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.

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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.

Hot Mustard Prep Monster Season

After a sugary start to your morning, thought it would be good to switch gears a little bit with this new Hot Mustard single. The band, featuring members of TV on the Radio and Antibalas on this tune, have a new LP dropping on Friday the 13th, and I suggest you turn this tune up while you’re finishing getting ready for your day. It’s an instrumental piece, filled with delighting melodic sways, sort of like the blowing of the winds as the title suggests. That said, there’s some bent guitars that dance and fire off into the Spaghetti Western horizon, all the while horns add to the structured sway and the rhythm section locks the tune into a groove that’ll seep into your soul. Monster Season hits next Friday!

The Slow Summits Offer Dream On

I wanted to keep true with the pop feels this morning, and Sweden’s The Slow Summits is the perfect little treat to keep the mood right in the morning. Those of you who love acts like Cats on Fire or the Luckmsiths are going to find this track super exciting, as the dulcet vocal tones carry that majesty at the core, and while the caramelized melody works its magic, the rest of the band adds a solid bit of energetic kick. Pulling your ear into the first verse, you’ll hear these quick cymbal hits, marching the tune forward. But, what I love about things is that they switch the approach in the middle of the tune, turning it into a slightly different direction so it doesn’t take on that formulaic feel. It’s fresh, and just a taste of Every Intention, which drops on July 4th via Subjangle.

Heavenly Return with Portland Town

We have been sitting on this news for some time, it’s finally the day that we can share there is a brand new Heavenly tune ready to take over the world! The legendary indiepop group has been quiet for the 29 years, though a string of reissues and a handful of shows seems to have relit the fire. It takes ten seconds for the band to lock into a proper bounce, punctuated by stuttering guitar licks and a solid snap on the drums. Of course, Amelia’s voice, as we’ve known, has all the hook and magic one would want, particularly when it switches tones in the chorus. This is the most delicious pop tune you’ll hear today; the new 7″ is available via Skep Wax on July 18th!

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