Crunchy Rock from Concord America

concorThis song is “So Gay.” No, really, that’s the title of this track from Concord America.  The song is a crunchy guitar number, with riotous vocals and guitars swirling all over the place.  It makes for a jam you just want to turn up real loud in the speakers, in an effort to grasp the fun that the band seem to have had in making such a tune.  For fans of bands like So So Glos and Pujol, you better get ready to have another band on your radar that’s going to be part of your regular listening rotation.  Their Suns Out Guns Out EP will be available on May 27th via Post Echo.

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Another New Single from Craft Spells

craftyAnyone else feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the great releases coming our way just as summer hits?  Well, if you’re like us, then you might be, but this Craft Spells single is pretty much guaranteeing the band’s new album, Nausea, some space in our summer playlist.  As I listen, I’m really impressed by the approach the band has taken, creating a pretty straightforward piece of pop, void of the typical tricks of bedroom pop.  There’s great clarity in the vocals and music approaches a grand scale.  Need another great record to add to your list of things to pick up? Here it is…it’ll be out on Captured Tracks on June 10th.

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Another New Track from Gold-Bears

goldWhen I heard about the brand new album from Gold-Bears, the news about this track was making waves in small little circles of the indiepop community, so I’ve been anxiously awaiting this track.  Why? You ask.  Well, for one, I think the band’s new album is really going to be something special, but also because this tune features my indiepop crush of the last few years, Emma Kupa, currently of Mammoth Penguins (formerly of Standard Fare).  It’s not as if the group needs any extra help adding to this bouncy number, but the dynamic she brings to the table does bring an add punch that I’m fond of.  The group will release Dalliance on June 3rd via Slumberland.

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Dark New Music from VANIISH

1504333_10154080974985198_1619824817473315491_oIf you’re looking for something that expresses a sense of sterility while still holding onto a bit of pop sensibility, then you’re going to want to press play on this new track from VANIISH.  You’ll get a dark sense of the track when you hear the echo in the voice, seemingly bouncing off the walls of an empty warehouse.   Light keyboard flourishes and swirling guitars will, however, make the song one that abides by the standards of shady pop music.  It’s another reason to keep this act on your radar as you prepare for the release of their debut, Memory Work, slated for a June 10th release.

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New Music from Owl & Mouse

owlOne of the many great micro-labels I constantly follow is Fika Recordings, and they just announced their newest signing, Owl & Mouse.  My interest in the label is the obscure singer-songwriter fare they seem to discover, and this is no different.  Hannah Botting is the enchanting singer on this song, offering up her gentle voice over her simple chords.  Those of you who love the writing of indiepop, lyrically speaking, will also find her wordplay something special.  The Somewhere to Go EP will be available in digital and 7″ formats on June 23rd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/03-Dont-Read-the-Classics.mp3]

 

Electro Pop from Some Ember

someemberThis is not your typical electro pop affair; it’s a subdued dance track with warm vocals atop, the likes of which would get our boy B. Gray excited.  While it would be easy to drop the beat, as the kids say, and blast forward, Some Ember show a great deal of restraint, holding onto that tension throughout the duration of the song.  The press release here says the band tend to push the boundaries a bit, often including more dynamic in their production.  Personally, I like this mellow version, but we’ll see where I stand when the band release their self-titled album on May 27th via Dream Recordings.

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Austin Spotlight: More New Music From A. Sinclair

FrankSmith_1A. Sinclair is on a roll here with the latest single from the Pretty Girls EP.  This track opens up with a similar riff to that of English Beat‘s “Mirror in the Bathroom,” but the song gets a little more discordant as it pushes along.  It’s representative of a new attitude, now that the group has tossed aside the Frank Smith name; it also embodies the forceful attitude that the band have brought  to their live sets lately.  Don’t think they’ve thrown away their knack for a touch of pop, with “Suit Up” slowing for a brief moment just before the 1 minute mark.  Their new EP hits on May 20th, followed by a release show on May 22nd at Mohawk.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/01-Suit-Up.mp3]

 

Revisiting the Bats to Honor Re-Issues

BatsInParis93I think the world is now a better place now that Captured Tracks has a hold of the back catalog to legendary label Flying Nun over here in the US.  I know that somewhere out there are original vinyl copies of some of my favorite acts, but I’m grateful too that I can grab a hold of some of these classics without too much hassle. The label has announced that they’ll be releasing 3 classic albums from The Bats, Compiletely Bats, Daddy’s Highway and The Law of Things; they’re all albums you should own, especially if you’re a fan of great pop music.  Not only will there by vinyl releases, but a  3 CD version that’s a compilation of   the releases (CDs are the new cassettes). All of these will be available on May 27th, and in honor, here’s a great single off of Daddy’s Highway.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/07-Block-Of-Wood.mp3]

 

More Rock N’ Roll from Total Control

totalcontrolThis is what it’s all about! I love getting a new track from Total Control, and this song is precisely why I’ve grown to love the Aussie band. There’s a steady propulsion of the song, pushed forth by the sound of the guitars, and the vocal delivery.  My favorite part of the song is how it slows down, builds things up, then comes crashing back to Earth with the main construction of the song; it happens twice, but you’ll have to listen to get what I’m talking about.  Their new album Typical System will be out on June 24th via Iron Lung Records.

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Noisy Number from SLAVVE

slavveWhen I saw that this tune from SLAVVE was created by a former member of Surfer Blood, I didn’t expect the minimalist bit of noise punk that came through my speakers.  Still, while it does bring forth a layer of distortion, there’s still that anthemic quality that made SB quite popular.  I like the gunshot drum bits that come in near the middle of the track; it adds a layer of fuck-all to the production.  The band have signed on to Bloodmoss Records (home of Future Death) to release their SLAVVE EP, which should find the band making quite a name for themselves with tunes just like this one.

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