Author: nathan.lankford

Cranking That New Bass Drum of Death Jam

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On their forthcoming Six LP, Bass Drum of Death are returning to their roots, simplifying the songwriting and just bringing all that natural tenacity they threw down on their earliest albums. This fresh single wastes little songs, ripping right through your speakers the instant you press play, and it never ever lets up, just cutting through speakers with furious drums and frantic vocal shouts. It reminds me of how primal loud guitars and drums feel when they’re executed just write; you can feel your body springing off the ground, pogoing in the audience or carefully doing a little pit circling (be respectful kids!). If you’re down to stomp it out to some rock n’ roll, keep Six on your radar; it drops on September 12th.

New Music from Happy Dust Gang

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Monday is obviously all about vibes, as the kids say, so I thought I would open up today’s listening excursion with this super rad explorative pop tune from Happy Dust Gang. They’re operating in this world of modern pop construction, but the fashion with which they do it sounds an awful lot like Radio Dept, overlapping melodic textures that just tickle your inner ear. The lightness of the vocals creeps carefully into your soul, and although they feel more spoken than sung, you can’t help but be pulled deep within the depths of what’s at play. Closer listens reveal all these unique little nuanced touches beneath the surface, and I implore you to just let the world around you fade as this song lifts your spirits.

Last Week’s Jams (8.18 – 8.22)

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We have to own up to riding the struggle bus last week; I’ve been back at school, but the kids were finally in my classroom, so didn’t quite get to as much of the jams as I normally would. But, even as I adapted a new routine, found some real joy in the week’s music, though I know there was tons more out there. We got some solid Austin love with fresh Jane Leo and Rad Gnar, encompassing both sides of the Austin area scene. RayRay crushed it with a premiere for new Living Hour track, so be sure to swing by that jam. Fans of my indiepop coverage will want to be be sure you get your ears on new Tullycraft, Love Burns and Massage, all worthy of some extra listens. Sneak in and enjoy a little dose of new jams. And B.gray threw out some news on the ACL Night Shows, if that’s of interest, dig into the site!

Lowmoon Release Vacant Youth Video

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Those of us in the know are anxiously awaiting news of the forthcoming Lowmoon LP, which is rumored to being finalized for an early release in 2026. But, while we patiently wait, we can hang out and crank up this new bouncing bop that reminds me an awful lot of the recent Humdrum LP; it’s got this blend of new wave nostalgia and beach-y pop influence, coating the vocals in a dreamy state so as to provide the listener with the purgatorial question of whether or not you’re drifting or bouncing. Either way, you’re body responds with a huge grin that will likely put the project on your radar while we await news on that LP! This tune comes courtesy of Safe Suburban Home.

Jane Leo Share Goldmine

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We have had Austin’s Jane Leo on our radar for several years now, and were fortunate that we grabbed them for our annual ATH vs SOTO SXSW party. They’re star has been on the rise, drawing from all realms of dance music to create a fresh and fun blend of pop music. This one’s got some nostalgic vibes in the chorus, pulling on the retro disco vibe in its breathy croon that seems to fall like glitter from the ceiling. It only works if the music’s hitting hard, and as ever, they’ve fleshed out hooks galore, reminiscent of what Chromeo was doing early on, mashing hooks and kitsch as one. Look for their new LP, Creature of Destruction on September 19th.

Jamming to Jinzo

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You only get 56 seconds to decide whether or not you like Jinzo, as their newest single hits under a minute, but packs an immediacy that might dig its nails into your skin a little bit. There’s some definite off-kilter art-rock movement to the track itself, kind of like splitting a musical atom as the sounds seem to meet then instantly push away from one another. The vocals fall and fumble in charming fashion, playful and yet poetically placed to maximize your adoration as you try to make sense of what’s bouncing through your ear canal. Here’s the Meat will be out on September 26th via Bee Side Cassettes.

Automatic Share Lazy Single

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I assure you I am fully aware of how the title of this post may look, but Automatic needn’t worry, as one quick listen to this single will have you in the right spot. They begin with a typical nod at post-punk, using sharp drum snaps and synth dances to flesh out the sound in that sort of nostalgic pop fashion. But, they built in an interesting twist, changing the vocal approach and the entire groove of the tune around the 1:10 mark; it creates this bit of coy banter between the audience and the listener, and definitely illustrates the group flexing their craft as they move forward in their career. Is It Now will be out September 26th via Stones Throw.

Massage Share Fading Out Single

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When Massage announced their forthcoming Coaster LP, they did so with this sort of clean version of Jesus and the Mary Chain, at least in some of the initial press from folks like us. But, while that vibe certainly hangs in the background of their newest tune, there’s definitely something else that’s aching to shine through that weighted backdrop. Like a ray of sunshine, there’s this rolling vibe of euphoria bursting through, akin to some of the mid90s work that was coming overseas during the heyday of Brit pop…and I mean that as an honest compliment. They’re kind of playing off a sort of Sarah Records meets My So Called Life, and I don’t mind that one bit, and in fact, am quite eager to hear how far they push their confidence on Coaster. It drops via Mt. St. Mtn. and Bobo Integral on October 10th.

Another Great Track from Maura Weaver

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When we first encountered the new work of Maura Weaver for her forthcoming Strange Devotion LP, I marveled at her balance between folk elements and modern pop sounds. On her latest single, there’s a bit more of a retreat into the folk realm, but in doing so, her natural calm quiets the song’s waters, creating this rich, caramel dreaminess. The opening reminded me of early Cate le Bon, but as the track unfolded it was like stepping out of the cool AC into the Texas heat, blanketing me in this warmth that’s simply unavoidable. Strange Devotion is out on September 19th via Feel It Records.

Piggietails Drop CDs

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Up and coming Melbourne outfit Piggietails were only recently introduced to us over here at ATH, but with another solid number coming our way, it’s hard to ignore the new act as they push towards the release of their self-titled debut. If you’re a fan of the Aussie scene, you’ll hear some faint similarities, as the band can’t have avoided the sweet jangles of their homeland. But, with that in mind, they seem to take a broader brushstroke on this one, sort of embracing a Velvet Underground approach to letting the music make its own path, discarding all adherence to style in favor of just letting it rip. Stoked to hear the group making this sound all their own, putting Piggietails on my own personal anticipatory list; it drops via Spoilsport Records on September 19th.

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