Forever ☆ Announce Second Gen Dream

When one thinks of the intersection between styles, I probably wouldn’t have placed a bet on an eclectic brand that blends rapid techno beats with the noise of shoegaze, yet here we are with the latest from KC’s Forever ☆ (Forever Star). They’ll spend today hyping up the news of their new Second Gen Dream EP, and you’ve got to hear it to understand just how harmoniously it all fits together. The first minute or so is dominated by the steadfast beat, rapidly rushing at the listener, but if you dive in close, you can hear the curtain of noise starting to sway in the background. As the distortion drops into the picture, the beat stays consistent, creating this disorienting euphoria that’s best when it’s punctuated by the dueling vocal harmonies at the center. I love how they never seem to stray, even when an added guitar layer looms at the tail end, they stay true to the formula, almost tightening it; it’s here where you realize just how seamlessly the group sewed these two styles. Their new Second Gen Dream EP will be available as a 12″ courtesy of a La Carte Records.

Conflict at Serenity Pools Share Summer Ghost

When reading through the press info for this new single from Conflict at Serenity Pools, I’m really sort of reveling in its purpose/meaning. The song is a representation of songwriter Luke McQueeney soaking in the energy left behind by his father’s recent passing; it also wears a reflection on the serene nature of summer and its ability to naturally encourage a processing of the world…which we likely all need. Musically, the song is one of their best, building intimately with the quiet of Luke’s voice operating over a light strum and percussion; they continue forward and build these complex little layers, allowing the song to of embrace a new energy, particularly with the ghostly nature of the backing vocals. I’m in love with the balance of the tune, and can’t wait until we hear more, as the group are working on their next LP as we speak.

Michael Robert Chadwick Share Dirt Nap

Felt like waking up this morning with some easy listening from Michael Robert Chadwick would be the best way to ease into your Tuesday. He’ll be releasing his latest LP, Illusions of Touch, next Friday, offering up a jazzier brand of indie rock than perhaps you’re accustomed to cranking up. Horns blast in the background throughout, but they’re smoother and sexier, rather than wildly skronking at us. Chadwick’s voice also has a faint resemblance to Sufjan, sort of quiet in the mix, hoping to pull you in through his lyricism and song arrangements. A careful approach to pop, and a welcome reward for us all; be sure to grab the new LP from Anxiety Blanket Records on June 20th.

Ivy Prepping Traces of You

You likely already heard about Ivy prepping their new album, Traces of You, but I’m a little slow to the game, so I wanted to make sure I gave it the proper love. It’s a fairly subtle tune, with the smokiness of the vocals getting the majority of the focus. But, don’t ignore all the arrangement and nuance in the tune; I like how there’s an acoustic guitar that gets picked up midway through, adding just a touch more texture to the whimsical groove. All that said, the vocal work’s layering also adds texture, like in the latter half where the refrain of “say you won’t” kind of hangs in behind the front, to a mesmerizing effect. Traces of You drops this September via Bar None.

Manslaughter 777 Share I Do Not Believe in Art

This might be a huge left turn from our typical coverage, but I’m absolutely in love with this new Manslaughter 777 track. The duo of Zac Jones (Nothing) and Lee Buford (the Body) have just recently announced God’s World, and this tune offers a glimpse at the exciting sounds in store. It breaks into this pulsing club beat, hopping on this sampled beat; I was bobbing my head, grooving around my room with this cranked real loud. Then, just as the track makes its way beyond the halfway point, it flips it on you, turning on a hip-hop oriented breakbeat that creates this rad juxtaposition that keeps the listen lively and refreshing. Honestly, it feels like Girl Talk if he was more into soundbytes instead of lyrical clips/hooks. It rules and it will be out on July 25th via Thrill Jockey.

Show Preview: Artificial Go @ Chess Club – Tonight (6.9)

Monday nights can be such a drag, but Chess Club is giving you the perfect opportunity to get out of your house and enjoy a sweet little rock n’ roll show. Cincinnati outfit Artificial Go are blowing into town on the backs of their most excellent Musical Chairs LP (Feel It Records), and they’ve made several lists like the Stereogum Best of 2025…in case that sort of thing matters. Musically, they’ve got a bit of Raincoats, a bit of New Zealand and a bit of Dry Cleaning, but all spun in a truly unique fashion that has this dad willing to leave the house on a Monday night. Bonus points for all the great openers like Wet Dip, Variety, and Guiding Light…all acts we’ve covered on our end. Doors are at 8 PM – $15. See you there!

A Monthly Hit from Club 8

I’ll admit, I started to panic for a minute, as it was at least June 3rd before I had my monthly fix from Sweden’s Club 8, who’ve been consistently dropping a song a month for nearly two years now. On their latest monthly ditty, they’re hanging in the perfect pop spot, settled, letting the melody kind of dash in and sprinkling little vocal hooks that beg you to push the song on repeat. And, although it’s fairly brief, there’s this indescribable feeling in the bounce that makes the song feel like it’s going to bounce around your head in the midst of trying to “stay together in this fucked up world.”

Last Week’s Jams (6.2 – 6.6)

Going to be a bit of an off week, as RayRay is out on vacation, and I head out on the latter half of the week, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t crush it last week. I was finally able to let the cat out of the bag about new music from Heavenly/Swansea Sound; RayRay dropped the premiere for new ATX powerhouse, Porcelain. Oh, and B. Gray was coming through with sick photo work from Kilby Block Party and OMD, so we’re really just trying to make your musical world better. There’s a bunch of sweet jams, though I’ll admit I’m really loving the Slow Summits new tune, as well as the cover by Glass Spells. Stream below and feel free to comment on what you loved and what we missed!

Show Pics: OMD at ACL Live (6/3)

I have said it before and will say it again, I will see Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark any chance I get. The depth of their catalog and their shaping of new wave, synth pop, 80’s Top 40 and beyond.

This show had to be rescheduled due for several, not the least of which was a shoulder replacement for Andy McCluskey. Only natural given the perpetual motion machine that he is on stage, not an inch of it left untouched by the end of the first three songs. Paul Humhreys is the rock, anchoring most tracks with glorious hooks and occasionally stepping out to provide his vocal. They love these songs so much and it shows. The crowd can’t help but be persuaded.

Walt Disco and I missed our chance to connect because they were among the early Sunday Kilby Block Party performers that were bucketed on by rain. Luckily, I knew I’d get to catch them opening at ACL Live a couple weeks later and they showed why they garnered a best of SXSW 2022 award from RayRay.

Click through for a coule more notes and pics.

Read more

Swansea Sound Announce New 7″

Not to be outdone by their labelmates (and bandmates) Heavenly, Swansea Sound are also announcing a brand new 7″ today; their lead single features the age old debate on whether you love Oasis or Blur. I’ll own up, as I like Blur’s singles, but the deep cuts from Oasis are just better. The tune’s a scuzzy fuzz filled number with Hue dominating the lyrical work up front, with Amelia serving as the counter-foil. Interestingly, the song has a bit of a heavier feel, almost like a Sabbath-esque march to it, though they open that up to their traditional hooks and commentary when they switch into the chorus. The AA side features a tune in Welsh, sung by Catrin James, who does all the group’s artwork! Look for the 7″ on July 18th via Skep Wax.

1 64 65 66 67 68 1,646
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com