Author: nathan.lankford

Nova One Shares Violet Dreams Video

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Perhaps the visual aesthetic and influences of Roz Raskin harken to 60s pop, but the feel of Nova One‘s “Violet Dreams” seems every bit steeped in the current climate we’ve been in for the last few years. There’s this almost slow-moving trait to the track, like the song got stuck in some time warp and slowly spins in this galactic haze. I love the way Raskin’s voice seems to have this purposeful emphasis on various syllables, as if each note carries a secret only evident to the narrator. It’s a subtle song, staring off into the horizon of the unknown with the rest of us. This song appears on Lovable, which drops on April 24th via Community Records.

Control Top Share One Good Day

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I know that Control Top‘s Covert Contracts got a lotta lotta love last year from all the heavy hitters…but I listened, and it was good, but it wasn’t something that really blew me away. Here they are upon their return, and I want to like it, but at the moment, I’m on the fence. Ali Carter’s voice is the high point throughout; there’s a flare in it that only the best front people have, shining through the recorded version. Musically, I just wasn’t super interested in the guitar work; it felt like someone that was really into Queens of the Stone Age their whole life suddenly wanted to be in a punk band. Guess that makes me an asshole, but I wanted something sharper, more angular. Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it. You?

Other Lives Shar Hey Hey Video

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Other Lives are one of those band’s that tried to build their songs layer by layer; I’ve always appreciated that about them; they bring everything they have to the table, be it instruments or textured vocals. They do the same here on their latest single (I might have voted for a touch of editing), but what I appreciate here is the exuberance that seems to evolve in the song. Typically, Jesse’s songs are more melancholy and slow, but there’s almost a joyousness here that’s not been omni-present in their music. This tune appears on their new album For Their Love, out April 24th via ATO Records.

Pleased to Meet You: Rules

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Rules came to my attention because of their affiliation with our friend in Finland, Soliti Music. The band celebrate their union with the label by dropping this really great synth pop number. If you were to ask my two cents, I thought the introductory two minutes might have gone on for maybe 20-30 seconds too long, but peel that away and you have this well-crafted gem akin to the work of the Knife, only made more accessible by a certain polish to the songwriting. Plus, ever into their artistry, the song draws inspiration from a Murakami character in “Drive My Car.” Also, if you’re into singer Iiti here, be sure to check out her other band Pintandwefall, who released one of my favorite tunes of this year.

Jarrow Shares Sauce Song and Flowerbed

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I’m always trying to figure out what’s going on in the Melbourne scene, and luckily I got an email that turned me onto Jarrow, which is the solo work of Dan Oke. He’s got a self-titled album slated for May release via Spoilsport Records, so why not toss out two tracks from said release. On “Sauce Song” we find Dan fairly synth driven, which isn’t always my cup of tea, but there’s something familiar in the chorus; it definitely sounds like everything that swirls around the pop indie scene. I liked the experimental flare that drew the song to a close. “Flowerbed” seems to burst brightly from the get-go; I like the way the vocals sort of jump high up, only to casually come down to Earth. Oke has these little vocal inflections here too that pack the punch, raising the tune above mere mimicry in the scene.

Modern Nature Share New Track

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When Modern Nature released How to Live, everyone I knew was quietly praising the work of Jack Cooper’s new project. But, not even a year on, the band is back with a brand new collection of songs, or at least 7 new songs. Our first listen is quite an expansive tune, though it feels much quieter in some respects. Things feel muted, while Cooper almost seems to deliver his words in a spoken fashion; I loved the horn work that comes alive in the first chorus, adding this jazzy touch to the song that gives it this poetic nature. This new record, Annual, will be released on June 5th via Bella Union.

Another Ditty from Go Get Mum

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Don’t you dare let the slow tease of the guitars catch you off guard on this new Go Get Mum track, as this might be the pop tune to make today slightly less shitty. Once it kicks on, those guitars start to ring fast and quick; the vocals do their best to keep up with the frantic pace. Those angular notes and the harmonic gang vocals are just too good for you to turn away from; I also kind of feel like there’s hints of the Feelies in this number (probably just me, right?). Their new EP, Ok Now What, is out on Meritorio Records on March 20th. It’s so damn good!

Stream The Hannah Barberas Into the Wild LP

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I don’t know about you, but my hypochondria/anxiety are full on at the moment, so I’m going back to my comfort zone…the tried and true indiepop I adore. Luckily, we’ve got Into the Wild, the just released LP from the Hannah Barberas, blanketing me in charms and melodies. I love that the band have a distinctive sound for the genre, which seems to be as diverse as possible within the confines of their influences; they bounce around, trade vocalists, share vocals and ultimately provide you with every direction one would like to see things go in the realm of pop. My favorite tunes are “Our Girl is Gone” and “I Like You in Blue.” The new album is available via tons of great people like Subjangle/Gazer Tapes/Doo Lang Records.

That New Young Scum Single

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One of my favorite LPs of the last few years is the self-titled Young Scum LP. The band have been mostly quiet since its release, at least musically speaking…until this last week when they dropped a brand new single. Indiepop fans will fawn, particularly with the natural hop that goes along throughout the song; it’s part rhythmically propelled and part of the circular jangle of the guitars. There’s comfort in the warmth of the vocals too, which seems particularly important in the world today; I just wanted to get wrapped up in this song, and hope you do too. As of now, it’s just a single, but a reason to celebrate nonetheless.

Ditch Days Share Baltimore

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Earlier this year I stumbled upon Portuguese outfit Ditch Days, and with their EP on the horizon, I’m more than happy to share another tune from that release. This new track’s great, as it slowly drifts in by way of this meandering guitar line and hazy vocals. But, there’s the slightest uptick in pop sensibility that turns out around the 1:15 mark that really elevates the song’s vibe; I think it was there that I fell in love with this tune…especially with that buzz of guitars in the song’s distance. You can find this tune on Office Space, which is slated to drop this March.

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