Category: News

The Fours Share Lately Single

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The Fours weren’t quite on my radar until I heard this new track from their forthcoming LP, and man, now I’m over here with great anticipation, awaiting the release date. I love the way the guitars here are extra-crisp, galloping through your speakers on the back of rolling drum work. It sets you up for this brand of rock n’ roll that’s fueled by musicianship and a nod to the past, though the vocals have this sturdiness that works a bit of juxtaposition into the tune. I love the way the backing vocals are so faint that they almost feel like a little feathered bit just lightly blanketing the song’s core. Shaking and Moving is shaping up to be something sublime, so we’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Cozy Slippers Share Haunting Her Single

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Think you need a pick-me-up, then I’ve got the right track to set you straight. This new Cozy Slippers single is just the perfect pop dream, and honestly, I didn’t expect such a magical tune to fall right into my lap. The crisp jangles of course fit perfect into my listening rotation, but I love the ending little solo with its classic rock flare. That said, if you’re not swooning from the vocal performance then you might want to get your speakers checked; the perfect notes getting hit remind of Neko on those early New Pornographers LPs, albeit one spun with a bit of indiepop in mind. The band release their self-titled LP via Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten/Subjangle on October 14th.

Veps Announce Debut LP with Mooney Tunes

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There’s a definite need of good vibes and energy this morning on my end, so I’m just pumping up this new track from Norway’s Veps. There’s this clever hipness you get from Helena’s vocal style; she sounds like she’s a soul singer trading in her voice to at the crossroads to join a rock n’ roll band. The bass line gives the song its central groove, and the rest of the band follows suit behind the vocals, driving you quickly down a hook-laden twist and turn, ending with a blast of joy you can’t escape. It seems like the quartet is having a whole lot of fun, and in the end, that’s infectious; the band release their debut Oslo Park via Kanine Records on November 18th.

Iceblynk Share Debut Single, Tragic

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The opening moment of the debut Iceblynk single grabbed me immediately; it teased me as if I was going to fall head over heels into the land of dense post-punk with wee little jangles. But, the song sort of evolves into something more spiritual, just on the cusp of dreaminess. When Andrea Lynn’s vocals hit, it sort of sets the song spinning differently; she’s got these sharp tones that seem to contrast with the vibe, but their ethereal nature ends up punctuating the bits and pieces that bring the song together. The song’s fade out really ups the ante too, so be sure to dive into the drama. The band will release their self-titled debut EP on October 21st!

The Radio Field Share Clover Single

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I’m all about really steady guitar pop work right now, and it sounds like the Radio Field have my tastes pinned down perfectly. Their latest single thats the fuzz of an earlier demo version and really works in crisp ringing guitar notes; it helps the song create a natural melodiousness that encourages faint toe-tapping. You can hear where the band takes notes from acts like the Lucksmiths or the like, careful not to let the power of the rock outdo the pop hooks. The band will be releasing their Simple EP later this year via Less Records and Subjangle.

Another Jam from Well Wisher

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If you’re in need of heavy pop rock riffs and a blast of hooks, might I suggest diving into Well Wisher this morning? The band are my current go-to for sweet pop rock, replacing Weakened Friends momentarily. I love that there’s not a lot of extemporaneous bullshit here, just a straight-ahead rocker with Natalie Newbold’s voice doing all it can to be sure there’s just enough hooks to hold the listener’s attention from start to finish. Lyrically, it’s all about self-deprecation, just showing us how much fun we can have while feeling sorry for ourselves. The band’s album That Weight just dropped via Egghunt, so be sure to check it!

Last Week’s Jams, Today (9.12 – 9.16)

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We covered a lot of territory last week, with a few songs not on streaming services (the Persian Leaps/Cindy), so here’s a wrap-up of last week to kick off your Monday morning blues. I was stoked to hear new Intelligence, but I had to start off the playlist with a new track from I Was a King, as its one of my favorites this year. Some cool stuff came our way from the UK, from the likes of European Sun, Chorusgirl and Pete Astor. Meritorio Records had a solid presence with the new Jim Nothing LP stream and a fresh single from Spice World. Plus, we touched up on some bonus Austin sounds from Twain and High Heavens. Stream it all below, friends.

Spice World Share Dying to Go/What a Pity What a Shame Single

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It’s hard not to get overly excited when you hear the immediate infectiousness from Australia’s Spice World. That drum beat dropped in behind the guitars on “Dying to Go” and I just felt like I had been welcomed into a party with all my best friends; there’s this natural freedom to the track, rambunctious and fun, tethered to a hook all the while. Then they slip in and slow things all the way down on the flip, getting a little more of a look-in to the band’s ability to switch speeds mid-album. And speaking of album, the band are using this double single to announce There is No “I” in Spice World out on January 20th via Tenth Court and Meritorio Records.

Cindy Share New Single from Typical Girls Compilation

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We’re hoping that the long-running Typical Girls series from Emotional Response is on your radar; it’s a collection dedicated to all the incredible women in the independent music scene, with a little nod to the Slits. Today, we get bonus good news, as not only has the label announced Typical Girls Vol. 6, but they’ve done it by letting us share this incredible new gem from San Francisco’s Cindy, who we’ve raved about for several years. Honestly, I was looking for the perfect description, but songwriter Karina seems to have captured the sentiment perfectly, saying this songs feels “like there’s room built into the structure to move around in as a listener;” it’s a sentiment that resonates with the band’s powerful pop presence coinciding with the striking simplicity at hand, all of it creating this huge emotional weight that soaks you. Typical Girls Vol. 6 will be out on October 28th, with other heavy hitters like The Linda Lindas, Lande Hekt, Fake Fruit and more taking part. Grab it from Emotional Response today!

The Intelligence Share Keyed Beamers + Announce Lil Peril

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Every time I listen to the Intelligence, I just run this gamut of self-doubt. Am I cool enough to listen to this band? Will I even really get at what they’re doing? Somehow, I always end up gravitating towards a cliche Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy” moment…which again, seems to suffice with the newest single. It’s this disorienting piecemeal tune, bits of sticky cymbal work, primal electronic pulses, with Lars Finberg crafting his poetic lines so as to weave around the amps like a jumbled pile of chords. Then the song stutters, only to shriek back into place, plodding along with more texture, seemingly, only to remind us that we need to check our expectations of rock n’ roll at the door. With this jam comes great news; the band will release Lil’ Peril via Mt. St. Mtn. on September 30th.

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