Category: Tunes

Still Digging Bobey

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I’m really connecting with the work of Bobey as of late. Sure, the looping technique is not a new fad by any means, but I think what works is the way he connects each overlapping musical unit to maximize its melodic appeal. He then goes on to attach his own voice to those melodies, then adds further textures, loops his vocals and you’re just sitting there swooning. There’s so much going on, and yet its one man, one vision; it always captivating from start to finish, which is perhaps why I’m always so impressed. If you’re into the sound, then look for his record, Siblings, via Golden Brown Music today!

Borzoi Drop New Single

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Austin’s Borzoi released the excellent Surrender the Farm EP, and now it looks like the band have a brand new LP on the horizon for 12XU. Our first taste offers some great insight into what we can expect, and from the sounds of the song’s opening minute and a half, they’re looking to take an exploratory route to post-hardcore. Sinister guitar notes hang in the air, battling subtle bass lines while the percussion works underneath. Once the vocals come into play, the track takes on an ominous tone, almost picking up pace before unleashing a wall of noise onto listeners. Then it recedes, only to return with a stabbing pulse of angular noise while it sounds like the band are tearing through your speakers. Clearly the band just doesn’t care what you expect, and that bodes well for A Prayer for War; it drops on 12XU on September 21st.

Another Charmer from the Goon Sax

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This Goon Sax tune dropped on the Internet yesterday, but I was working at the real job and such, so wasn’t able to get to it quite yet…until this morning! Admittedly, it’s one of my favorite tunes off of their new LP, so I had extra encouragement. I love how the track opens up with vocals working over a percussive loop and quiet piano chords. Then it switches, with an acoustic guitar strum accompanying the male vocals; I wasn’t completely sold, however, until drummer Riley joins the vocal fray for a powerful verse. The youthful attachment was shed for me on this song, as it showed me a great maturity I might not even have been expecting. We’re Not Talking drops on September 14th via Wichita Recordings/Chapter Music.

Zula Return with New Years

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Every day I wake up and go to work. I grab some coffee, sit at my desk and then start teaching. All day long I try to remind myself that life’s the most fun when I’m being weird; I encourage my students to be weird. Zula encapsulates the weird in their approach to writing pop centric hits. Changes in tempo, switches of instrumental focus all come and go from the instant that organ grinder opens things up. And sure, it could get so much weirder, but I’m glad that the group keeps its focus, circling around pop themes and sugary melodies. It’s a timeless sound that never seems to go out of fashion with my tastes…like a modern Beulah. If you like this track, you’ll want to catch New Years when its dropped by Inflated Records on September 21st.

Pete Astor Has a New Single

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Every time Pete Astor releases something new I sort of fawn and swoon. Today was one such day, as I realized that Pete has a new 7″ on the way, just a few short months after he dropped the powerful One for the Ghost. He seems to be taking one from the pages of label mate Tony Molina, maximizing his songwriting in a mere minute and a half. That guitar hints at my mom’s tape collection, harkening back to the glory days of classic rock n’ roll in the 60s. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the entrance of Pam Berry (of Black Tambourine fame?) on vocals to soften the vibe and pull on those heart strings. Damn all these great pop songwriters and their 1.5 minute gems! Alas, the new 7″ comes out October 7th via WIAIWYA.

Drifting Pop from Ruby Haunt

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On this new Ruby Haunt tune, the synth that opens the track took me somewhere unexpectedly. It’s sonically similar to the electronic sound used by M83 for “I Guess I’m Floating,” which immediately let me escape my body for a minute. I welcomed a collision of worlds, and only returned when the vocals just gently decided to walk into the tune. Interestingly, and perhaps induced by my M83 comparison, this song evokes some grand feeling of contemplation, of just getting lost in your own headspace. It’s a good way to spend a few minutes, warm electronic melodies and soft vocals letting you leave the world around you, albeit for just a moment. The band will release Blue Hour in September.

Maxband Drop One Final Jam

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A lot of folks are probably circling the Maxband wagon due to the participation of Parquet Courts drummer Max Savage (his name is in the band’s name, though he doesn’t sing on the tune below). But, with their new album, Perfect Strangers, hitting this Friday, they wanted to give you one more convincing number…and this might just be my favorite. At first, I felt like the group were channeling some of Max’s brother’s solo work; it has that same rustic indie rock feel to it. Then, the last minute and a half led me to my final conclusion…they’re writing hook-laden casual rockers a la REM…something I can definitely get on board with, so be sure to stick to the final minute at least! And, if you’re so convinced, as one should be, that this is your next favorite album, grab Perfect Strangers from Gentle Reminder Records this Friday.

Charlie Belle Are Back

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The Austin indiepop duo Charlie Belle have had some ups and downs in their brief career, from NPR praise to leaving their label, they’ve seen it all. It seems that’s helped them keep things in persepective, and with their forthcoming EP, it looks like they’re back to basics working around the centrical force that is pop music. Jendayi has this sparkling voice, proudly defiant at times and quiety coy at others; it works well against the circular riffs from her guitar. The band will release their Like I Love This EP on September 25th, with another EP already being readied for Spring of 2019.

Show Preview: Smokescreens at Hotel Vegas (8/23)

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Thursday night is as good a night as any for a rock show, and all of Austin is in for a treat, should they choose to visit Hotel Vegas on said night. You get two great traveling acts in the Molochs and Smokescreens, the latter associated to our site’s highly regarded fave label, Slumberland Records…not to mention a Terry Malts/Business of Dreams connection. If you haven’t, as we suggested, picked up Used to Yesterday, then we suggest you do so now. The Molochs, for their part, will likely play a good deal off their forthcoming LP, Flowers in the Spring, so why not sneak a peak? And, both Tres Oui and the Zoltars will be peforming on the night, both ATH approved! Doors are at 9!

Weakened Friends Announce Debut LP

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Don Giovanni has pretty reliable tastes, and it looks like the label has secured another success story, today announcing the debut LP from Weakened Friends. Founding member, Sonia Surino has this incredibly distinctive voice; it almost seems like a nervous tick, almost something primal and uncontrollable. This lends itself well to the band, as you can feel the passion in her delivery, often times culminating in the crashing of cymbals and distortion. There’s a little polish after the minute and a half mark, giving a nostalgic nod to 90s college radio classics. Look for Common Blah to drop on October 19th.

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