Having spent a great deal of my time over the last fifteen LPs of the Black Watch, the thing that still strikes me is how willing John is to continuously attempt new things. He’s claimed that the entirety of Witches was conceived as a dance album…yet songs like the track below might lead you astray. In this number, he seems isolated, standing alone at the front of the mix while everything goes on behind him; you’ll hear the strum of acoustic guitars, matched by cascading lines, there’s faint hints of tambourines in the far off, bass just barely bubbles up from below. Then there’s John, bare before you with his poetry and voice. Witches drops on July 25th via Atom Records.
Nacho Cano has had a hard time of late, spending the better part of a year recovering from an accident where he was hit by a drunk driver. In that, he’s changed the direction of his work as Harmless, focusing on how isolated he’s been, both personally and culturally in the United States. Seems fairly grim, and understandably, but this video still brings a smile to my face every time I play it; I especially love the smooth moves of the man in the beige suit. Musically, it’s definitely an understated slow jam, one that’s perfect for late summer night’s of slow dancing. His latest EP, A Donde Te Vas, will drop later this Fall.
After many years of solid singles and releases, Louisville based band Quiet Hollers has become a true favorite of the ATH team. A quick search of the band on our site will lend at least 5 or more posts of great songs. Even after all those great tunes, I’m not sure the band has ever released a track as powerful as this new one called “Addicted”. It is of course about addiction, but more specifically opiate addiction, which is as most know, a major problem in our country at the moment. The incredibly intimate and personal lyrics play nicely with that familiar Quiet Hollers Americana, folk sound to create something truly special.
What better way to head into the weekend than to receive new music from Shelflife Records; this time they’ll be working with Filipino group Outerhope for their first ever US release. The project is comprised of siblings Michael and Micaela Benedicto, who’ve turned to dreamy electronica to capture hearts. The opening moments have this twinkling keyboard line working over atmospheric washes, then the percussive element picks joins in to up the speed just a bit. Already, you’re captivated by the energetic number before Micaela entered the picture to layer warmth atop the track with her voice; she’s got a soft approach to deliver, allowing notes to sort of drift off her tongue and into the ether. Shelflife never has a miss when they release albums, and it looks like they’ve got a spot-on winner with Vacation; it drops on August 10th (with several limited color editions!).
It looks like Antiquated Future is on a roll as of late, as they’ve got another release on the horizon that’s piqued my interest, this time from The Washboard Abs. I like how the first minute or so of this song is spent primarily in isolation, which perhaps nods to the album’s thematic element of the possibility of loss of a partner. Then, just as you’ve settled in, the song is elevated by nice electronica and spot-on percussive elements; it’s like the song just begins to grow right inside your ears…a special moment. If you like what you hear, be on the lookout for the band’s 3rd LP, Lowlight Visions, which will drop on August 17th.
I’ve been writing about Acting Strange for quite some time, probably since the band’s inception, so why stop now…especially when I’m getting emails about Awolnation. This tune is a pretty simple pop ballad, with just enough sugary hooks to keep my ears attentive. It has some slight similarities to Mystery Jets, especially the way the vocals dictate the song’s natural cadence. Plus, as the song moves into the chorus, there’s this grand swelling, then the melody is dropped right on top of you. As of now, the band looks to be in the studio working on their follow-up to their 2017 album, Talk Talk Talk.
We’re riding high on the Tony Molina train over here, especially with Kill the Lights dropping in a few weeks. The latest single, and possibly the last before the LP is out, is one of the longer songs on the record, and to my ears, one of my favorites. Tony’s execution leaves him somewhere between Teenage Fanclub and Joe Pernice in my brain…and those are things that will keep me coming back to this song over and over. Sure, he might just be teasing us with 10 short ditties, but I assure you, no one is writing them better than Molina at this very moment. Kill the Lights hits July 26th via Slumberland Records.
Remember when Animal Collective were writing incredible pop songs that had everyone salivating? Well, I think you’ll find something similar in the music of John Dragonetti aka Jack Drag. The very first vocal entrance creates this soaring melody that immediately had me fawning for sunshine; it’s strange how a simple melody can transport you, but such is the power of this song. It also probably doesn’t hurt that Aimee Mann, a friend of John’s, had a hand in this tune, as did Dylan Gardner. Really, none of that even matters as the hook of this track supersedes everything else before you today. Look for the new LP, 2018, in September via Burger Records.
Having released the most excellent Her with her band Totally Mild earlier this year, it’s great to hear Elizabeth going it on her own…as she’s rumored to be doing in the near future. The song below will appear on a new Split Singles Club single alongside much-hyped Stella Donnelly (deservedly so). I love the personal feel of this tune; it’s like you’ve been invited inside Elizabeth’s home to hear her try out some new tunes. Her voice is as powerful as ever, and I think American audiences will likely find some Sharon Van Etten or AngelO references to boot. It’s never too late to subscribe; go HERE.
Nathan and I’s slow, steady bromance started with The Twilight Sad headlining a show at Emo’s. Our manniversary. The last time I saw the band was opening for The Cure a couple years back. Those of you lucky enough to attend the Cure’s 40th Anniversary party in Hyde park may have been there early to see our friends from Scotland, along with Interpol and Slowdive and many others. Jealous.
The lads from Glasgow have a new track to share via Rock Action Records. With a textural undertone and the gradual surge inwards to focus on James’s vocal, which later gets buried again, the song navigates through all the things I love about the band. You can’t escape the accent, the deliberate clarity of core messages, the layers of guitar and synth that cause focus or escapism. There are new things for me here, or at least new application of familiar tools like how the piano comes in not to haunt or highlight, but to fill. Album news soon, they are touring in the fall, though staying on the west coast and before crossing the northern US and Canada and then heading back to Europe. Come to Austin – tacos, bromance and Lone Stars await.
Having spent a great deal of my time over the last fifteen LPs of the Black Watch, the thing that still strikes me is how willing John is to continuously attempt new things. He’s claimed that the entirety of Witches was conceived as a dance album…yet songs like the track below might lead you astray. In this number, he seems isolated, standing alone at the front of the mix while everything goes on behind him; you’ll hear the strum of acoustic guitars, matched by cascading lines, there’s faint hints of tambourines in the far off, bass just barely bubbles up from below. Then there’s John, bare before you with his poetry and voice. Witches drops on July 25th via Atom Records.
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Remember when Animal Collective were writing incredible pop songs that had everyone salivating? Well, I think you’ll find something similar in the music of 
Having released the most excellent Her with her band Totally Mild earlier this year, it’s great to hear