Author: nathan.lankford

Bitchin Bajas Announce Inland See

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When I first saw the title of the new Bitchin Bajas single, I was certainly intrigued, as the title is one of my favorite Horace Andy tracks. As the quiet opens up and textures are layer, there’s an electronic pulse that feels a bit like that stuttering skank guitar; I will admit that I almost thought it was guitar, forcing me to dive in really deep into the tune. There’s little bits of woodwind floating atop, with synthetic lines zigging and zagging, all of it sort of creating this dense soundscape that feels like a futuristic dub record. If this is any sign of things to come, Inland See will be out on September 26th via Drag City.

Gregor Announces Milk Thistle Salmon Blush

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Australian artist Gregor has been a regular fixture on our site over the years; he’s released several albums through Chapter Music, but now goes out on his own for the forthcoming Milk Thistle Salmon Blush. As a songwriter, Gregor has mastered the balance between poetry and sound, as his arrangements often times feel like cinematic pieces, crafted to perfectly support the spoken word, as you’ll hear here. This tune has this futuristic pulse, and while it begins slowly, the tune opens up with a more rhythmic sample that begins to create a natural feeling of movement. His goal seems to be commentary on the mixture of the future with our own self-reflection, so keep an eye out for more as we inch towards the October release of the new record.

Linda Smith to Split 7″ with The Smashing Times

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You likely are already aware of our affection for The Smashing Times, but just last week the Baltimore bunch announced a new 7″ with one of their local mates, Linda Smith. When listening to the first single to leak out from the new project, you can hear the bedroom pop majesty from Smith; her song moves at the perfect pace, almost letting the vocals walk atop these grand keyboard/synth samples. That pacing combined with the nature of the vocals allows the listener to slink into the tune itself, while there’s this mysterious nature too, really drawing me deep into the synthetic texture. Looking forward to hearing the whole split EP, which comes out on August 14th via Upset the Rhythm.

Malena Zavala Preps Melt EP

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Been a couple of years since we’ve heard from Malena Zavala, and the gentleness of her latest single seems the perfect way to officially open up the listening experience of the week. The ornate nature of the meandering guitar notes creates this vastness that perhaps seems empty if it weren’t for the vocals. But, the vocals are there, often as ambient notes floating to fill the aforementioned space, at other times they embrace this lightness that borders on playfulness, cresting and falling atop of the guitar strums; Zavala can also retreat with her voice, pulling back and creating this intimacy where it feels as if the music only exists between she and the listener. This is the title track from the forthcoming Melt EP.

Last Week’s Jams (7.14 – 7.18)

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Felt like a pretty busy week all in all; there were lots of big album news leaking out, and we tried to cover the ones we love, like new Living Hour and Telephone Numbers…and I had to squeeze in that new Blood Orange. Tons of new stuff has been coming out of Austin too, like new stuff from Dress Warm, Living Pins, Chronophage and Ingebrigt Haker Flatten (do we still get to claim San Gabriel?). Winter and TAGABOW continued with their run of solid singles, as did Wombo, so there’s a whole lot of stuff for you to sound your way through below. Bummed that new Bats tune I posted isn’t up on the DSPs.

Strange Pilgrim Release Through the Branches

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It seems that guitar pop has fallen behind some of the modern trends of late, with bedroom pop and shoegaze-ish sounds dominating coverage. But, there was a time when acts like Woods and Real Estate dominated playlists, and for their part, Strange Pilgrim are carrying that torch, especially with this incredible new single. It opens with this ray of sunshine, hitting jangling notes before shedding this incredible warmth upon the listener. A steady soothing vocal runs its course, feeling like a crisp Summer breeze, offering just the slightest cool to your day. You’ll find some really special moments awaiting in the tune’s latter half as the melodies and arrangements blow the whole thing open. Really loving this tune, and looking forward to Too Bright Planet, out September 26th via Royal Oakie.

San Gabriel Plays with Fire

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If I could pick an artist that I wished could cross over into the masses, I’d love for folks to catch onto San Gabriel…and this new single might be the one to catch some ears. Trickling keys and samples open the track to this angular riff that hits sharply; it sets up the rush of the hook perfectly, opening the door for James to walk into the frame. Once he hits, his voice is surrounded by various backing voices, filling the empty space with textural layers, all of it leading to this masterful chorus that should have you punching the air with joy. If you’re willing to let joy into your heart, open it to the tune below; Nights and Weekends is out August 15th.

HHBTM Announces Two New Releases: Tullycraft and Bunnygrunt

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Our friends at the great HHBTM label have been busy setting up their own proper record shop, but like all great things, their finishing this year with focus back on the label side of things. They sent us a note about two great new releases, one that’s brand spanking new, Tullycraft; the other, Bunnygrunt, getting the 30 year Reissue treatment for Action Pants. Below, you’ll be treated to the joyous pop sounds of Tullycraft‘s new single; they take on this infectious sound that feels like it’s somewhere between Heavenly and Beulah, catchy and bundles of fun (I particularly love the horn blasts that kick on here). Shoot the Point will be out on August 22nd. You can also hear a new to everyone Bunnygrunt track that was never on the Action Pants LP back in 1995, due to some lineup and contract issues. But, they’ve redone it, and dammit if you’re not going to wish you this had been included in the OG version. This reissue is super-limited and is being split with Silly Moo Records.

New Single from The Valery Trails

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Trying to take you into the weekend with a little vibe here and a little vibe there, and I’m definitely feeling this new track from Aussie outfit The Valery Trails. I love a band that wastes zero time getting loud like this lot, smattering the drums and letting the guitars just ring right through. At times, they almost feel like they’re a pop punk band from the UK, or maybe they’re channeling Teenage Fanclub; it’s always loud, with a melody lurking throughout, and maybe there’s a little tongue-in-cheek humor working in there too. They’ll be dropping their new album Winter Palace on August 29th.

Ingebrigt Haker Flaten Shares Single + Announces Sonic Transmissions

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Seeing as we’re here to get weird on a Friday, there’s definitely a reason to branch out into the realms of the work of Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (Exit) Knarr, as the current ensemble is labeled. The group have recently announced Drops, their latest record, and below you’ve got the jazzy twists and turns tantalizingly tuning in and out. Squeaks and squawks, hammering keys and drums rolls, all peaking in cacophony and coming together harmoniously. It’s this aversion to modern construct that makes the ensemble so captivating. Plus, the group have also blasted news of the next Sonic Transmissions Festival, taking place here in Austin on September 11 thru the 14th, supported by Epistrophy Arts. It’s a celebration of storytelling and sounds that stretch our expectations of what pop is; you can get more details HERE.

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