Swansea Sound Share Christmas Single

Every year around this time, our email inbox is flooded with indie rock Christmas covers and various holiday delights, but the only one that matters is this new Swansea Sound Christmas Single. They’re not here to redo your caroling routine, brandishing their own witticisms and crunchy riffs, continuing to work on the interplay between Hue and Amelia. While they enjoy a little bit of poking fun, that vocal melody from Hue that slides into the chorus is absolutely spot on. This single comes with B-Side “Dreamland” too, with lots of various purchase options, including one that comes packaged with their latest LP, Twentieth Century!

Strange Lot Release It’s Always You

Over the last handful of years, Strange Lot has been making a solid name for themselves in the Austin music scene, and it appears as they’re nearing their own pinnacle as this fresh single illustrates the group’s quality, while also throwing down what makes them more of an outlier in an oversaturated psych realm. The genre as it stands has the propensity to lock in a groove, let that pulse and move, but always hold the song steady; we don’t see the band striving to escape that. However, most acts employ a more traditional guitar sound while the Strange Lot seem content to lurk in the shadows of their work; it elevates their craft into a more cinematic realm that feel more traditional in its willingness to step away from the masses. This tune will feature on the group’s forthcoming LP, with Alex Mass and Jim Eno taking on production/mixing roles…so you know it’s a big deal.

Listen to Zack Keim’s New Single

Outside my window at the moment, the weather is slightly cold and misting, which begs a nice ballad, perfectly fit for the voice of Zack Keim. When this single first came through, I thought to myself how it felt like an old version of M. Ward; he had that same tonal quality while still feeling familiar and friendly. The musical production has this understated elegance too, bordering between confessional indie rock and buoyant crossover pop. It’s a moving tune, and one that should put Keim on your radar as he prepares for the release of his Battery Lane LP, out in February via Super Sport Records.

QUINQUIS Shares Morwreg

This might be the final piece from my catch up game, and what a doozy! QUINQUIS is the project of Emilie Quinquis, and she’s combining her entrancing vocals with a deep love of pulsating electronica. She pulls out her voice first, selling you on its majesty, all as a subtle beat begins to build beneath the surface; it doesn’t cover the voice completely, careful not too overplay itself. But, there’s a moment around the 2 minute mark where the beat gets to shine on its own, heavy and thumping, with a blinking bit of percussive samples barking at you over the top of a budding synth line…and then the vocals drop back in to finish the job. All of this brought to us courtesy of Mute.

Facs Share Desire Path Video

Chicago’s FACS are an absolute powerhouse; they’re name continues to rise in the indie press, and based off their singles from the forthcoming Wish Defense LP, that meteoric takeoff is much deserved. Upon pressing play, rumbling drums roll you right into a warped wall of distorted guitars, bending the atmosphere and creating this disorienting darkness. But, just as they seem settled into a hazy realm, they turn the song into a colder post-punk territory, punctuated by a few lyrical bursts (“It ties you up/it ties you”) before receding. I love the way they’re straddling two territories in the same realm, and this has me salivating to hear the entirety of the new LP. Wish Defense is out in February via Trouble In Mind Records.

The Innocence Mission Share Your Saturday Picture Video

Over last week’s holidays, I spent quite a bit of time with Midwinter Swimmers; I was excited to spend my week of relaxation with the album, as it arrived just in time for the Winter weather to finally reach Austin. And, the Innocence Mission, dropped this accompanying video to reaffirm their gentle joy, illustrated and animated by Karen Peris herself. I love how the imagery and artistry correlate to the group’s history, though the new record’s art reflects more of the approach on Befriended. Nonetheless, this band should never be overlooked, thus I’m here to remind you of their importance in your life. Grab their new LP HERE.

Gus Baldwin and the Sketch Drop Slacker’s Prom

While the Winter weather tends to put me into my feels, there’s still a thirst for the energy that Gus Baldwin & the Sketch bring to my speakers. While they push forth in this new single, their typical tenacity is offset a little bit by the vocal delivery; Baldwin’s voice is a little calmed and hazy, setting up these perfect “oohs” that deliver a teaser hook. This is all perfect, as the energy pours through the speakers, punishing the cones as the drums thunder and riffs do their best to shred everything in their path. The Sketch will officially be out on January 25th of next year!

Psylhouette Share Everything is Fine

Still circling back to last week where I’m encountering some hidden gems those of us in the States missed out upon, so this Psylhouette is one of those jams I really wanted to get under your skin. The Brighton due have this propulsive futurist brand of pop, working on heavy synths and these sort of crystalized sugared vocals. The tune below locks you in this hedonistic trance, urging you to try and catch the strobing lights as they dance upon the tile floors at your favorite club. This is definitely one of the more upbeat numbers on their new album, Psylhouette III, so don’t go on about town looking for more of the same!

Rock n’ Recipes: The Ladybug Transistor (Sasha Bell)

Okay, so we didn’t get the whole of the Ladybug Transistor, but we thought it was important to get a note from someone involved in the group now that their legendary LP, The Albemarle Sound is being reissued. We were fortunate to reach out to HHBTM, the label for the reissue, and they got us in touch with Sasha Bell. We talked about looking back on the record, plus the role of food in her life, as well as a recipe for Chocolate Chestnut Terrine. Thanks to Mike Turner for setting this up, and for Sasha for her time. If you’re fortunate, the band have a slate of dates across the US starting this Wednesday, so hope you’re lucky enough to catch their sets (dates posted below, and on their Bandcamp Page)!

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Stream New EP from Walk Home Drunk and Dirtpath

Our friends over at Hidden Bay Records always release great pop music, and in doing so, they’ve always got their fingers on the pulse of what’s cool in France. But, little did I know they had long arms, stretching all the way to our hometown, Austin…as you’ll see in their latest release from the collab between Walk Home Drunk and Dirtpath. These four songs were recorded across the ocean, trading bedroom recordings back and forth until they reached their maximum potential. It’s a sound that certainly embraces that at-home recording feel, though you’ll hear songs like “Toulouse, TX” go beyond and provide sublime indiepop that rewards each time you press play. Stream the whole Toulouse, TX EP below!

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