Month: April 2023

Big Blood Deliver First Aid Kit

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A family band often gets treated as if its kitschy, but I don’t think that’ll be a word anyone uses when they listen to Big Blood‘s first single from their forthcoming album. Sure, the band’s teenage daughter is rocking the vocals, but that performance alone sounds like a kid wise beyond their years; she belts out notes with such power and strength that you’d hardly harp on it had I not brought it to your attention. Just take one moment to bathe in the chorus and you’ll ultimately come to the agreement that everyone likely needs to listen to this track. It’s powerful and moving, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of their new record leads me. First Aid Kit will be released by Ba Da Bing/Feeding Tube on June 9th.

Island of Love Share I’ve Got the Secret

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Try listening to Island of Love and imagining them as anything other than a Southern American band channeling classic alternative rock with a bit of attitude. But, the band are from London, so they’re far removed from the history of blending some of the sounds you’re going to here in their latest single, making this new drop all the more likeable. You’ll hear some of that swampy blues style in the guitar work the instant you press play, but they add in a bit of tenacity that really makes the whole of the tune seem refreshing. There’s no frills, but it’s all flare, so keep an eye out for their debut self-titled LP from Third Man Records on May 12th.

Go Check Out Medical Maps

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Over the last few years I’ve given up on the grind of trying to keep up with the Joneses, in terms of staying on top of the coolest of the cool; I mean, we’re all here Pheobe Bridgers B-sides anyways. So, I keep going back to bands who have quietly released beautiful bits of pop like Medical Maps. I’ve had lots of little mental asides when trying to describe the band’s sound; they sound like the Atlantic Ocean’s answer to the Bay Area scene, albeit with a hint of late 90s slowcore, like Bedhead, with perhaps a sprinkle of that same period’s emo flare. If you’re mesmerized here, as I was, then might you consider checking out their album That is That, which just dropped?!

Dress Warm Announce Stepping Away; Share Fortune Teller Video

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I first fell in love with Dress Warm last year as they were prepping for the release of A Cowboy on Ice; it’s been only a few short months, and there is already a fresh EP in the works for fans like myself. Having spent a lot of time with their last release, one can easily hear the charms of modern guitar pop going through the core here, though I’ll say the intricate nature of the guitar work this round seems to have leveled up. That said, there’s something frivolous in the way they approach this track; they seem to be so carefree, all the way down to the accompanying video. If you’re looking for a special little pop nugget, then might I suggest jumping right to the 1:13 mark? Stepping Away will be out on May 6th.

AS Fanning Soothes with Pink Morning/Magic Light

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Today is going to be a long day on my end, as I’m administering the glorious state tests to my students. So, I wanted to sort of press reset and start at ground zero, and perhaps there’s no better tune to bring me to a point of calm than this A.S. Fanning ballad. The controlling emotion is dominated by Fanning’s heavenly voice; it’s like cuddling up inside your mom’s Snuggie and taking a long slumber on the couch. Throughout, there’s these delicate string arrangements and light little guitar shuffles buried in the mix, creating this wash of beautiful texture that undoubtedly wins you over and sets your day right. A.S. Fanning will release Mushroom Cloud, his latest LP on May 26th.

Body Of Light and This Conversation

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ATH has seen Body of Light a few times as they have played shows with some of our favorite dark-synth-pop-jams over the years. Two legitimately nice people hailing from Arizona, we can hear in the latest material a bit of a swing towards an earlier era new wave, still dark, but the build up has well-located hooks layered in front and behind the vocals and underlying atmospheres create an anchor for the more percussive elements to flourish. The imaging on this track is lovely; headphones or well-placed speakers in your listening area, chef’s kiss.

The new record called Bitter Reflection is due 6/30, but a pre-order gets you two tracks now.

RF Shannon Announces Red Swan in Palmetto

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When Shane Renfro returned to Texas from LA, you figured new things were in the mix for the leader of RF Shannon, and we get a glimpse of that on the first single from Red Swan in Palmetto. Through the first few moments, the intricate guitar atop light percussion creates that open cosmic country feel I associate with the band. But, when Renfro’s vocals come into play, there’s something that feels a bit new; his vocals are really up in the front of the mix, and while they pull on those hazy boots, they feel a little bit more prominent in their role in the tune. It’s interesting, as with previous works, the vocals felt like part of the great expanse the band created, but here, it feels like you’re getting a lullaby from a parent while the sounds of nature flicker on outside your window. Really excited to hear where the rest of Red Swan in Palmetto takes us; we’ll find out on May 26, courtesy of Keeled Scales.

Tough Age Give It a Day

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When I listen to this new single from Tough Age, there’s something hanging on the edge of the track, something that seems filled with the promise of tomorrow. The guitars shuffle from the get-go, offering this moderately upbeat drive that encourages the rest of the band to keep pace. Of course, the rhythm section has no problem there, but that push makes the vocals come through with this urgency that’s not always present in the modern cycle, so it feels great here, wishing us all the best of our day. They ride out the track with this sparkling little guitar solo, and then we’re done, so you can press play again. Waiting Here, the new record, is out on June 16th via We Are Time/Bobo Integral.

Rob I Miller (Blues Lawyer) Announces Debut LP

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Rob I Miller is no stranger on these ATH pages, but for the most part, he’s worked in various other projects like Blues Lawyer. But, today, Rob gets his own spot, as he’s just announced his solo debut, Companion Piece. You can hear some lineage to other Miller acts, like the fuzziness on the edges, but admittedly, there’s this huge, almost arena-rock riff work going on in the distance; it’s like you’re hearing a stadium show echo from a mile away, building this sort of constant reverberation. Then Rob comes in with his effortless cool and lays it atop the whole thing, letting his voice almost cruise with the top down as the wall of noise builds behind him. Companion Piece is out on May 12th via Vacant Stare.

Billy Tibbals Takes Us to Foreverland

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I love when I get turned onto new artists, which was the case a few weeks ago when Billy Tibbals popped up on my radar. I loved him then, but his newest single warrants some steady spins in my musical rotation. There’s this slight bit of that Bowie/Bolan-esqure brand of pop rock, which is undeniable. But, beneath those tendencies, there’s also this bit of organic folk rock that echoes through, something that seems to be seeking solace in the wilderness; huge sweeping string arrangements don’t hurt the grandiose nature either. Billy will release his new Stay Teenage EP this Friday via Silver Arrow Records.

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