Author: nathan.lankford

Matthew Smith Group Share Others

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When a song connects in the right way, it’s completely impossible to turn off. Such is the vibe you’re going to get when you turn on this track from the Matthew Smith Group; it swell with nods of psychedelia and paisley pop, pulling on the right side of jangling rock n’ roll. Imagine a clean cut version of the Fresh and Onlys partying with the Smashing Times, and you’ll certainly understand why you’ll have this up on repeat. I love the arrangement too, filling in the background with harmonies, horns and heavier riffs! If you want to prove to your friends how cool you are, tell them you’ve been jamming to the Matthew Smith Group all day.

New Music from Faded Cassettes

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There’s a brand of bedroom indiepop floating around there that has consistently found its way under my skin, and Puerto Rican artist Faded Cassettes is bringing that brand big time. You’ll hear a spritely guitar line, dancing and shimmering in the distance, akin to stuff like the early Drums records or maybe even a poppier brand of Blank Dogs, kind of circling around the pop edges of darkened post-punk. Sure, the energy is pushing a playful experience, but there’s something in the recording that keeps it a bit more intimate and personal, which is just my brand. Look for a debut album from the artist out on October 11th.

Lola Tried Share Hot Shot Barbie + Ready Feast EP

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In a city swarmed with musicians trying to break out, the odds are you’ll find Lola Tried‘s Lauren Burton trying to lift the city’s scene up; I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen her up front at a local show jamming out and shouting out the best of the city’s scene. That said, and perhaps long overdue, it’s time we encourage the city and those beyond to put some respect on her own band, Lola Tried. Their brand new single “Hot Shot Barbie” should definitely put everyone on notice; there’s this freedom and tenacity apparent in the song, as they rush into this punk madness where Burton’s confidence as a songwriter soars. Sharp knife cuts on the guitar ramp up the energy instantly, snapping at your heels as you run that circle pit, leading it to one of the band’s best choruses, reminiscent of acts like the Coathangers, dangling pop and punk right in front of your nose. It’s a take-no-prisoners punk jam, and one I hope you’ll all get behind. The group celebrate the release of their new Feast EP this Friday, September 12th at Empire Control Room with Quiet Company (also having a vinyl release!) and Subpar Snatch; tickets available HERE.

Frog Share Spanish Armada Var XV

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I continue to be impressed by the wayward wanderings of Frog and their consistent stretching of their song. After releasing a nod to a lovelorn Dracula, they’re back with another bit of storytelling, this time centered around the Spanish Armada. With all the historical references one would be likely to compare the group to early Decemberists, though I think the way the song structures work here, the group’s music feels much more grounded in a kind of garage jam. The sound of the drums and the falsetto-stretched vocals just offer a sort of sonic push into a band that continues to just play out what feels right in their own world. there’s nothing quite like Frog. This glimpse into the Count is another reason to keep the forthcoming LP on your radar; they drop the album on September 19th.

Big Cry Country Drop Something Blue

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You definitely deserve to rock out this morning, and what better way than to dive into the latest EP from DC outfit Big Cry Country. This tune below is one that grabbed my ear, taking a great rhythmic thump on the snare and riding the rest of the song around it and the vocals. Those vocals are exactly what we’re all loving at the moment, on the verge of losing control, but holding tight to just enough melody to make us swoon, particularly when it hits the soaring joy of the chorus. Gritty guitar riffs swirl around and manage to rough up the tune in all the best ways possible. Turn it up super loud then go jam the whole of Something Blue.

BUNNI Shares Voyage Single

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When I spun this BUNNI tune for the first time, I was struck by all the nostalgic indie nods it makes, without feeling obvious and overdone. Starting, it takes almost this mixture between Elephant 6 and Grandaddy, but then it sort of looks into a lot of the little trip-hop moments that crested in the UK in the 90s. Then it sort of pulls in some of the space-aged psychedelia you’d find on a Spiritualized or Flaming Lips jam, so as we all should, I went back and played it again and again, further immersing myself in the purity of these tripped out pop vibes. Look for a new LP on the near horizon!

Last Week’s Jams (9.1 – 9.5)

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There were some that covered more than us, and there were others that didn’t quite cover as much, but I’ll admit, feel like us only hitting 14 songs in a week was just scratching the surface of what came out last week. Still, we had Meritorio Records crushing the week’s end with new tunes from Strange Passage and the Wesleys. My personal favorite tune cranking out in under two minutes was that new jam from Teenage Tom Petties. Good to see the Apartments back too, so we ran the first single from their forthcoming LP, not to mention peeked back at the latest LP from The Fisheremen Three. It’s a quick run through this week, so make sure you crank it up and enjoy the ride!

The Wesleys Drop Magic Wand Video

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As previously mentioned on these here pages, the heralded label of Meritorio Records is busy this week, and after an early jam, we’re back with the latest from the label…a new video from the Wesleys. This tune’s a bit of a pop punch, giving you this frenetic jangle kick with snappy drums and quick guitar rips. There’s something in the sound that feels like a balance between Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever and Ducks Ltd, with a mixture of the two feeling like the bands perfect balance. There’s a couple of little mini guitar solos that remind us of just solid guitar pop in their construction, and reminds me of the purity of the genre. Not to mention, its all strung together with this excellent video! Their new release, Explosive Device, is ready for your enjoyment on November 7th.

Teenage Tom Petties Announce Rally the Tropes

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I cannot wait for the rest of ya’ll in America to really get behind Teenage Tom Petties, especially as they’ve got a new record, Rally the Tropes on the horizon. This first single is just a straight ripper, indicating that Tom Brown and company aren’t done with kicking ass in 2025. The entirety of the new record is a celebratory experience, with Brown reveling in the joyousness of the group’s creation, as well as the power they’re now cranking out. The stuttering start that sets up the hook at the 16 second mark rules, recorded perfectly so that when the tune drops in you’re bouncing off the walls with the world’s largest grin stretching from ear to ear. Rock n’ roll is supposed to be fun, and no one is having as good a time as this lot. The new LP is out via Repeating Cloud and Safe Suburban Home in October.

Strange Passage Announces A Folded Sky

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It’s a busy day over at Meritorio Records HQ, with two new singles dropping, but let us first check in on their announcement of a new Strange Passage LP. Their early work drew in Felt and Feelies comparisons, and you can still hear that in the swirling sound of the jangling guitars, but the rhythmic work in this first single sets you up in a slightly different fashion. The way the drums kick and stomp in a smattering of noise is a bit more punk forward, so you get a bit more of a energetic grab in the front of the tune. The vocals have that disaffected delivery, swaggering in with a juxtaposition of nonchalant and emphasis; it sort of reminds me of Neutrals, if they were a bit more spiritually light. A Folded Sky is the name of the new LP, and it drops on Novemeber 7th.

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