Friday Album Streams: Lower Plenty, Class, Open Hands + More

It’s Friday, and while Austin is focused on ACL Weekend One, I’m here to turn your ears towards some great albums that you’ll benefit from if you’re into the whole streaming process. Several of these we’ve talked about quite a bit, so it’s good that now you can get your hands on them in their entirety. Going to start with what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite LPs of the year, then let you pick and choose what’s your flavor.

Lower PlentyNo Poets (Bedroom Suck Records)

ClassIf You’ve Got Nothing (Feel It Records)

Open CityHands in the Honey Jar (Get Better Records)

The SuncharmsThings Lost (Sunday Records)

Half StackSitting Pretty (Forged Artifacts)

Lavender Blush Share New Single

While early recordings melded the sounds of distortion with pop tendencies, the rumor has it that the latest release from Lavender Blush will pull back a bit on the noise work, letting the band’s power evolve more organically. Our first listen to their new work has the band immediately forcing toe taps with a driving rhythm section and a marched vocal delivery. Longtime fans needn’t fret, as the group still has keenness to work those pedals back into the mix, as you can hear feedback lurking here and there, opening up just before the two minute mark, bringing the song to a noisier close. You Love Me Now Wait is the band’s forthcoming EP, it’ll drop on November 17th via Shelflife.

Kay Odyssey Share Paper Boat

It’s always a good day when you get to slide into a great Kay Odyssey tune. The Austin outfit have been consistently churning out great vibes for years, and now there’s a brand new single from the group, with a video done by the group’s own, Kristina Boswell. When the guitar trickled in, you can feel the emotion through your speakers; it had that resonance that, for me, reminded me of the Pacific Northwest in the 90s. But, drums and keys jump into the picture, kicking the tune into a bit more of a softly bouncing lullaby. Boswell’s vocals sparkle here, hitting perfect notes as the band works behind her. Plus, a later moment brings in a swelling string arrangement on cello, furthering the texture of the tune, and you completely dive into the track. Fall in love here.

Show Preview: The Walkmen at Stubbs (10.7)

A few years back, when the Walkmen announced they were going on hiatus, we here at ATH were a little bummed, as we’re self-avowed superfans. But, it was understandable; they had side projects, they’d been at it for nearly two decades, so sure, we were sad, but we got it. Then, this last year they decided to get the band back together, and RayRay rushed off to catch one of their sets in Rhode Island; he said Hamilton still had the power in voice, which is always a selling point. So, this weekend, while I’ve aged out of ACL attendance, I still get a chance to see the Walkmen at Stubbs for their Official After Show. If they play “In the New Year” and “the Rat” we all win, but I’ll be looking for those deep cuts. Opening act L.C. Franke should be on after doors at 8 PM; grab tickets HERE.

Great Pop Ditty from English Teacher

We’ve all been diving into the vibe of English Teacher over here at ATH, and I really can’t say enough great things about the newest single, “Nearly Daffodils.” The song’s centered on this natural movement, but while I’ve heard other acts go into pure post-punk mode, this lot take that vibe and mute it a little bit, allowing more hints of melody to poke through the holes. For me, this elevates the charm, but still leaves plenty of room for bite, which you get at the 2:41 mark, reminiscent of a great Screaming Females song, and then it locks back into the groove. Definitely a great way to start your morning.

Screensaver Drop Future Trash Single

A few more weeks and we’ll be able to hear the entirety of the new LP from Screensaver, but for now, I’ll settle for another stunning single to keep my ears ready. This one opens with a purely goth opening, industrial vibes filling the space, which allows the vocals to stalk your speakers, guiding you through the song. While the vocals and the goth nods operate in the front of the mix, you get some added flare behind, listening to the guitars run up and down the corridors from behind, with horns skronking behind in various spaces, filling every inch of the song. Decent Shapes will be out on October 20th via Upset the Rhythm.

Deary Share Video for Sleepsong

It’s a great morning to slide into the dreamy realms of Deary; the opening sparkle of the guitar notes fit perfectly with the raindrops trickling down the window of my classroom. Those same notes build a faint hint of promise, opening the song to the vocals, working from the bottom of the mix, almost operating as pure texture in the cavernous dream world the group is crafting. And yes, the title’s absolutely fitting, as you can easily find yourself drifting into dreamland as you immerse yourself into the tune; I hear it as a sleepier Beach House, letting the melodies and hooks hide in the shadows a bit more. Deary will release their self-titled EP on November 17th via Sonic Cathedral.

Breast Cancer Resource Center Benefit Show at Hotel Vegas (10.7)

This Saturday, Hotel Vegas will play host to a benefit show for the Breast Cancer Resource Center, and we highly encourage you to come out and support the community! There will be great music from Fragile Rock, March and Beauty and Black Books, plus an intermission where you’ll get to meet some of the folks from BCRC. Not only do you get to give back to the community and see some great tunes, but you can throw your support behind local Austin breast cancer battlers/survivors, as they love live music too! You can get more information HERE or you can just directly donate to BCRC by going HERE, in case you already had plans for the night. Here’s a video of FR jamming out at NPR!

King Creosote Shares New Single

At the moment, I’m really enamored with the work of King Creosote; there’s something in the way his songwriting continues to grow and reflect upon itself, allowing him to link albums and singles along his catalogue. On his latest single, there’s the employment of beats and his folky songwriting, reminiscent of Diamond Mine, which he worked on with Jon Hopkins. This go round, there almost feels like the beats add texture, pushing the song into more cinematic territory, which matches up with the beautifully stark nature of the visualizer accompanying the latest single. I Des will be out on November 3rd via Domino.

Hard Copy Announce Debut 12 Shots of Nature

I love when a friend passes you a record or an email and says “Check this out; it’s right up your alley,” and then they’re actually right. This is my first introduction Richmond’s Hard Copy, with an allegiance to taking punk back to a stage when things were just getting figured out. There’s this sort of lop-sided back and forth shuffle as the vocals come into play; it’s building tension and making me nervous as I listen, but also propelling the tune forward. Then, chords ring out and there’s an underbelly of nervousness in the vocal; it gives off a bit of bite, something we’d most recently associate with Protomartyr or Ought…gruff but looking back at melody. Then the track completely breaks down and feels like the band just got caught by their parents, both strange and excited. Look for the group to drop 12 Shots of Nature on October 20th via Feel It Records.

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