This is fine.
As we all recover from the Texas blizzard and move into a beautiful day, I hope you will help me in welcoming new Ann Arbor band Stop Watch to our pages. For an introduction to the 4 piece, here is the single called “Stop.” which is what originally turned my attention towards the band. It’s a sludge rock number with some lovely bits of slowness mixed in with loud, distorted guitars. Basically, multiple layers of things I love.
Well I think I’ve made it fairly clear that up and comers Monad from Tel Aviv are likely my new favorite band of 2020. We’ve shared a few songs already and today I’ve got yet another new one in the form of this track called “Dawn Chorus”. I am once again pleased to find some wonderful elements of a shoegaze style blended well with a more psych-pop vibe. One can even pick up a few hints of disco and R&B undertones which really create some special sounds here.
Monad’s new EP Dissolution is out today and available for purchase here.
NYC based artist Joe Beerman made an impression on me last November with his new musical project known as Sipper with a much coveted spot on our year end Top Songs list. Moving forward into this year, Beerman has a new EP entitled Have Fun due out later in the spring. Prior to his new release date, we’ve been given the go ahead to share this bright new single called “O.K.” It features more of the washed out, yet bright and airy sound which originally drew me into this band. You will find it subtle in delivery while still holding tons of staying power in the final product.
A couple of months ago Nicole shared the new single from Tel Aviv based Monad, and I’m pleased to be sharing this new one from the band today. On “September” we are once again treated to a beauty of psych rock, dreamy pop music fit to stand beside the very best of the genre. Though he may be living on the other side of the world, Eshchar Nachmany, and his project know as Monad, is sure to be making waves in the online music world.
This track appears on a new EP entitled Dissolution due out on January 31st.
As the clock continues to tick and the weekend relief draws ever near, take a second to enjoy this new song called “Mistakes Were Made” from Asheville based band Strange Halos. Personally I think it should be the perfect song to match this dreary weather and foggy feeling. To me it sort of sounds like the psych-pop vie of a band like Portugal. The Man but with these super catchy and infectious elements of folk music. The blending of genres seems to work perfectly together and I hope you do enjoy the track and a dry weekend. Party on.
Little is known about the up and coming band Contra Party. After some google searching, facebook digging, and light stalking, it’s clear the band want to remain a bit mysterious about their origins and background. No matter, we can all enjoy this late 90s inspired, down tempo, sludgy rock number called “Heather”. I think you will find it a solid tune in a sort of throwback indie style.
This one appears on a new album called Over Your Shoulder due out today!
Madison, WI based band Disq has certainly been receiving a ton of praise around the interwebs for their early singles. And hey crazy thing, we were part of the hype back in March as we interviewed the band during SXSW! All that noise out of the way, I recommend you come aboard the Disq fan train by checking out this banging new single & accompanying video called “Daily Routine”. Though some may call it power pop, which sure, it is as its core, but I also hear some undertones of forward thinking 90s bands like POTUSOA or even Blur. It’s quite rad. They will also be returning again in March for SXSW so you’ll have a chance to see them again.
Disq will release new album Collector on May 6th via Saddle Creek. Pre-orders are live now.
After a promising close to 2016 with a couple of singles we loved, Chicago based The Hazy Seas finally delivered us a much anticipated new single last month. Much to our surprise, the band sent over this new single called “Old Clothes” over the Winter Break season and I’m pleased to share it with you today. As usual, the band’s name once again offers a perfect description of their music with this one again being seriously hazy while still offering some weird pop elements to keep the listener engaged. Could the band’s upcoming LP be one of our first favorites of the year?
The Hazy Seas will release their debut LP sometime this month.
Having just been named to our very prestigious Top Songs of the year list, Swedes Vola Tila are back at it again today with this new single “All Alone”. When compared to their last hit, this one is much more of a ballad style which evolves into some truly beautiful moments. It could be labeled as early MGMT stuff or maybe even a more Tame Impala style slower jam, but it is of course their own style and sound. I think it’s a rather fantastic way to start your Monday.
Phew, the end of the year really snuck up on me this time and it’s crazy to think we are moving on from the 2010s. Before we do so, Nathan and I of course want to share some of our favorite things from the year for those of you who care to hear our opinions. I am typically the songs guy and Nathan usually takes on the albums, so here it is, my favorites from this year. Hit the jump for my list and a Spotify playlist to take with you.
