This is fine.
It seems like a perfect day to kick us into 2012 with some catchy pop tuneage. This one is provided by Oakland based outfit Kapowski and goes by the name of “Section Eight”. Have yourself a few listens and tell me that beat isn’t already inside your head. New album from Kapowski, Boy Detective, is due out February 1st.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Kapowski-SectionEight.mp3]Download: Kapowski – Section Eight [MP3]
The great thing about working on a music web site is that you get great tunes pretty much non-stop sent your way (and some really bad ones too). For me, my tastes have expanded, branching from oddball pop to hardcore punk rock, but this new track from Soft Swells is just a perfect pop number, executed to perfection. This song is from their upcoming self-titled album that will come out on February 28th via Modern Outsider. You have to admit, there’s something to be said for a well-written piece of modern pop music, and that’s precisely what you have here. And if you dig it, you can also check out the video for the song HERE.
When you first press play on the new single from AU, you get the feeling that it’s going to be that sort of sprawling track that ambles on and on, but you’ll soon learn that there’s more to it than that, as the band jumps off into a quick paced romp of their own liking. It’s the unexpected twist that makes the group so enjoyable to listen to time and time again. You can find this track and others on the band’s upcoming Both Lights LP, which will land in stores on April 3rd by way of Hometapes. If anything, at least give the group credit for moving outside the typical pop structures.
Download: AU – Solid Gold
Stephen Paul Smoker might not be a name you’ve heard of, but listening to this new track, I’m going to reach out and say he’s crafting some pretty interesting stuff. There’s a bit of dark psychedelia working in this track, but it still seems to maintain a very organized pop structure. At times you’ll find him meandering with minimal musical accompaniment other than some atmospheric guitars in the background; it creates quite a hypnotic little state carries you to the end of the number. Definitely something you should check out, and if you dig it, you can pick up his album Ripe Fruit on March 20th via Kilo Records.
Download: Stephen Paul Smoker – Green City [MP3]
A few years back, angular dance rock was all the rage. And while we might have moved away from that a bit, it’s nice to hear some people still getting their dance-rock on nowadays. Such is the case with the Beautiful View, who will be releasing their debut album, life is beautiful, this week on Requiemme Records. This song features that ringing guitar you might remember from Bloc Party, as wll as a steady pounding rhythm section keeping it moving for your dance floor preferences. One thing’s for sure: this record’s going to get your feet tapping!
Download: The Beautiful View – The Horseman [MP3]
Here’s a new track from hazy dream pop outfit Field Mouse called “Glass”. The newish group definitely have a knack for creating entrancing pop music. This new song has just been released in support of a new 7″ from the band entitled SPROO8 due out February 28th on Small Plates Records. The tune below isn’t actually on that single so just enjoy and maybe pre-order their new release if you dig.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Glass-Mix-2.2-1.mp3]Download: Field Mouse – Glass [MP3]
I’m a label loyalist, so when our friends at Hardly Art send something our way, I’m pretty much guaranteed to like it. Perhaps that leads me to make judgmental errors in regards to what’s good and what’s not, but in the case of Black Marble, I think I’m right on with this one. The vinyl release of their Weight Against the Door EP will be out on Valentine’s Day, and I hope it features just as many darkened tracks as this number. Musically, it’s just a steady, almost simple, electronic production, but the vocal vibe creates that sort of haunting feeling you had as a kid when you first listened to Joy Division…or more recently Blank Dogs. Taste it.
Download:Black Marble – Pretender [MP3]
It seems as we all continue to grow older, Matt Pryor grows up with us but still manages to keep a timeless feel about his music. His work in The Get Up Kids and The New Amsterdams will always be ATH theme music. Pryor’s more recent endeavor, putting out music as himself, also seems like it will stand the test of time as well. A new release from Pryor as a solo musician, May Day, is due out January 24th on his very own Blue Collar Bistro label. Until that date, check out Matt’s new single “Your New Favorite” below. A pre-order for the new album has also been set up over on BCD.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/09-Your-New-Favorite.mp3]Download: Matt Pryor – Your New Favorite [MP3]
Every once in awhile the Brits steal our homegrown bands beneath our noses, promoting some of the best in America without us even knowing. It happened with the Strokes, and now it’s happening with Howler, a Minneapolis group. They’re record America Give Up comes out next week via Rough Trade, and it’s a pretty solid collection of pop tracks. NPR even praised it as an album full of stand alone singles, so I had to give it the good old college try. The number below is definitely one of those tracks with hooks galore, giving listeners a bottle full of fun. Surely this tune will make your day just a little brighter.
Download: Howler – Back of Your Neck [MP3]
When bands come at you with a press release with loads of references and name-dropping, sometimes you get a bit skeptical. Can they really fit that all into one album? Regardless of allusions to modern acts, what I do know is that I fucking love this track from Adam & the Amethysts. It features non-traditional percussive stylings, rising harmonies and a pleasant overall vocal. Such things generally make me happy on most days. You can find this little number on the band’s new record, Flickering Flashlight, on March 27th here in the US via Kelp Records. Enjoy this splendid sample.
Download: Adam & the Amethysts – Prophecy
