Author: nathan.lankford

Van Mary Share Hug

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There’s no sense in keep Austin’s Van Mary as one of our own little secrets; its time Emily Whetstone and company were let out into the world…and “Hug” might just be the key to getting your attention. The song was written during the early days of quarantine, with Whetstone missing the camaraderie and joy that her friendships brought her; this might just be the most relatable tune from 2020. Musically, I love the layers, like this onion of pop waiting to be peeled by the listener. At first, the skin of the song is this darkened ballad, Whetstone working her vocals over a gentle strum; once that layer’s discarded, the song meets up with some meandering nuance before the drums take the track up a notch; it all culminates in this soaring sonic exploration that leads to the Emily’s voice winning you love with its range. You end the song feeling like you’ve been along for this journey of isolation, and you, too, are looking for that hug…this song is a hug from Van Mary; enjoy the warmth. Expect a full LP later in the Spring!

Stephen’s Shore Share Skogen

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One of the first records I’ll be buying next year has to be this new 7″ EP from Stephen’s Shore, and with another single dropping today, that’s pretty much a guarantee. While the first single offered those pristine indiepop jangles, they pull the blanket back just a bit, revealing a hint of slight psychedelic flourishes. Sure, soft jangles in the background, but the foreground guitar seems to rise from smoke-filled lounge; it shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the band play up the softness of both styles, giving us this perfect little pop concoction that you’ll enjoy for the rest of today (and beyond!). The Brisbane Radio EP drops on January 22nd via Meritorio Records.

Gustaf Share Design Video

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Brooklyn seems to be the hotspot of the day, with that Fixtures tune earlier and now a brand new tune from Gustaf; their Mine 7″ drops this Friday via Royal Mountain. This tune here is the B-Side to that release, and draws on that sort of arty post-punk style, though I love how they never shy away from a little nod to a nice hook. There’s always this sense of playfulness, even when the band attack modern desires as constructs of our own design…or at least that’s my interpretation anyways. Plus, the video tosses in just enough fun that you can tell the band would be one hell of a live show…if that was a thing. Check the vid!

Fixtures Share Jay’s Riff

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All those cool kid year end lists are out, but there’s still great music to be had in 2020; the new Weak Automatic EP from Brooklyn’s Fixtures is one such release that’s landed on my radar for this Friday. This short new ditty before Friday’s release should tip the scale in the band’s favor; it employs a nice little riff that rocks right through, on the corner of Jangle Street and Fuzz Road. Still, the band have some playful little harmonies working through their jams that maximize the endearing quality they bring to the musical table. You might even find just a hint of a toe tap in there too. Weak Automatic is out Friday via Bobo Integral.

Neutrals Share Personal Computing Video

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If you were lucky to grab all the Slumberland 30 Singles, the last one in your batch was this incredible 7″ from Neutrals. While I loved their Kebab Disco, the two tracks on this 7″, including the video below, show this sharpness in their playing that really pops. Allan’s delivery has this very punk feel to it, balanced out by these really careful backing melodies from the rest of the group. Personally though, I think the guitar work just after the 1 minute mark is my favorite bit of this tune; I don’t know why, but its just this infectiousness I can’t get outta my head. Plus, you get a great video from Jenn Dorn Heard that plays off the band’s color scheme while honing in on the track’s thematic influence. But, if you didn’t grab the SL30 Series, you can grab this individual single from Slumberland Records, which is a ripper!

New Tune from Nana Yamato

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This might be America’s first taste of Nana Yamato, but the 20 year old artist has been crafting tunes from her bedroom in Tokyo since she was a young teenager. Today she announces her debut album for Dull Tools, the label run by Andrew of Parquet Courts, so you already get a seal of approval before even pressing play. Inside the song you get these careful little guitar lines dancing atop various samples that build in the song’s rhythm; it creates the perfect soundscape for Yamato’s crisp voice to coolly flow in and out of the melodic nooks and crannies. The video seems to pay homage to a studied craftsmanship, which makes sense considering how powerful a statement this track makes. Look for Before Sunrise on February 5th.

Stream Zipper’s Dreamer’s Gate EP

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There’s a slew of releases I missed last week trying to take a few hours for myself and my family, but this Zipper one is definitely one I would have shared last week. Dreamer’s Gate is a collection of five songs of swirling guitars and pounding rhythms, propelled forward by natural pop inclinations and Haruka’s voice. Don’t let that fool you though, as there’s a heavy darkness reverberating throughout the entirety of these five tracks; it builds this super tension that makes you anxious at every single turn, particularly if you’re listening to “Ice,” which is one of my favorite songs off the EP. The whole thing is available via Tenth Court, so give it a listen!

The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness Share Falling Through

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Not only do I love the colorful artwork, but every sound I’ve heard from the new Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness LP just rings dear and near to my heart. The riffs hang just on the right side between heavy and jangling, ringing with more force where necessary. Each melody seems focused on maximizing the emotional pull with the listener…and I say that as I try to hide the huge grin across my face. If you took the best of the late Teenies work and combined it with the melodic sensibility of the Lucksmiths, you’d pretty much be spot on with that comparison…but lets be real…this duo is definitely coming into their own! Songs from Another Life drops on February 5th via Bobo Integral.

She/Beast Shares Born to Fight

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This track from Katja Nielsen (Arre Arre) under her new moniker, She/Beast, dropped in the middle of last week, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. It opens up rather slowly, almost plodding through the first few seconds. But, the rhythmic hook drops in so seamlessly, immediately grabbing you. It was hard not to just get the feels, as this is the type os simple pop rock that I’ve always adored; its straight in its purpose, aiming to please with immediacy. She’ll be releasing In the Depths of Misery EP on December 11th via PNKSLM, so keep your eyes out if you like big pop feels!

Chronophage Release Any Junkyard Dream Video

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Austin’s Chronophage, one of the town’s most under-appreciated acts, have a brand new LP coming out this Friday, Th’ Pig Kiss’d Album. They just dropped this incredible video featuring a day in the life of a neighborhood crow. In the musical element, the songs opens with these anxious jittering guitar cuts, jaggedly splicing up the song while vocals are delivered in spoken fashion; its all about the contrast. Still, one of my favorite bits about the band is their willingness to change directions, taking a sharp turn here at the 47 second mark by building in some softened harmonies to provide a sprinkle of pop sensibility. Throughout the songs, they weave the two styles seamlessly, still keeping that anxiety that drives the song’s tension. The LP drops this Friday via Cleta Patra/Soft Office; I bet it rips.

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