The Serfs Announce Half Eaten By Dogs

This fresh tune from the Serfs, accompanied by an album announcement, was the tune and groove I didn’t know I needed. At times, there’s some synth work that has that crystalline stab like a record from the Knife. But, there’s this heady pulse being pushed here, squeezing every ounce of cool into these shuffling beats working in the undercurrent. Little vocal samples creep and lurk around every corner, but the core vocal is cold and distant, almost indifferent to the twist and turn of every beat bouncing off your bedroom walls. This feels like my soundtrack, the groove for a kid who can’t dance but does it anyways; the band release Half Eaten by Dogs via Trouble in Mind Records on October 27th.

Sungaze Share Storm Chaser Video

Still lurking over some of the great tunes I missed out upon while I was on vacation, and this track from Cincinnati’s Sungaze is high upon that list. The band, while living on the fringe of dream pop, seem to incorporate a bit of Midwestern sentimentality to their style; something about it feels like you’ve just sort of begun the long trek West, wondering in search of something meaningful. I love Ivory Snow’s heavy voice too, it adds this perfectly sleepy feel to the tune, giving it that dreamy quality ya’ll all know I love! The group is set to release This Dream on August 13th.

Gritty Pop From Vacation

Summer presses along this week with no more soccer to watch but plenty of rocking tunes to add to your playlist. On this lovely Monday morning we have this new track called “Deflector Head” from Cincinnati based rock group Vacation. The song has a very nice, gritty, driving pop/rock sound to it perfect for your next pool party or adventure.

Vacation will release new album Mouth Sounds #2699 on July 27th via Let’s Pretend Records.

Smut Share Bones of Summer

I’m fascinated by Smut. They’re probably lumped in with the mass of acts taking up the remnants of shoegaze/dream pop, but they claim that’s unjust. Sure, you can hear those touchstones, but they also have this tenacity that a lot of that genre fails to capture. There’s this sense of urgency, even in the vocals of Tay Roebuck as notes fall off that signal; there’s a need to unleash these songs on the masses. And at the center of it all lives just a faint hint of pop sensibility, enough to make them endearing. You’ll want to spend some quality time with the group’s End of Sam-soon, dropping October 27th via Broken Circles. They’ve also got a little South/Midwest tour in December, including an Austin date.

Premiere: Broken Chairs Release Rad Single

brokenchairsProbably one of my favorite emotional pulls in music is the rushing feeling of falling off the tracks; it’s like losing control, yet you know the artists have you covered. When I listen to this excellent rocker from Broken Chairs I feel like the world is rushing in, crashing all around me. It’s jagged punk with the slightest melodic semblance that leads to the track’s infectious quality; you’ll memorize it, lose yourself in it and ultimately find it a memorable listen from start to finish. If you love the song, as you should, then go ahead and check out their BANDCAMP and grab yourself a copy.