The BVs Share Taking Pictures of Taking Pictures

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What I’ve always adored about the BVs is their adherence to building albums where each tune feels purposeful; there’s intent in the style and the placement of tracks. It seems like we’re nearing another bit of that with their latest LP, if we’re to compare and contrast this new single with their first. “Clipping” came out at the end of last year, arriving as this bounding piece of energetic pop. But, today, they share the title track of their new album, and it’s a much more pensive piece, building slowly, churning and turning in upon itself a reflection of the imagery that flashes through the video (created and animated by the band’s Fred). Pictures flash and fade away, with drawings moving like op-art, where you’re unsure whether its the song or the image moving…or both. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the 2:40 moment hits and the exuberant nature of the band begins to shine through; lyrics are delivered more quickly and the drums seem to have a bit more snap, shifting the tune ever so slightly, naturally creating this feeling of longing that I hope you’ll love. Taking Pictures of Taking Pictures will be out on February 16th via Shelflife/KUS!

Longwave Share Tidal Wave Video + Celebrate 20 Yrs of The Strangest Things

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There are a lot of early 00s albums that people talk about as sort of like masterpieces from the Brooklyn scene of that era, but if you ask me, one of the most oft overlooked is Longwave‘s the Strangest Things. Every song on that record rips, and I’m so glad they’re doing a reissue for the 20th anniversary of the LP…though I’ll admit it does make me feel a bit old. Still, the distinctive gurgle of the bass with that crisp guitar line…all waiting to drop in the drum beat, still reverberates 20 years on. Oh, the chorus…still one of my favorite pieces of that era…timeless and melodic…while others were pushing away from that. Check the video where you’ve got old tour footage resurfacing for the first time! If you dig, the reissue drops at the end of the month, so you should be sure to get your hands on it!

 

Velcros Share Troubled Mind

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When German outfit Velcros sent an email that described their latest single as “Big Star on an adrenaline rush,” I absolutely had to check it out. They’re not far off here either, rushing through this fuzzy scuzzy punk rock ditty, filled to the brim with all sorts of musical gems. It’s crazy to me how well they pull of the pop-centric middle of the tune with all that fury thundering around them. If you’re able to keep pace with their 192 beats per minute rock anthem, you’re welcome to sing along! But, if you just want to jam, grab Strange News From the Vault when it drops on March 22nd!

Waxahatchee Shares Right Back to It

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Admittedly, I thought I’d pass on this Waxahatchee single, feeling like maybe Katie Crutchfield had settled into the trappings of indie rock, playing to the middle of the genre. But, when listening to the single, along with the album announcement, Crutchfield doesn’t even seem like she’s playing to the indie scene, instead almost leaning towards pop country. Her voice sparkles from the get-go; I love the control she’s got over each syllables, rising and falling in certain spots that just crush you heart. It’s all carefully draped over classic banjo work and light guitar strums. The highlight hits when Adrian Grenier’s little brother MJ Lenderman shows up to add the perfect duet for the chorus, reminiscent of Dolly and Kenny or Tammy and George…it’s pretty special. Plus, it’s all set in the visual to a bayou cruise on a Texas pontoon boat, so we can’t argue there! Tigers Blood, the new LP, is out March 22nd via ANTI.

Zowy Share Harbored Video

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You’ve probably read about the work of Zowy in other forms on these old interweb pages, as its the project of Zoe Wyner from Halfsour and Temporary Eyesore. They’re new project has more kinship with acts like Broadcast or Jackie Mendoza, crafting these pulsating bits of bedroom pop that have a dominant vocal role that encircles the listener’s brain. For me, the undercurrent of this tune, contrasting against the bleeps and blips and bloops is what makes the song successful, as it leaves you with this impending doom crashing down against this robotic melodic future. If you’re into it, the Beware Magical Thinking cassette comes out this Friday courtesy of Lost Sound Tapes!

Bedbug Announce Pack Your Bags the Sun is Growing

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Having spent the better part of my life listening to tunes folks would describe as “emo,” I’ve found myself gravitating towards the newer stuff that’s not afraid to mess with the formula a bit, like Bedbug‘s latest single. For a great portion, the tune flirts with those pristine guitar sounds, the brightly ringing sort you might find on an Owls album; it works really well, setting the tone for some back and forth structural maneuvering. In the vocals, you have that gentleness, but also the delivery reminds me of the earnestness of early Good Morning or Hovvdy. All that probably feels a touch formulaic, yeah? Well, just as you begin to plant your feet in the style, the track slams down on the pedals and erupts briefly, embracing that exuberance; the brevity in that burst is where the success lives, for me, as my ears are much too old for a full on assault, so I’m pleased it settles right back into the fairer set. Look for the new album, Pack Your Bags the Sun is Growing on March 15th via Disposable America.

(Printer Friendly) Shares Stuck On This Dock

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Still perusing my end of year emails, and I found myself drawn to this track from (Printer Friendly), which is the stay-at-home music moniker of Griffin Ashburn. At the end of the year, Theodicy was dropped, and I was continuously drawn to the slow burn of the single below; it has this sedate nature at the beginning, patiently planting the melody in your ear and waiting for it to sprout. This pop burst arrive courtesy of Pigeon Kiss, whose voice seems to sort of shoot up from beneath the lower mix; it adds this great textural feel that serves as the lifeblood of the tune, especially when balanced with the other bits. Plus, it plays perfectly into the following tune, so enjoy this little musical odyssey.

Lunar Isles Shares New Tune, Releases New EP

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Over the last few years I’ve been keeping a close eye on David Skimming’s Lunar Isles project; it’s a dreamy bedroom project that continues to impress, release after release. This past Friday the Atlas EP was released, with a little more flexing of the sound throughout the six songs. Take the track below, which does wear some indiepop guitar references: it takes some of those nods, but peels back the modern dreamy atmospherics, allowing the melody and the gentle nature of Skimming’s voice to sit with the listener. Once you’ve sat and observed, you’ll find that the Atlas EP is the perfect entry point to Lunar Isles wonderful world of pop stylings.

Still Ruins Share Of Devotion

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Chances are, if you’re crafting music in Oakland these days, I’m probably going to be way into it, which appears to be the case with Still Ruins. When you listen to the latest single from their new 12″, it’ll easily be lumped in with the modern dream pop sounds. But, that put before you, I beg you to give a further listen, as there’s this dance with more crystalline guitar notes that feels much bolder. There’s something in the breathy vocals and the lyrical content that definitely hold tightly onto nostalgic grooves, like a track just waiting to be used for a rainy scene in a John Hughes film. If you’re looking for more than atmosphere and reverb, try their self-titled EP, out this Friday via Smoking Room/Cercle Social.

Gorgeous Bully Shares Fresh Tune

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I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I was ever turned off by the work of Gorgeous Bully as they progressed, but there was definitely a little bit of the mystery lost as expectations rose up through the release of Closure. Up until now, where it feels like there’s a return to simpler structures and pure emotion. Even the recording feels distant, keeping the listener at arm’s length, which inevitably has the reverse effect, only pulling you in deeper. There’s this little tonal switch in the guitar that absolutely crushed me; look for it around 1:36 if you wish to feel the same. Either way, this track feels like there’s some solace in it, and I’m grateful for its existence.

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