The Acharis Share Jesus Thrill Single

Oakland duo The Acharis are gearing up to release their latest album come November, and our first little teaser find the band dwelling in this territory that seems all their own, perhaps aided by legendary producer John Fryer. This polished beat opens up the song, seemingly almost losing itself in the pulse, at times almost slowing to a near stop. Drums enter the picture, carefully building a touch more pace, allowing Mila Puccini to deliver this wonderful harmonic voice; it feels like it belongs in a perfect indiepop tune somewhere. But, the song starts to get worked up, adding in all these industrial-natured textures, giving the song this violent aura that your ears can’t seem to escape. When it stops, the warped pop nature might leave you not knowing what to make of it. But, one thing’s for sure, you’re going to want to add Blue Sky/Grey Heaven to your listening queue come November 5th, courtesy of Zum Media/Cranes Records.

The EXBATS Announce Now Where Were We

The EXBATS are a dream for any father/daughter rock n’ roller; the band is made up of Kenny McClain and his daughter Inez, rounded out with Bobby Carlson on bass. But, I have no talent, musically, so my daughter is out of luck. Regardless, the EXBATS have just announced a new album for Goner Records, and dammit if you’re not going to fall for it in the biggest way. On the surface, you do get that sort of classic 60s sugar-pop, but beneath that, there are hints at sort of early 80s punk (thinking Blondie here), not to mention the jangles that swept overseas from Flying Nun; its a huge sound, no doubt aided by recording with Matt Rendon of the Resonars. Now Where Were We will be out on October 22nd!

Swansea Sound Announce Live at the Rum Puncheon

Surprise! We’re working with Swansea Sound! The band, made up of members of Pooh Sticks and Heavenly (as well as Catenary Wires and Talulah Gosh) will be releasing Live at the Rum Puncheon on November 19th; it’s a join affair with various media available; we’ll be handling the cassette version here in the States on ATH Records. While a few of the tracks have been tossed out as early singles, not to mention the incredible E-Bay auction, everyone involved felt it only worked to announce the album with a brand new track for you all to enjoy! Plus, if you head to the band’s site, you can hear the song in Cymraeg. We’ll keep you up to date with things, but we wanted to celebrate and with you all and tell you how stoked we are to be part of this. Keep up to date with various ways to grab the album by checking in on the group HERE.

Japan Review Announce Debut LP

Feel like it might just be a solid day to kind of hang in the corners of this darkened brand of dream pop/shoegaze notes, so here’s another to follow that Letting Up tune; it’s the album announcement from Glasgow’s Japan Review. The duo have evolved from the bedroom project of Adam O’ Sullivan into this creative duo fusing cavernous sounds to create a bit of melodic topsoil for your listening day. This announcement of a new LP comes with the single “Competition Winner,” which is dominated by this propulsive drum sample, allowing the band to sort of throw anything on top. Here’s there’s a blend of noise and melody, Adam’s voice lurking somewhere in the song’s purgatory; it all reminds me of the early days of Radio Dept. Kvetch Sound will be out on October 29th via Reckless Yes!

Jessica’s Brother Announce Just Rain

As a Wave Pictures fan, it was easy to get into the first LP from Jessica’s Brother (Jonny Helm plays in both bands), but honestly, I feel like with one single, they’ve already topped that early affection. Today they announced Just Rain, and this ripper of a tune is the perfect way to kick off your Friday. The crashing guitars sound absolutely huge, like this stormy wave of distortion (and occasional soloing) bashing us over the head. That said, the trio, pull back in all the right spots, letting you take a breath before smashing you right in the face. And more fun, you can enjoy the noise, but it operates entirely separately from the generous pop moments that course throughout the tune…be that the backing bops or the core vocals from Tom. Just Rain drops this November via Fika Recordings.

Dean Wareham Announces I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of LA

It’s been a little shy of a decade since Dean Wareham released some solo material, but just as his former bandmates returned to the fold this year, so too comes Dean with today’s announcement of I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of LA. But, despite some great arrangements that join Dean at the 41 second mark, this song feels really stripped down, almost like early Dylan-esque. There’s definitely something cinematic, too, that creeps into this song, be it the black and white imagery, occasionally blurry here and there, or the track’s general expansive feel, like an old Western with that deep throated narrator. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the album was recorded with Jason Quever (Papercuts), who creates a lot of wonderful tunes on his own right…so I’m all in here. The LP will be out on October 15th via Double Feature Records.

Dummy Announce Mandatory Enjoyment

We’ve been anxiously awaiting new music from Dummy, knowing they’d signed on with Trouble in Mind after two wildly successful EPs. Our first listen to Mandatory Enjoyment is beyond my expectations, so label me blown away or whatever you need to say here. There’s this synthetic hum that shoves the song forward, bleeding in with the jangling guitar riffs underneath and the dueling harmonies. But, where the immediacy could just get dialed in to an easy close, they opt to go the other route, bringing you a big blast of discordant noise to seal the song’s end. Dummy release Mandatory Enjoyment on October 22nd.

 

Hovvdy Announce True Love

I’m sure by the time I post this tune that it’ll likely already be everywhere, but we’ve got to represent the ATX and Hovvdy, right? For me, this track, and possibly the whole of the record, feels very Austin at the moment, both musically and thematically. Musically speaking, the band employ good strum work and overlapping melodies in their vocals to craft this blistering pop vibe that sort of radiates prismatic colors though your speakers. Message-wise, the tune seems to hit at this exhaustion we’ve all faced the last few years, but how reliance upon loved ones has been able to carry us through…whether that’s a partner, friend or family. Expect the band’s True Love LP to be a huge success, dropping October 1st via Grand Jury.

Sweet Nobody Announce We’re Trying Our Best

If you wanted to take the best of the Beths, Alvvays and Rosie Tucker, then toss into a mixing bowl, you might get the flavor of Sweet Nobody. Playing on the edge of dreamy pop, with introspective lyrical play, you’re sure to find their latest single rewarding. Personally, I can relate to the subject matter to, battling with your inner demons to fight through creative lows in order to get to the other side and create freely, no matter what you’re crafting. The song is the first single from the band’s We’re Trying Our Best LP, which is slated for release this September via Daydream Records.

Summer Sleeves Announce In the Throes of Woes

After spending a good 15 years playing music, Jeremy Charbonneau took a break to focus on his young family. But, the songs kept pulling at him, begging for completion, which led to the creation of Summer Sleeves. He’s signed up with Jigsaw Records to release In the Throes of Woes, and we’ve got the new single from the LP below. It’s a got a slight jangle, a splash of folk, but mostly its just really great songwriting. For me, it reminds me of the endearing side of the Shins from their first record, before it grew to be cliche; this is pop songwriting at its purest, working on great melodies and a voice with just enough peculiarity to keep it interesting. We’re better off having Jeremy back in the songwriting fold; the new album drops on April 23rd.

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