Last Week’s Jams (6.3 – 6.7)

Pretty heavy week we had over on the ATH here. The Bay Area and Austin area had some great tunes to offer us, such as new stuff from Sad Eyed Beatniks and Holy Wire, or perhaps Swiftumz and Letting Up Despite Great Faults. We also got to preview some great shows like Adrianne Lenker and The Umbrellas (that was a blast btw!). Plus, Cursive return after a few years off, so of course the site’s emo contingent was keeping you up to date there. Then there were Nathan faves like Icarus Phoenix, Quivers and Azure Blue, all of whom offered us up new tunes. Tons to enjoy below.

Azure Blue Share Three Times the Drama

There’s always going to be room on these pages for pulsing indiepop, especially if it comes from Azure Blue. Today, we’re stoked to share another single from the new LP, with the beat and shimmering wash of keys really lighting up the pop sensation. While the song’s locked into an upbeat musical vibe, the tune’s a dedication to songwriter Tobias Isaksson’s mother, who recently passed away; it’s clear he’s trying to find the light through his craft, as he’s done so well here. Listen really closely too, as you’ll hear some really special detailing that only a craftsman like Isaksson could pull off. This single drops courtesy of Matinee Recordings, with the new album, The Night of the Stars, scheduled to drop later this year!

Last Week’s Jams – (9.11 – 9.15)

It seems weird to say, but last week was the first time in a long time where I was able to find every song we covered on all the DSPs! Does this mean I’ve gone mainstream? Anyways, we had a few premieres running from the likes of Class and Alijca-Pop, so be sure to check those jams out.. And, as per usual, dipped our toes in the Austin pond, with new stuff from Holy Wire and the stream of Will Johnson‘s new LP. Oh, and we made sure we had as much Oceanic coverage as possible, throwing our weight behind Soft Covers, Native Cats, The Small Intestines and Exek! Give a listen to the singles below!

Azure Blue Returns with Rise

Tobias Isaksson’s Azure Blue project has always been a pleasure to pump through my speakers, and as he prepares a brand new LP, he’s dropping this absolute banger of electro pop to get you ready. You’ll need to turn this up, and immediately you’ll find yourself sinking right into the thumping rhythm of the tune, heavily washed with synths. Isaksson’s vocals craft this melodic center, able to kind of ride the synthetic pop waves working beneath. Late at night or early in the morning, this a thumping hit! You’ll find the track on the next LP, The Night of Stars, will be out soon via Matinee Recordings.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (11.29 – 12.3)

Happy Monday! We’re still here, still covering sweet jams, though we’re not really working too hard on the cred-required year end lists. Still, last week we tossed up almost 20 new jams, so figured we should run a little recap. You get new hits from the Bay Area via Reds, Pinks and Purples, Kids on a Crime Spree and Sad Eyed Beatniks, plus some videos from our friends in Central Heat Exchange. I included a Smashing Times track from their 2021 LP because we loved their new 7″, though its not quite up on the streaming sites yet. Also, if you didn’t check out that Fortunato Durutti Marinetti track yet, what are you waiting for?

Azure Blue Shares Define Your Dreams

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Rule of Thirds, Tobias Isaksson and his Azure Blue project share a brand new single, with hints at a future record on the way. This one hits hard immediately, pulling in a pulsing synth beat and these heavy grooves that drive the track forward. The song flirts with a dark edged vibe, though Isaksson’s voice constantly provides a melodic flourish that’s hard to ignore; I love how his vocals always seem to have some calming gravitational pull while the tunes pulse and push around him. For now, we’ll let you enjoy this new tune courtesy of Hybris Records, but we’ll keep you in the loop as we get more info on the new LP.

The Year in Indiepop…According to Nathan

As we’re all looking back on the year 2019, I tend to gravitate towards lists with little agenda, other than to shine a light back on the year in the areas I adore. For one, the indiepop scene. Now, there’s always a great big debate about what indie pop is, so for all intents and purposes, I admit that I just don’t care, so the genre’s purists can yell at me later. Now, this may read as a best of, but merely this is the stuff that stuck out in my brain, so if I missed something, I love you and I’m sorry. Honestly, it just gave me a chance to make a fun playlist (2+ hours!) full of hits for all you pop fans.

 

 

Read more

Azure Blue Shares Video for the Rose

I don’t really need too much of a reason to shed light on the genius that is Azure Blue, but, since I’ve really enjoyed Images of You (not to mention all the previous releases), it only makes sense to share this video from the album. I think one of the biggest joys of this song is that Tobias’ voice is really the focal point on this number…which is one of a handful of slow tunes on the latest LP. But, that’s important because it’s so easy to get lost in the hook-laden pulse of electronica he’s crafted, yet when peeled away, it’s clear that it’s his voice that has always carried the melody. Plus, it’s the perfect bookend to another brilliant release; it’s available now via Hyrbis/Matinee Recordings.

Another Pop Gem from Azure Blue

The hot streak that Tobias has been on with his Azure Blue project just keeps on rolling forward. This track, off his forthcoming LP, hits hard almost immediately, darkly pulsing with synth work once you press play. But, then things get pulled back just a hint, allowing for Isaksson to lay on his thick blanket of pop crooning atop the song. Listening through, I think I like, more and more, the fact that the chorus is barely discernible; there’s a little bit of a twist on the percussive beat, but overall, everything blends together so seamlessly that you’re just washed over by this charming tune. Images of You will be available courtesy of Matinee Recordings at the end of June.

Azure Blue Share New Electronic Pop Number

Tobias Isaksson seems to be no a roll the last couple of years with his Azure Blue project, settling into a groove of releasing pop gem after pop gem; he released “Shine On” late last year, just a few months after the release of the excellent Fast Falls the Eventide. Quietly, Matinee Recordings has uploaded a new song with the promise of the forthcoming Images of You album. This song features steadied electronic pulses; Tobias excels at layering his sonic bursts atop one another until they seem like one endless pop pulsation. His voice has always had this natural soothing warmth, perfectly fit to his brand of pop…and this tune is no different. Look for the new album to come sooner rather than later, though no official date is out there.

1 2 3
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com