Tag: 12xu

Winged Wheel Announce Desert So Green

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There’s been an absence of artful noise in the indie scene, replaced by neo-grunge and nu-gaze. All of this allows for a band like Winged Wheel to fly under the radar, despite the incredible resume of its band members. Today, they’ve announced their third LP, Desert So Green, which feels like a scientific exploration of where noise can go. On the first single, it opens with this jagged ringing guitar, operating in isolation for the first 30 seconds or so, waiting for a separate guitar and drums to enter; their entry, however, feels distant, allowing for the constant ring of that opening riff. Layers continue to build, adding in vocals and anxiety, waiting for the song to momentarily rupture as the discord just takes on too much. Despite those forays left and right, the song has this constant gravitational pull that will lock you into its meditative noise control. Look for Desert So Green via 12XU in January of next year.

Friday Album Streams: Aritificial Go, Bouqeut, Soot Sprite and More…

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There’s really so much great music out today that it’s impossible to bounce between all and so you’re going to have to dig into the mixture below and really figure out what you love the most. Since it’s raining great records, I put some word below so that maybe you can get a feel of what you might find if you press play. Jump below to hear my thoughts, and remember to support the artists and labels behind these great releases.

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12XU Readies Box of Dark Roses, the Final Mope Grooves LP

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I suppose that I could wait to toss Box of Dark Roses out with our casual Friday Album Streams, but seeing as 12XU got another track out before the release of the final Mope Grooves record, it feels as if I should shine a little more purposeful light in that direction. But, even as a fan of stevie and her work, it’s also hard to write about their efforts to fight for marginalized groups, particularly as a cis-white dude. All that to say, the new tune that’s been bopping around is a solid glimpse at the importance of the 27 songs coming our way Friday. There’s a propulsive beat that courses throughout, then layer upon layer get added, thickening the piece; you can get a glimpse of stevie’s process with the repeated line of “it is right to fight,” punching through the speakers. Personally, I love the piano notes that creep through the metallic backdrop, illustrating a sort of juxtaposition between the beauty and harshness the music is confronting. There’s a digital treatise of sorts from stevie, which you can read HERE. Otherwise, grab a copy of the LP on Friday!

 

Friday Album Streams: Merce Lemon, Feeling Figures, Being Dead and More

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What an absolute banger of a Friday. There are several releases, on top of the super rad Best Bets record we shared with you yesterday. Plus, I missed a rad release last week that I’m including because, well, it rules. And I do what I want. Also, a great new Cleaners from Venus Tribute Compilation. No need for bullshitting, let’s just crank up the good tunes and have a blast.

Merce Lemon – Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild (Darling Records)

Feeling Figures – Everything Around You (K/Perennial Records)

Being Dead – EELS – (Bayonet)

Kate Bollinger – Songs from A Thousand Frames of Mind (Ghostly)

Weak Signal – Fine (12XU)

Various Artists – Tales of a Kitchen Porter: A Tribute to Cleaners from Venus (Dandy Boy)

Weak Signal Share Rich Junkie

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There’s always something to be said for simplicity and execution in songwriting, and the latest track from New York’s Weak Signal perfectly exemplifies that mentality. It opens with a driving bit of guitar, chugging along with the snapping hit of the drums; there’s not too much flare…no overlapping ambiance or walls of noise, just distortion driving you forward. Now, for all that heavy guitar sound, the band’s bread and butter is the distinctive interplay of Mike and Sasha on the vocal mix; they’ve got these contrasting tones that fit perfectly together, but also fill in the space so that while the song feels like a rocker, you’re not quite sure with all those delectable melodic morsels of pop hanging about. Just another banger from their forthcoming Fine LP, out on September 6th via 12XU.

Winged Wheel Announce Big Hotel

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After Shellac came out of nowhere with an announcement this week, it only seems fitting that there’s more surprises in the 2024 release schedule, like a brand new LP from Detroit’s Winged Wheel. We’re just about two years removed from No Island, and it looks like they’ve added Steve Shelley to the mix too for a new album. There’s this swirling ominousness that opens the track, building this almost sterile world of darkness; it feels like the precursor to a murder in a parking garage (if it had a cooler soundtrack). Whitney’s voice comes in like an echo, hauntingly bouncing between the lines of the band’s craft. There are certainly moments where one could go explosive and just phone it in, but I appreciate how they’ve just locked into the groove here. Big Hotel is out May 3rd via 12XU.

More from the Love Child Compilation

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Seeing as this is a compilation of old Love Child stuff, this post is mostly to convince you and our friend Norman Wanklord to pony up some cash and grab Never Meant to Be. There’s two fresh tracks from the collection, and I’ve got both below. “Asking For It” is this frantic bit of rock n’ roll with Rebecca Odes spitting out venomous vocals faster than the drummer can ride the cymbals; I love how there’s a melodic slow jam to the song’s middle, reminding us that they could’ve done anything, and it would have kicked ass. “Escalator” is this sharp burst of crashing art rhythms, rising and falling, stuttering and jabbing…kind of like if Built to Spill were an 80s punk band from NYC. You can get your hands on this collection this Friday via 12XU!

Lewsberg Announce Out and About

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If you have not purchased your tickets for the Lewsberg train, might we invite you to grab one now, as they’re sure to be one of your favorite bands…plus it’ll make you feel cool for telling your friends you were into it first. Anyways, the Dutch band announce their new LP Out and About today, dropping mixes of two of the tracks that will appear on the record. “Without a Doubt” has this spritely nature to it, just shuffling in the mix as the vocals keep things joyously grounded; it’s the precise brand of no-rock pop that the group excels at crafting. Meanwhile “Communion” feels like a pastor’s sermon delivered by someone who grew up listening to all those early Flying Nun records. Can’t say enough wonderful words about this group; Out and About is out in September; self-released, but US folks can order through 12XU.

Borzoi Drop Passing Single

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Just as I’m lamenting the scene in our hometown, Borzoi pop up with a new single to wake me from my Austin doldrums. Be warned, turning this up at high volume is likely to lead to momentary delirium. The rhythmic section alone has this incredible push and pull to it, like the heavy swaying of a crowd on the verge of cathartic eruption. Hitting heavy at the front, they turn that into this almost playful angular moment right after the one-minute mark, hanging high upon the rafters of that pulsing rhythm. Why this band isn’t the most notable in town I don’t know, but we look forward to hearing more…as we’re still awaiting news on the follow-up to A Prayer for War (12XU)…and this may or may not feature on that release.

Lewsberg Join Speedy Wunderground Single Series

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Lewsberg have been on our radar pretty consistently since we were first introduced to the group by their work with 12XU. But, they just announced they’re joining on with Speedy Wunderground to be part of the label’s marvelous Single Series, which are always super limited. After last year’s sneakily strong In Your Hands, the group return with a bit more pace, pushing the rhythmic pulse that provides a backbone for everything in between. I love the way the vocals change between a sort of spoken call-and-response and overlapping commentary. Plus, the band are never afraid to ride that train and let the sonic exploration lead the way. The new single drops on Friday digitally, so hear the A-side now!

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