Author: nathan.lankford

Goblin Daycare Share Liar Liar

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Through the first few singles, I’ve been totally on board with Turkey’s Goblin Daycare, and as of this new single, that’s not changing. There’s some sonic similarities to what folks are doing in the US scene, like the Oh Sees, but what I enjoyed here was that they kind of peeled away layers of the sonic onion, getting down to the most frantic core of the track. You’ll hear those jittering guitars knifing their way through here, but the drum work is seemingly sedated (in sound only); it leaves plenty of room for the vocals to crawl through in this goblin-esque manner. It’s like they’re begging you to dig deeper into the genre, and I’m totally here for it. They’ll release Agitpop Hotline on May 17th via Dedstrange.

Billy Tibbals Shares Out of Touch

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The more I listen to Billy Tibbals the less I seem to know how to describe his craft. There are times where the bratty vocal delivery reminds me of Jay Reatard; then he rolls his tongue and comes across like Geddy Lee or some other master of prog sentiment. All of it gets punched in through a frantic bit of huge riffs and playful little recording mix nuances like the telephone call in the midst of this single. At times he’s driving and punchy, then turns around and feels playful, as if he’s been playing with us all along. Then you get to the end and you hear a bit of Bolan or Bowie, bridging all these influences to leave you with a track that surely soars if you crank it all the way up! His Nightlife Stories EP is out this Friday via Silver Arrow Records.

Laughing Announce Because It’s True

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If you’re not ready to enjoy some of the best power-pop around, then you may as well skip onto the next track, as this fresh Laughing tune is just too tasty. At first listen, you might hear a bit of a nod to Teenage Fanclub, and there’s nothing wrong with that, though the band settle into a little bit more casual and direct spin, harkening to the left-of-the-dial hits of late 90s college rock. The musicianship is pretty stellar when you pull your ears really close to the noise, with overlapping guitar lines swinging the listener back and forth like a great pop rock lullaby. Feels a bit like a house party thrown by members of Ash, Superdrag and Teenage Fanclub, and there’s not a single person who isn’t wearing a big old-fashioned shit-eating grin on their face. Because It’s True is out June 28th via Celluloid Lunch/Meritorio Records.

Premiere: The Ar-Kaics Share Cornerstone

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For all the ferrymen along the river of psychedelia, I wouldn’t be lying if I said things had perhaps traveled a bit too far into the realm of the mundane. That said, I love the flare and style that the Ar-Kaics bring to the fold; they almost seem like their more enlightened by the annals of classic rock as opposed to the tethered nostalgia of psych rock. You can hear the need to get down and boogie in their craft, with guitar crisp and steamy, packing a huge punch that gives off a bit of sweaty swagger. You’ll find that the coolness of the vocals brings in a refreshing touch, almost as if they embody a wolf howling at the moon before settling into a little soulful blast. Patrick Fugit can’t wait for you to hear those incendiary riffs that run throughout the whole of See the World on Fire; it drops on May 3rd via Feel It/Dig/Bachelor Records.

Lightheaded Offer Bright Happy Girls

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In a few weeks, Lightheaded will release their much anticipated Combustible Gems, so they celebrate today with a doozy of a pop hit. At first, they come at you with a bit of psychedelic americana, punching through to offer a bit of bravado and gall that one might not expect. But, as folks have come to hear, they don’t stick their for too long, turning the corner into this incredibly charming melodic lead, emphatically driven home with some enthusiastic backing vocals. This song is filled with contrasts, whether its juxtaposed jangling riffs or stylistic switches within the song’s core, it’s all set against each moment to maximize every happy emotion in the world. Combustible Gems drops May 17th via Slumberland Records.

Bad Moves Return!!!

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It’s been a few years since we last heard from DC’s Bad Moves, but nearly five years since they’ve dropped a proper LP. Word has it that they’re back in the studio finishing things up for a Fall relase, but have offered up another little teaser to leave breadcrumbs for the folks like me (and Ed in Cleveland!). This tune’s got everything you came to love about the band, sharp biting lyricism and hooks galore, wrapped up nicely with a chorus you can scream at the top of your lungs. This song’s even got some call-and-response vocal punches, embracing the joyousness the quartet has always brought to the live setting, so its great to hear it bleeding through in their latest recording. Rock n’ roll was supposed to be fun, and even when its got something to say, no one seems to enjoy themselves giving rock their all like Bad Moves. Hopefully more news on the new album soon!

Another Jim Nothing Single

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Let the old inbox get me down, and in there somewhere was lurking a fresh new tune from Jim Nothing…yet another single in their post In the Marigolds run. There’s something in the work on this song that reminds me of a fuzzier version of Los Campesinos; it has the same endearing quality that came, particularly when you get some of those faint backing vocals into the picture…or maybe it was that opening “wooh” that set me off. The riffs are heavier for this lot, even with the cascading lead that twists its knife through the center; those riffs allow the pace to kind of settle and mellow before you, encouraging you to sink into the depths of their latest bop!

Future Star Announces Debut LP for Mint Records

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When listening to the first few seconds of the latest track from Future Star, you’ll likely be drawn to their powerful vocal performance. In fact, the song’s opening minute works mostly with a piano line and the vocals, leaving the track fairly open, awaiting something powerful to sweep the listener into the mix. Lo and behold, synthetic beats hold hands with the aforementioned piano line, fleshing out the tune into something beyond a mere vocal performance. Stick around until the two minute mark for the ultimate reward, as all the pieces collide into a supernova of pop that’s got the project’s new LP on our radar. It’s About Time drops on July 5th via Mint Records.

Luma Fade Share Portal

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After getting introduced to Luma Fade a few weeks back, I’ve kept my eye out for new music, and today, we get another glimpse at the band’s forthcoming Visitor LP. Personally, I was drawn to the bending guitar lines, reminiscent of Pinback’s tones, which were kind of prog-esque blended with an indie rock sensibility. This new single operates in that space for a hot minute, letting the vocals build the emotional tension. You’ll find a dreamy release near the two minute mark as the song begins to unfurl a little bit at a time, leading you to a sprawling end of discordant beauty. Their album Visitor hits on May 24th.

Don’t Get Lemon Release Have Some Shame

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What better way to open up your Tuesday coverage than with a bit of brooding post-punk, such as that offered by Austin’s Don’t Get Lemon. We’re offering up a little glimpse at the band’s work via the single below, hinting at both sides of the coin you’ll find within the confines of their new Have Some Shame LP (it just dropped today!). Musically, they dive head first into the genre, filling space with heavy bass lines and thundering drums as synths and guitars offer up a melodic atmosphere that hides the darkness. Then, as if you can’t immediately tell, you get the deep dark tones of Austin Curtis’ vocals, living in space between Gahan and Sam Herring; it leaves you with a sentiment both haunting and endearing, tumbling you further into the depths of their new LP. You can stream the whole LP HERE.

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