Author: nathan.lankford

Gus Baldwin and the Sketch Prep the Sketch LP

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Gus Baldwin and the Sketch are one of my favorite acts in the Austin scene. They have this sweat dripping tenacity that reminds me of an early Jay Reatard, rushing through songs as if possessed by some supernatural punk spirit. The song below’s been bouncing around for a minute, capturing, as best you can, the live energy of the group. This tune pops up with the news that they’re announcing The Sketch, their new album, dropping on January 17th, perhaps as the first best record out of Austin that year. Plus, a fun fact is you can play 7 Degrees of ATH Records with the band, but perhaps only I’m in on that story. I’ll save it for another day, while you crank the volume up!

Prism Shores Announce Out From Underneath

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Meritorio Records have been one of the most consistent labels in my life the last few years; this year alone I’ve bought records from SadEyed Beatniks, Best Bets and am hoping to get that Jim Nothing record soon. But today, the label announced the signing and release of a new LP from Prism Shores. The Montreal act is new to me (shame on me, I know), and I was almost instantly hooked. There’s this lurking familiarity I haven’t quite placed yet, and perhaps you can hear it yourself, but it’s this steady pop bounce that feels like you’re a punk mixologist, fusing the Red Pinks and Purples softness with a little bit of a harder jangling sound. Sharp and comforting, I’ve had this tune on all morning long. Out From Underneath drops the day after my January 16th birthday in 2025, so if you want to get me a present, you know what to do.

Boyracer Share Ode to Graeme Downes

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If you don’t know Graeme Downes, well, I can’t help you there. But, maybe by turning on this new single from Boyracer you’ll be able to get the gist of why the songwriter is held in such high regard…enough to warrant an ode of sorts. Musically, the band have tuned down their energy here, and I mean that in the best way; they’re still manage to have an understated jangle and a sublime rhythm section, but it very much feels like Stew and company have embarked on the ballad route for their latest single. Riley throws in some velvety backing vocals throughout, maximizing the lure of the melodic tootsie roll at the center of the tune. Seaside Riot is out via Emotional Response this Friday!

Opera Share Forget Single

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A new label and a new band get highlighted in this here post; you’ve got Broken Palace Records, which was started by members of Stray Fossa, plus Opera is a new act popping up in the Boston scene. When I pressed play, I was definitely drawn to the brooding nature, setting up a shadowiness that achieves the perfect juxtaposition with the vocals. Those vocals sparkle at first, little glimmers of light, but once the groove settles they begin to shine, providing this lightness to the sound that could easily be spun into a huge pop hit for the masses. Keep your eyes on the group, as they have an EP on the way, and congrats to the new label!

Assistant Share Song for Jil

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After having been away from one another, Assistant have returned in the last few years with a flutter of activity, and there’s another LP on the very near horizon. Their latest tune, a trickling pop ode to songwriter Jonathan’s mom, is the perfect appetizer for Wednesday pop musings. At times, there’s hints of bossanova, though it would also be easy to kind of hear how their softness fits into the modern realm of indiepop. Still, listen closely at the beginning as the group undertakes their own sparklier version of the Clientele, creating a landscape painting with their musicality. Their new LP, Certain Memories, will be available on November 17th via the good folks at Subjangle.

Red Pants Share Pale Shadows EP

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Originally recorded during the Not Quite There Yet sessions, Red Pants tragically misplaced their work on a 2009 Macbook that bit the dust. But, they’ve managed to resurrect the tunes, offering them up for us on a shiny new Pale Shadows EP. I love the diversity of the listen, with elements of noise rock crashing into their typical bedroom pop arrangements; they saddle up together nicely, as if this was always the intended vision. And if you’re asking me, as you clearly are, “One More Ghost” is a jam and a half, using a guitar growl that perfectly gets under your skin in the best way. Stream the whole thing below!

Minorcan Preps Rock Alone + Shares Scorpio Sting

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Yesterday was a sign of the times, as I got my first “Year in Review” pitch, meaning it is officially time for us to jump in our transporter and head into 2025. One of the records we’ll be looking out for is the new Minorcan record, Rock Alone, which features the tasty treat we’ve got streaming down below. Listening through the tune, the musical style falls somewhere between the work of Bruce Springsteen and Eels, offering up a left of the dial version of classic songwriting. It’s an apt time for the release here, as it’s a love song, disguised as an arachnid attack, with the love interest striking our narrator. If you’re looking for a little tasty morsel inside, might I suggest the little guitar shuffled at 1:43; it totally brightened my day over here. Rock Alone is out in February of next year my friends!

Vessels Share Nowhere to Be

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Woke up this morning feel a little bit of a growl, and this tune from Vessels caught my energy; it adheres to an old school style of garage rock, of the sort that’s driving a bit of hook-laden pop right into your memory. The snapping rhythm section offers up a bit of enhanced bravado, playing off the way the vocals get delivered throughout the tune. You’ll certainly hear the remnants of the 00s garage revival here, but, with hooks this fun, it’s hard not to just get carried away with the volume turned up full blast on this one. Debut EP coming out this December!

New Mogwai Song + Album News

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I was really fortunate to catch Mogwai this past Spring in Austin, and the impressed me with their set then just as they did when I was a young teenager, filling the giant room with walls of squalling noise and ambiance. Today, the post-rock outfit bring out a fresh single, reclaiming post-rock from all the boring would-bes that they, perchance, created. I love the thoughtfulness of the video, as they group continue to incorporate the aspect of visual art into their musical scores…plus who doesn’t love doggos? You get talk-box effects, edgy solos, feedback and a steady percussive march, all of it a reminder of just how great they are. Their new album The Bad Fire is out on January 24th.

Magic User Announces Shadow on the Door

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Some acts want to give you one singular vibe, and I totally respect that, love that even. But, as we all transition between playlists and mixes, a good record should toy with us, much like this new LP from Magic User will. I’ve listened to the LP, and it’s got rippers and janglers…and, like the one below, a little bit of ballad work. You can hear the way the guitars wriggle beneath the vocals how this track could erupt into a powerful piece of dreampop, though I’m grateful for the restraint, especially when there’s this instrumental moment that feels like water lapping at your toes on a sunny day. If you’re looking for an album that’ll mix the aforementioned vibes, then might we suggest grabbing Shadow on the Door; it drops December 14th via Dandy Boy Records.

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