Chantel Van T Shares Rumble and Crawl

Looks like my focus this morning is on keeping you pretty sedate, at least so far as things are shaping up here. I stumbled across this beautiful track from South African artists Chantel Van T, who also fronts the group Diamond Thug. Let’s be real here though…if you don’t hear the incredible similarities to the much adored Hope Sandoval, I got nothing for you. Chantel drapes her syllables in the same dramatic fashion; I love that forlorn guitar in the distance too, filling the bucket with every drop of emotion possible. This tune features on the forthcoming solo debut Nicalochan.

Slow Caves Share New Single

Feel like we should start this week off with something on the dreamier side of things, like this new track from Slow Caves. For me, I was really digging on the fact that it appropriately balances the better parts of Britpop with the heavier shoegaze sounds. That fuzz and distortion, however, hangs in the song’s background, so it’s not overbearing, allowing the band’s pop sensibility to kind of shine through that atmospheric wash of guitar noise. I really loved the ending vocals, with the way “not ok” kind of hits a higher, more urgent note; it reminded me in a lot of ways of Ash…which is never a bad thing. Enjoy!

Flower Graves Share Ociin Video

About a year out from the release of Living in Disguise, Flower Graves return with a psychedelic visual adventure…that’s not to mention the song’s sonic delight. The accompanying idea for this new single utilizes bright flashes and a technique that seemingly melts bright colors into one another, forming visuals along the way; leave breadcrumbs so you don’t lose yourself in the trance inducing jaunt. Turning to the musical element, you’re going to get rewarded there as well. Guitars cascade, creating this lush cavernous world; you can feel the guitars echoing through walls, sound reverberating through endless passages. The vocals share a similar attitude, densely coated, squeezing through crevices and calling to you like a haunted siren beckoning you to follow. It’s a pretty remarkable tune, and one we think you’ll fall in love with immediately; brought to you courtesy of Wallflower Records.

Mark W. Georgsson Shares One of a Kind

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Last Night from Glasgow, and they’ve got a new release on the horizon that I’m just now checking into, Mark W. Georgsson. His sound is a bit along the lines of folk/Americana, but what really attracted me to this single is the way the arrangements are layered to really create a swell of pop sensibility amidst the more traditional. Strings and bouncing piano give the faintest hop to Georgsson’s voice, and some clever “do do dos” are thrown in around the 3 minute mark to put a final stamp on the track’s ability to connect with the listener. This song appears on the Comes a Time EP, dropping on August 14th!

John Christie Shares Skeleton Earth

It’s interesting trying to decipher the meaning behind the title of John Christie‘s latest single, “Skeleton Earth.” Of course, some folks will dig deep into the lyrical meaning, and I’m sure you’ll find an obscured answer. But, the more I listen to this track, the more I’m drawn to the skeletal feel of the song itself. The drumming, for instance, is precise, and perhaps played with a touch of flare, but it never seems overbearing. Christie’s baritone too feels almost emotionless, like its this constant lifeblood drawn from the Earth, flowing through us all. At least that’s what I was thinking on when I listened through; good jam nonetheless.

Sorry I Missed This: Teen Idle Share Insomniac Dreams

So I’m only a week or so late here, but I really wanted you to wake up on Friday with something special: the new Insomniac Dreams EP from Teen Idle. It’d be easy to pigeonhole this is as something akin to dream pop or shoegaze, particularly since its been released by Sunday Records. But, I think that sells Sara Abdelbarry a little short. Sure, some of those touches are omnipresent, particularly in the pacing of each track, or maybe even that haunting guitar sound we know and love. Take, for instance, “Dreaming,” which seems more like an exorcism of personal demons, a song that feels like escapism. For me, the aforementioned genres are all about building emotion through their sonic texturing, and I love that; I love that experience. This, however, this whole EP has emotion just dripping through it. Sure, you can lose yourself in the emotive qualities of the musical notes, but I beg you to just sit there and feel along with the entirety of this EP. Grab it from Sunday Records!

The Midgetmen Announce It Is Now Recursive

Austin rabble-rousers The Midgetmen aim to make amends for their five year recording absence by dropping the It Is Now Recursive EP on July 24th. Our first listen to the band’s newest output is a furious little 2 minute number, and an exercise in using one lyrical line for the entirety of a song (they warned you!). I love the way the song opens up, encompassing that live sound that’s rare to get on tape; kind of makes me want to run around my living room screaming along while I pour beer all over myself. It’s riotous and pure fun, with a nice little guitar flare in the song’s middle; everyone gets a solo! Plus, if you grab the EP, you’ll get a remix version of this tune that hints at the band’s future foray into more electronically enhanced grooves! If you need a song to get you up, load a bowl and hop on your yard work, this is the one!

Emma Kupa Shares Hey Love

Avowed Emma Kupa fan here, and I’ve been fortunate enough to get a little glimpse at the entirety of It Will Come Easier. Today we bring you the album’s second single, and one that really highlights Emma as a singer. The video, and the song for the most part are pretty stark, just Emma and her voice; you do get some delicate string work to build in the slightest hint of texture throughout, though the focus remains on Kupa’s dynamic pipes. Honestly, her voice and lyrics make this entire record; I love the lyric below reminding us that “nobody’s a saint/and we’ve all got our problems.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind as we all hold tight to our relationships. It Will Come Easier is out via Fika Recordings/Palo Santo Records this Fall.

Striking New Tune From Arran George

It’s rare to find a song that really transfixes you and transports you away to somewhere else, but that’s just what this song “18 Wheeler” from Cumbria based artist Arran George is doing for me today. The tune is superb at combining a simple acoustic guitar with a bedroom pop approach and some subtle effects here and there. You can also find yourself getting totally lost near the end during the last 45 seconds or so of the song. It’s a stunner.

Arran George will feature this song on a new EP entitled Born Under a Pylon out later this year.

 

Best of 2020 Thus Far…According to Nathan

We all say these lists are arbitrary, and yet in the end, we get sucked into making our own…mostly because it seems like other people got it so wrong. But, then looking at my personal list, and it’s no wonder we’re not in the cool kids club, because these records are not seeming to make the big time lists. Oh well. Here’s my awards for 2020 thus far…plus, in the very end I have a very nice 10 hr playlist of all my favorite songs of the year, one jam for each day in 2020, save the holidays!

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