Month: April 2021

Methyl Ethel Brings Another Hit

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Our Western Australian friend Jake Webb, and his musical project known as Methyl Ethel, has been praised many times on these here pages of ATH over the years. We are typically not much into straight pop music so we’ve always been down for the more alt-pop approach coming from the recordings of Webb. After the criminally underrated Hurts to Laugh EP from last year, Webb is back with this new banging single called “Neon Cheap”. This might be one of the most danceable tracks we’ve ever heard from Methyl Ethel and once again offers some incredible pop music for the more alternative/indie listeners. This should be on your weekend playlist.

Moon Rituals Release Aura/Painting a Bird Single

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Melbourne seems like a good place to hang out today, with a new band in Robot Fox we hit up with a bit ago, and now we’ve got the release of Moon Rituals latest 7″. Those hip to the scene likely already heard folks raving about “Aura,” which was much deserved, but today I figured we’d point you that way, as now you get a chance to get to hear the B-side “Painting a Bird” as well! Sarah’s voice has this playfulness that feels like the budding of leaves on trees, an awakening to Spring; she gets help on the instrumentation from Mikey Young and Shaun Gionis who fill the space between her voice with these tiny notes, or so it seems; they tiptoe around, careful as to not impose themselves on Sarah’s world. Stream the whole 7″ below.

John Andrews and the Yawns Share River of Doubt

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I’m really enjoying the latest stuff from John Andrews & the Yawns; there’s something about his songwriting this go round that just feels so timeless and comforting, like he’s running on a relay team and he just grabbed the baton from M. Ward. It’s the sort of pop music you can share with a friend, or talk about with your grandfather over a cup of coffee…or maybe its the background to telling a great story. That seems to be the route Andrews went with the video, compiling footage of both his life on the road and his life in New Hampshire, celebrating both the contrasts and the harmony; it’s an homage to his friends, and perhaps a reminder of what a lasting impression a musical community can make. The band release Cookbook on May 14th via Woodsist.

Sailor Down Shares I Get It

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Our friends over at Relief Map Records have quickly jumped into the fold with releases, announcing a new EP from Sailor Down, the project of Chloe Deeley. There’s something familiar in her songwriting, particularly on this single; I feel like that light strum is just a little voice in my head reminding me how much I love a simple pop ballad. Chloe’s voice has this distinct fragility, like it could shatter into a million melodic shards as soon as it hits your ears. It’s one of those tunes that maximizes emotions while stripping things down to their barest form…which I’m always drawn towards. She will release her Skip the Line EP on May 14th.

Introducing Robot Fox + Announcing Sham Rage

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It’s time we introduce you to the world of Robot Fox, a brand new outfit from Melbourne featuring members of Crepes, Cool Sounds and other local acts. Listening through the band’s debut single from their Sham Rage LP, this is how psychedelic pop music should be made. Full stop. In the first few moments, you’re seduced by this meditative guitar that seems to sedate the listener, like sinking into your chair and drifting away on some LSD trip. When Pierce Morton enters the fray, his lackadaisical delivery feels like a mantra, like a calling out from the beyond; you’ll hear an increased musical element shimmering, along with some backing vocals. I love how they let the song breathe too, allowing the listener to bathe themselves in the sound. Throw in a little jazzy breakdown that comes out with this sky ripping guitar solo and you’ll be totally in love with the band’s sound. Their debut is Sham Rage, and its out on April 30th via Osborne Again!

Repo Fam Share Dark Vision Video

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Repo Fam will be dropping their new Venus Fly album next week via Gentle Reminder/Home Late, and I wanted to make sure the Baltimore band were on your radar over here. When I first clicked play, I will admit that I thought I had the song pegged; I felt like I knew exactly where it was going. I was wrong, as the band take that sort of modern pop rock feel, and instead of pushing it in some formulaic manner where you drop the chorus in just the right spot, they defy that expectation, not even offering up a chorus at all. Instead, they draw you in with these brooding vocals and steady drum stomp; it gives the guitars room to flicker in the distance, offering discord and anxiety, or a “dark vision” if you will. Feels like a fun way to start off the day.

Stream Michael Angelheart’s Best of Vol. 1 2012-2017

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Michael Angelheart has spent the better part of the last decade playing in Scott and Charlene’s Wedding, a band that had him bouncing back and forth between Melbourne and NYC, not to mention the various tours around the world. In that time, he was able to record a bunch of tunes on his own with friends from Real Estate and the Ocean Party (both bands we adore), and now those are all put together in one great record. As you’d expect, the record is filled with great little guitar pop tunes like standout single “What If You,” though I’ll admit I’m really partial to “Holding on for the High” and “LSD (Got a Hold On Me).” There’s bound to be something for you all in here, so dig into Michael’s Best of Vol. 1 2012-2017.

Icarus Phoenix Shares New Video

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Last fall, Drew Danburry released a remarkable collection of songs under the Icarus Phoenix moniker; I raved about the release on these very pages here, though its possible you missed out on those. But, for me, the brand new video for album track “Cassie Knows, or How a Shy Person Says I Love You” is reason enough to re-celebrate that release…not to mention the joy at marveling in Danburry’s ability to craft great pop and illustrated his own videos! Drew’s got this natural kindness in his voice, the sort that I marveled at when I first heard Stuart Murdoch, so that should set the tone for you. Thematically, the tune revels in the present, appreciating the fact that we’re here today, so take a breath, listen to this and be grateful you were given today. This album’s available via Telos Tapes.

The Catenary Wires Announce Birling Gap

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Earlier this year we shared the A-side single for “Mirrorball” from the Catenary Wires, and in that post I alluded to a forthcoming LP from the band; the good news is that you can now pre-order the new record, Birling Gap. An added bonus is that it comes with a great new track that should only further push you to pressing “add to cart!” The song opens with a careful acoustic guitar and slight bit of ocean-spray ambiance, setting the scene for Amelia’s sparkling voice to shine, as per usual. With progression, the song builds in that ambiance, filling the pop bucket to the brim, spilling over into pure bliss near the 1:22 mark. Looks like we’re in for another treat, so be sure to get your hands on the new album, released by Skepwax (UK) and Shelflife (US) on Jun 18th.

NOV3L Share Notice of Foreclosure Video

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After falling in love with their EP, I’m really excited to hear what NOV3L can do with an entire album’s worth of tunes. Today, the band drop another single, which hits all the right spots for me, particularly on this rainy day. Guitars are sharp and seem to sort of be cutting up the mix before your eyes; the vocals have this monotonous indifference that seems to sedate you as you listen through. Close ears will hear some horn work and a little bit of added flare playing up in the background, giving that extra bit of detail to the band’s sound. Their debut LP Non-Fiction will be out on May 28th via Meat Machine/Flemish Eye.

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