Show Preview: Alvvays @ Stubbs – TONIGHT

If you’ve been anywhere near the indie sphere the last few months, and perhaps even in the pop realm, you’ve definitely heard people raving about Blue Rev, the new LP from Alvvays. I covered every single that came out, increasingly impressed with how much the band took their bedroom indiepop sound from years ago and continued to grow it into a full-fledged pop rock masterpiece, brimming with nods to their past whilst readying them for arena rock performances. Lucky for Austin fans, the band will take the stage at Stubbs this evening, accompanied by tourmates Slow Pulp. You can expect a smattering of hits, and maybe a deep cut or two, but you can rest assured that Molly Rankin and company are going to be brining their A game. Tickets are still available HERE! Doors at 7, show begins at 8 PM.

 

Friday Album Streams: Alvvays, The Mall, Peel Dream Magazine and More

Well, Friday is here, and that’s a great reason to check in on some cool releases. Plus, get the bonus of knowing its Bandcamp Friday, so you get a chance to support your favorite artists and labels by streaming and jamming and buying! The Alvvays record has been buzzing everywhere, including our site, so we had to include that one. I’m personally stoked to hear how all the new Peel Dream Magazine songs fit together, as it seems like a different sound coming our way…we’re in for an exciting plot twist. There’s a couple other small releases here that we figured might fly under the radar, so wanted to be sure to include a bit of the other goods too! If we’re missing something cool, holler at us so we can be sure to give it a listen.

 

AlvvaysBlue Rev (Polyvinyl)

The MallTime Vehicle Earth

Peel Dream MagazinePad (Slumberland Records)

Cool SoundsLike That (Chapter Music)

CielNot in the Sun, Nor the Dark (Jazz Life)

Alvvays Share After the Earthquake

Alvvays is dropping Blue Rev this Friday, so they wanted to rush one more single by you before you decided that, yes, you need to purchase the new record. This song’s one that certainly hits me with its musicality, and while Molly’s voice is solid, it’s not the main draw on this one…for me anyways. Rushing in with those twisting jangles, it reminds me a lot of our friends in Tres Oui, the opens up for Molly to shine through the middle. Personally, I like the meaty solo that bulks up momentarily, flexing the band’s musicianship, putting us on notice that the band are far more than your average pop rock band. But, suddenly, the song draws to a close, only to drift before bursting off emphatically with skittering that rip you to shreds. Blue Rev is out Friday via Polyvinyl.

Two New Alvvays Jams For You

Honestly, I didn’t expect to totally fall for the new Alvvays record immediately. I knew it would be good, that was just a given. But, today with two new singles, it’s like they’re leaving us these tasty little breadcrumbs to follow on our path to enjoyment. On one side here, you get a fuzzier bit of grungy pop, sounding like many of the band’s choruses, only stretched. Then you flip it and you have this almost new-wave meets psychedelia spun through a pop lens, a la Broadcast or the like. Each of these tunes, while sounding every bit like Alvvays, seems a touch different than what the band have given in other singles, so its like a smorgasbord of pop gems waiting to be devoured. Blue Rev is out October 7th via Polyvinyl.

Alvvays Release Easy On Your Own

Listening to this new Alvvays tune really illustrates why the group have continued to rise in prominence through their career. With each album, they’ve taken some touchstones from their first effort, though they’ve spun them towards being crossover pop hits at the same time. This latest single is no different, filled to the brim with noise and distortion, then balanced on a razor’s edge with a smashing blast of pop; the sheer volume work here is definitely an added tool, illustrating the band’s thoughtfulness in recording as they toy with the expectations of breaking out of the indiepop mold. Blue Rev will be out in October via Polyvinyl.

Alvvays Announce New LP

Looks like we’re going to have a popaholics kind of day over on ATH! Alvvays announce a brand new record today, and we’ve got that brand new single for you to stream! It’s hard to believe its been five years since their last LP, though Molly Rankin’s voice still remains central to what they’re offering listeners. I like that her sugary voice is juxtaposed to the psychedelic swirl operating just behind it, kind of messing with the listener as you’re not sure what’s attracting you to the sound. It’s a brief tune, but they toy with the formula a great bit, so hats off to the group for pushing their sound beyond expectations and the trappings of pop. Blue Rev is sounding awfully special; it drops in October via Polyvinyl. Be sure to sample these new songs on the band’s NA tour this Fall!