Author: nathan.lankford

Pink Chameleons Share Sunshine Honey

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When I put on this new single from Pink Chameleons, I immediately fawned; it’s the same sort of pastoral psychedelia that got me excited to work with our own Fantastic Purple Spots. This new single is brimming with brightness, playing upon the song’s title by showering you with warmth, letting the honey and the song’s underbelly keep you stuck in the mix. I was really drawn to the twist of the jangles until my ears adjusted and began to hear the nuanced little vocal textures working beneath, and it began to turn the song into this mysterious joy I wanted to play again and again. This track will feature on the group’s new Harmony LP, out on January 31st via Soliti Music.

Frankie Sunswept and the Silver Moons Share New Video

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If you’re yearning for the psychedelic pop that Of Montreal popularized within the indie scene, might we suggest you listen to this new track from Frankie Sunswept & the Silver Moons. The group utilizes a fantastic bass groove that bobs in and out of the speakers, surrounding it with layers upon layers of vocals, building up this huge swell of melody that seamlessly melts into the band’s wash of texture. There’s a little bit more warmth to it too, so the pop current really operates beneath the craft, which provides a bit more listening longevity, as you’re not pummeled with hooks, but rather soak in the baths of their pop tendencies. You’ll find this jam on the group’s new Nostalgia LP, out next February.

Please to Meet You: Roi Turbo

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Why the music scene dries up due to mandatory list making, there’s still some fresh new acts to get turned onto, like London duo Roi Turbo; the duo grew up in South Africa, so after they’re relocation you can still hear the remnants of their home country in their craft. They’re drawing from the rich culture of South African disco and funk, which admittedly I know zero about, so this feels both new, and yet connected to the dance floors across the globe. It’s kind of a retro feel, but they’ve vowed to approach their music in a manner that is just “free of any pretentiousness,” and I can certainly appreciate that. Something fun to keep on your radar for next year!

Check Out Coldwave’s Italia 06

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We’re already looking forward to the SXSW lineup, particularly as they’ve listened, relatively, to some of the noise surrounding their sponsorships (though the artist pay bump could still be higher). But, one of the main things I love, and I know a shit ton of folks who over look this benefit, is that it allows bands to apply for grants from their governments to come perform in our country…and Coldwave is one of the group’s just announced for a trip to our shores. The Australian band reminds me a lot of Shame, though they’ve got a larger group building in the texture, as you’ll see from this live video they recorded for “Italia ’06.”

Did You Listen to Azure Blue’s The Night of the Stars?

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It’s been a busy December on my end, so I apologize if I haven’t hyped up this new Azure Blue record enough. The Night of the Stars hit just over a week ago, and it’s possibly my favorite work of Tobias Isaksson’s ongoing project. While he’s been dabbling in building electronic hooks over the years, I’m not sure he’s had the perfect pop song like “The Miracle,” which I’ve got streaming below; it’s got a thumping drive to it, matched by gentle vocals…and even gets a little horn work in there, for all you nostalgic pop fans. “Under the Stars” is another standout, hitting you with synthetic pop from the moment you press play; the song then churns in on itself and delivers a smooth undercurrent that soothes and bubbles the way pop should. The Night of the Stars is available now through Matinee Recordings; stream the whole thing HERE.

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.

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