Author: nathan.lankford

Humdrum Share There and Back Again

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After years as a member of Star Tropics, it made sense that there were traces of the group’s sound on early Humdrum tunes. But, if you take a listen to the latest single, you can clearly tell that Loren Vanderbilt has completely grown into a new songwriting style. This new single feels like its set against the back drop of feuding guitar lines; there’s one jangling and crips ringing out up front, with a grittier layer behind that to build in the perfect contrast. Vanderbilt does his part, offering up vocals that feel as if they’re ripped straight out of a John Hughes film, albeit in a fashion that feels completely current. Every Heaven will be out on October 18th via Slumberland Records.

Capitol Share Interior Metropol Single

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What a glorious day to open the inbox and see a fresh Capitol tune ready to be shared with the masses. I instantly loved the way this track drove right into the complex realm of noisy pop; you can hear curtains of guitar noise shimmering in the mix, waiting for the thunderous boom of that kick and snare to jump in and add to the textural stamp they’ve crafted. Interestingly, the vocals feel really far back on this number, like they’re hanging behind that curtain, peeking out just to see if we’re paying attention. As the tune progresses, they dive more into the ominous nature, almost allowing the band and the listener to completely lose themselves within the confines of the track itself. They release their new record, Sounds Like a Place on Meritorio this coming November.

The Smashing Times Share New Single

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Not sure what you have planned for this Friday, but seeing as its a Bandcamp Friday, might we encourage you to take a peek at what the Smashing Times have in store for you. Whereas their earliest efforts dwelled in the crosshairs of paisley and jangle, they’ve done an about-face here, working with more of a kind of oddball-punk feel, albeit spun through the lens of great pop sensibility. Think of the Blockheads or TVPs as nostalgia’s contemporaries; they work this new single almost as if its a multi-act play, circling back to this mystical seance that teases the listener before swinging back with a bit of a punky bob and weave. Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys will be out via K/Perennial on November 1st.

The Green Child Announce Look Familiar LP

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If you’ve covered the Australian music scene for the past few decades in any fashion, you’ve likely heard the name Mikey Young; he’s been behind the scenes and in the scene with various acts like Eddy Current, but today, we’re focusing on his work with Raven Mahon (of Grass Widow), as The Green Child. On the new album, Look Familiar, the band began with ideas of both Mikey and Raven, then fleshed them out with new members Alex McFarlane and Shaun Gionis, allowing their psychedelic influences to mix and swirl like some color-based science experiment. In the first minute and a half, you get the casual pulsing pop akin to Broadcast, but as a collector of musical pebbles, I implore you to definitely drop in just before the 2 minute mark. It’s a quick textural shift, livening the track, then building layer upon layer, even adding to the vocals; this lets the song take on more life and spring right through your speakers! Look Familiar is out on November 1st via Upset the Rhythm and Hobbies Galore.

New Innocence Mission Album!!!

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Every night, or every other night, I put my son to bed, and we read three books, then “play music from your phone, daddy.” He’s two, and just wants something to help him drift into the night; the last few months, it’s been the Innocence Mission, one of my personal escape acts that I’ve adored for decades. Yesterday (I’m late to the game!) they announced a new record, already pre-ordered on my end; Midwinter Swimmers is out on November 29th. They’re one of those groups who have these little treats within the confines that continue to mesmerize me, like the 45 second mark where there’s this just the faintest uptick in the guitar line; it subsides, only to sneak back in with some plucked strings. This the album that will coat us in warmth to wrap up 2024, and I couldn’t be happier to play this for my son tonight.

Video Age Drop Record Shop 7″

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As much as I enjoyed Away from the Castle, I think that Video Age might have upped the ante on their songwriting skills with their latest 7″ as they prep for a European tour. This one’s pulling on the jangling string stylings of acts like Lucksmiths, texturing backing vocals that build crest after crest of pop vibes that repeatedly soak the listener in melody. Personally, the change in attitude around the 2 minute mark only adds a sense of effortless cool that I couldn’t pull away from, taking their craft one step beyond. Hope the group have fun while their overseas and come back with more songs like these! That rhymes!

Forceghost Ready Recycled Hearts EP + Share New Video

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If you’re an avid fan of textural pop, then perhaps you might spend some time with us, listening to the great new single from Georgia’s Forceghost. They’ve got one EP in the books this year, with Recycled Hearts on its way to your ears this November. One listen through is simply not enough to really indulge in the layered constructs the group are pushing. Synthesized beats and glitches work to build this fuzzy background, punctuated by a sharp drum hit, all the while space age notes spin and bounce throughout. Still, you’ve got a fuzzy bit of guitar crafting the slightest edge that keeps the track from bounding off into absurdity…and all of it’s tethered by these velvety vocal notes built into the musical complex they’ve built around themselves. Risky and rewarding makes for some of the best underground pop. Recycled Hearts is out November 1st via Gift Fig Records.

Check Out Tom Emlyn and His New LP

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If you’re paying attention to the UK scene, Tom Emlyn might already be on your radar, but at the moment, there’s not a ton of folks covering him over here Stateside. That said, I’m here to get down and boogie with his latest release, Rehearsal for the Rain: Scaredycat Vol 2. You’ll get a big dose of classic pop writing styles, with nods to Barrett and the Beatles, but there’s a bit more shimmy and shake on the single below, which is why it works as a great introduction; the howling harmonica alone should set your ears afire. Also, as a fan of storytelling, I love the way he’s gone about explaining and detailing every track in his Bandcamp page. Give him a listen!

Mo Dotti Share Whirling Sad

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What a gloriously disorienting way to open your day here, thanks to Mo Dotti. The band just dropped their latest single, rippling with discordant noise and thundering drum work centered around a spinning melodic vocal…all of this matched by dynamics of the video. They’ve created their own mythical moment, like sirens drawing you in with sparkling vocals, only to crash and bash once you’ve reached the shore, leading to what one can only assume is the sweetest death. It’s like their leading me astray, purposefully forcing me to rethink every decision in my day, and I couldn’t be happier. Be sure to order a copy of Opaque before it drops on September 20th.

September Single from Red Sleeping Beauty

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You have to commend our friends in Sweden, Red Sleeping Beauty. They promised a brand new track every month this year, and here we are with the 9th installment, as we’re hitting September. This one has a different vibe somehow, while still feeling connected to previous 8 months of work. Something in the confines of this song just seems a little more organic, and perhaps less propulsive; I like that it has that earmark of synths, but still feels like a fresh take that’s blossoming by putting that sound in the background a little. As promised, we’ll be back next month with the latest installment from your personal Red Sleeping Beauty PR team!

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