Author: nathan.lankford

Estrella del Sol Announces Figura de Cristal

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You all know how much I love Mint Field, having extensively covered the band and caught them when they’ve made it up to Austin, so I’m really excited to hear the new solo project of Estrella del Sol. Today she announces a new solo effot with this drifting bit of ambient pop music. A heavy synth note rings on, with discordant strings and vocal samples hanging thinly in the air; they’re quickly pushed to the background, as if we’ve added another dye to the mixture, with Estrella del Sol’s vocals serving to push the pieces to the background. Slight little guitar twinkles hang in the air while the song fades out via atmospheric notes; it’s quite the calming sensation, like watching sands of drip slowly through an hourglass until there’s nothing left. The new album, Figura de Cristal is out June 30th via Felte Records.

Cindy Share Earthly Belonging Single

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If ever there was a band coming through with a new LP that needed praise and adoration then it would absolutely be Cindy…though I’ve been hoping folks would catch on far earlier. Each single that drops from Why Not Now seems to up the ante on the band’s sound, expanding into an almost bouncy bit of pop on their latest. The rhythm section controls the song here, kicking out this steady little gallop that serves as the backbone for a solid vocal performance from Karina Gill. Strangely, this song seems like a natural progression, and in the whole of the record, it doesn’t feel out of place one bit, as the charm they’ve delivered has always been there, they just push it way up front. Seriously, how is this not already one of the best albums on everyone’s list? Go grab a copy of Why Not Now from Mt. St. Mtn.; it drops on April 14th.

Batty Jr Share Table is Gone II

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As we ride into the middle of the week, I wanted to be sure to kick in with a little bit of a midweek ditty, brought to you by Austin’s own Batty Jr. here. On the horizon, the band have DO A U E, their latest LP, but for now, let’s rejoice in this meditative bit of cool folk pop. You can’t pull away from the natural groove presented, with that rhythmic pulse pushing things up and down and back again. A dual vocal performance ties into the folk heritage, but I love how the song still feels charming in the most playful sense, like we’re being let in on some little secret that makes us all smile. But, while there’s definitely a band brandishing the joyousness of their craft, there’s also some serious musical chops, so be sure you stick through to hear the strings and a little boogie woogie guitar take you to the close!

Jana Horn Shares Final Single from The Window is the Dream

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On Friday you’ll be able to grab the brand new record from our friend Jana Horn, who we’ve championed since her early days as part of Reservations (and solo work!). So, there’s one last single to hand out before the record drops on Friday, and it might be my favorite piece on the whole of the LP. The mix here has her voice magnificently sparkling in the very front, with the guitar work clearly taking its roll in the distance; I love the way her voice seems to float between notes, almost drifting between tones in mere seconds. Every little bit of accompaniment also helps, all the way to the twinkling piano/key notes that flutter in and out. Please go buy Jana’s new LP; the Window is the Dream is out on Friday via No Quarter Records.

Monde UFO Share Garden of Agony

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I have obviously been a big fan of what Monde UFO are doing, bridging a gap between quieted bedroom recordings and bossa nova sentimentality, all of which come to head on the final single from their forthcoming LP. Clearly the guitar strum makes a nod to the Brazilian musical genre, though there’s this whispering vocal that really begs you to use the song to clear out everything else in your head. In listening, you get these odd little notes that seem out of place, but for me, that’s where the song’s of the band get interesting. It’s like they’re trying to distract you from the core beauty of the tune, inevitably drawing you closer into the tune itself. The band will be releasing Vandalized Statue to be Replaced with Shrine on April 21st via Quindi Records.

Special Friend Announce Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In

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What happens when you get three great indie labels together to release a new LP? Well, if you ask me, bringing Skep Wax, Howlin’ Banana, and Hidden Bay all together to release a new LP from Special Friend, then you’ve got the guarantee of a solid batch of songs. Our first listen is the hypnotic tune below, working with this guitar shuffle that circles beneath the surface of dual vocal work. There’s something in the way the guitar feels like its rushing you forwards that’s thrown in juxtaposition to what’s the melodic overlapping from the vocals. In a way, it sort of sounds like something Sonic Youth would have put out if they were into lo-fi indie pop…warranting a positive nod on my end of things! We’ll give you more updates on the release date of Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In when we’ve got em’.

Beach Fossils Share Dare Me Video

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With their first single from Bunny, Beach Fossils seemed to have picked up right where they left off on their last LP. But, now that we’ve got the second single, it appears as if they’r painting with more of a broad pop paint brush. Honestly, (and I mean this in the absolute best way) the song sounds a bit like Beach Fossils went down a deep Photo Album era Death Cab listening trance whilst recording this record. That chorus feels exactly like the early Ben Gibbard days when you just couldn’t get those songs out of your head, only this time it’s done with just a bit more of that angular vibe Beach Fossils bring to their own craft. There’s more warmth here, even in the drum work, so everything feels aligned to this huge pop stance. I’m excited to hear where songs like this fit into Bunny; it drops via Bayonet on June 2nd.

Feeble Little Horse Share Steamroller Single

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Opening with a squall of noise is definitely something that catches my ear, which is how Feeble Little Horse got me with their latest single. But, don’t buy into that noise, as they pull back the curtain to leave listeners with a very clean bit of pop joy; Lydia Slocum’s matter of fact delivery, slightly hinting at the song’s melodic core, creates a juicy little pop moment that will surely get under your skin. The rest of the band fill in that space, bridging it all by making sure their noisiness is never too far away from your mind. Just another reason while folks are stoked to get their hands on Girl with Fish, out June 9th via Saddle Creek.

Pynch Share Tin Foil Video

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I have really been enjoying the vibe coming from the latest Pynch single; it hands on just the edges of the hook-laden pop rock blasting out from everyone’s speakers of late. But, instead of indulging in the blast of distorted guitars, the group hang back just slightly, almost teasing the listener with the promise of that big euphoric moment, adding tension that leads you all the way to the song’s end. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still plenty of melody here that you’ll find endearing, but sometimes the formula’s aching to be toyed with, leading to something that sounds refreshing and charming, like this tune. Pynch will be releasing Howling at a Concrete Moon on April 14th via Chillburn Recordings.

Pia Fraus Return with French Exit Single

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A few years have passed since we last heard from Estonia’s Pia Fraus, but rest assured, the band are never far from my mind. So, when I heard they had landed on a new single, I was ready to charge in and turn it up; I was greeted with this blossoming warmth, and a calm wash of melody that warmed the soul. Hints of the band’s noisier side still lurk just beneath the surface, but they seem to have discovered their perfect balance, allowing the cavernous feel to bubble beneath so the song has more room to breathe. And it does so here, with the coolness of the vocals cruising through til the end where the song opens up for a guitar line to sort of dance and twirl its way to the song’s close. Here’s to hoping there’s more on the horizon!

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