Author: nathan.lankford

The 1981 Share Notebox Single off Move On LP

Leave a comment

Spoken word samples and a ringing guitar line pull you into your speakers when you press play on the newest single from the 1981. Soon enough, the drums kick on here and build this stomping brood that recalls some of the early Jesus and MC power hooks. But, then a cymbal crashes and the track turns more melodic momentarily, bridging the gothic structure with a bit of understated cool. I love the way the vocals really churn here, reminding me of all the loud guitar acts from the late 80s/90s that never turned away from bringing in melodic vocal hooks that kept you coming back again and again. The band will be releasing Move On via Dandy Boy Records on August 18th.

Daiistar Share Another Single from Good Time

Leave a comment

Daiistar

I’m really interested to hear what Daiistar‘s debut album sounds like; they’ve been toying with me on every single they’ve dropped. Sure, they’re all in the same realm…psych, dream pop, shoegaze, but they’ve added in some layers to mix the tunes, which, for now, is keeping me on my musical toes. Plus, it’s all been really good, so you can’t argue with that start. This latest track from Good Time feels a bit like if Brian Jonestown just went off the deep-end into a sort of heavier realm; you can feel the weight of the guitars as the track swallows you up. Slow pacing only builds some solid tension, yet it never quite gets released, jamming out on the edges of dream pop as the song draws to a close. Fuzz Club will release Good Time on September 8th.

Playful Pop from the Cowboys

Leave a comment

As of late there’s been a shitload of posturing about what’s cool and who’s cool in the scene or whatever you call it, but when you hear this track from the Cowboys you’re reminded that pop music supersedes all that bullshit; it’s about joy and frivolity, which is exactly what you get here. A stomping keyboard line sets up a ska nod (just me) that gives the track this insane bounce that will likely let you jump around the room joyously. Then you hit that chorus where the band turns the garage pop tendencies into a pure doo-wop swoon you’ll keep spinning on repeat. If you remember that rock n’ roll is fun and you can afford to take your life less seriously, then grab The Sultan of Squat, on August 25th via Feel It Records.

Scarves Share Candy Bar Single

Leave a comment

Long ago, in a blogosphere far away, I wrote extensively about Scarves and their record, Delicate Creatures. Fast forward to last Friday, and the band dropped a fresh track, emailing us to let us know that the songwriting just clicked, and they were having fun just writing again, so they pressed record, and here we are. Musically, the group still feel like they’re a few degrees away from Death Cab, though having spent a lot of time with the band’s music, Niko’s vocals feel more natural and honest…so maybe Gibbard circa We Have the Facts. The tune unfolds casually, almost stream of consciousness in a sense, and with a strum, its over, leaving you with just an inkling of extra joy in your day.

The Ballet Share At the Bathhouse Video

Leave a comment

You should already have the Ballet‘s Daddy Issues on your playlist, as its one of the hit pop records to have dropped this year, particularly if you imagine yourself as a fan of heavy synth pop. But, if not, we’ve got you covered, as they just dropped a fresh video for their standout single “At the Bathouse.” For me, and I’m sure Greg’s probably tired of the likeness being thrown out there, but this does feel like an early Magnetic Fields tune, albeit one dripping with hooks. That euphoria translates to the choreography created by Emmy-winner Al Blackstone, providing a voyeuristic approach to a bathhouse. But, in that Greg sees the song as detailing bathhouses as places that “can feel serious but also playful.” And in the end, the dancing alone might let you find yourself a home. So be it the groove or the video, be sure to check out Daddy Issues, available now via Fika Recordings.

 

King Khan Shares Bonus Track from Invaders Score

Leave a comment

Having leant himself to the score for the Invaders, King Khan finally has his songwriting and stewardship on the horizon for a physical release, courtesy of Ernest Jennings Recording Co. Felt like today wouldn’t be right if we didn’t share this stunning bonus track from the “digital version,” featuring Miranda & the Beat on vocals. Much like the movie, this song feels like its rooted in the 60s, taking on these powerful smoky notes that don’t seem like they’ve been replicated every since then. Honestly, I think what makes this track, for me at least, is that fucking bravado from the string arrangement; it reminds me of how lush orchestration really is the “chef’s kiss” of classic soul. So, the double LP of the score will drop on August 18th, so if you’re kind of, sort of, into great sounds, grab it HERE.

Blonde Redhead Share Before Single

Leave a comment

I thought I had our musical coverage all planned out today, but it’s hard to pass on a Blonde Redhead track, right? This new single does seem like the perfect bit of coffee pop, with Kazu’s vocals pushed way up in the front, as the texture operate in the background. My ears, at this early moment in the morning, feel like there’s sort of two songs going on behind her, only adding the depth; the percussive element seems separate from the work of the keys, like two distinctive pieces working in unison to build a backdrop for the vocals. You almost get this sort of jazz brunch feel, and yet, somehow, all these years later, the group still manage to make their work seem fresh and stunning. They’ll release Sit Down for Dinner on September 29th via section1.

Video Age Share Away from the Castle

Leave a comment

It’s really hard to put my feelings into words when listening to this new track from Video Age. The song’s not really doing anything crazy different from acts like Real Estate or the like, but something in the way the production and execution are done is supremely gratifying. It all starts with that steady snappy percussive piece; it propels the track forward, allowing the guitars to hit some really crisp notes. Those notes jangle and churn, seemingly dancing around the deliciously dreamy vocals…that actually remind me of early Teenage Fanclub (weird that I wrote about the Teenies earlier today!). Jam the title track from the band’s forthcoming Away from the Castle, out October 27th via Winspear.

Another Teenage Fanclub Tune

Leave a comment

Look, I don’t care how many posts I have, or how many other silly sites cover them, there’s never a bad time to cover Teenage Fanclub. This new single is a reminder of that, as they had me the instant that jangling strum hits you in the face. Operating with a steady circular stomp, the song twists into this stretched out melodic piece that reminds me a lot of sitting around my grandparents house listening to the oldies station. They’re creating pop music that’s just absolutely timeless, and I couldn’t be happier to know that Nothing Lasts Forever is closer on the horizon; it’s out on September 22nd via Merge Records.

Check Out Balloon Thief’s New EP

Leave a comment

Admittedly, having a 1 and 4 year old has perhaps made my listening a bit timid, but this Texas heat and the start of the school year has me turning towards the more boisterous brand of rock n’ roll, like Balloon Thief. The Rhode Island outfit just popped out a 5-track EP coming in under ten minutes, so you know you’re in for a quick spurt of catchy punk bits. “Sodium City” reminds me of the Terry Malts meets the Spits, particularly if you dig into the chorus. “Noble Steed” has this sort of freaked out psychedelia, like the Ohsees at their most riotous, just sputtering off in a furious fashion. Hop on board this ripping self-titled EP.

1 … 258 259 260 261 262 … 1,501
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com