Author: nathan.lankford

Kissing Book Reissue (S) + Bongo Remix

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Way back in the yesteryear, Portland outfit Kissing Book released (s), but while it was originally out on CD, it is finally getting the Vinyl Reissue treatment via the band’s own Record Lovers. They’ve got this sound that feels like akin to early Kings of Convenience, incorporating soft jazz flourishes into a softened indiepop sound; the gentle wash is what provides the absolute charm that’ll keep you coming back. But, the band also have a little side-project going on, the Tiny Bongos, and they’ve stripped the song back to highlight the percussive element a little more. I’ve got “Hey Kids” in both the original and Tiny Bongo Remix version below, so give a listen.

Cootie Catcher Release Friend of a Friend

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I remember back when I first heard Los Campesino’s; they had this vibrancy that shown through their songs, giving off this energy that was supremely infectious and you couldn’t turn away. Cootie Catcher is the twee answer to the aforementioned act, laying ground work for joyous indiepop that’s meant to be the earworm you didn’t know you needed today. The percussive element provides a natural movement that pushes the track’s agenda; they begin to build the layered vocals pretty quickly, and that’s when I fell in love. It’s not a trick or ploy, just some great songwriting with enough risks to make the band interesting. If you’re digging it, then be sure to keep an eye out for Shy At First, out March 5th via Cooked Raw.

Selma French Shares I Think I Knew

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I love a powerful voice, and this week you might not find one more perfect than that of Norwegian artist Selma French. She first started making waves with Changes Like the Weather in the Mountain, which dropped in 2022, but there’s a new record on the way in the near future, and we’ve got your first listen here. I love how she embraces her sort of angelic with a more rollicking rock n’ roll musical element; it sets off a bit of battle between a brooding rocker and a soulful ballad, clearly illustrating the expansive ground you can expect Selma to cover on the new LP, No Sign of Rotten Leaves; we’ll let you know more about that as news comes our way!

Climax Landers Share Valkyrie Profile Video

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Sure, you’ve already got your finger on the cool kid pulse for the end of the year, and that’s fair, but the great thing about this “List Season” is you get a chance to go back and revisit some stuff, like the last LP from Climax Landers. It’s a bit all over the indie rock road map, in the best sort of way, blending slower elements with bursts of fuzzy guitars and hooks, like “Valkyrie Profile,” which spends the better part of the first minute in a down-trodden one note land. Boom, the song jangles to life, drums snap and there’s a rebirth of sorts, taking the folk elements and rocking them in a disorderly fashion! Zenith No Effects is out now via Gentle Reminder.

Horsegirl Share Julie Single

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Not sure I had Horsegirl penciled in on my calendar as delivering the knockout record of 2025, but here it is, and I’m definitely going to stand by this being one of the strongest LPs we’ll hear next year. “Julie” is another settled portrayal of a band locked into crafting their sound, building their songs with an absolute purpose; I keep thinking they’re going to explode at any given turn, yet their restraint just illustrates how carefully they’ve evolved on this LP. Don’t get me wrong, there’s not an absence of art of energy, but rather this beautiful experience that, like me, you’ll want to share with your nearest and dearest music nerds. Phonetics On and On is out on February 14th via Matador.

The Cords Drop Favourite Time

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Is it allowed to drop two Christmas singles into your coverage in one day, let alone right after one another no less? Well, who gives a damn, as this fresh ditty from the Cords is too delightful to ignore; it hits all the right jangle pop notes, and feels like it has a slight little update on the sound. You can hear the remnants of Sarah and C86 in there, or more recently Jeanines, but I like that they eschew the noisier, ramshackle nature, instead cleaning it up to deliver a maximum sweetness that surely makes it one of the more infectious tunes you’ll hear this week. This tune brought to you courtesy of Slumberland and Heavenly Creature.

Frog Shares Christmas Tune

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When Frog released their 2023 Grog LP, folks lined up to praise the band and their work, deservedly so. Now, they’ve teased a new album, but offered up a hold-over holiday tune to keep your ears warm during this Winter season. This tune has a take that’s not too similar to the traditional “Night Before Christmas” story, though told from the oddball perspective, which only makes sense hearing Frog as an outsider outfit. They continue to layer the song with twinkling piano notes, building it up with a snapping drum beat and these vocals that seem almost instrumental in their presence. A nice way to look forward to the New Year.

Train Conductor Offer Mary Anne

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As the year wraps up, I’m still looking to have my mind warped just a little bit, and this Train Conductor is definitely doing the trick, sort of trickling through my speakers like an indie rock version of Massive Attack. In the first minute or so, you’re sort of stuck in this magical realm of broken beats and ambiance. But, a pop sensibility begins to unfold, with slight vocals making their way into the mix to kind of twist up the musical mapping here. It sort of works in an unidentifiable manner; is it slow core, electronica, what? Ultimately, it’s just a unique tune to get you on your way into Monday.

Last Week’s Jams (12.2 – 12.6)

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In a world where folks are rushing to put out their year end lists, so you can debate their tastes, I’m just over here putting out songs with my bud RayRay. We covered a surprising 21 new songs last week, and 22 if you included a tune that’s not on any of the DSPs. Tons of rad Austin stuff like Strange Lot, Gus Baldwin, Lunar Gold…and of course the ATH Records’ own Fantastic Purple Spots. New music from FACS and Sprouts made my week complete, though I also found some soft spots in there you can dig through on the site. Don’t forget to also check out our Rock n’ Recipes with Sasha Bell of the Ladybug Transistor, just in time for their little tour and reissue! We also got to premiere a brand new Gaytheist tune worth your time!

Stream the Fantastic Purple Spots EP

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Whoohoo! It’s Bandcamp Friday! Your last chance to grab ATH Records stuff; we’ve got tons of 2 for $5 deals on both vinyl and cassettes; you can pick up stuff right HERE, so I can buy stuff from presents for my children. Most importantly, we’ve got a brand new EP for you to stream from the Fantastic Purple Spots. They’ve dropped their Spotsylvania Lullabies EP today, the second EP they’ve dropped this year as they continue to craft excellent pastoral psychedelia; I think you’re going to love cozying up to the fire today, putting this on repeat. Have a great Friday!

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