Author: nathan.lankford

Island of Love Share I’ve Got the Secret

Leave a comment

Try listening to Island of Love and imagining them as anything other than a Southern American band channeling classic alternative rock with a bit of attitude. But, the band are from London, so they’re far removed from the history of blending some of the sounds you’re going to here in their latest single, making this new drop all the more likeable. You’ll hear some of that swampy blues style in the guitar work the instant you press play, but they add in a bit of tenacity that really makes the whole of the tune seem refreshing. There’s no frills, but it’s all flare, so keep an eye out for their debut self-titled LP from Third Man Records on May 12th.

Go Check Out Medical Maps

Leave a comment

Over the last few years I’ve given up on the grind of trying to keep up with the Joneses, in terms of staying on top of the coolest of the cool; I mean, we’re all here Pheobe Bridgers B-sides anyways. So, I keep going back to bands who have quietly released beautiful bits of pop like Medical Maps. I’ve had lots of little mental asides when trying to describe the band’s sound; they sound like the Atlantic Ocean’s answer to the Bay Area scene, albeit with a hint of late 90s slowcore, like Bedhead, with perhaps a sprinkle of that same period’s emo flare. If you’re mesmerized here, as I was, then might you consider checking out their album That is That, which just dropped?!

Dress Warm Announce Stepping Away; Share Fortune Teller Video

Leave a comment

I first fell in love with Dress Warm last year as they were prepping for the release of A Cowboy on Ice; it’s been only a few short months, and there is already a fresh EP in the works for fans like myself. Having spent a lot of time with their last release, one can easily hear the charms of modern guitar pop going through the core here, though I’ll say the intricate nature of the guitar work this round seems to have leveled up. That said, there’s something frivolous in the way they approach this track; they seem to be so carefree, all the way down to the accompanying video. If you’re looking for a special little pop nugget, then might I suggest jumping right to the 1:13 mark? Stepping Away will be out on May 6th.

AS Fanning Soothes with Pink Morning/Magic Light

Leave a comment

Today is going to be a long day on my end, as I’m administering the glorious state tests to my students. So, I wanted to sort of press reset and start at ground zero, and perhaps there’s no better tune to bring me to a point of calm than this A.S. Fanning ballad. The controlling emotion is dominated by Fanning’s heavenly voice; it’s like cuddling up inside your mom’s Snuggie and taking a long slumber on the couch. Throughout, there’s these delicate string arrangements and light little guitar shuffles buried in the mix, creating this wash of beautiful texture that undoubtedly wins you over and sets your day right. A.S. Fanning will release Mushroom Cloud, his latest LP on May 26th.

RF Shannon Announces Red Swan in Palmetto

Leave a comment

When Shane Renfro returned to Texas from LA, you figured new things were in the mix for the leader of RF Shannon, and we get a glimpse of that on the first single from Red Swan in Palmetto. Through the first few moments, the intricate guitar atop light percussion creates that open cosmic country feel I associate with the band. But, when Renfro’s vocals come into play, there’s something that feels a bit new; his vocals are really up in the front of the mix, and while they pull on those hazy boots, they feel a little bit more prominent in their role in the tune. It’s interesting, as with previous works, the vocals felt like part of the great expanse the band created, but here, it feels like you’re getting a lullaby from a parent while the sounds of nature flicker on outside your window. Really excited to hear where the rest of Red Swan in Palmetto takes us; we’ll find out on May 26, courtesy of Keeled Scales.

Tough Age Give It a Day

Leave a comment

When I listen to this new single from Tough Age, there’s something hanging on the edge of the track, something that seems filled with the promise of tomorrow. The guitars shuffle from the get-go, offering this moderately upbeat drive that encourages the rest of the band to keep pace. Of course, the rhythm section has no problem there, but that push makes the vocals come through with this urgency that’s not always present in the modern cycle, so it feels great here, wishing us all the best of our day. They ride out the track with this sparkling little guitar solo, and then we’re done, so you can press play again. Waiting Here, the new record, is out on June 16th via We Are Time/Bobo Integral.

Rob I Miller (Blues Lawyer) Announces Debut LP

Leave a comment

Rob I Miller is no stranger on these ATH pages, but for the most part, he’s worked in various other projects like Blues Lawyer. But, today, Rob gets his own spot, as he’s just announced his solo debut, Companion Piece. You can hear some lineage to other Miller acts, like the fuzziness on the edges, but admittedly, there’s this huge, almost arena-rock riff work going on in the distance; it’s like you’re hearing a stadium show echo from a mile away, building this sort of constant reverberation. Then Rob comes in with his effortless cool and lays it atop the whole thing, letting his voice almost cruise with the top down as the wall of noise builds behind him. Companion Piece is out on May 12th via Vacant Stare.

Billy Tibbals Takes Us to Foreverland

Leave a comment

I love when I get turned onto new artists, which was the case a few weeks ago when Billy Tibbals popped up on my radar. I loved him then, but his newest single warrants some steady spins in my musical rotation. There’s this slight bit of that Bowie/Bolan-esqure brand of pop rock, which is undeniable. But, beneath those tendencies, there’s also this bit of organic folk rock that echoes through, something that seems to be seeking solace in the wilderness; huge sweeping string arrangements don’t hurt the grandiose nature either. Billy will release his new Stay Teenage EP this Friday via Silver Arrow Records.

John Andrews & the Yawns Offer Fourth Wall

One comment

I really love that the new John Andrews & the Yawns single begs your presence; I don’t mean physically though, as that’s clear if you’re simply pressing play. You’ve got to just sit with yourself in this tune, which, admittedly, isn’t necessarily easy nowadays. When the track opens its doors and lets you in, you’re seated in a more verbal based scenario, with Andrews’ smooth voice settling you into your seats as you await the final musical climb. Just after the 4 minute mark, those without patience might just click on to the next stream in your playlist, but if you’ve got that time to be present, sit tight as you’re treated to a nice musical excursion, filled with sweeping strings and steadied pop, allowing you to finally immerse yourself into the whole experience and break through that imaginary fourth wall. If you dig, Love for the Underdog is out April 28th on Woodsist.

Echo Ladies Sign with Rama Lama Records; Drop New Single

Leave a comment

One of the hotbeds of Swedish music is the stable at Rama Lama Records, who today announce the signing of Echo Ladies, along with a fresh single from the Malmo outfit. The darkened texture is set up from the get-go, with this cavernous ambiance and deep rhythmic pulse. I loved the dark-wave feel there, but the hairs on my arm didn’t raise until that guitar started jabbing into the mix, offering up this sort of post-punk texture that evolves into a dreamier world when Matilda Botwid begins to stretch the band’s performance with her voice. I love how the track just closes out emphatically too, pushing this gale-force volume right through your speakers. Looks like they’ll have a new LP before the year’s up, so we’ll keep you posted on that one!

1 … 310 311 312 313 314 … 1,524
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com