Author: nathan.lankford

Best Wishes – A Shortcut To I Was a King

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It seems like as long as we’ve been running this site we’ve been covering the work of I Was a King, and for those that weren’t there along the way, they’ve announced a compilation that’s the perfect introductory collection for those that haven’t quite whet their power-pop whistle with these greats. The band have worked with legends like Robyn Hitchcock, Sufjan Stevens and Norman Blake…to name a few. For me, the fascination has always been the gentle roll of Frode’s voice; there’s this intimacy that’s met by a certain almost pastoral nature, almost as if its a sort of wisened sage whispering to you. Honestly, if you ever wished to be transported to a place of happiness, “Lighthouse” is a great place to being; you can find it on the group’s Slow Century LP too. Once you’ve dipped your toes into the storied history of this great act, be sure to order a copy of Best Wishes – A Shortcut to I Was a King…dropping on March 7th.

Jeffrey Lewis Is Just Fun

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As I listen through the latest single from Jeffrey Lewis, I admire his craft more and more, relishing in the quick wordplay that he works into his latest little pop opus. He covers adulthood here, and whether he’s discussing the hardships, the ultimate settling here is a reminder that the bare essentials of life’s joys can be whittled down to just finding the fun. The songwriting is simplistic, in a sense (obviously I couldn’t pull it off), so you get to look into the great lines he’s put together, or revel in the stop animation utilized to pull this video together. The Even More Freewheeling Jeffrey Lewis will be out on March 21st via Don Giovanni and Blang Records.

Dumb Things Announce Self Help LP + Share New Single

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If you come to our site from time to time, we hope you uncover something that’s possibly overlooked but worthy of repeat listens. Dumb Things is one such band, and their “Self Help” single was one of my absolute favorite tracks last year. The Aussie outfit have just announced they’ll be releasing their Self Help LP this April, and with that, they’ve sprinkled this delighting ditty to satiate your pop needs. Steady drums march you into the tune, then the sweetness of the vocals from Madeleine hit you right in the face; it’s enough that her voice sparkles in the verse, but when that chorus drops, aided by the rest of the group, I was just crushed. Really excited for the group, and for you to get to hear these songs! Self Help is out April 4th.

Stream Plastic Bubble’s Big Day Parade

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While they begin work on new material following their Circular Breathing EP, Kentucky’s Plastic Bubble have decided to go back in time and let us immerse ourselves in their earliest works: the Big Day Parade LP. It’s their debut album, and one that wasn’t available on streaming platforms, until now. It’s a glimmer at where the band would go, showing early signs of psychedelic pop music for the masses, akin to acts like Ladybug Transistor and such. This single below features vocals from Sydney Chadwick of ATH faves Wombo too, so it seems like they’ve always embraced a familial affair in their recording. Enjoy the tune below, and then hop over to stream it on your preferred DSP. You can even buy a CD from Jigsaw HERE.

Leatherette Share Delusional Video

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Italian outfit Leatherette have been on our radar quite a bit of late, with a really great EP that dropped just a few weeks ago. One of the standout tracks on that listen is now getting a joyous video, etched in the band’s own playfulness. It’s a stark contrast to the undertones of the song itself, though the rushing rhythm section does make way for that energetic bubble bounce we all know and love. When the vocals jump in, they seem to be catching on to the rhythmic vibes, kind of hitting on each little note, giving them this sort of melodic jump, building in some pop ethos to the group’s sound. Check out their Itchy + Delusional EP when you’re done jamming this tune!

Last Week’s Jams (2.17 – 2.21)

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Even with Presidents Day offering a slow musical roll, we covered a ton of music last week, at least in our brains. There were some standout tunes from the likes of Triathalon, Now and Scrounge…but also got to hear from one of our old favorites, Pia Fraus. We started to dip our toes back into the SXSW scene, with RayRay grabbing an interview from Gold Star. Then we made sure to rep our friends in Keeled Scales, who had a big week with new Will Johnson and Emily Hines. You’ll get to hear some off the beaten path post-punk from Private Lives and Low Monroe. Speaking of the Low Monroe tune, it’s strange that the two longest tracks on the playlist are both Aussies (the other from Tropical Fuck Storm), and they’re both labeled to have an identical running time. Who knows what that’s about. Press play below.

Bagdad Drop Somewhere Nowhere Single

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There aren’t too many Polish bands breaking across the pond, but Bagdad has some really rewarding sounds that you’re going to love. There are elements of Nirvana Unplugged in some of the rising vocal tones, and I’m thinking of “Jesus Dont…,” but maybe that’s just. my ear. Still, the slow-burning growl of the guitar sound does feel nostalgic in every sense, though with it, there’s a sweetened chorus awaiting listeners, ready to highlight just how much the band adore layering their sound with hooks. Cool vibes are your thing, so be sure to look for their They Don’t Know EP, which drops on March 27th via Rite Field Records.

Gum Parker Release Hive Single

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When you press play on the below Gum Parker tune, you’ll be greeted with a rapid riff rushing the song off into pop-punk madness, and for that, I’m grateful. If I’m being honest, there are elements of this that remind me of latter Against Me albums, where there’s a tenacity, but a lurking sense that there’s an adoration for pure joy and pop. Just listen through here and you’ll here this repeated “woahs” layered in to make sure there’s a maximized exuberance, like the aforementioned acts meets later year Thermals…it’s enthusiastic pop rock at its finest. Look for the group to release their debut The Brakes LP on April 11th via Repeating Cloud.

Stuart Pearce Announce All This Vast Overproduction

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I’m having a lot of fun this morning cranking up the latest Stuart Pearce single, and if I’m being honest, part of is the joy of just trying to follow what they’re doing. At times, there’s this proto-punk approach, kind of like a modern rhythmic pulse with Kraftwerk as the forefather. Then, they just go on these little diversions, throwing in these synthesized sounds that fill the track with other-worldly noise, and in that, they’ve throw all convention in the trashcan and created their own thrills. Ultimately, that’s where I fall for this lot, as they just seem to enjoy every inch of every song, and an energy like that is intoxicating. They’ll drop All This Vast Overproduction on March 28th via Safe Suburban Home.

Emily Hines Joins Keeled Scales Roster

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Austin-based label Keeled Scales has one of the strongest rosters around, particularly if you’re one that is inclined towards folk leaning songwriters. Over the years they’ve introduced us to Katy Kirby, Jordan Moser, Julia Lucille…and now they’ve signed Emily Hines. With her signing, she’s released the below single, with this beautiful warmth in the recording that immediately draws in the listener. The strum creates this reverberation that just hangs in the atmosphere while Hines voice gently wafts across the room; it’s a marvelously intimate performance that reveals the sincerity we can expect when a full length comes our way. If you’re in town for SXSW, she’s be playing at the Keeled Scales/First Date Touring Showcase at Chess Club.

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