Boyracer Announce Assuaged LP

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You think Boyracer plan to slow down? Absolutely not! The band return with a brand new record this year; Assuaged will be released by Stewart’s own label Emotional Response. Our first listen has the band brandishing their noisy elements and coiling them around a nice little bubblegum pop core, ready to spring exuberant hooks on unassuming fans. Stew gets the perfect foil here from bandmate Christina Riley, tossing in some supporting harmonies to give the melody a little more buoyancy. For me, the star of the show, however is the drum work; it’s so sharp and helps keep the song rambunctious and fun all at once. Assuaged drops on July 5th!

Always You Announce Bloom Off The Rose

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We couldn’t be more excited for the debut album from Always You, the new band featuring the Hochheim brothers (Ablebody, PoBPaH, etc). We’ve heard a few of the hits coming from the debut album, but today that all comes together with an official announcement and release date! I love the twinkling synths and guitar working over that bubbling rhythm section from the get-go; it sets up the mood to play just on the edge of dance-worthy. That pulse works great to set up the creative croon of the vocals, with added bonus points going to the light backing vocals that work their way into this tune during the chorus. Interestingly, the song, while maintaining this great feathery pop quality seems to hang out on the edge of the dance floor; it sort of toys with you, unsure if you’re tapping your toes or grabbing your bestie and flailing about. Bloom Off the Rose drops on July 16th via Shelflife and Discos de Kirlian.

Dreamy Pop Number from Lucid Express

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Sort of stuck on those middle of the week vibes, so I’m being totally consumed by the latest track from Hong Kong’s Lucid Express. Don’t let the dreaminess of the song’s opening minute fool you, however, as you’ll soon be greeted with a wall of distortion that is likely to shake your speakers (there’s even distortion knifing through the distortion!). I just love how the song feels like this weird movement, like lava flowing over blackened igneous rock fields, just creeping along until it explodes into a mass of water. Pretty special way to work through this week if you ask me; look for the band’s debut album July 16th via Kanine Records.

 

Alexalone Announce Debut for Polyvinyl Records, Alexaloneworld

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Alex Petereson has been a fixture in the Austin music scene for some time, whether playing in Lomedla or helming their own band. Now, that band, Alexalone, has made the big-time, signing on with Polyvinyl Records to release their new LP Alexaloneworld. The lead single for the announcement comes with an incredible video designed by Simon Cassar and Karolina Asadova; it’s got the old school video game vibe on lock. Musically, the song’s a slow burn, carefully textured with light percussion and soft vocals as the track builds layer upon layer, letting guitars twist and turn, all of it culminating in this sensational guitar breakdown in the song’s late moments. That final eruption serves as a reminder that we’re in for some special treats when Alexaloneworld drops on August 13th.

Also, we must cop to releasing a tape by one of the drummer’s project the Hermits. All hail Sam!

Astrid Swan Shares Silvi’s Dream

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It’s been a few years since we’ve had fresh music from Astrid Swan, but I’m here imploring you to spend some time with the Finnish artist. She spends the first minute and a half illustrating her gifts with a steady piano backbone to match up with her soaring voice; there are some angelic arrangements built in early on, but its the 1:49 minute when the song just explodes into this joyous celebration of life. The drums pound a little heavier, the song swells, horns jump in and Astrid offers up some monosyllabic melodies to win you over. The song takes on special meaning, personally, thinking of leaving your child with the perfect pop song as evidence of your love; I don’t think anyone could have penned a better one, so well played to Astrid here!

Qlowski Share Folk Song

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Please don’t let the song title disguise the hit that lurks below, as “Folk Song” is far from what is likely in your mind. Qlowski use a brooding bass line and pounding back beat to build the backdrop of the song, carefully constructing a natural tension capable of layered textures. I love the frantic vocal delivery, curved at the end of the notes to emanate just a bit of melodic emotion, reminding me a bit of Tim Darcy of Ought. But, the band have this knack of feeding you the nuggets you need to keep you interested, but then meandering off on their own sort of post-pun agenda, like they do through the course of this song’s middle all before switching the song’s narrator on you! Fuck, this sounds like Joy Division grew up! You want it! Quale Futuro is out June 4th via Maple Death/Feel It Records.

PACKS Share Hold My Hand

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This Friday we’ll be treated to the much anticipated debut album from PACKS, but before we get there, we should just indulge ourselves in one last little grungy ditty; I mean you can never really get enough of this lot if you ask me. They crank the song out in under 2 minutes, so they get right to it, with Madeline teasing the listener along over a mild guitar before the rest of the band drops in, and things get turned up into a classic pop rocker. I think one of the things I love about this band is how quickly they go from rock to really subtle pop nuances, even if they last for a mere three seconds, like Madline’s annunciation of “hand” at the 1:17 mark. Just good old clean fun. Take the Cake is out Friday via Fire Talk Records.

New Indiepop from Die Zartlichkeit

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Sometimes a certain sound ends up being purely emotional, and it supersedes language barriers, which is precisely the case with this new Die Zartlichkeit single. While I’m not as up on my German as I’d like, the tonal quality of the track is absolutely sublime, calm and comfort, tying into my proposal that emotion is sometimes all you need. In a way, it reminds me of Finnish outfit Cats on Fire, playing unassuming jangle pop that seems like an indiepop lounge act. You can tap your toes, you can enjoy the black/white video, or can just let the smooth sound wash over you…but either way, grab the new 7″ from KUS!

Big Bill Share Coma Single

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This past Friday our good friends in Big Bill released the stellar new single, “Coma,” which we wanted to delay so as to offer you up something delicious on Monday morning. While Eric Braden’s distinctive vocal delivery is omni-present, the mono-syallbic burst at the 37 second mark (and repeated later) is a sure-fire hook. What’s most impressive to me is how furious the band seems to be here; they’re playing with this angular jackhammering, more emphatic and rocking than ever before. All of this gets tied together with time changes matching up with Eric’s syllable play in the lyrics…one of the band’s signatures. Don’t miss out on this Jon Lovitz approved hit!

Show Pics: Are We Back?

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Over the last two weekends, I have been out to see a couple of shows, as some of you may have noticed on the instagrams. Two Saturdays ago, I had procured tickets to see Sun June with Buffalo Nichols at 3TEN. This past Saturday, it was a quick trip down to The Far Out Lounge to support SIMS Foundation, see some friends and catch a bit of Moving Panoramas. I have to tell you, it was release of stored anxiety while being a source of stress. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to be out, to feel nearly normal. There were some fist bumps, goose bumps and even a few hugs. Let’s get into the venues, the bands, the CDC, the resulting social politics without being too political and a big batch of photos.

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