Author: nathan.lankford

Mark Allen Piccolo Shares Yer Goin Up

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A sophomore albums is always a struggle; you’re going to second guess yourself, question whether or not you’ve topped what came before. Or at least, that’s how I imagine it from behind my computer screen. For Mark Allen Piccolo, it seems he’s less interested in “topping” his debut, but rather maneuvering his songwriting in a different direction; he chose to layer each song on his daily commute to school in California, forcing him to build each track bit by bit. What that leaves us with is this multi-layered tune, begging to peel back loops and beats to reveal the central melody that courses through; it’s like Beck, if only he’d been weirder and less into Scientology. Just be sure to leave careful breadcrumbs, as its easy to find yourself lost in the rich musical tapestry Piccolo has crafted here. You’re going to get similar results too by picking up Word of the Day; out May 1st via BotCave Records.

Verandan Share Pink Clouds

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It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Helsinki outfit Veranadan, who dropped an EP in 2017 that I was rather excited about. I’m just as excited about this new work, as it seems to be hitting on some of those trademark pop sounds that blossomed forth from that release. This first listen to new stuff has these shimmering keyboard notes, though there’s this almost jazzy flare to some of the guitar’s lick; the rhythm section surely is owed a debt as its keeps the smoothness just hip enough to hold onto pop tendencies. Ville’s vocals reset easily amidst the track, carrying this lofty sense of longing that has certainly charmed my ears. Word has it that there are more tunes to follow in the year, so keep an eye on the band’s label, Soliti Music.

Sachet Share Arncliffe Babylon

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I’m a really big fan of off-kilter punk of the pop sort, which is exactly what Sydney’s Sachet are offering on their latest single. The way they write their choruses sort of forces you to sort of lose your balance; you’re intoxicated and hooked, but you can’t find your feet beneath you. Still, one of the more endearing qualities from the group is their bubblegum choruses, as if they know you need to wash your ears of those discordant twanging guitars they’ve been brandishing. It’s simultaneously rough and saccharine, which is the perfect way for us to move into Thursday. Look for the band’s Net LP on April 30th via Tenth Court!

Stream Thousands of Thorns by Gabe Hascall

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The perks of running a web site and a record label? You get to toss up the stuff you release just because you love it. For me, when Gabe Hascall asked about releasing his debut solo LP, it was a no brainer. I spent many a night as a teenager watching him on stage in Austin’s beloved The Impossibles; I had to buy multiple copies when he and Rory went solo as Slowreader. So last Friday we put out Thousands of Thorns on our ATH Records imprint, and if you’re into stuff along the lines of Stephen Steinbrink or Angelo de Augustine, you’re going to love this LP! You can grab it HERE, or enjoy the stream below!

RVG Share Perfect Day Video

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Next week we’ll all finally get to hear the long awaited sophomore LP from RVG, one of the band’s I’ve been raving about for the last few years. Today they share their video for “Perfect Day,” which is just this huge twinkling pop song. The song uses these sharp guitar chords that seem to shine right through your speaker with Romy working her lyrical charms. One of the things I’m starting to notice with the collections of songs we’ve heard is how clean they sound, and I do mean that in a good way; it’s like the group just upped their pop sensibility with sights on being the biggest pop act in Australia. Feral is out April 24th via Fire Recordings. Oh…and the great video was shot by Geoffrey O’Connor of Crayon Fields fame!

Another Tune from Even As We Speak

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Somehow in the hubbub of Easter weekend I let this new single from Even as We Speak sneak right passed me. I’m aiming to rectify that, as it’s a really beautiful pop tune. It opens up with these thickened synths looped over heavy drum beats, with a guitar hanging out somewhere in the distance; it almost feels like the song’s looking back on the purity of trip-hop in the mid 90s. Then the angelic notes of Mary Wyer’s voice enter the scene and everything else fades away; this is one of those vocal performances you don’t forget. As the song draws to a close, a little ambiance and musicality is flexed…but I’m still thinking about those vocals. Another reason we should all have our heads turned towards Adelphi when it drops in June via Shelflife Records and Discos de Kirlian.

Abandoned Buildings Share Already Over

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You ever hear a simple note, something so minute yet so memorable that you can’t get it out of your head? That’s exactly how I felt upon my first listen to the latest single from Abandoned Buildings. For me, it was the the way the song just sort of dropped in at the 13 second mark; it changed the song’s whole dynamic, allowing this guitar chord to sort of skitter throughout. A simple moment that was gone, but it drew me into the song, allowing the haziness of the vocals to carry me through the song. There’s this quiet to the track, something subdued, but it’s juxtaposed by this really bright guitar that comes in and out, like around the 2 minute mark. I just dig it. This tune appears on the group’s new LP, Disappear Forever, out this week!

BOAT Share Metabolism

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The latest single from BOAT is like a sweet little candy treat; you unwrap it and in an instant its gone, leaving you wanting another. The first 40 seconds or so are almost just like a wrapper, a vocal and a few heavy piano chords; peel it back and pop that in your mouth! Once you do, right at the 41 second mark, the tune kicks in and the sweetness of pop sensibility fully kicks in to gear. Honestly, that soaring vocal and the drums dropping in are just he sugary sweetness I need, or crave. I live for little pop moments just like that, making this track the perfect treat for you all. Their new album Tread Lightly will be out on May 1st.

Be Afraid Share Automatic Worry

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Vancouver act Be Afraid have their Remember Fun EP on the horizon, so they’ve shared this fun track to grab your attention. The band are fusing elements of punk and classic rock with a pop sensibility that you’d likely find in any modern pop rock outfit; the sound is ultimately familiar, with just enough wrinkles to make the band stand out amongst peers. I love the chorus where female and male vocals share the stage to maximize the melody while keyboard wizardry gallops through the background. If you dig what you’re hearing, as you should, then you can grab the cassette on May 8th via Hidden Bay Records.

Virginia Trance Shares New Single

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I was scrambling this morning for tunes that fit my mood; nothing was really fitting my day until I came across this new track from Virgina Trace. The description claims nods to Felt and the Dream Syndicate, but it also feels like its steeped in the current sound of Australia…though the project is based in New York. It’s got that bright folk attitude, set in the most casual manner, as if the pace of the day is absolutely meaningless…which feels oddly like the current state of the world. It’s a pleasant Tuesday ditty off Vincent’s Playlist, the new LP dropping on May 8th via BYM Records.

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