This is fine.
Aussie based band Heart Beach have picked up lots of love on ATH over the years. Nathan and I have both proclaimed them as one of our favorite Australian acts from the last few years. Well today the band sent over not one, but two new singles for us to check out! Both tracks offer the same guitar driven pop music with powerful vocals and perfect timing from the rhythm section. Both songs appear on a new album entitled Haircut due out on November 1st. Enjoy.
Not too long ago I ran a Wireheads tune that was infectious and gritty, illustrating that the cool knows know bounds in Australia. Now we’re back with a new hit from the band, though this time they take more of a arty post-rock vibe. This tune’s more like a vocal barrage with the musical accompaniment jangling in almost as an afterthought. Blasts of squalling chords jump through in the aftermath of vocal delivery, and you’ve got your ears pinned back waiting for what’s next. What’s next? The band release Lightning Ears on October 20th via Tenth Court.
Ciggie Witch has long been an outlet for Ocean Party member Zac Denton, but on the work for the group’s newest album, they took a more collaborative approach to the recording. In the end, it leaves listeners with a completed sound…details are fleshed out, space is filled…but pop sensibility is ever present. For instance, take the exuberant explosion that jumps off around the 3 minute mark, which comes after a brief interlude of stark guitar work. It continues to amaze me how consistently good these guys are; some artists are prolific to their own detriment, but as Zac and his pals illustrate, there’s not a bad track this round. Mad Music will be released by Lost and Lonesome next Friday (10/13).
Julia Jacklin has slowly become one of my favorite female voices in the music world over the last year or so. She seems to effortlessly deliver in this sort of restrained, raspy tone while seemingly on the verge of exploding at any moment. Add in just the right amount of bluesy guitar, and you’d be spot on in a description of her latest single “Cold Caller”. It won’t get much better than this in the singer/songwriter genre.
“Cold Caller” is part of a 7″ single release out today on Polyvinyl Records. Maybe you should order a copy here. Flip side single “Eastwick” can be heard here.
Another day and another Aussie act giving us tunes that pervade our listening experience…this time it’s RVG (Romy Vager Group). Musically, you’ll hear similarities to a lot of the modern acts, as well as the endearing sounds of their forebears. I love Romy’s accent-inflected Lou Reed impression, delivering poetry in a matter of fact manner. There’s also this bright little moment right at the 2.02 minute mark where the guitar churns a little brighter, ringing out with this infectious melody. Their album A Quality of Mercy will be released on October 20th!
I adored Pop Singles (if you haven’t listened to All Gone I don’t know what you’ve been doing with your life), the band Tam Vantage worked in long ago. Since then, he’s released one solo outing, and now he’s onto his next. This recent single seems really casual, allowing Tam to control the track through his vocal delivery; I love how he holds these calmed harmonies. The way the guitars seem to ring, announcing the chords with emphasis, definitely draws from the Oceanic sound. You’ll find the latest track fitting in with the current Aussie vibe, but maybe I hear a bit of McLennan/Forster lurking beneath too. Whatever the case, Show Me to the Sun will be high on my list of albums to wrap up my year; it hits on September 8th.
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There are some artists who march to their own drum, and Orlando furious is one such act. Typically they work with samples and iPad apps to craft beat driven vibes, though this new tune is built around the backbone of an acoustic guitar sample, looped in with a warbling affect that may be disoriented. It’s a warped trip through the wonderful world of outsider pop, and the accompanying video only guarantees that status for OF, willing to craft music on terms they define. Tenth Court will be releasing Named Feelings, the new LP featuring “Rage” in early 2018, so stay tuned for more. Buy/stream the tune HERE.
Ladies and germs, allow me to introduce you to Newcastle, Australia based outfit RAAVE TAPES and their impressively heavy sound. Their music definitely has some elements of bands you’ve maybe heard in the past, but never have you heard these elements all come together in one song. Think if Screaming Females managed to get even heavier and louder like say a Death From Above or Colourmusic, and you’d be pretty close. If you’re not one for comparisons, check out this new track “k bye” and let us know what you think. I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
The band will be doing some touring in support of this single and previous new releases this summer. Check out their Facebook page for more info.
I love the way this new Beaches song starts out, as if it we’re hearing an old faded sample come into play…but then drums kick in and the track takes off into a fuzzy blissed pop number. There’s a softness to the vocals, built with a pop reinforcement via the occasional entry of “ooh ooh ooh”s. This Aussie bunch know how to balance their heavy distortion with their pop sensibility, which is perhaps why they’ve signed on to work with one of the great Australian labels, Chapter Music. Look for their double LP, Second of Spring, on September 8th.
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It seems like The Ocean Party are a never-ending source of pop hits, though it probably helps having six songwriters in the group. Regardless, the band is back with another gem from their forthcoming Beauty Point LP. I love how it opens with this casual brooding sensation, almost sullen in nature. But, you can’t hold back the band’s natural knack for an emphatic pop chorus, as they display here. Something about this band just makes you feel good about yourself. Look for the new album to hit on August 18th via Spunk and Emotional Response (US).
