Author: nathan.lankford

Shady Bug Share Zero Expectations

Leave a comment

Sometimes you have to have sounds working against each other, creating friction in order to come to terms with something magical, which is sort of my description for the latest single from Shady Bug. Bending guitar lines leave the listener tense once they’ve pressed play; they have this carnival-esque nature to them that toys with a darkness that’s unsettling. But, then Hannah Rainey comes right into the picture with this sweetness that takes the song into this playful territory. It gives you a hook and an edge, and personally, leaves you wishing there was a whole lot more where that came from. Luckily, the band are dropping their What’s the Use EP on June 30th via Exploding in Sound.

Big Blood Drop In My Head

Leave a comment

If you ran into me in the last two months then I likely told you my favorite track was “1000 Times” from Maine family band, Big Blood. Well, today they’ve dropped another stellar track, albeit with more of a brooding stomp; it almost feels like it’s going to be this psychedelic barn burner, until singer Quinnisa rolls right into the fray. There’s this powerful majesty in her voice, far beyond what one would expect from a 13 year old vocalist. I love the way she’s able to kind of roll with the ebb and flow of the song’s natural movement, perfectly filling in all the corners of the track with emotion. It’s time you hopped on board and fell in love with Big Blood; they will release First Aid Kit on June 9th via Ba Da Bing/Feeding Tube.

Lakes Region Share Echo, Drop Vital Signs

Leave a comment

I am a little late to the game on the latest release from Australia’s Lakes Region, but I aim to rectify my error by sharing one of my favorite tunes from the new Vital Signs LP. “Echo” lives in the dream pop realm, with these swirling guitars filtering through your speakers like wisps of smoke. Pete Bridle’s voice, however, unlocks the secrets the song, coming across like a last grasp of grandeur, one more attempt to stretch the melodies into the beyond. This is what you’ll get through and through on Vital Signs, a record that feels like its slow burning along the edges, leaving these glowing little embers of warm pop.

Cereus Bright Shares Seven Wonders

Leave a comment

Sometimes I feel like I have pigeon-holed my own musical tastes; you send me something with really great arrangements and a deep melodic voice, I’ll likely cover it somehow. That’s how I hit upon this new track from Cereus Bright, which I keep playing. There’s this central piece from songwriter Tyler Anthony that ultimately feels like a really good folk ballad/croon, but the arrangements from the strings and woodwind samples totally take this into territory you’d likely find on an old Broken Social Scene record; it has that everything but the kitchen sink feel, only with great execution. File this under a more serene version of what Destroyer sounds like!

Scrunchie Shares Latest Single

Leave a comment

I know folks are getting tired of the reimagining of shoegaze and such these last few years, but I’m definitely still into the balanced approach of both loud and soft. Take, for example, this new Scrunchie tune; the song’s opening moments carry this threatening wall of noise, thundering down upon you with sheer volume alone. But, then the middle opens up and these soothing melodic vocals into the fray out of nowhere, steadying the song. In a way, it kind of reminds me of a mash up of sorts, throwing in an indie pop gem with a scorch-the-earth noise piece. Again, give me balance and I’ll lend you my ear!

Fort Not Share Love Will Find You

Leave a comment

When we heard the first track from the forthcoming Fort Not LP, you could feel summer approaching in the vibes on “Scum.” Now, with their latest single, it almost feels like the sweltering summer temperatures are surrounding us. There’s still the same sort of off-kilter pop sentimentality, but the mood seems slower, allowing the track to blow across your living room like a gentle breeze from your wall unit AC. You’ll find some garage pop meets psychedelia in here, but mostly feels like hanging your feet into the pond at the edge of the dock. Look for their new LP, Depressed for Success, on Meritorio Records on July 7th.

Kintsugi Share First Single from Life in Death

Leave a comment

Kintsugi is the new project from siblings Kessiah and Stephan Gordon; it also is a Japanese philosophy that encourages us to build ourselves up from the imperfections and moments of loss in life. Together, the duo joins to create an instrumental collection that helped them deal with the loss of their mother; the first single is below, a thoroughly moving piece even without the awareness of the content. Guitars are lightly played and ambient noises trickle in the background, occasional instruments pluck up the courage to rise above the surface. To a degree, it feels like mourning, as you can feel the weight of the song, only for a slight bit of sunlight to shine upon you. There’s a moment just after the 2 minute mark where a beat comes in faintly, and its like you’re carefully breathing, listening to your own heart as you connect with the music before you. They will release the whole collection, Life In Death, on July 14th.

The Clientele Share Dying in May

Leave a comment

Long ago the Clientele were able to create these foggy soundscapes of striking beauty, but for their latest release, it seems like they’re set on building beyond the expectations of the masses, even going so far as to strip songs of guitars. That’s exactly what they’ve done here, with layered percussion (both live and sampled) driving the song, while the atmospheric realm is built by varying other instruments like french horn and cello. Oddly, it somehow feels still every bit like a Clientele song; you still feel as if you’re listening to pop music for outsiders, leaning out the window with the wind at your face while everyone inside is rocking away on the radio. Totally excited to hear what the band can do wit a 19 song journey; we’ll find out when the band release I am Not There Anymore on July 28th via Merge.

Supermilk Drop Fresh 7″

Leave a comment

Listening to the new tracks that are on Supermilk‘s new 7″, I couldn’t help but gravitate towards a band I know a lot of people hold dear, though keep quiet about, Superdrag; the similarities aren’t just in the “Super!” When the song below kicks off, things are in this sort of brooding punk mentality, but when the quietness of the vocals trickle in, the song emerges as this darkened piece of alternative pop. You only have to wait a few moments for the chorus to drop and that’s where it soars; the vocals burst into a higher octave and the band brandish a catchy distorted wall of guitars. It’s catch and it’s fun and it rocks and you need it, so grab the new 7″ HERE.

The Electric Arch Share You’re Impossible to Get Close To

Leave a comment

When I first heard this track from The Electric Arch, I kept expecting something to land somewhere in the land between Massive Attack and Air; it has this sort of natural snappy beat that opens up seductively to allow the vocals to enter the picture. Once those vocals do drop into the frame, there’s something that reminded me of Edwyn Collins solo stuff, toying with the listener with this clever bit of coyness. When the chorus arrives, it all collides together, taking in this sort of space lounge mentality that I have really been enjoying this morning; I’ll keep you posted as we hear more from the New Orleans outfit.

1 … 297 298 299 300 301 … 1,522
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com