Author: nathan.lankford

Spritely Post-Punk from Faded Cassettes

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This new track from Faded Cassettes works for me in multiple ways; it offers these softened post-punk textures, working atop a synthesized beat, but it also brings to life my love of the Spanish language. The title of the track loosely translates to “I love you so much I already hate you,” which seems like a fairly depressing admission. That said, it’s presented in the dark sweetness only great post-punk can deliver, with the corners of the guitar notes twisting you and turning you as the beat has you stomping your feet upon the floor. Really love listening to the this project, especially as it hits all my favorite little notes!

Matt Pryor Offers The Dishonesty

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The music of Matt Pryor is permanently etched inside my brain; I have several albums of his lyrics probably stenciled on the walls of my skull so that I’ll never forget them. So, with a new album on the way, I’m always going to lend an ear to Matt’s work; he approaches everything with sincerity, often openly admitting to his own mistakes as he’s traversed a career as a musician and a human being. If you’re looking for lyrical content, it’s pretty clear that the song revolves around how our own selfishness (whether its drugs, narcissism, workaholics, etc) can often hit those we love the hardest. Maybe it’s a reminder that we’re all still growing and improving (I hope). Look for Matt’s new LP, the Salton Sea, will be out on November 14th via Big Scary Monsters/Nightshoes Syndicate.

The below vid was created by Josh Berwanger of Anniversary fame!

Strange Passage Share Golden Rule

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After wowing us with the rambunctious jangler that was “Hunter’s Fancy,” Strange Passage has circled back with the second peak at their new A Folded Sky EP. While the first single hit us with this large rush of noise, their new single lets the guitars swirl in a hazy fashion just behind the front of the mix. It’s the perfect way to tie the group’s sound into a little bit of a Felt connection, though there are also hints of psychedelia lurking in the little rips in between the thumping percussion. The vocals embrace a little bit of a sedated vibe, omnipresent, and holding back until they feel the need to let loose, as they do once you near the 2 minute mark and the song’s final excursion into wiggling guitar pop. A Folded Sky is going to be a brilliant listen, so grab a copy from Meritorio Records before the November 7th release date!

 

Magic Fig Announce Valerian Tea LP

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What a delightful way to slide into the middle of the week, especially after spending a weekend Levitating; there’s a new Magic Fig LP on the horizon for us all to enjoy. They take a poet approach to psychedelia, almost kind of like they’re loping about in a field filled with tall grasses and flowers; the song’s fleshed out with all sort of other little flourishes, with the group traipsing into new sonic territory with every little corner they turn. For instance, the middle of the song begins to take on this haunted mansion mentality, furthered by a vocal from beneath the seas…though it just as quickly turns into this blissed ballad of sunlight that highlights the future of great pop. Look for Valerian Tea via Exploding in Sound Records on November 21st.

Sweet Nobody Release Another Pop Ditty

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The new record from Long Beach’s Sweet Nobody is shaping up to be quite a listen, hanging on the edge of pulling from nostalgia and updating it for pop fans everywhere. On their latest single they let the rhythm section take complete control, with the pace of the vocals and each little saccharine note matching the snap of the beat beneath their feet. Speaking of those vocals, they offer up the best version of pop on this side of the dial, making you swoon with this near dreaminess that launches into pure beauty at the 3:40 mark as the song comes to a close. If you’re enjoying their new stuff, be ready for Driving Off To Nowhere, out on November 7th via Repeating Cloud.

Devon Church Announces All That’s Solid Melts Into Air

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There’s something perfect about Devon Church‘s voice that just pulled me right into his new single, coinciding with the announcement of a brand new album. He’s got that affected bravado, kind of like a sober version of Julian Casablancas, so you can still follow each little lyrical line. In the single below, it also seems to embrace this bit of swagger, at times pulling back to keep cool, then rushing ahead to deliver some emphatic notes that match with the musical piece behind. Those musical notes for the most part feel nicely crafted, then broaden to a more anxious moment in the way the guitars ring behind Church’s voice. Looking forward to hearing All That’s Solid Melts Into Air in its entirety; it comes out on November 7th.

That Joyer Jam from Last Week

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Usually, our last week’s jams covers all the stuff we covered, but it was missing this sweet Joyer tune that dropped midweek, and I keep coming back to it, particularly as I’m quite in love with their vocal work here. To be honest, the musical stuff is consistently good, falling right alongside all the purveyors of great guitar pop, but on my end, I keep circling back to the way the voice seems to rise, if only for a few notes, then settles back down, giving the track this cyclical nature of subtle hooks that, like me, lead you right back to pressing play all over again. Their album, On the Other End of the Line is out on October 24th via Julia’s War Recordings.

Head Back to Too Bright Planet from Strange Pilgrim

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While I must confront my own sort of neurotic enjoyment this morning, I’ve moved from dark wave into this blissful excursion into the coolness of guitar pop from Strange Pilgrim. We’e already covered various tracks from the group’s Too Bright Planet LP, so since we were out covering Levitation, I wanted to circle back as a reminder to enjoy the whole LP. Below we’ve got the title track of the record, casually dropping in its charms by way of these tasty little overlapping vocals that are perfect morsels of joy for pop fans. The whole of the record seems to encompass this search continuous search for the brightness, and in that, I’m hoping we can all stumble upon that light by spending time with the LP; it’s out now courtesy of Royal Oakie.

Traitrs Drop Dark Wave Single

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Wanted to wake up this morning to a bit of brooding energy, and Traitr‘s latest single is doing the trick, and I’m hoping that it returns the favor to you. You’ll find a thunderous beat pounding on the floor, with a gothic vocal performance dominating the road ahead; I do think there are some slight little tonal twists too, altering the way the song is to be heard. When the chorus drops in, the background music opens up, throwing in the slightest hint of danceable hook into the mix, which is absolutely perfect for us all. This brand new single is ready for all of you choosing to live in the shadowy corners!

Greg Weeks Returns with If the Sun Dies

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After stepping away from the scene for nearly two decades, Greg Weeks has returned with news of a new record, thus the below single coming your way. The light strum of the guitar is what drew me into the songwriting; it’s got that powerful emotive quality that makes you feel alive, or at least aware of what’s around you. Weeks’ voice has this quiet beauty to it, careful not to push itself away from the central melody that moves the track along. Greg fleshes out the entire track with these light flourishes of added instrumentation, carefully lifting the tune to your ears. If the Sun Dies will be out December 12th.

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