Month: March 2024

Fresh Share Merch Girl + Announce EP

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If you didn’t listen to 2002’s Raise Hell, might I implore you to go back and check out Fresh‘s last LP before completely diving into the new track. That said, it won’t be easy, as this new tune has all the reasons to fall head over heels for the group. There’s plenty of bite and tenacity in the guitar sound, which bleeds into the vocals too. I found Kathryn Woods’ ferocious performance perfectly fitting, allowing the faintest melodic hint to slide beneath the surface to seduce pop rock fans. They’ll be releasing their new Merch Girl EP on April 19th via Get Better Records/Specialist Subject Records.

Christina’s Trip Share Companion

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This churning bit of guitar pop from Christina’s Trip has totally won me over, and thus, warranted an early morning listen for you all. You’ll clearly hear a bit of nostalgia in the craft, something that clings to a sense of sincerity and indifference at once, particularly in the varying vocal approaches throughout the tune. I definitely fell for the sharp meandering of the guitar notes to, especially when they bent and twist around the drawn out style vocals. Bits of this sounds like early Rilo Kiley too, like that all encompassing earnestness that makes you want to get up, grab a guitar and start your own band. This song features on the group’s new LP, Forever After, out soon via Cherub Dream Records.

Mountain Movers Announce Walking After Dark

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Over the last week, there were a lot of tunes coming our way, but one that I knew I immediately had to enjoy was the new track from Mountain Movers; it came with the announcement of a new LP, Walking After Dark. It begins lightly, sort of like a psychedelic wind breezing through your speakers; the tempo is steady, creating this atmosphere of weighted presence, filling the room with little musical sketches. As the song progresses, the room seems to fill, barely letting you catch your breath as it fills with the masterful touches of a band slipping into your subconscious. If ever a band were to be compared to a spiritual seance of sorts, I think Mountain Movers would be be your best option. Trouble in Mind Records will release Walking After Dark on May 17th.

Nights Templar Announce Half the Year

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When Paisley Shirt Records backs a band, you better believe I’m going to be paying close attention, as is the case with Nights Templar, the label’s newest release. And if I’m to be honest, this is exactly how I wanted to begin my week, as the first single “Floorboards” is the perfect piece of danceable post-punk, not far away from some of the more accessible bits on a Blank Dogs LP. Flip to the next track released, “Blocks,” and you find the project exploring a little more of the empty space in their songwriting; there’s still a heavy pop wash working throughout, but the tune feels a lot more open, letting the melodies fill some of the space that’s been left behind. Half the Year will be released on March 29th.

Return Flights Drop Newcomer Single

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Really been looking to dive more into the electronic pop craft this year, which is how I stumbled upon London’s Return Flights. They spend the first minute or so of their latest single driving the beat, waiting for the song to open up and twist into some indie-disco shuffler. Smoky vocals ride atop the groove for a few moments, then that shuffle kicks in, and you find yourself spinning in the happiest, dizziest circle. Layered vocals work to perfection, building both the texture and the hooks that will likely find folks making some New Order comparisons. Never a bad thing in our book here.

Club 8 Share Daylight Single

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For the past few months, Club 8 have quietly gone about their business, releasing single after single, which I keep coming back to enjoy. When this one kicked off, there was a bit more danger in the way the track presented itself; there’s a growl from the bass line too as it works to give the song an edge and a hook simultaneously. But, where the band’s success lies is in there ability to work to create swirling pop realms by providing melodic vocals within tasty little pop nuggets, creating an endearing world that keeps you, and me, coming back over and over again.

Last Week’s Jams (3.11 – 3.15)

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For some reason or another, we were rather preoccupied with the Austin goings-on, so perhaps we didn’t cover as much as we might have liked. I’ll be circling back through this week to try and get as much of it up as I can. But, we did have some really solid jams…and a few premieres…or whatever you call it. I was definitely feeling a little electronically inclined, covering new stuff from Maria Chiara Argiro and Cong Josie. Got blown away by the new Lightheaded track, not to mention fawning over tunes from Kindsight and Mammoth Penguins. Oh, and speaking of premieres…we had a new Unwed Sailor and a live cut from The Wind-Ups. Check them below.

SXSW Thursday In Photos

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Despite some of the self-inflicted guilt of being part of the machine, we’re still out there trying to cover as much music and see as many bands as we could on Thursday. We were able to really bounce here and there, with the Valhalla and 13th Floor giving a prime location for the bloggers crossing the road. I think we all squeezed in some bands that we had wanted to see this year, so that’s an added bonus getting to cross a rad act off your list!

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Mythical Motors Share Take a Trip

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I missed the boat on the first single from the forthcoming Mythical Motors LP, but I couldn’t resist alerting you to the promise of Upside Down World. The tune below is the opening number, and its opening guitar lines were enough to pull me right into the tune; they have this power-pop brightness that seems to swear we’ll have a better tomorrow, in emotion alone. Matt Addison’s voice has this gentleness in its presentation that you can’t escape either, taking the early wistfulness and pushing it to the next level. If you’re looking to find a sunny future, might we suggest you grabbing Upside Down World; the LP drops on April 12th via Repeating Cloud.

Kindsight Share Acid Island 45

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I’ve been an avid fan of Danish outfit Kindsight since their early days, and while I’ve admired their previous work, this new single might be the proverbial icing on the cake. It feels like the most direct and pop oriented tune they’ve crafted, rushing forward with these driving rhythms and swirling bits of guitar billowing through your speakers. Don’t ignore the sweetness of the vocals here, adding in that melodic sugar that your body needs to ensure that you survive. This quick pop ditty is the opening track to the group’s brand new LP, No Shame No Fame, which will hit on April 19th via Rama Lama Records.

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