This is fine.
North Carolina’s Late Bloomer shared this new single called “Hope For Rain” a few days ago and I wanted to get it to your ears before the weekend. The song effortlessly combines a sort of DIY indie, college rock sound with some lovely twang and slide guitar. Hopefully you’ll give it a listen below and also consider a pre-order of their new album entitled Another One Again. That’s due out on March 1st via Self Aware Records.
Chicago based Sleeper’s Bell just shared this enchanting new track called “Corner” and I absolutely had to share it with you all today. The song is a slow building, crooner of a dreamy, folk genre with lovely vocals from both Blaine Teppema and guest vocalist Leo Peterniti. My only complaint is I wish it went on for longer so I could stay in the moment with the band all day.
This track is part of an expanded EP entitled Umarell, which is available to purchase now via Fire Talk Records.
For near on 20 years at this point Grand Rapids based songwriter Jay Alan Kay has been making music with his pals in all sort of bands and projects, most notably the folk punk outfit Singing Lungs. Well the time has come for Kay to step out on his own with a planned 13 song debut solo LP of impulsive singer/songwriter tunes. A first taste of his new solo work comes from this DIY tune called “Minivan” which seems to be about what sounds like a pretty sweet Astro van. The style conjures up images of other punks greats who went solo like say Chuck Ragan, but Kay delivers something so much more honest and intimate that gives his sound a much more endearing quality.
Jay Alan Kay’s new solo album, Songs Before Work, will be released by Setterwind Records in March, 2024.
Brooklyn based outfit Slow Fiction made a strong impression on me right around this time last year with the release of their debut EP paired with some stellar SXSW performances last March. While band activity and news was limited since the spring, you had to think it meant they were hard at work on new material during the quiet period. Sure enough, news just came through that Slow Fiction have signed to the London based label So Young Records and will be releasing a follow up EP sometime this year. As we wait for a release date on the EP, the band has dropped this new single called “Apollo,” which is sure to wet your appetite for new material. It has a Strokes style NYC inspiration and can groove with the best of them while still having that haunting Slow Fiction sound.
Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming EP as it comes in.
Omaha based musician came out of the gate strong in 2024 with his new single “Mock The Hours” with his new band David Nance & Mowed Sound. While that song really cranked up the twang and country rock vibes, this latest single called “Tumbleweed” takes things down a peg for a more subtle approach. It features some delicate guitar plucking along with lovely vocal harmonies and an overall sense of beauty. Dig it below.
This track is part of a self-titled album due out on February 9th via Third Man Records. Pre-orders are live.
Indonesian based group Sourmilk is coming off a truly strong year with the release of multiple hit singles, including the personal favorite “Sick Girl.” The new year looks to be starting off strong as well, coming on the heels of this impressive new track called “Sike.” It’s wild when a band can execute such a performance while giving a sense of effortlessness or even a hint of boredom. You can almost hear it in the lead vocals from Jess as she gives off this aura of “yeah I am great at this and you will enjoy it.” I am here for every bit of it. Stay tuned for more info on upcoming 2024 releases.
After a slow burn with a few singles over a couple of years, London based Talk Show really started to make a lot of noise this past year with multiple, straight slamming new singles. As we drive into the new year, the band is full steam ahead with a new album called Effigy due out on February, which is quickly becoming one of my favorites of the short new year. As anticipation builds for the full length, you should take some time to check out the latest new slammer called “Red/White” below. Get after it lads. If you’re in a giving mood, Talk Show are trying to raise a little money to make it stateside for SXSW in March. You can find their donation page over on IG.
Talk Show’s new album Effigy is available on February 16th via Missing Piece Records. Pre-orders are live now.
Bay area band Topographies released one of my favorite tunes late last year and they don’t appear to be slowing down as we enter 2024. Yesterday the band dropped this dark wave inspired new tune called “Chain of Days” and it just had to be shared with you all. It builds on the heavy synth sound and washed out guitar sound from previous releases and is sure to build buzz for the upcoming full length. Dig it below.
Topographies new album entitled Interior Spring is outon February 2nd viaDark Entries.Pre-orders are live now.
After a stellar pandemic release with their self-titled LP in 2020, Montreal based Gulfer didn’t release a whole lot of music over the last few years. Other than a random single hear and there, the band was mostly quiet. Last November though showed a strong return for the band with one of my favorite songs of last year “Clean.” This year looks to be a strong return to form for Gulfer with a whole new album, which will feature this banging new single “Too Slow.” It serves as a heavier sound than what we might be used to from the Canadians and serve us all notice that they are back and stronger than ever.
Gulfer’s third album Third World is out on February 28th and is available for pre-order now via Topshelf Records.
Los Angeles based artist Marlon Rabenreither has been making music under the moniker Gold Star for near on a decade at this point with three full lengths and multiple EPs in his growing catalog. Today he’s adding to that impressive repertoire with this straight jam of a new single called “Wild Boys.” It features a twangy, indie folk inspiration pulling from a Dylan style of songwriting paired with sweeping crescendos and beautiful moments throughout. Hopefully this is just a taste of more to from from Rabenreither.
