Author: nicole.baumann

Mercury Rev Still Has It

Leave a comment

mercuryrevw0When I first pressed play on the track below, I’ll admit I was expecting something quite different; in the first few seconds of the song I was immediately gravitating towards expectations of a Cults-esque sound, but what I got was something completely different. Mercury Rev have been around for quite a long time (circa 1988), but they’re still quite able to turn a great track, as “Are You Ready?” will certainly attest. The song is a streamlined thrashing of indie rock– synths push through the whole thing loudly and drums bombast through the mix. This is the kind of song that makes you excited for an album and The Light In You will be available quite soon through Bella Union on September 18th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/208426805″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Takamahak Give You Catchy Lo Fi

Leave a comment

10530681_761353337255694_1659108928843178449_nThis post comes to you all the way from Germany… well, Takamahak are from Germany, I’m stuck here in the ATX. Regardless of where the song is from, there can be no denying that it’s a jam and a half. The guitars are the perfect level of distorted, while those vocals are simultaneously clean and muddy. Relying on stop and go rhythm, the band moves in and out of the track neatly and quickly. “Cigarettes & Idiots” is a neat little tune that will embed itself into your head for the rest of the day. Take a listen to this under the radar track below.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/182541630″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

So Pleased To Meet You: Oh, Rose

Leave a comment

11231221_978694022154551_8598250288213676264_oOccasionally, when I’m on the lookout for great new tracks I stumble upon a band that really just deserves some attention. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Olympia, Washington natives, Oh, Rose, who will win your heart with their hodgepodge sound of lo-fi indie rock. Last month, they released Seven, their debut full length album, and it’s up on their Soundcloud Page for you to stream. Personally, when I first took a listen to “Lottery” below, I was pulled in by the distinctive vocal yelp of leading lady, Olivia Rose. The song is a nice jam: fuzzy guitars and a quick drum beat will certainly get you dancing on this Tuesday.

 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/210669637″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Dream Of The 90s Is Alive With Night Flowers

Leave a comment

11816265_882537551835279_1261872544787042425_oSo this track may be a few days old, but bear with me, as it’s a Monday and I’m playing catch up, but I don’t think you’ll really mind once you have a listen. Night Flowers are a five piece out of London who have taken shoe gaze dream pop to a whole different level. With the track below, “Sleep,” you’ll notice immediately the 90s influence in the guitars and percussion: that sort of grungey distortion on the riffs, the jangle of the tambourine. The vocals are what really make this song stand out for me; the female vocals are so pure and clear that they almost sound translucent, warmed up over the track with some other backing male vocals. I’m really digging the sound here, so I’ll be excited to hear the rest of the band’s self titled EP that’s due out from Dirty Bingo Records at the end of September.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216853653″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Start Your Week Out With Minden

Leave a comment

unnamedMinden are a group who hail from Portland Oregon, and they’ve got a new single for you to jam to… well, make that two singles. The first of these two, and the so-called ‘lead’ track is called “Saint” and it’s a nice combination of pop and psychedelic rock. The band gives you a blend of these two genres: the drum beats and guitars are pretty psych, while the vocals are fairly pop friendly. “Don’t Want a Laugh” is the second of the two, and it brings the mood a little more bluesy into a slow groove. Both tracks are pretty good examples of easy listening indie pop, so press play below and have a listen.

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/minden-band/saint-2015″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/minden-band/dont-want-a-laugh-2015″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New To You: Hazel English

Leave a comment

11120072_1404974219821106_1760115655601501812_oWhen it’s summertime and this hot outside, sometimes I seek refreshing musical escape from the heat, usually in the form of breezy indie pop. Hazel English, who is currently based out of Oakland, has got the perfect antidote to the heat with “It’s Not Real.” The track is light in all the right places. The vocals have a Cults-esque sugar to them, but also soar with a bit more subtlety. The guitar and drums and synth sounds sort of mesh together in the mix for a hazy take on surf and classic indie rock, but then they separate out over varying moments of the song so you can appreciate them all. It’s a great light and airy track, one that will certainly get stuck in your head for the next few days.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216878992″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Smooth Minimalism From Willis Earl Beal

Leave a comment

Willis_Earl_Beal_MG_1042_Interview_Under_the_Radar_James_Loveday_Leaving_labelThe internet is abuzz with this track already, but as hard as I tried not to fall into the hype, the song got me in the end. Chances are you’ve probably heard of Willis Earl Beal, but did you know he was about to release another LP called Nocturnes on August 28th? “Survive” is a track from that upcoming record, and it’s s simple yet vivid track from the gentleman. Clearly the vocals are in the spotlight, and their power and strength can be heard throughout the song as Beal winds his way through the lyrics. Check it out.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195271528″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another Sweet Jam From Gardens & Villa

Leave a comment

gardens_villas_tourA little bit ago Gardens & Villa announced the release of their upcoming record, Music For Dogs, and gave us a new single of their swirling electrified pop music. They’ve returned again with another new track from that record, called “Everybody.” Whereas the last tune they shared pushed into a garage-y soundscape at points, this tune is more straightforward synth pop; its pulsating synths provide a tone of paranoia and anxiety, which is doubled up by the fast paced falsetto vocals. Later on more piano comes quickly as the band spirals carefully out of control in this great synth pop jam. Look out for Music For Dogs, out August 21st on Secretly Canadian.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216743872″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Laid Back Rock From Air Waves

Leave a comment

1609885_10152207578788798_394182001_nAir Waves, aka Nicole Schneit, has been making indie rock tunes of varying styles over the years, and she’s got a killer new single to share with you in the form of “Horse Race.” What I’m really digging on this track is the way that the subtle and mild vocals juxtapose so nicely with the harder elements of the song, like the steady electric guitar and the ubiquitous piano. One moment the vocals combine with the other musical elements for a laid back feel, and the next the guitars and piano and percussion seem to amp up a bit, while those vocals stay cool and calm thanks to a bit of help from Jana Hunter. Really, it’s a great indie rock song, and it’s got me excited for the release of Parting Glances, which is due out September 18th via Western Vinyl.  

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216707535″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Get Down With Small Black

Leave a comment

unnamed-2It’s a Thursday, so naturally you’re itching for the weekend to hurry up and get here already. What’s a better way to channel yourself into the weekend vibe other than some slick dance music? Small Black have got you covered there with this new single, “Boys Life,” which is taken from the band’s upcoming release, Best Blues, and is filled with enough synthesizer to let you make believe it’s Friday night already.  The track pretty much immediately launches into the groove, with a somewhat minimalist tone to it: though there’s a lot going on, the soundscape seems spacey other than the constant percussion blasting through in waves. Then the track really kicks into full swing and you really can’t help but shimmy along. Take a listen below and look out for Best Blues out October 16th from Jagjaguwar. 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/215736591″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 … 60 61 62 63 64 … 119
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com