Month: August 2023

Soft Covers Share New Single, Announce Debut LP

Leave a comment

If you somehow managed to slip by Soft Covers and their 2020 EP, it’s probably a great place for those of you who appreciate “well-loved pop.” Now, we’ve got the excellent news that the group will be releasing their debut LP this Fall. This track’s just gets me in my feels, offering up a bunch of light jangling notes and rolling drum beats, all the while you’ve got harmonizing vocals cruising through to add that extra touch of charm; I swear I got goosebumps when they first united after verse one. Homely pop for those who love to be warmed over from the comfort of their domicile; Soft Serve will be out on October 6th on Little Lunch/Hidden Bay.

Check Out Panic Pocket’s Ode to Mr. Big

Leave a comment

I dare you to find a catchier ode to Sex and the City (and Mr. Big) than this new single from Panic Pocket. Driving distorted rhythms and snappy drum fills pave the way for Nat and Sophie to let their vocals intermingle. Of course, there’s a playfulness to the tune, particularly when you listen closely to all the S &C nods, though they seem pertinent in any romantic pursuit as well. All this said, and I can’t come back to why I love Panic Pocket; the vocals seem diametrically opposed; you get a sort of steady deepness in one voice, and a punkish riot girl growl on the other, set against one another in a manner that allows the joy to shine right on through. If you’re digging this, you’ll likely dig the group’s Mad Half Hour, out now via Skep Wax.

Enjoying the New Alexei Shishkin

Leave a comment

As much as we wish we could cover it all, you’re bound to miss a thing here or there, which is why I wanted to be sure you checked in on the latest release from Alexei Shishkin. Despite Shishkin’s known allegiance to the Doug Martsch songwriting academy, I really think he’s stretched himself into some territory that puts him nearer towards the likes of Jeffrey Lewis or Calvin Johnson, especially if you take the single below as an example. It’s got this DIY aesthetic that you’ll pick up on immediately, but the wordplay and wit has this subtle charm that should keep you coming back to Goodbye Sunrise.

Last Week’s Jams (7.31 – 8.4)

Leave a comment

I really thought we knocked it out of the park last week, covering 25 different tunes. But, it looks like we decided to one-up ourselves and post 26 for this week’s Last Week’s Jams collection. We got some of our favorite labels and bands putting out fresh new stuff, like new Tony Jay on Slumberland and new Onyon on Trouble in Mind. Plus, our friends at Keeled Scales are putting out a new LP with one of my favorite Texas songwriters, Will Johnson. All that and we haven’t even talked about how great that new Smashing Times single is. As much as it can be a challenge to cover it all, feel like we did our damndest to bring you some of the more deserving hits you might not find where the cool kids hang out.

Night Drive – Position II

Leave a comment

We have shared Night Drive‘s singles from the Position II EP released to date, but today is the release date for the EP called Position II. I’ve often contended that many pretty good records should have been stunning EPs. This is a tight six song collection. Release party Saturday at the Parish has just a few tix left.

Opening track, unleash it…

ATH IT Department – Try Some Stuff

Leave a comment

I’d asked a while back about how people listen; ear buds, headphones, through TVs, bluetooth speakers. It actually spawned me to do some tweaking. I moved my speakers a bit further apart and into the room, tinkered with toe-in (no benefit as my kids and highs are concentric) and then reran DIRAC room compensation. If all that sounds technical, it is. However, a little effort yielded a nice benefit. The music now extends further out past the rooms walls. I know that sounds strange and pretentious, but if you ever hear it, you chase the dragon. We love our music and you should enjoy listening.

Anyway, on to some new/recent tracks to listen to intently and critically. Well start below with the latest from Lindstrom, a four song EP titled Everyone Else Is A Stranger. Syrene is the opener, a rather joyous, but tempered study with guitars joining the party a couple minutes in as the build up progresses through to the minor chords and break before smoothly flowing to an elegant end. Solid way to start the weekend.

Click through for a couple more can’t miss songs that may have been missed.
Read more

Stream New Albums from Gaadge, Annie Hart and Dippers

Leave a comment

It’s Friday, and you obviously know that Bandcamp has the goods; I myself have already spent a nice little amount on things, with probably more I’ll need to grab as the day goes on. So, with that, here’s a few albums that popped up today that we’ve mentioned already in our single coverage, but hope you’ll spend a little bit of time with today…or maybe you’ll call them our Bandcamp Friday Recs. Do whatever, just enjoy some great new music on Friday.

Gaadge – Somewhere Down Below (Crafted Sounds)

Annie Hart – The Weight of a Wave (Uninhabitable Mansions)

Dippers – Clastic Rock (Goner Records/Tenth Court)

Another Tune from the Garment District

Leave a comment

When we were last covering music from the Garment District they were blending psychedelia and bits of disco to kind of create this cool amalgam of pop vibes. This time, they’re straight into the pop realm, kicking out a thumping groove from the get-go. It allows the tune to have this magical pulse to it, lifting the listener as it leaves plenty of space for the guitars and vocals to enter. When they unite here, the track twists into more of a kind of futuristic dancefloor hit, spinning you in circles as the guitars shuffle and the vocals kick in this swirling euphoria. Once you near the songs end, it sort of sputters into this bit of exhaustion, letting the listener grab a breath while closing up the doors. Flowers Telegraphed to All Parts of the World is out on September 22nd via HHBTM.

Perfect Angel at Heaven Share Desire’s Opening Single

Leave a comment

Over the last few years, bands like Perfect Angel at Heaven have really found pay dirt by sort of crafting their own melting pot of indie rock (the good sort, not your dad’s NPR-core style). In that, I mean that the group, and similar acts like Spirit of the Beehive, have sort of taken elements of punk and guitar pop and noise and power pop and emo, throwing them altogether to craft something that feels familiar yet fresh. On this single, there’s this almost post-emo math rock element, with dancing guitar lines and vocals that border on edginess; the song moves in and out of that, bringing in more melodic pieces to the mix. About midway through, they crunch that pedal and distortion shimmies right into the picture, bringing in a a wash of heavy ambiance to juxtapose the softer underbelly. At times its a groovy jam and at times its a bit noisy, but its always good, which is why I suggest you rock out below, then be sure to look for the group’s Imploder EP next Friday (8.11).

Tony Jay Announces Perfect Worlds LP

Leave a comment

Scenes across the US musical landscape tend to move from time to time, and as of the last couple of years, there’s not been a place I’ve gravitated towards, musically speaking, as much as San Francisco. Today, one of the Bay Area’s biggest labels announces a new release by one of the best bands; Slumberland Records will be releasing the next Tony Jay LP! Now, who is Tony Jay? Well, rumor has it that the band is loosely tied to Michael Ramos of Flowertown, but he’s not singing here, so perhaps the vocals have been leant to video director and Cindy powerhouse, Karina Gill? Most importantly, this song feels like that perfect late night lullaby; it hangs in your brain, allowing you to walk between that realm of reality and deep deep sleep. While it all starts with soft vocals over a subdued beat and a ringing guitar note, there’s a turn to a steadier strum that changes the melodic nature, and it will most certainly take your breath away. Look for Perfect Worlds to drop on September 15th.

1 … 10 11 12 13 14
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com