Author: nathan.lankford

Pleased to Meet You: Tee Templeton

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It’s seems a rarity that a 66-year-old artist breaks through the noise to land with a debut, but Tee Templeton is definitely someone worth encountering today. He spent his life with his songwriting waiting patiently on the sidelines while he attended to his career and other life endeavors, but has now come back with his second single that’s really stuck inside my head. At first, the intricate opening took me aback, but as soon as the tune hits the 30 second mark, the tune completely shifts into Bolan/Bowie territory. I, of course, loved that, but those similarities move into other pop territories as the arrangement layers in strings that buoy the entirety of the track. Really mesmerized by this song.

Bedridden Share Philadelphia Get Me Through Single

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There’s new singles coming out left and right, and my disastrous ability to focus on one genre sees me skittering between pop and soft rock and, well, bold blasts of rock like the latest from Bedridden. Their newest single wastes no time grabbing the listener, using thunderous pounding drum work to match up with the wriggling bits of discordant guitar noise. While the vocal entry offers up a soft underbelly, the tune still drives forward with such power that there’s nothing to do but brace yourself for wave after wave of smashing rock n’ roll. I also am quite appreciative of the fact they’re not trying to cleverly disguise their sound, just coming out with guitars and drums ablaze. Moths Strapped to Each Other’s Backs will be out on April 11 via Julia’s War.

Lawn Chair Return with Fancy New Single

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You’re going to want to crank this one up, as German posse Lawn Chair are delivering a hook-laden rocker. In no time, you’re thrust in into a a circle pit, spinning you about before the band pull back to let the sharpness of the vocals take over. Claudia’s delivery is definitely a winner here, clever and pointe, riding on the rhythmic pulse that’s luring beneath the surface of the song. There’s a bit of melody when they move into the chorus, but the group still keeps things on a knife’s edge, so if you’re not punch dancing in your room right now, please consult a doctor. Hopefully we hear more from the group real quick, as I just can’t get enough.

The Blue Knots Share Bike By

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You may recognize the name Danielle Stech-Homsy, who made a name for herself under the moniker Rio en Medio, but at this time, that’s on hold as she turns towards a new solo endeavor, The Blue Knots. Listening through the latest single from the record, there’s this childlike joy in its simplicity, resonating with the Danielle’s note that “it’s the stillness that let’s you see what’s going on beneath the surface.” Embrace that concept and sit with this song for a moment, let it hang about as the notes flicker in and out, listen for the careful details, whether that’s the percussive element or the vocals or the way notes begin to quietly collide as the song evaporates before your ears. The debut LP from this project, Becoming Noise, is out on April 25th.

Adrian Quesada Announce Boleros Psicodelicos II

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I completely realize I’m going to come across like a jerk-store here, but I 100% love Adrian Quesada‘s solo stuff more than the Black Pumas; I know that’s sacrilegious, but just calling it like I see it. I was gifted an early listen to this fresh track from Boleros Psicodelicos II, which features Cuco, and I’ve pretty much been playing it non-stop. For starters, Cuco’s voice is just ridiculous here; it doesn’t feel out of place in a classic bolero sense, and in fact, almost seems like the genre was built just for him. But, that wouldn’t work if there wasn’t this incendiary blend of synthetic keys, percussion and guitar, all thrown together in this masterful fashion that almost makes it feel like the score to an unwritten Robert Rodriguez vampire movie, yet totally pop at the same time! I freaking love it, and am excited to hear all of Boleros Psicodelicos II when it drops on June 27th via ATO Records. Now, if I can only convince him to do his take on Chicha, then we’ve got a party!

Sophia Warren Shares Grin Single

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When Sophia Warren‘s new single hits you, it does so with this maturity that bewilders those who think age matters in songwriting; she makes 21 seem like decades spent honing her craft. The song wastes little time hanging about, with Warren immediately moving into this rhythmic musical stuttering, working her soulful voice in and out of the song’s spaces. It’s in those spaces where the craft and nuance show a mastery; I love the careful backing vocals that almost remind one of the Breeders at their peak, yet this is only the set up. A chorus comes soaring in, filled with the bravado of accomplishment and self-confidence, billowing with power as the track takes on dreamier rock tones. If you’re not impressed with the young Austin artists, keep an eye out for her new Adesso EP, which drops on April 30th via Tigris 33/Universal Music Group Mexico.

Swimming Bell Announce Somnia EP

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In the mood for a drifting bit of pop music? Well, Swimming Bell have you covered as they announce their new Somnia EP for Perpetual Doom. Songwriter Katie Schottland said she wanted the work on this album to “feel like sinking into water, where everything is softened and suspended,” and that sentiment definitely pervades through this first single, as you’re quickly immersed in a dream-like state, slowly moving through the ethereal landscape. One of the tricks I like, however, is the incorporation of the sliding guitar, giving a bit of a Western soul to the tune, moving it into a territory all its own. Somnia will be out on May 16th.

Maneater Share Blueprint Single

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You know by now that I’m an avowed Non La fan, and DJ has been working with their friend Lindsay on Maneater, a project that reminds me of Sleigh Bells in its earliest. Their style blends up their distinctive voices, often overlapping to push the vocal hooks they’ve built up in their songwriting. Musically, the guitars have the growl and grunginess, thus the Sleigh Bells reference, but there is something sweeter at play here, as Maneater want to offer something more like a sweet-tooth that doesn’t feel too far off from DJ’s other project. It’s joyous and fun, and done so cleverly that you have no choice but to rinse and repeat and play all day long!

Quinquis Drops Dec’h Video

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When pouring through my inbox, I always rush to open recognizable names, like Quinquis; today there’s a new single from the forthcoming Eor LP, which has already gotten some love on the site. On this new single, the electronica is used as a narrative voice, rather than some overly-propulsive dance groove; I love that it’s almost barely crawling along, with this intense pulse working just beneath the surface. Using that groove, there’s this natural tension that holds your attention throughout, with whispered vocal notes moving carefully while these sterile synapses fire off intermittently. It’s an entirely different approach, continuously building the visual and sonic arts; the new LP is out on May 9th via Mute.

Soot Sprite Release Days After Days

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If you haven’t penciled in Soot Sprite just yet, you’re going to want to make room for the group in your listening rotation, as their debut continues it’s promising foray into the singles cycle. While the music revolves around the crest and fall bit of modern indie rock, Elise Cook’s voice offers the perfect gravitational pull for listeners. At its peak, it’s bold and powerful, crashing into you as equally loud as the guitars ringing out behind. But, there are a few delighting moments when she pulls back, building in a kinder texture that shows her vocal control. Another single in the books that’s going to make Wield Your Hope Like a Weapon a stellar debut release; it hits on May 16th via Specialist Subject Records.

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