Dark Proto-Pop from Holograms

I’m going to tell you right now that we’re going to have some happier tunes on the site today, so I had to kick off the day with something a little bit edgier, you know, just to keep my rep as the resident rock intact. The Swedish group Holograms has just signed with Captured Tracks (one of our faves), and they’ll be releasing the band’s self-titled debut on July 19th.  This has a bit more of a punk rock feeling than a lot of the current bands working on CT, but still combines a bit of that dance element that keeps the whole world happy.  It’s a fine line, but when it’s walked this well, you’re just going to fall in love.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Chasing-My-Mind.mp3]

Download:Holograms – Chasing My Mind [MP3]

Cool Japanese Groove from Shintaro Sakamoto

We don’t generally cover a lot of world music, but sometimes you get something that transcends language and culture, connecting us all on a level as pop afficionados.  Shintaro Sakamoto used to play in a psychedelic band, Yura Yura Teikoku, but this new solo career has him venturing forth into new territory.  His newest album, How to Live with a Phantom comes out on July 17th via Other Music Recording Co.  My ears hear elements of tropicalia, just with a slightly more casual approach.  Admittedly I have no idea what he’s saying, but I love this song nonetheless.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/01-In-A-Phantom-Mood.mp3]

Download:Shintaro Sakamoto – In A Phantom Mood [MP3]

Electro Dance Tune From Future Of What

As I was saying earlier, RayRay is bringing some electro tunes featuring sweet beats onto the ATH main page today.  This one “I Wait For You” from Future of What is short and sweet coming in at just over 2 minutes.  It’s a song that would best fit in the Drive soundtrack or maybe some other movie with people driving around and staring longingly into each other’s eyes for 45 minutes.  However you classify it, I guarantee that you’ll be hitting repeat again and again while you sing along to the simple chorus line.  Love this one.

Debut LP from the group Moonstruck will be out June 26th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/02IWaitForYou.mp3]

Download: Future Of What – I Wait For You [MP3]

New Pop Number from Stevie Jackson

If you read this pages, you’re probably aware of how much I love Belle and Sebastian, so I will always buy into a side-project.  But, Stevie Jackson is making it really easy, as his first single from I Can’t Get No Stevie Jackson is an old school pop gem–the sort you and your parents will both rave about.  He’s releasing the album via B&S’s Banchory Recordings on July 3rd, and you can expect something lush and clever coming your way.  This track just goes to show you that while Stuart Murdoch may man the helm, there’s plenty of great songwriters hiding in the wings of my favorite pop group.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Where_Do_All_The_Good_Girls_Go.mp3]

Download:Stevie Jackson – Where Do All the Good Girls Go [MP3]

New Electro Tune From My Great Ghost

RayRay here is going electro today with a couple new tunes since ATH sometimes seems to ignore the genre outside of the few occasional posts from photo man BGray.  This new jam “Plain Sight” comes from NYC based duo My Great Ghost featuring singer Drew Smith and producer Trevor Gureckis.  The two gents apparently spent some after hours time at work together crafting a new short self-titled EP due out for release on July 10th.  Hope you enjoy the swanky beats.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/02-Plain-Sight.mp3]

Download: My Great Ghost – Plain Sight [MP3]

Nice Jam from MV + EE

When I first got the latest LP from MV & EE, Space Homestead, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  I had heard a few things, and I had mixed feelings, but over time, I’ve really fallen for the album.  You’re probably going to have the same feeling, at least if you’re in the same shoes. This new single that the band’s had floating around for the last 24 hours really encompasses some of the cinematic quality of the group’s tunes.  There’s hardly audible quality to the music, but I think that’s precisely what draws you in so intimately to the tracks that are present.  Might not be for everyone, but lately it’s been just for me.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MV_and_EE_-_Sweet_Sure_Gone.mp3]

Download: MV & EE – Sweet Sure Gone [MP3]

New Heavy Pop Track from Bloody Knives

There’s a lot less blood on the hands of Bloody Knives than one would expect, if you were going by their name and the title of their most recent album Blood.  That being said, it’s sort of irrelevant because the music they’re making is pretty incredible, and you can grab that record from Saint Marie Records.  As a kid who grew up with his fair share of angst, there’s a darkness captured in the song itself, but the combination of shoegaze elements transforms the song itself, giving it a metallic sheen to coat its pop attributes.  Totally enjoying this one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/09-Bleed-Out.mp3]

Download:Bloody Knives – Bleed Out [MP3]

Exciting Pop Punk from English Singles

There are tons of reasons to adore the hard-work of Slumberland Records, but as the band continues to expand their catalogue I’m amazed at the talent they’re bringing on to their team.  English Singles is a Sacramento band, and while you can see similarities to a lot of their labelmates, they’ve got a little more of an off-kilter punk rock sound.  My ears finds this sort of raucous gang vocal approach ultra-endearing, and the more I listen the more that seems to move beyond my nostalgic leanings towards punk rock and more towards simple adoration.  This four song 7″ is out now!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/04-finer-points.mp3]

Download:English Singles – Finer Points [MP3]

Gorgeous New Track from Tara Jane O’neil

It’s nice to find a tune that regardless of its lyrical content, it forces you to look at your like with a bit of introspection.  I don’t know what it is, but this new song from Tara Jane Oneil has put me in this ultra-reflective mode today…I’m actually okay with that as I near the end of my time with 120 13 year olds.  This single is the A-Side to TJO’s newest release on K Records, which also features “Rainbow Connection” as the B-Side.  Tara sounds incredible here, and I can’t do much more than just fall in love with her voice at this time.  Hopefully you find a similar sentiment when you listen, and if so, be sure to pick it up at the K Store.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Sirena.mp3]

Download: Tar Jane Oneil – Sirena [MP3]

New Hazy Pop From Permanent Collection

Permanent Collection is a newish group put together by former Young Prisms member Jason Hendardy along with founding members of the indie label Loglady.  The group offers an interesting take on the recent shoe gaze movement which can be sampled with this new free track “It’s Alright”.  If you dig this one, point your calendars to the August 7th release date of their new album Newly Wed Nearly Dead on Loglady.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/PC-07_Its_Alright.mp3]

Download: Permanent Collection – It’s Alright [MP3]

1 1,274 1,275 1,276 1,277 1,278 1,522