Author: nathan.lankford

Colored Lights Share Ashes Single

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You’d have to go back years and years to find out when I first feel for Frome Strostad’s songwriting; he first came to my attention with I Was a King, but has played with folks like Peter Buck of REM and Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub. After dropping a new I Was a King LP, he’s now focused on another project, Colored Lights. Today there’s a light folk pop jangler coming from the band, and I can’t help but to swoon at the gentle nature here; you feel as if you’re gently being caressed, like being lulled to sleep by a beautiful lullaby. The musicianship behind is perfect as well, texturizing the track so as to maximize every bend and jangle in the songwriting. Colored Lights release their self-titled LP on September 22nd via Bobo Integral.

Prewn Share Perfect World Single

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The power of a voice can sometimes be the only gift you need, which is where I think I first entered my adoration for Prewn and their singer Izzy Hagerup. At times, the voice is smoky and brimming with emotion, yet pulling your ear closer and you hear the fragility and the slight quiver in her delivery; the mixture of the two absolutely sucked me deep into this “Perfect World.” That said, the arrangements that encircle that moving voice do it justice, filling in the space behind just enough to lead us to the musical promised land; you get bending little guitar lines and light percussive tambourine jangles…so if you have a heart, you’re going to be moved here. Look for Prewn to drop Through the Window on August 25th via Exploding in Sound Records.

ME REX Prep Release of Giant Elk

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Admittedly, I’m a huge sucker for the pop punk/indie rock that sounds/feels British, and ME REX has been at the top of that list (along with Martha) the last few years. Today, they dropped a fresh single out there that’s the perfect encapsulation of their sound. As you listen, you’ll notice that the song rolls to match the stomp of the vocal delivery from Myles McCabe; it seems like each drum fill and guitar riff was there to wrap a blanket around him. But, where the song excels is that euphoric joy that hits in the chorus as the tension finally releases. Sure, they could hit me with more bombast there, and I wouldn’t hate it, but as is, you get this punchy gem of a tune that you’ll soon be singing the rest of the day! Look for Giant Elk to drop on October 20th via Big Scary Monsters.

Dabda Announce Yonder EP

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Feel like struggling in the middle of the week is not an option, so why not start your morning by rocking out nice and loudly to this fresh track from South Korea’s Dabda. You get a furious introduction to the band, as they spring towards a jangling swirl of distorted guitars, akin to the British pop punk scene. Then, they peel it back, letting the guitars take on a bit of space while the rhythm section and the vocals bring about something that feels a touch calmer. Guitars shuffle in and out, hitting lots of little math-y notes as the drums roll and the vocals crest and soar emphatically. All of that and you’re only halfway through the track, as the band trace back, building in more noise and distortion attached to the melodic notes they’re banging out. The group will release their Yonder EP on August 25th via Electric Muse.

Strawberry Runners Share Breakup 2

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Way back in 2018, we got a chance to chat with Emi Night as she geared up for her trip to Austin for SXSW on the backs of the In the Garden, In the Night EP. Now, with another release under their belt, Emi is prepping for the release of Strawberry Runners LP. Obviously, the storytelling here matches the song’s performance, offering intimate details of a failing relationship; the verses fit that lonesome contemplation, quietly coming to terms with the memories. However, the chorus sees Night really bring their brilliant voice to the focus, bursting forth with these huge notes that would rival any pop singer out there. Strawberry Runners release their self-titled LP on August 25th via Duper Moon Records.

The Native Cats Put Whole Back Catalog Up on DSPs

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Admittedly, as a music journalist failure, I got into the Native Cats in a backwards sort of way, as I first fell in love with their singer Chloe Alison Escott (who did a Rock n’ Recipes with us!). But, if you’re like me, or have no point of reference whatsoever, you’re now in luck, as the kind (very kind!) folks over at Chapter Music have helped make the band’s entire catalog available for streaming on all the DSPs! You can now find your favorite Native Cats tracks from Dallas, John Sharp Toro, Process Praise and Always On! Expect a sound that’s right in line with where everything stands in the post-punk realm at present. So, take an act like Dry Cleaning and mix in the propulsive nature of Sleaford Mods, then throw in a stunner of a vocalist that’s going to keep you engaged on that end alone. Here’s a fun little playlist of the hits, as suggested by the folks at Chapter!

Pip Blom Share Dance Floor Banger

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Make no mistake about it…as much as I love obscure little indiepop bands and weird guitar music, I definitely love to hit the floor and shake it up with my old lady; this perfect Pip Blom tune is going to have us spinning around our living room with our kids all night. The track slinks in, with this fluttering groove and the vocals from Blom’s partner Willem Smit of Personal Trainer. Towards the end of the subtle verse, Blom enters and the track explodes into this joyous bounce that keeps you stomping your feet, throwing your hands in the air as you let go of your inhibitions. Back and forth, back and forth, the song hitting you hard, but giving you brief moments of respite. Expect big things when the band drop their third LP, Bobbie, on October 20th via Heavenly Recordings.

The BVs Share Fresh Single

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I boarded the BVs train nearly a decade ago, an adamant fan constantly enthused by the way they’ve reimagined their sound through the years. While they’ve been fairly quiet the last few years, they aim to make a big splash, thus the release of this incredible new extended version of “Warp.” While their page and the announcement of this fresh 12″ includes nods to krautrock and Yo La Tengo, there’s definitely bits of this that drip with the latter years of New Order to me, right before it splits into the acknowledged Cure nods. I mean, I haven’t had this much fun listening to an 8 minute track in years, all of which hooks you before you even near the 5 minute mark where the vocals make their foray. I knew I’d love that part, but the build up was brilliant, and then to stick the landing? Genius. They release the Warp 12″ on August 25th via KUS.

Woods Drop Double Single

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As a new Woods record hangs in the balance, it’s getting near for the band to go full promotion mode, so what better way than to touch down with a double single release? The first of the tracks, “Another Side,” started off just twisting into this groovy bit of exploration, filling in a heavy beat with horns on the horizon; it sets up the song really well for the center, dropping in just after the 2.5 minute mark. When those vocals drop in they’ve got this sort of pastoral nature, blending the track into this heavy groove that makes it pretty tasty. Flip that towards “Weep” and you get a little dose of the band at their best, twinkling guitar pieces tied nicely into a rolling bit of understated percussion. I love the absolute burst of ethereal joy that arrives with the chorus on this tune; they’re trying to one up the Clientele on this one! Both tracks have Perennial high upon my list of anticipated Fall records; it drops on September 15th via Woodsist.

Split System Share Alone Again

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I delayed listening to this new Split System track until I could pump it up nice and loud (had a sick kiddo all weekend), and now I can’t stop just jamming this tune time and time again. The guitar riffs that opened set up this perfect drop in that brings in this little dancing angular note, dropping right alongside a stomping drum beat; you take the two guitar lines and you get the melody running aside the gritty, matching the way the vocals come across in the song’s whole. The verses feel calmed and pensive, leading to this growling chorus that fuels the furious punch this song will deliver to your ears. This track is our first listen to music from Vol. 2, slated for release early in 2024 via Goner Records/Legless/Drunken Sailor.

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