Month: September 2023

TVs Daniel Preps Never Change

Leave a comment

Daniel Fried has been one of our favorite artists in the Austin scene, playing with Bad Sports and leading Video, but as of late, he’s been focusing on TVs Daniel. The group will be dropping a new LP, Never Change, in just a few weeks, so I wanted to put it on people’s radar outside of our fair city. There’s definitely a bit of a pop tilt in the songwriting on the singles below, though Fried’s past breathes a bit of tenacity into hook-laden rock n’ roll. You’re guaranteed to have a bit of fun, and still walk away feeling like you’re tough as nails; look for the record on September 22nd.

Straight Rocker From Heart To Gold

Leave a comment

Minneapolis has long been home to an incredible DIY and gritty musical scene dating back to the late 70s and into the early 80s. For me, Twin Cities based outfit Heart to Gold carry that banner with them with their punk inspiration, but with a more upbeat, poppy, and modern sound. As an example, new single “Chloe” features just a ton of unbridled energy and fun with absolutely expert instrumentation throughout. Also gotta love anytime a three piece can sound this LOUD and full. Carry on.

Melenas Share K2 Video

Leave a comment

Like Hansel and Gretel, Melenas have been leaving little motorik breadcrumbs in the forest on the way to the release of Ahora, their latest LP for Trouble in Mind, and while it seems to really come to the forefront of their recent work, I’m really captivated by the textural layering. Here, they’re employing these various rhythmic synth pulses, punctuated by that motorik rhythm, but as the tune is unwrapped before you, you get to hear these overlapping vocal pieces. In doing so, they build yet another layer atop the intoxicating heavy wash of their pop constructs. We’ve reached out via the Internet with some questions about the new album, and maybe bringing back a rock n’ recipe with the band, so stay tuned for news on that before the LP drops. Until September 29th, you’ll just have to take our word on how good the Ahora is.

MoonKill Share Murderhouse Single

Leave a comment

MoonKill are a fairly new Austin act on the scene, coming at us with the promise that they live somewhere in the world darkened punk realms where all things Danzig are held sacred. There’s an early single from their The Kong Sessions EP that feels as if its channeling the Misfits, but this new tune has the feel of a slightly more metal tinged go, particularly in the way the guitars seem to be descending and ascending in various scales. Even within the confines of the howls and growls, there’s something in the band that feels very much like you’re driving West on I-10 in an old Cadillac with your hair blowing from beneath your cowboy hat…basically Danzig fronting Clutch…and I’m not mad at that! The group celebrate their forthcoming release with a show on September 15th at 13th Floor, accompanied by My Education and more!

Lightheaded Announce New EP, Share Mercury Girl

Leave a comment

It’s nice to see the heavyweights of great indie labels throwing their weight around behind some incredible music, and as usual, Slumberland have picked up another score by grabbing onto New Jersey’s Lightheaded. I have a feeling that folks will be drawn to the magical melody of Cynthia’s voice, taking on this mystery that vaguely reminds me of Mary Weiss. Musically, the song’s got some swirling guitars that would fit right along many of the acts in the label’s stable, though the group approach it with a bit more of an orchestral approach, scaffolding their pop sounds so they lift you to the heavens where pop dreams come true. Their new EP, Good Good Great, is out on October 13th! Also, if that’s a Prefab Sprout reference in the video (I say yes!), I’d like to challenge you to 7 degrees of Slumberland!

Carre Share Live Turn Down the Choir Video

Leave a comment

This week’s already been a bit strange, what with me going nuts and posting 11 songs in one day, so why not make you indulge a bit more here by spending more time with this cinematic constructionist pop from LA act Carre. Recorded live at the Forge, this song just continues to blow me away, particularly as it kind of erupts into this rapturous bit of organic pop music. It begins in an electronic realm, not too far off from where the likes of SURVIVE might dwell, but then it bursts forth with vocals and electronic drum work, all before erupting in this sporadic shudder of electronics. A shorter version of this tune came about in 2021, but this newer version has the band fully invested in their explorative tendencies.

Video Age Share Better Than Ever

Leave a comment

Wanted to toss a bit of joy into your listening rotation today, especially as I love the funky bop of this fresh Video Age tune. Honestly, it reminds me in construction, of early Chromeo, playing with burying really deep hooks in a track that eventually rise and hit you right in the face. That said, the New Orleans project slings it about with a little bit more modernity, tossing in dreamy notes behind the rhythmic bounce; the vocals have a nice little melodic curl, never stretching beyond their boundaries, continuing to let the hook of the tune evolve. They’ll release Away From the Castle on October 27th via Winspear.

 

Wimps Announce City Lights LP

Leave a comment

It’s been a hot minute since we last heard from Wimps, but they waste no time in getting stuck right in our rotation with the announcement of a fresh new record on the horizon. Like many of us, the pandemic hit hard, but it did bring with it some special moments, like motherhood for Rachel Ratner. This song just rips right in, kicking off with a furiously pounding rhythm that rushes the song through your speakers as quick as can be! Lyrically, the song celebrates being a mom, while trying to find that balance between parenting and artistic creativity. As a dad, I can definitely relate to the need to find that balance! The band will be releasing City Lights on October 13th via Youth Riot Records.

Motorsports Release Saddles in Mind EP

Leave a comment

Austin had a good week last week, in my book, and another act that deserves a few extra ears is Motorsports, who just dropped their Saddles in Mind EP. I think if you spend the right amount of time with it, you’ll find the band equal parts Parquet Courts and equal parts Ought…you’ll also likely hear some Byrne-esque vocals and some hardcore tendencies, all of which have them brandishing a sound that can be as dangerous as it is thought-provoking. The whole of the listen is packed with frantic energy, pushing rhythmic post-punk through your speakers with the perfect amount of growl. Go ahead and jam the whole of this new EP!

King Creosote Announces I Des

Leave a comment

Admittedly, my love for orchestral pop has perhaps waned a bit in the last few years, as I dove in pretty heavy in the late 00s. That said, I’ve always had a really soft spot for King Creosote, and with the announcement of I Des, it gave me another chance to really dive back into his songwriting. There’s a lot of great elements in this first single too, from the sort of running guitar/synth line as the backbone, mingling with the string arrangements that sweep the song along in step with all the vocal pieces. Speaking of those vocal pieces, Kenny Anderson’s voice sounds rather distinctive in this version, so its nice to hear it offset a bit with these soft little female counter harmonies. The new LP drops via Domino on November 3rd.

1 … 8 9 10 11 12
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com