Author: nathan.lankford

Desert Souls Drop Turtle

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It’s been a hot minute since I got excited about a band that brandished the sort of garage style that was popular all the rage upon its reemergence. Desert Souls, however, seem like they’re up to something great on this brand new single from the German outfit. Things seem all ramshackle and joyous from the get-go; it’s that classic train flying off the rails style we here at ATH enjoy. But, what sold me, was the hook in the chorus from the vocals. I love the way “me” gets stretched out higher, as it definitely got its hooks in me. This jam appears on the group’s mini-LP Back to the Coast, which is out next week via KUS.

Black Marble Drop Private Show Video

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Can I not just have this whole Black Marble LP already? This is the third single from the forthcoming Bigger Than Life LP, and again, it’s sure-fire gem. I’m actually really drawn to the beats on this one; they have this energetic pulse faintly tinged with a darkness that seems to match the fogginess of the vocal delivery. It’s probably cliche at this point, but balancing of the light and dark is so well executed that you can’t help but be caught up in your own emotions. But, perhaps the most striking moment comes just before the 4 minute mark, when the song seems to be stripped of its energy, leaving you with heavy vocals draped across minimal notes; it’s a pretty special twist. This new LP drops on October 25th via Sacred Bones Records. Don’t forget the band will be in Austin for Levitation!

Cats of Transnistria Announce Aligning

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I’ve been covering the Finnish music scene for the last several years, and generally, I feel as if I’ve got a fair understanding of the musical landscape. That said, Cats of Transnistria always keep me guessing, as they seemingly do within their own works; they’ve evolved into this sort of brilliant slow-core pop act that fans of Bedhead or early Low would fawn over. Here, you feel the emotional tension build for over 2 minutes before the vocal notes dare peek into the track. From there we add textures, and at times, it seems like we’re losing touch with melody, losing ourselves in this discordant moment, only to be calmed by the warm blanket of song. I love the little imperfections, or the ones that seem as such, illustrating a desire to capture every emotion in its present state, perfect or not. This is cinematic brilliance captured in song form, which is what we can expect when Aligning drops via Soliti Music on November 29th.

Fresh Indiepop from Salt Lake Alley

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I first caught wind of Salt Lake Alley when they dropped a 7″ over on Cloudberry Records about a year ago (also noting the Honeydrips lineage). They’re back with a brand new single, and I’m pretty sure it’ll make your Wednesday. It slinks in with this angular guitar stutter that opens into a more dreamy bounce, giving way for the vocals to swoop in and swoon, hanging the lines “you feel good/so do I” into thin air. Take a breath, and the guitars shuffle their dancing licks into the picture as the chorus forces your feet into flailing high kicks and a grin that’ll stain your face for hours to come. It’s energetic and poppy, with an underhanded charm that will have you coming back over and over again. You’re welcome.

Guitar Pop from Candybomber

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I was really into the Kensingtons, though they came onto my radar just as they were seeming to slow things down. Now that they’re geographically separated, Stewart has a brand new project, Candybomber. The band have just shared this new single, which, to me, recalls a more melodic Wedding Present. You still have these distorted guitars jangling and ringing out loudly, tearing through your speakers. But, the song’s core revolves around the gravitational pull of the melody that shines through Stewart’s vocals; it’s the classic loud/quiet juxtaposition, and it’s executed to perfection in this tune. Turn this one up super loud, and don’t look back at that whole in your speakers.

Please to Meet You: Lilla Parasit

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Perhaps the title is misleading, as I’ve definitely covered the various members of Lilla Parasite in some fashion or another, most recently with Are Steinsholm’s other band, Melby. But, this is a Swedish super-group of sorts, though they’re offering up a more folk-laden version of pop music than what I’ve grown accustomed to from the region. There’s this faint warble in the vocal, which I can’t tell if that’s due to singing in English, or if its merely the nature of the song, but distinctive voices always catch my ear. Musically, the band has this almost like glade majesty, as if you were a deer traipsing about in your favorite meadow as some minstrel fashioned a song for your journey. It’s a cool introduction to a band I hope you’ll enjoy.

The Hecks Share Heat Wave

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There’s not pigeonholing the Hecks, and I think we’re all better off for that. We’ve heard a couple of tunes off their forthcoming album, My Star. A quick listen might show the band as a fun times no-wave pop spectacle, but that’s precisely why I think you’ve got to listen to “Heat Wave.” This track broods and pulses; it’s washed in fuzzy electronics with the vocals riding the vibe in a purely indifferent fashion. As any aficionado of pop would tell you, the sounds on this track, old or new, just sound like what it would be like if we were all real cool. The band moves and shifts, so there’s really no telling what their LP will bring you going forward, but we’ll know when it drops on October 11th courtesy of Trouble in Mind.

 

Loving Share Only She Knows

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It looks as if I’m continuing with my Fall musical appreciation hour, following up the earlier Kevin Scoma tune with this new finger-picking slow burner from Loving. It’s the sort of fireside chat with your stereo you wish you could have throughout those cool Autumn nights, harmlessly lost on some wisp of air that finds its way to your ear. Every note is so careful, such attention given to each detail that it’s purposefulness evolves into this charmingly organic feeling. This is what you can expect from the band’s LP, out next year via Last Gang Records; they’re on tour through North America (Austin show at Hotel Vegas on 10/11) as we speak, with UK/EU dates throughout November.

Sublime Ballad from Kevin Scoma

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We’ve got our toes dipping into the Fall season down here in Austin, so musical changes happen as walks grow longer and days grow shorter. One of the first songs that’s set me in the right mood is this new track from Kevin Scoma, the second single from his forthcoming Into the Weeping Sea EP. From the get-go, the song is pulling at your heartstrings, with Scoma’s softened voice really starring over the lightly strummed guitar/banjo lines. There’s tinkering electronics that provide that dreamy element to the song, giving into that magical feel of changing colors in the world. If you’re willing to get lost in a nice gentle ballad, look no further, and keep your ears back for that EP next Friday.

Bodega Share Knife on the Platter

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It’s good to see a band you enjoyed take a step to the side and start to flex their musical muscle. I love Bodega‘s brand of thoughtful art-punk, and while the lyrical content doesn’t seem to stray too far, the music we’re hearing from the band’s forthcoming LP definitely has the group reaching into new territory. Here we get to hear the band sit back and entrance listeners with Ben’s emphatic lyrical delivery while the rhythm section dims the room (as seen in the video, right?). The guitar work is still slightly angular, but it almost seems like a shiny accessory in the presence of this tune. The band will releasing their new Shiny New Model EP next Friday via What’s Your Rupture.

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