Bringing the jams
A hot but promising weekend lies ahead and you are likely in need of something to get the party going. Might I suggest this bopping new single called “Fault Lines” from Huddersfield based indie pop artist Marek Kubala. It’s an incredibly infectious piece of pop music not like anything I’ve heard recently. Press play and you will be banging your head and tapping your toes in time.
Since the inception of this site back in the 00s, Abram Shook has been a constant feature on these Internet pages…either as a solo artists or one of his various projects like Feverbones or Great Nostalgic. Next week, he’ll be releasing his new LP, the Neon Machine, and while it definitely has his imprint, I think a lot of folks will be surprised by the sounds. For me, the synth pulse, albeit in a smooth fashion, was an unexpected twist; it’s interesting how some of those notes match the rhythm of Abram’s vocal delivery. Speaking of his vocals, there’s this velvety soulfulness that it far more pronounced than anything he’s done; I think the “with your time” line is the only time when I was like “yeah, this sounds like Abram, 100%.” It’s a really impressive shift into new territory, and I can see this getting some Neon Indian comparisons for those with careful ears. The new LP is out August 16th via Western Vinyl. He’ll be out on the road through October with White Denim, mostly through East Coast/Midwest; check some of those dates HERE.
Those of you following the Austin scene are surely aware of the talented noise rockers, Glaze; they’ve been one of our favorites for the last few years, known for incredible live performances. Today, the band release their Glaze TV EP, and I think it’ll only take one listen before you, too, fall in love with the band. “Beetlejuice” is an obvious standout, but I love it for illustrating all the things I love about the band; there’s heavy noise present, stripped back for melody, brooding energy and even a little bit of post-rock thrown in the breakdown…they’ve got all your favorites covered in one jam! I think “Moody” is another nice addition to the band’s catalog as well, giving off glimpses of the band’s dreamier side, containing the noise only when necessary; it allows for the band’s natural catchiness to shine through that blanketed feedback. Austinites can catch the band live tomorrow night over at Mohawk for the celebratory release show; you can grab tickets HERE.
Fire Talk is on a roll this year, and shit, this week really (that Deeper tune!). But, while they’ve kept me alive with great rock n’ roll, I’ve really been gravitating towards the new LP from Campfires, and in particular, this single below. Songwriter Jeff Walls claims a bit of a Velvets feel here, but a more modern turn would be to look at this track through the lens of a Sonny Smith or Woods; it has this rootsy feel to it, while still having this blossoming vibrancy that you can’t turn your ear away from. To me, its like the comfort food of pop music; you feel good listening to it; you feel good knowing its out in the world. Fare Trax will be out on August 30th via Fire Talk.
Okay, so that’s a pretty clever title up there, but I can’t take credit, as it’s the name of the new six song EP from the Hannah Barberas. You pop fans are going to be out of luck if you don’t hop on this, as rumor has it that it’s selling quick. Why? Well, let’s just give you one song, and that should be enough to convince you of the band’s greatness. Lucy comes into the party atop a nice ramshackle beat; she offers up a nice verse before asking the rest of the band to joy in emphatically for the chorus. They stay the course here up until about the 1:30 minute mark where they kick on to offer up a slight little twist in the tune. Mind you, this is just one of the six gems you can have; the whole Dial H for Hannah Barberas EP will be available on CD on September 6th via Subjangle.
Cuesta Loeb is the bedroom rock project of Christina Cuesta Loeb, a classically trained musician out of NYC who has found her voice in the grungier grit of alternative tunes. She’s shared a new track called “Wasted,” which is about the simple desire for a night in with some booze, which everyone needs now and again, if that’s your thing. The melodrama of this sentiment is reflected in the sleepy vocals, sleek guitar riffs and catchy chorus. For fans of Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, and Mitski, Cuesta Loeb is sure to find a place in your listening mix.
It is yet another hot as hell day here in Austin, TX and I have yet another tune to hopefully brighten and soothe your incoming heat stroke. This new track of (ending) summer is called “All Emotions Are Equal” and comes by way of Limerick based outfit Martian Subculture. The man behind the music, Evan O’Malley, has a very Tame Impala way of doing things having record all of the musical parts on his own. What differs for me, and what I enjoy much more about this than TI, is O’Malley’s ability to create a super catchy, short pop ditty without all that disco influence. As things go, I am expecting we will all be hearing a lot more from this project in the future.
I’ve been following Good Morning for some time, but with their latest the Option, it seemed like things were clicking on all cylinders in their songwriting…and here they are with two brand new tunes for us to enjoy. “Take It Easy For Me, Stranger” has this solemnity in its melancholy offering; it’s like a blanket of quiet was just sort of draped across the world with only this song remaining audible. “Boy, I’m Just a Loser for Your Love” almost has this Western vibe, but I’m particularly drawn to the fragility in the vocals, almost crackling in the mix before our ears. Luckily, these two songs come with a North American tour announcement for late October, with an Austin date included at the Mohawk on Nov. 1st.
The Chicago scene has been dropping some great tunes this week, earlier with Deeper and now this Future Silence track that comes with the announcement of their debut EP. There’s this sugary girl-group melody crafted by the vocals, though with just a hint of indifference to keep it cool. Musically, it offers this brooding version of dream pop…the rhythm section pushes the song forward, and the guitars seem solemnly muted, allowing the internal melody to sit in the vocals unit the chorus washes ashore. Really just in love with this song today, and if you’re feeling the same, look for their EP on September 13th courtesy of Half a Cow Records.
There are a lot of great pop bands out there at the moment, but I dare say there hasn’t been one as consistent and moving as Sweden’s Hater. They’ve just announced a new 7″, their first new music since last year’s Siesta. On first listen, I thought the opening two minutes were brilliant, using that sharp falling guitar line to contrast against the smokiness of the vocal delivery. But, then they offer up a little sonic exploration, releasing the tension just after the two minute mark, and I’ll admit, I was taken aback, surprised even. All of this to move towards a quiet close. The new 7″ will be out on Fire Records on September 6th with a few US dates to follow.
