Author: nathan.lankford

Will Johnson Announces No Ordinary Crown

Leave a comment

Back somewhere in the very late 90s, maybe even like 2000, I remember a friend dropping this Centro-Matic CD my way; I was hooked on Will Johnson‘s voice that day, and have followed his work avidly throughout his distinguished career. Today, our buds over at Keeled Scales have announced his new LP, No Ordinary Crown, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. There’s a heaviness to the riff work that’s living under Will’s voice; it’s matched by the thunderous drum hits smashing through your speakers. But, like a some magical gravitational pull, Johnson tugs us into his world with his distinctive voice. Then, the tune takes off and smashes into this rocking moment, stomping the floor with a huge burst of explosive energy that’s sure to have you turning the knob all the way to 11. No Ordinary Crown drops on September 15th.

Animals in Exile Share Fresh Single

Leave a comment

I really love the swagger that rocks in this brand new Animals in Exile tune; it sets up the track as this heavy riffed bit of alt rock. But, where I got hooked was the sucker’s chorus. The bravado is shunned here, letting the song shift gears into this more melodic stretch that’s sure to have you thinking of late 90s British pop rock, which is exactly my cup of tea. This tune, along with several others, will be featured on the soundtrack from the forthcoming film Publish or Perish; that soundtrack is available today, but be on the lookout HERE for an accompanying video tomorrow!

Zum Audio Compilation #5 Shares Baus Tune

Leave a comment

Zum Audio is celebrating 25 years in the biz, and with that, they’ve also got a new compilation on the way in mid-August. Personally, I love a compilation. You find one or two acts you love, then you get turned onto a half-dozen new bands to fawn over. Today, we’re fawning over this new Baus track, which is part of Zum’s Volume 5 Comp. It’s a frantic tune, cutting along the lines of all your favorite post-punk, though tossing in bands like Wire and Pylon isn’t necessarily a bad place to start for comparisons. I love how the sharpness gets erratic in nature, sharpening the sound as the rhythm grooves and moves beneath you. And just as you jittered into love, the song ends, and you’re left catching your breath. You’ve got time, as Volume 5 doesn’t drop until August 18th.

The Smashing Times Announce This Sporting Life

Leave a comment

Feel like I would wrap up my coverage on this Monday with another apology tour, but this time for the Smashing Times who announced This Sporting Life this past Friday. Bloom was one of my favorite LPs in 2022, so to see a new record hit so soon has me salivating here. And, if this song’s any indicator, then we might be in for one incredible musical ride; they cite Television Personalities as a big nod on this go round…I love the jittery nature of their amped up psychedelic pop, riding around with the constant shake of tambourine hitting my ear drums. Oh, and did I mention those sugary vocal harmonies working throughout the tune, creating this gratifying warmth that’s likely to raise the hairs on your arms. K Records will release the new LP on October 25th.

Activity Share I Saw His Eyes Single

Leave a comment

Monday is generally thought of as the start of the work week, and I feel like Activity have created the perfect song that encapsulates that day and unfolds just as the week does. Carefully, the track opens, almost as if you’re rubbing the sleep from your eyes, little creaks of strings and ambiance hanging in the distance. Beneath, you can feel a rising tension, moving towards the next moment (or day), with the drums picking up pace and the guitars churning out a more dangerous mood. You get this back and forth, quiet and subdued, then bursting back into the swelling bit of noise. If you’re digging on it, the band drop Spirit in the Room this Friday via Western Vinyl.

Debut Single from Holy Matter

Leave a comment

It makes complete sense to me that Holy Matter is based in Los Angeles…and no, not referencing the track’s name (not entirely). Their sound has this cinematic quality to it, quickly drawing you into its depths with this sort of hazy pulse that wraps around the inside of your ears. But, at the 52 second mark, the scene changes and the texture is added to the track, blossoming into this heavy psychedelic wash that feels as if you’ve been transported back in time to find yourself sitting in some seedy living room filled with smoke and scenesters mesmerized by the performance. This track is the debut single from Leanna Kaiser’s project, courtesy of Royal Oakie.

Tele Novella Share Broomhorse Video

Leave a comment

Dear Natalie and Jason…I’m sorry I missed this single last week. For the rest of you, please please spend your time with Tele Novella. The band have long been one of the strongest acts representing the Austin scene, but if I’m being frank (hello, its me, Frank), this new stuff is fucking amazing. I feel as if they’ve really honed their craft, and with Danny Reisch and Jason working together on production, this feels like the best bit we’ve gotten. It’s a brand of baroque pop that lately seems out of fashion, but its execution, along with the accompanying nod to Harold and Maude, have left me pretty floored. I love the chorus, where Natalie’s voice just blossoms, aided by a subtle bit from Jason too. This is just too good to not press play immediately. They release Poet’s Tooth via Kill Rock Stars on October 6th.

Clear Coast Drop On My Own Single

Leave a comment

As German outfit Clear Coast prepare for the release of their latest LP, Departure, they’ve sprinkled in another enticing little number to get your ears all geared up. There’s a heavy wash of keys that gives the song this sort of ethereal nature to it, almost as if the rest of the tune is able to float atop. Vocals and bass both seem to pop and rise, then sink back into the mixture, all of it swirling through your ears with faint hints of modern psychedelia. In the end, the group manage to build this dense blend of styles to create a nice little ditty to kick you into Monday.

Last Week’s Jams (7.24 – 7.28)

Leave a comment

We may have gone a bit overboard last week, as I see that we covered over 25 different tunes last week. But, that being said, we also ran some gosh-darned freaking hits. I loved that new jam from Split System, and have played it well over 50 times at this point. That, and that new track from Prewn pretty much made my week. I mean, there’s new stuff from Woods, Night Drive and all sorts bonus EP coverage for Death Bells and Bedroom Eyes. Plenty of stuff to dig into, so why not get on it, eh?

An Overnight Low Share Step Into the Light

Leave a comment

The pop hits are out in full force today, that’s for sure. Maine’s An Overnight Low might have quietly sent us the nicest surprise in our pop gift bag though. They’re new EP dropped today, and the title track is a nice power-pop number to introduce you to what’s in store. Heavy riffs ring melodically, matched by vocal harmonizing, feeling like an added instrument in its own right. Honestly, this track wouldn’t be out of place on a Teenage Fanclub LP, as its got just enough stomp to keep rock fans, though definitely leaning into the group’s pop inclinations. If you’re willing to take a risk on something new, give the band’s Step Into the Light EP a listen! All of this is a tease from Holyhead, the record that we’ll tell you more about when we’re in the know!

 

1 … 261 262 263 264 265 … 1,501
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com