Author: nathan.lankford

Pop Tune from Star Moles

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I will admit that this time of year is rough on me, for various reasons, so I can’t always keep on top of the tunes. But, when this Star Moles track popped in, I knew instantly that I’d be sharing it. There’s something enchanting and pure about songwriter Emily Moales voice; there’s this bewilderment brimming beneath a solid confidence that continues to charm, offering listeners a true voice to sprinkle in your weekly playlists. The steady beat allows for little riff strums to hum in unison with the melody, whilst little nuanced brushstrokes add texture behind. If you’re looking for your favorite listen, might we suggest going to listen to all of the new LP, Snack Monster?

A Couple of New Ditties from Tullycraft

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Seattle outfit Tullycraft are about to release their delightful new LP, brimming with joy and clever wordplay you might find on a Dan Treacy penned track. They’ve just dropped a couple of new tracks to support Shoot the Point, and “Love on the Left Bank” displays the band’s ability to switch back and forth between vocalists, though never shying away from nuanced hooks in the background…just think of a purely pop version of the Comet gain. “Tarrytown” turns these great guitar lines into masterful pop seduction, and those vocal tones pull from the coolest corners of indiepop, particularly with their little rise within syllable switches. Shoot the Point is shaping up quite nicely; it’ll be out this Friday via HHBTM.

Did You Check Out Dragnet

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I’m kicking off a brand new school year today, and what better way to do so than by having my students walk into a room with jittering punk courtesy of Melbourne’s Dragnet. They’ve just released Dragnet Reigns, and you’ll get to hear various approaches that fit right into the current indie rock milieu. I’m loving “Red Square,” which has some similarities to acts like Snooper, albeit with a whole lot more attitude. But, while the punk-ness is on full display, they’ve also built in some rad grooves throughout the LP, like on “Grandstand,” bringing in a subtler melody that moves behind their raw energy. The whole listen is fast and caffeinated, guaranteeing you’ll be feeding off their energy. If you dig it, be sure to order Dragnet Reigns from Spoilsport Records.

Joyce Manor Return with All My Friends Are Depressed

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I have to cop to being only a part-time Joyce Manor fan; they have some bangers for sure, but occasionally they go over my head. This new single, however, had me instantly, with a guitar line that I thought was going to take them to a Go-Betweens-esque pop punk jam…and to be fair…that is what it is. That said, the easier nod would be to pull in some Johnny Marr comparisons, and the vocals also have that swaying croon that creeps right into that same arena. It’s nice to see some of the blends between the two-genres, as that sort of soft indiepop and punk all share history. Hoping we hear more like this from the group!

Circling Back to Love Burns Latest 7″

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Sometimes life can run full-circle, as is the case for Phil Sutton and his project Love Burns. He was part of the original Comet Gain lineup, then moved on to work in various projects like Pale Lights, but now serendipity strikes as his latest 7″ features Rachel Evans, who plays part in the current Comet Gain lineup. All that history aside, these are some of the best songs Sutton has written (even considering the ATH Records supported It Should Have Been Tomorrow). “Dear Carol” is a wonderful duet with Rachel, but that soaring chorus just crushes you under its power; I would live and breathe for that moment alone. Flip it over and you get another swooning pop tune, with Phil embracing dulcet tones atop an encircling jangle, before Evans adds a nice little backing vocal to layer an extra blanket of melody into the track. Both glorious tunes are available from Spinout Nuggets.

Rad Gnar Share Never Felt Like This Single

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If you need an energetic push to kickstart your Monday morning, you’ll want to have your fingers on the volume dial as you turn on this new Rad Gnar single. The Austin band have deep roots in the scene, featuring members of Breaklights and Basketball Shorts (who dropped a great LP on our label years ago!). But, with all that history, it’s nice to hear Ben and company stretching their sound beyond some of their pop punk roots into an all encompassing pop rock sound that just rips. I love the eagerness of the vocals on this, which feel more akin to a Superchunk B-side, while guitar shredding is on full display. And just because they’re banging out these feuding guitar sounds doesn’t mean they can’t bring the proper hooks…just you listen to some of the vocal melodies alone! Loving this and looking forward to the release These Past Few Years, dropping on August 29th.

Last Week’s Jams (8.11 – 8.15)

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It was a pretty busy week on my end, heading back into the school room and what not, but lots of great music making its way to our ears. Kicking it off with one of my favorite tracks of the year, with the latest single from Sorry, but then moves in to hear our friends I Was a King dabbling in the softer side of power-pop. Plus, the folks at Skep Wax and Slumberland keep pumping out the hits with new music from The Cords and Telephone Numbers. Really excited for you to hear the newest single from Austin’s Living Set too, if you missed it by accident; there’s another Austin act in there too named the Point, you might want to check if you’re into stretching your musical brain! Click play and see what’s up.

I Was a King Announce Until the End

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If you’ve been following the storied career of Norway’s I Was a King, then you’re likely going to take a close listen to their new single, with the group spending more time on the melodic core rather than some of their power-pop tendencies. That said, if you’ve listened to the group’s work, they’ve always hung on the softer side of the genre, and they dive into that vibe here in a way that has them sounding like they’re dusting off some old tendencies and pushing forward. I love Anne Lise’s light backing notes layered behind Frode’s lead, providing the textured love the group is known for creating. They completed the work on Until the End with Bill Ryder-Jones, so we should expect something meaningful coming our way on October 17th.

Alexei Shishkin Releases Ode to Carl Dennis

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While utilizing a different on Good Times, the songwriting capabilities of Alexei Shishkin are still quite evident on his new single, “Ode to Carl Dennis.” It was another one of the songs that took shape over a four day span with songwriting partner Bradford Krieger, with the musical composition coming earlier before applying the lyrics upon review. I love the up and down rise of the vocals matching the way the song seems to kind operate like a car going up and down a series of hills, hitting high notes, rolling down then back up again. A little directional change hits the song around the 1 minute and 2:20 mark, and that special little plot twist serves as a diversion in Alexei’s craft. If you’re looking to see what four days of improvisation sounds like, give Good Times a listen on September 5th via Run Defense.

Creative Writing Drop Slide and Dice

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When you crank up this new tune from Creative Writing, there will certainly be some familiarity in the group’s sound. I keep getting little pieces of Parquet Courts, albeit with a less frantic approach; the energy drives forward, but this lot seem to be wrapped up in more of a melodic sensation coursing through their sound. While the song has a distinctive underground growl to it, they let it take a turn midtrack, giving a little bit of a diversion for the listener before they drive home their sound at the close. Another exciting track from Baby Did This, out October 3rd via Meritorio Records.

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