Month: January 2024

Colin Newman to Reissue Bastard

Leave a comment

While my introduction to Colin Newman was most certainly centered around his work as a key cog in Wire, as I later delved into his other work, Bastard ended up finding a home in my collection. It was, for all intents and purposes, a techno record done by a songwriter whose musical constructs always seemed like they could parallel the genre. Good news for you record heads though, as the 1997 classic is now being released on vinyl for the very first time; if you buy the CD version, there’s a bonus disc with unreleased and rare tracks being offered up, courtesy of Swim; it drops January 26th. It’s always been a joy to know that some of my favorite guitar heroes from the 70s and 80s spent so much of their time dancing out of the limelight. Enjoy a new video for “Turn.”

Large Brush Collection Share Arm’s Length

Leave a comment

As the Austin scene begins its year, one of the acts on our radar is Large Brush Collection, who will drop Off Center at the end of the month. Led by Nora Predey, the group’s sound twists and turns around the folk ethos that permeates Texas music. That said, the construction of their work, as well as some of the finer brushstrokes across this single, indicate a dedication more aligned with post-rock. Drum work rolls through casually, carefully traipsing through the grasses of the flute and ornate guitar lines, all of it centered around the majesty of Predey’s voice. There’s even some sharp-edged guitar bursts, faintly furthering an allusion to a rock underbelly. Look for Off Center on January 26th.

Winter Shares Brand New Single

Leave a comment

If you missed out on What Kind of Blue Are You, then you really missed out on an enduring listen, as I still go back to that last Winter record from time to time. But, Samira Winter has been quiet as of late, until today, when a new single drops from her recording project. At first, the song unfolds as sort of a simple ballad, working over a sampled beat, with Winter’s voice dipping in and out of focus atop the notes. Then, about midtrack, the fuzz seeps into the cracks, breaking the song into this atmospheric wash of discord and melody. It’s the sort of pop we’ve come to expect from the artist, adhering to modern structures while still willing to take risks. Let’s hope this is a sign of new work on the horizon.

Another Hit From Topographies

Leave a comment

Bay area band Topographies released one of my favorite tunes late last year and they don’t appear to be slowing down as we enter 2024. Yesterday the band dropped this dark wave inspired new tune called “Chain of Days” and it just had to be shared with you all. It builds on the heavy synth sound and washed out guitar sound from previous releases and is sure to build buzz for the upcoming full length. Dig it below.

Topographies new album entitled Interior Spring is outon February 2nd viaDark Entries.Pre-orders are live now.

 

Skep Wax Announce Under the Bridge 2

Leave a comment

How does a label follow up a brilliant compilation like Under the Bridge? Well, Skep Wax aims to double down on their foray into the compilation world by tossing us Under the Bridge 2. If you thought they had heavy-hitters from the Sarah Records catalogue in round one, you won’t be surprised to find acts like the Hit Parade or St Christopher nestling up to acts like the Orchids and Boyracer. It’s basically a who’s-who of your indiepop heroes, working together again to shine a light on the genre. You’ll get a casual ballad opening the door to the new LP courtesy of the Gentle Spring, then its spun right around into the rambunctious jangling of Action Painting! Also, Skep Wax always does really cool things, so they’re hosting a live listening party featuring a lot of the artists, so you’ll want to RSVP for that event on April 5th; the LP is out the following day!

Gulfer Return With Too Slow

Leave a comment

After a stellar pandemic release with their self-titled LP in 2020, Montreal based Gulfer didn’t release a whole lot of music over the last few years. Other than a random single hear and there, the band was mostly quiet. Last November though showed a strong return for the band with one of my favorite songs of last year “Clean.” This year looks to be a strong return to form for Gulfer with a whole new album, which will feature this banging new single “Too Slow.” It serves as a heavier sound than what we might be used to from the Canadians and serve us all notice that they are back and stronger than ever.

Gulfer’s third album Third World is out on February 28th and is available for pre-order now via Topshelf Records.

 

Friko Share Where We’ve Been

Leave a comment

I don’t know what to think about Friko, in terms of the classic genre pigeonholing we do on these here blog pages. If you ask me, that sets the band up for something exceptional, especially when you hear their latest track from the forthcoming Where We’ve Been We Go From Here. Initially, you’re greeted by this fragility, this openness that works ornate guitar lines over a rolling hill of drum work; it’s careful in its presentation, allowing you to sink into your chair as the track unfolds. You can hear the song’s tension build beneath Bailey’s drumming, erupting around the 1:40 mark, for just a split second. Having built you up, they settle back into the groove, waiting to hit you with joyous eruption of noise that carries you on its shoulders into the tune’s ending. ATO Records releases the new LP on February 16th.

Flight Mode Share Surprised At All

Leave a comment

After the determined success of their Tx 98 EP, we expected big things from Oslo’s Flight Mode, especially after they signed up with Tiny Engines for the release of their new LP. Personally, I love how this new track shows the band’s evolution over the past few years; things began in a very 90s emo-centric realm, but they’ve moved into a more progressive pop rock outfit, albeit one that still adheres to some of the structural moments in that early emo movement. I mean, just check out the chorus on this tune, filled with melody, twisting in a bit of a sharp edge to add that perfect punch as the song explodes through your ears. The Three Times will be officially out on February 2nd!

New Single From Gold Star

Leave a comment

Los Angeles based artist Marlon Rabenreither has been making music under the moniker Gold Star for near on a decade at this point with three full lengths and multiple EPs in his growing catalog. Today he’s adding to that impressive repertoire with this straight jam of a new single called “Wild Boys.” It features a twangy, indie folk inspiration pulling from a Dylan style of songwriting paired with sweeping crescendos and beautiful moments throughout. Hopefully this is just a taste of more to from from Rabenreither.

Snailosaur Share Darkness + Release Talk Therapy

Leave a comment

If you’re going to drop in a classic post rock style jam, what better way to follow that up than with a nice bit of classic indie rock sounds, a la Snailosaur. The band just released a new record titled Talk Therapy, and I hope this tune can turn you onto their work, as it’s the perfect exemplar of the LP’s style. Just imagine Bill Callahan turning Smog into something of a kind of rock tour de force, taking his introspective work and allowing it to unfold in the realm of quietloudquiet; it’s personal and explosive and I absolutely stomp around for a minute wailing on my air guitar as the tune rung out. Get you a taste.

1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 11
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com