Month: May 2023

Fort Not Share Love Will Find You

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When we heard the first track from the forthcoming Fort Not LP, you could feel summer approaching in the vibes on “Scum.” Now, with their latest single, it almost feels like the sweltering summer temperatures are surrounding us. There’s still the same sort of off-kilter pop sentimentality, but the mood seems slower, allowing the track to blow across your living room like a gentle breeze from your wall unit AC. You’ll find some garage pop meets psychedelia in here, but mostly feels like hanging your feet into the pond at the edge of the dock. Look for their new LP, Depressed for Success, on Meritorio Records on July 7th.

Kintsugi Share First Single from Life in Death

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Kintsugi is the new project from siblings Kessiah and Stephan Gordon; it also is a Japanese philosophy that encourages us to build ourselves up from the imperfections and moments of loss in life. Together, the duo joins to create an instrumental collection that helped them deal with the loss of their mother; the first single is below, a thoroughly moving piece even without the awareness of the content. Guitars are lightly played and ambient noises trickle in the background, occasional instruments pluck up the courage to rise above the surface. To a degree, it feels like mourning, as you can feel the weight of the song, only for a slight bit of sunlight to shine upon you. There’s a moment just after the 2 minute mark where a beat comes in faintly, and its like you’re carefully breathing, listening to your own heart as you connect with the music before you. They will release the whole collection, Life In Death, on July 14th.

The Clientele Share Dying in May

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Long ago the Clientele were able to create these foggy soundscapes of striking beauty, but for their latest release, it seems like they’re set on building beyond the expectations of the masses, even going so far as to strip songs of guitars. That’s exactly what they’ve done here, with layered percussion (both live and sampled) driving the song, while the atmospheric realm is built by varying other instruments like french horn and cello. Oddly, it somehow feels still every bit like a Clientele song; you still feel as if you’re listening to pop music for outsiders, leaning out the window with the wind at your face while everyone inside is rocking away on the radio. Totally excited to hear what the band can do wit a 19 song journey; we’ll find out when the band release I am Not There Anymore on July 28th via Merge.

Supermilk Drop Fresh 7″

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Listening to the new tracks that are on Supermilk‘s new 7″, I couldn’t help but gravitate towards a band I know a lot of people hold dear, though keep quiet about, Superdrag; the similarities aren’t just in the “Super!” When the song below kicks off, things are in this sort of brooding punk mentality, but when the quietness of the vocals trickle in, the song emerges as this darkened piece of alternative pop. You only have to wait a few moments for the chorus to drop and that’s where it soars; the vocals burst into a higher octave and the band brandish a catchy distorted wall of guitars. It’s catch and it’s fun and it rocks and you need it, so grab the new 7″ HERE.

The Electric Arch Share You’re Impossible to Get Close To

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When I first heard this track from The Electric Arch, I kept expecting something to land somewhere in the land between Massive Attack and Air; it has this sort of natural snappy beat that opens up seductively to allow the vocals to enter the picture. Once those vocals do drop into the frame, there’s something that reminded me of Edwyn Collins solo stuff, toying with the listener with this clever bit of coyness. When the chorus arrives, it all collides together, taking in this sort of space lounge mentality that I have really been enjoying this morning; I’ll keep you posted as we hear more from the New Orleans outfit.

The High Water Marks Drop One Last Single

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You likely will not hear me raving about the High Water Marks for the next few weeks (unless you’re just hanging at my house) on this site, as this is the band’s final single to sell you on Your Next Wolf. This track, unlike some of the earlier singles from the LP, is a little bit more of a pop rock caress, coming in with a softness on the jangles and the edges. It’s nice switch of pace, showing the band’s ability to switch gears, though you’ll find the band don’t lose their penchant for soaring melodies when you reach the chorus; it’s got just as delicious of a hook as you’ll find anywhere else on the record. Speaking of the record, Your Next Wolf is out on June 23rd, so I’m pretty sure you’ve ordered it already!

Balmorhea Share Video for Range

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When Balmorhea drop a single, I’ve come to expect a stunning visual component to accompany said release, as the band cares a great deal about their conceptual vision. This go round, the visuals were created in partnership with Odd.Company, and it appears as if you have two pieces overlapping one another; at times, they seem to meld and shimmer and mold into one vision, only to move and shift in movement with the song, switching what your eyes see. Now musically, it says a lot that that band’s brevity on this single can still captivate, but whether that’s due to the visual or the tender tones of the song, I’m not sure. I am sure, however, that this piece will fit delicately into the greater vision the band have for their new album, Pendant World, out June 16th via Deutsche Grammophon.

Steven Van Batten Shares Mother

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When I clicked on this Steven Van Batten tune, there was something in the delicateness of the guitar that led me to worry that the song itself might be too fragile. Van Batten’s voice, too, takes on that softness, like a parent stroking their child’s head in moments of assurance/love; it keeps your ear right next to the speaker, carrying your fears far far away. It’s one of those intimate songs that is likely to haunt you for years down the line, eager to provide you solace whenever you need. Look for Steven’s Friends & Family LP this July via Future Gods.

Sloome Share Wonderful Nice

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I love when a track just gets right to the point and rushes in with dreamy energy, swirling about your inner ear from the get go, which is why I immediately loved Sloome‘s latest single. They break the song down intermittently, just to tease out the song’s joyousness, adding an emphatic punch to the second go round that eventually fades into a wash of noisy guitars. You see, as much as the band wanted to hit you with that sweet hook, they couldn’t help but to unfurl a little bit, let the edges bleed over into other noise adjacent pieces so you can’t help but swoon. If you’re like me, and totally in love, the band release their Wonderful Nice EP a June 30th via Cherub Dream Records.

Grrrl Gang Sign to Trapped Animal Records

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What a big day for Indonesian outfit Grrrl Gang, announcing their signing to Trapped Animal Records, with support from KRS and Big Romantic for distribution world-wide. Thumping drums rip through your speakers as soon as the volume gets up, with the classic play of quiteloudquiet from the vocals to hit you right in the face. I love how the backing vocals build into a full group formation, soothing the ears right as the song draws to a close. A bit of a growl, a bit of sweetness, and a whole lot of promise; Grrrl Gang will drop Spunky! this September, but you can pre-order HERE.

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