelink

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It’s never a bad thing when you can get Kathleen Hanna and Ad Rock to support your work, though I don’t much think that Thibault need that hype machine because this new single is pretty special. It’s both nostalgic and timeless, transporting the listener into this dreamy smoke filled bedroom in the 60s; the arrangements behind the vocals definitely hold the song in the present, from the horns to the electronic workings behind the rise and fall of the vocals. If I were to collect the perfect snippet from this track, I think the rise and fall of the “ahh” in the chorus is a sublime musical moment. Search in the lyrics to find a common global thematic element, as Nicole wrote the song in response to her struggles to get unemployment services during this pandemic. Or Not Thibault will be out on September 4th via the revered folks at Chapter Music.

Slick New Single From Torpid

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Most of the world is likely not familiar with the Brisbane based musical group Torpid, so allow me to introduce them to you. About a year ago the four Australian friends decided to get together and make some music, which resulted in the indie hit “For Your Health”. Since then, the band have been quietly working out plans for new music and recently dropped this new bangin’ single called “Don’t”. It will quickly bring up feelings of Joy Division meets The Strokes, meets Viagra Boys. The vocals are heavy and deep, the sounds are sort of in this garage rock/post-punk arena, and the lyrics are just quirky enough to put a smirk on your face. A little different and unique which is definitely my jam.

Introduction Share Red Light Video

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I suppose a label’s reliability is the theme of today, with another one of my favorite Aussie labels, Tenth Court, sharing the latest from their forthcoming release. The trio that makes up Introduction formed in 2019 to escape the mundane male musical landscape. Here, both video and song take you into another realm; in a faint way, it reminds me of Tan Cologne, sort of creating this mysterious cinematic planet we get to briefly inhabit. Listening through on repeat, you kind of feel like you’re suspended in the air, floating while these minimal little beats warp in and out of your ear. It’s been a minute since I’ve heard a group embrace simplicity so successfully; their EP will be out on June 19th.

Torres Satellite Share La Ventana Discreta

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Discos de Kirlian is one of my favorite truly independent labels; they’ve turned me onto some really great pop music from Spain that I probably wouldn’t have heard otherwise. Today, I’m super in love with new act Torres Satelite, who’ve just shared their first release via the label, La Ventana Discreta. I love the pulse of the music; it’s catchy, though relying upon it simplicity to allow the song to breathe; it reminds me in a lot of ways of Soviet. The dueling vocals from male and female singers certainly puts an added charm into the tune. Figured some folks might get on board with this tune.

Buildings and Food Announce Up Down Strange Charm

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When Jennifer Wilson dropped Quick Beat Save back under the name Buildings and Food, I was really blown away. The album employed these subtle beats that engrained themselves in your mind, then they were wrapped in the warmth of Wilson’s quieted vocals. As she gears up for her sophomore album, it seems the work is as impressive as ever. Our first listen gives you pulsing beats pushing the song forward as little turns of knob build in some textured electronic layers. When Wilson enters the picture, she seems to slink into the comfort of the song, almost hanging back in the mix so as not to overpower with her performance. Careful ears will reveal the tiniest of twists and turns, like the seeming uptick near in energy near the 2:43 mark; it’s these little nuances that make Buildings and Food so rewarding. Up Down Strange Charm will be out on September 25th!

PSA: Bandcamp Artist Support Day

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Bandcamp is again waiving their cut of proceeds to help out artists again today. Moreover, there are also a ton of special releases and deals from several labels, details here. ATH Records has a bandcamp store. I also picked up some stuff from Ghostly, Dais and Partisan. Good times. A recent ATH release to listen to below while browsing…

New Indiepop from The Slow Summits

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There’s a certain brand of indiepop that seems perfectly suited for the Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland; I say this because The Slow Summits (Sweden) have just dropped a brand new track that nods back to the perfect sounds of Cats on Fire (Finland). The sound in my brain brings that sort of precision drumming to set the tone, while the guitars do their jangling jig in a circular fashion. Of course, its also all about the vocals, innately dramatic and distinctive, aided here by the appearance of Kajsa Ritso, building in the charm alongside Anders. Go on, give it a listen.

Emma Kupa Announces It Will Come Easier

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Make no mistake about it…Emma Kupa is one of my absolute favorite songwriters; I loved Standard Fare; I love Hayman Kupa Band and Mammoth Penguins (that MP LP last year is still great!). So, when she announced her new solo effort, It Will Come Easier, I nearly knocked over my chair to get a listen. It’s interesting to hear this track, as it seems to draw on bits and pieces of her musical career, from the folkier moments with the banjo to that ripping guitar line you can hear in the distance…but of course, its always about that distinctively powerful voice. It’s hard to not see this song’s lyrics through the lens of the last few weeks, however, as the protagonist seems fed up with facing the same dilemma time and time again…so even our art is starting to call us out. A beautiful tune, and one we’ll look forward to picking up when It Will Come Easier drops via Palo Santo Records and Fika Recordings this Fall!

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