Author: nathan.lankford

Sasha Bell Announces Solo Album

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Sasha Bell has a remarkable resume; she’s been a key part of Ladybug Transistor, Essex Green and The Sixth Great Lake…and now she’s stepping out on her own with Love is Alright. There are definitely some musical elements that will sound familiar; the first thing that stuck out to me was the dreaminess of the guitars churning in the background, combining that sparkling jangle with crisp notes that ring out in step with her vocals. I was really drawn to the space the song allowed around the 2 minute mark, allowing some air to sort of breathe into the song, giving off this celestial quality you won’t forget. Of course, the power of Bell’s vocals can mesmerize you as well; I love the way certain notes get curled from emphatic delivery to understated elegance at the end of syllables. Quite a start to a solo career; Love Is Alright will be out November 8th via Both Sides Now.

Robert Sotelo Shares Infinite Sprawling

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Infinite Sprawling is the name of Robert Sotelo‘s forthcoming LP, and the Glasgow based artist just recently put up the album’s title track for our listening enjoyment. There’s two distinctive sounds for you to enjoy within the track’s confines, so lets explore a little bit. The verses have this bright sharpness, using these chords bending around Sotelo’s voice to craft an almost bossanova version of post-punk. The chorus takes on more energy, with the guitars having more force and Sotelo’s vocals taking on more purpose, almost a calmed rush of melody bursting out. The new LP is out next Friday (9/13) via one of my faves, Upset the Rhythm.

Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage Announce Bad Wiring

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There aren’t a whole lot of artists that I think are universally revered, but I know that Jeffrey Lewis has long been one such musician, at least in the circles I run about. He’s a wordsmith at heart with this dry sense of self-deprecating (for mankind) humor, with some similarities to the likes of John Darnielle mentioned often. His new album will be handled under the name of Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage; the Voltage seems apt as there’s definitely some sonic oomph added to this first single; Lewis’ role is much as it’s always been, all the way down to his deliver, but that energetic blast is an interesting twist…or at least one I never noticed before for some reason. Lewis has found himself a US home for the release of Bad Wiring, dropping on November 1st via Don Giovanni.

 

Brooding Pop Number from Teen Blush

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This Teen Blush tune has been floating around for a few weeks, and when I woke up this morning to prepare for some all day training, it kind of made it back into my listening world. Felt like it’s a great tune to find early in the morning; it has this sort of brood to it that drives the song forward, but beneath that, there’s this really positive mood. It’s like waking up, knowing your day’s going to be a bit of a struggle, so your down, but as the day unfolds things in the world start to shine on the bright side of things, giving you a slight bit of positivity. This young Chicago artist is just now making their name known, so go on, give it a listen.

Moon Duo Share Eternal Shore

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The shapeshifting project that is Moon Duo are back with another single from their forthcoming Stars Are the Light. This one shows there more psychedelic vibe, which has long been their home base genre, though they’ve moved about. There’s plenty of guitar noodling, notes twisted in and out of the rhythmic pulse that sits behind the song’s entirety. Sanae pops in from time to time throughout the song’s jam to deliver these smoky vocal lines that sort of trap you in this mystical trance mode; they sort of feel like something out of some darkened den of the late 60s.Their new album will be released on September 27th by their longtime label, Sacred Bones Records.

Phony Bedtime Drop Possum Songs

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There’s not a whole lot of info to go along with this Phony Bedtime other than the group just dropped their Possum Songs EP this month. There are definitely a few solid tunes, but I’ve been gravitating towards “Invitation.” I love how the song has this really airy vocal that’s used throughout the entirety of the song. It’s broken up by this wobbling pulse that bursts forth, recedes, then bursts forth again, crafting this unstable wonky pop sensation that really clears the air for the aforementioned lightness of the vocals. All sorts of reference points, musically speaking, but I’ll let you do the pigeonholing here.

Eggstone Return with Indiepop Gem

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Eggstone have a history long-rooted in the history of Sweden’s underground pop scene, having risen to the top in the early 90s, not to mention the influence their own Tambourine Studios has had on the scene in Malmo. Here we have the band back with a new single for Danish label Crunchy Frog, and it’s got this youthful earnestness one might not expect for a band kicking on some 30 years down the road. While the song’s melody is solid, I’m digging on the bouncing of the organ and the swelling arrangements hanging in the distance. Fans of Shout Out Louds and that whole pop brand will definitely find something to love here.

Michael Beach Readies New 7″

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You all know how I love the Melbourne scene quite a bit, and Michael Beach has definitely been on my radar beforehand (he’s currently playing in the live Thigh Master band). His latest project, Michael Beach & the Artists just dropped a hook-laden 7″, which we’d love for you to listen to below. The A-side “Curtain of Night” carries this almost honky-tonk Replacements vibe; it’s got this country swagger, under the guise of traditional discordant indie rock with the faintest hints of pristine melody. On the flip B-Side, you get more of an experimental bit, with this bounding keyboard and waling guitar playing backing roles to Beach’s spoken word poetics. The group kick off a US tour at Gonerfest, followed by some East Coast dates at the start of October. The 7″ is being released by Tall Texan.

Weakened Friends Share What You Like

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If you haven’t listened to Common Blah, the debut LP from Maine’s Weakened Friends, then you might be missing on some hook-laden pop rock…but fear not, there’s a new tune out there too, just to show you where you went wrong. This new track is precisely what drew me to the band (even grabbed them for our hasty SXSW show) initially; they have these huge riffs and anthemic styles. I’m also quite fond of the way Sonia Sturino has this slight hiccup in her vocal delivery…just always a fan of distinctive voices in the world. The trio have a whole slew of shows in both the Europe (September) and the US (October), so keep an eye out for ’em.

The Late Innings Share Last Resort Video

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The Late Innings will be releasing Wild Places, and why not drop the album with a big big bang, like a great lyric video in completely different languages? That’s just what The Late Innings have done, sharing this power pop gem with its accompanying video offering you a taste of new cultures. The song is interesting. On the surface, it seems like this straight ahead power pop tune, filled with these big riffs built around a solid melody. However, once you go back and listen again, your ear starts to catch the accompaniment in a more forceful manner, particularly the great horn work for emphasis. It left kind of reminding me of Beulah, if they were really into early Elvis Costello records. Wild Places is out today, so enjoy this treat from the band!

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