Category: News

Franklin Gothic Share Mr. Hangman Single

Leave a comment

I know that its Monday, but I’m really feeling the grooves of late night summer coursing through my listening rotation today. This new single from Franklin Gothic is all about that chillwave pool party vibe, albeit with a little bit of weirdness thrown into it. Jay Dibartolo has some solid pipes, nice and softened near the edges, so as to give that coy croon to the song. That feel matches up with the string arrangements that get layered into the tune, taking this late night vibe straight into lounge mode. You’ll find this song on Into the Light, which will be dropping in August via Very Jazzed/Pleasure Tapes.

Mononegatives Drop Role Reversal Single

Leave a comment

Mononegatives are becoming increasingly difficult to pigeonhole…and for that I’m eternally grateful. At times, the group feels like they’re operating with a penchant for video game noise pop, but then the beat settles into that motorik-ish backbeat, where jagged riffs come in and cut the song up as the vocals are delivered in an almost robotically manufactured nature. As the chorus of “role reversal” comes to life, there’s a slight hint at melodic tendencies, despite the rest of the song operating in a fairly industrial realm. You’ll flip back and forth: is this punk? do these lads do new wave? does it rule? It rules. Just listen.

Frass Green Share Mural Mosaic

Leave a comment

Sometimes a band just brings a simple formula to the table, and their execution and hooks bring the to the top of the fold…which is what got me on this new Frass Green tune. You get sucked in right away with the way the song chugs in before the drums hit hard and the guitars begin to cascade through the meat. Once Joe Antoshak’s voice comes into the picture, the melodic pop nature is cemented; he’s got this really special delivery that operates between belting out notes and drawing you in with intimate hooks. Plus, you get a nice little mix of emphatic attitude just before the 3 minute mark. Solid tune, that I’m enjoying on this Monday morning; look for it on the group’s new LP, Buried, which hits in September.

Mon Cher Shares Better Days + New EP

Leave a comment

Last week was shitty and disheartening, but despite the work ahead for us all, Meghan Holton’s latest single from the new Mon Cher EP promises that there are better days ahead. Musically, this feels like the best way to sort of begin our week, with the layers of this tune sort of lapping at your toes like gentle little waves, washing over and cleansing your spirit. There’s an effortlessness to the track, like its fit for whatever mood you’re in need of at the moment; there are moments where the drift turns into subdued bounce as the beat kicks in, or you can just ride back out to see with whatever layer you choose. Be sure to listen to the whole of the Tell Me Baby EP, out now.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (6.20 – 6.24)

Leave a comment

I don’t even want to look back at last week. But, we had songs, there were some really good songs coming out of a really awful week. Our friend Ram Vela and his band had a new single, plus it never hurts to get a Voxtrot tune in your inbox. Think I kept coming back to these Bastien Keb, Flowertown and Tan Cologne tunes the most, well, and that Tony Molina track. There’s about 20 jams to sort through, so find a favorite. Or don’t.

Ram Vela and the Easy Targets Drop New Single

Leave a comment

Our friend Ram Vela has been banging out tracks in Austin for longer than we’ve been a site; he fronted Whitman and even joined Midgetmen’s entourage for a minute. But, as of late he’s been brandishing his love of pop rock with Ram Vela and the Easy Targets. The band have a new LP dropping late this year, and we’ve got that first rocking single to bring you this morning. The band waste no time in dropping in this heavy riffage, dropping in huge distorted riffs as Ram emphatically punctuates the tune with the chorus, making sure to leave you with the hooks you desire! If you’re punching the air and screaming along, you’re doing it right. We’ll keep you posted as the record draws near!

 

Mt Fog Shares Behind a Silent Door Video

Leave a comment

Seattle’s Mt Fog is ready to mesmerize you with their latest video for “Behind a Silent Door,” with footage that matches up with the band’s description as forest folktronica; it uses some colorful digital sketching to fill in the background of found nature shots. Musically, you’re going to love what Carolyn B is doing with her craft, structuring electronic layer atop layer so as to build a musical landscape where her vocals can come in and out of focus. Interestingly, those vocal notes match the mystic quality of the music, like a playful forest dweller, running in and out of the trees, calling to you. If you can’t get lost in the natural world, then you can certainly lose yourself in this song.

Neocons Prep EP, Share Two Tracks

Leave a comment

If you were to recreate a modern version of The Warriors today, only with futuristic gutterpunks, then the soundtrack is going to have to be done by Neocons. The LA outfit are bridging territory between stark synthetic pop and post-hardcore. On “Shoot/Kill” you’ll find these ripping riffs working over shuffling beats, while the vocals feel like they’re stalking prey of some sort, growling akin to what you’d find on any number of LPs out right now. There’s a little soft melody working in “New Boots,” so I’m interested in hearing how that plays out, as it still feels dangerous, particularly in the lyrical setting. Neocons will release their EP on July 1st via Industrial Cowboy, a sister-label of Paisley Shirt Records.

Ben Woods Shares Wearing Divine Video

Leave a comment

This Ben Woods track has been floating around for a few days in the Aussie circles, but I keep coming back to it, so I wanted to make sure I had it up on our end here. The tune barely moves, almost remaining stationary to allow for the emotive pull to be built on the vocals and the ambient effects. Ben’s voice, forever fragile, sucks you in; then he trades verses with Lucy Hunter of Opposite Sex, giving you this trade-off between narrators, all the while this open expanse of light musical flourishes just seem to hang and vanish in thin air. Special tune from a special songwriter; look for Dispeller on July 15th via Meritorio/Shrimper/Melted Ice Cream.

Elizabeth King – I Got A Love

Leave a comment

Rating: ★★★½☆

As previously mentioned on this site, I’ve been taking a deep dive into blues, R&B, gospel and just about all things early Southern soul music over the last few years. This involved a trek to Memphis and the incredible Stax museum paired with hours digging through the blues and soul section of every Record shop and market I frequent during my travels. It has become an obsession to soak up everything I can about the genre, peoples and communities who created this music. After all that time absorbing the music and culture, I was a bit shocked when Elizabeth King came up in a press email and I was unfamiliar with her brand of sacred soul music. Her career is drenched in the very essence of Southern gospel soul music and I am beyond pleased to share my thoughts on her new album I Got a Love today. Hit the jump for my full thoughts and review.

Read more

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 1,254