Category: News

One More Halfsour Tune

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In case you weren’t anticipating the new Halfsour LP enough, I wanted to reaffirm that next weeks Sticky release will be well-worth your hard-earned dollars. I think the meat of this song is top of the line, Grade A rock n’ roll. It opens with this bobbing bass line and this knife-work guitar, letting Zoe tease you into the track. Once they hit that 1.10 minute mark, the song drops into some of the best guitar pop I’ve heard this week, with Zoe’s voice soaring through your stereo (or probs your laptop). it’s like a fucking tractor beam of rad pop music that you just won’t let you pull away. Sticky drops next Friday via Fire Talk and Disposable America.

Digging on This Chris Staples Tune

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If you’ve learned anything about me over these last 10 plus years it’s that I’m the truest sucker for a good pop song, and I was no match for this Chris Staples tune. At first, I was drawn to Chris’ voice; it has this gentle whispering intimacy that sort of makes me nostalgic for the kid I was in the late 90s. But, as I spun it a few more times, there’s these little underlying musical hooks; I love the layering of the guitar tracks upon one another, with one strumming and the other one coursing throughout..kind of reminds me of ol’ Al Hambone JR, particularly in the chorus. I don’t know; this is the way to rule a Friday. His new record Holy Moly will be out on June 28th via Barsuk.

Bouncy Pop Number from Neutrals

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If that bobbing bass line that opens up this new single from Neutrals doesn’t get you, then I think you might want to call a doctor. That didn’t work? Well, maybe take into account the group features members of Terry Malts, Cocktails and Giant Haysticks? That should do the trick. But, if you’re still struggling, then let the rhythm push you on, then await those circular guitar lines that up the ante on the songs natural enemy. You might get a little offset with the deadpan delivery of the vocals, but those of you with punk rock in your veins should be more than ok. With only a handful of demos to their name, Kebab Disco aims to be a pretty powerful debut; it’s available for pre-order from Emotional Response.

Yum! Share Groovy New Wave / Synth Pop Bop

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Yum! hail from Montreal, and the proclaim to be “making the kind of groovy jams that Lando Calrissian would get down to at his private island’s cabana bar.” After listening to “Haha I’ve Been Here Before,” I can second that sentiment, as it’s a delightfully light and airy new wave / synth bop that calls to mind a folksier, chilled out version of Dirty Projectors. Starting out with bubbling synths, we’re then eased into the track with slide guitar and a jazzy beat. The vocals hit this casual lukewarm stride, but you get the playfulness of group harmonies and backing vocals. It’s a lovely laid back tune with enough sonic energy to hold your attention. Take a listen and fall in love with Yum!

Another Gem From Sid Steppes

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Another week, another track from Sid Steppes, apparently! Last week, Nathan shared this number from the SoCal artist, and this new one, “Keep in Touch,” has me grooving along as well, so I figured we’d keep the love going. This track is all at once to simple and yet so vastly layered that you’ll find yourself lost in the bedroom psych as you zone out watching the changing landscape of the video. The drums ground you in the tune while the guitar and Steppes’ hazy vocals duel for the spotlight. Make sure Sid Steppes is on your radar for the future and lookout for his new album,Trails, which will be out on May 31.

 

Dreamy Tune From Rose Hotel

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Rose Hotel is the moniker for the project of Jordan Reynolds, who is currently based out of Atlanta. On her way to releasing her debut LP, I Will Only Come When It’s A Yes, she’s most recently dropped the tune “Write Home,” which I have for you below. What awaits you is a lush dream pop track that vocally kind of reminds me a bit of Angel Olsen–that kind of smoky yet delightfully honeyed in moments. Reynold’s voice is perfectly accompanied by a horn, distorted guitars and lax percussion that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. It’s a solid tune, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more tracks from Rose Hotel in the future. The debut LP will be out at the end of the month on May 31.

B Boys Announce Dudu

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I don’t think enough folks appreciate the work that’s being done by B Boys (the band not the breaker — though they can break, I’m sure). Two albums in of incredibly spastic art rock with a sharpness like no other current band, and still we fawn over the imitators. Today they announce Dudu (I’m thinking its a reference to the Brazilian soccer player), and man, they do so in brilliant fashion. Those angular guitar daggers jump right in, keeping that off-kilter drive alive while the vocals are half-spoken half-wailed emphatically through your speaker. I think what I’m digging on upon first few listens is that there’s this heavier riff keeping the song pushing forward; it’s not all angles and what not…plus that rhythm section rules. The group look to be working pretty hard on the road, with dates scattered from July to September (hopefully with Dumb and Omni…if I’m picking my dream line-up); Dudu drops on July 26th via Captured Tracks.

Historian Shares Another Chance

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While past Historian records have been grand affairs, the focus around their newest effort was to craft something more intimate, more personal. This new single is one such affair, built around the opening strum of the guitar with light atmospherics behind, setting the scene for Chris Karman’s voice to carefully drape itself atop it all. There’s something about this that seems weary or forlorn, like battling some sort of struggle that never seems to end. While that theme moves forward, little flourishes begin to emerge in the distance of the song, from backing vocals to a guitar that seems to sort of ring and hang along in the ether. Spiral Again, the new album, will appear on June 14th!

Required Listening: Another New One From Stef Chura

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This track may have dropped yesterday, but we’re big fans of pretty much everything Stef Chura has done and is doing, so we’d be remiss not to share another hit from the artist. “Sweet Sweet Midnight” features another familiar voice in the form of Car Seat Headrest‘s Will Toledo, which compliments Chura’s dry yelp so well, you’ll be wishing for a supergroup from the two. Instrumentally, the track is kind of minimalist at times before it ramps up to its killer and somewhat violent ending. Chura’s new album,Midnight, will be out on June 7th via Saddle Creek and apparently Toledo’s influence is on the rest of the album as well. Be sure to pre-order your copy of what will surely be a smash LP.

Pop Number from Senalada

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Perhaps my greatest joy in 2019 is just letting go of trying to follow trends or be in the loop, and instead focus on finding the joys in what I already know I love…like Spanish pop tunes. Senalada has this amazing new single that I think you’ll like, and if not, eh, sorry. There’s that slight dreamy tone to the guitar, matched by this wispy vocal before percussion kicks in and the guitar dances down the yellow brick road. The breathiness of the voice really hits home; it’s like every last breath is being given forth for the sake of the listener. This is a great one-off single for those that missed out on Mejores Amigos via Discos de Kirlian.

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