This is fine.
In the last few weeks, Dead Oceans announced they’ll be releasing Alex Lahey‘s B-Grade University EP. You take that, and great quality music, and there’s going to be some buzz for Alex when she comes into Austin in a few weeks. We caught up with her to have her answer our SXSW questionnaire. Click on to read her responses and check her latest video! Read more
Kane Strang is a hot ticket on my computer, and on my upcoming SXSW schedule. Today this new track came our way with a hint at what’s to come from his next album. I love how the tones on the vocals are high in the first half of the tune, then they switch to deeper tones as the music takes on a different mood. His ability to switch within the confines of the track makes his music quite memorable, and refreshing in that it doesn’t sit in one place. Dead Oceans will be releasing his next album this Fall, so start your anticipation with this new jam. Reminds me of a New Zealand influenced Pinback.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305254952″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Yea, I know Bleached is a big deal, so you’ve probably been informed that they’ve released a new track. If you passed over that blip of news, perhaps you should use this as an excuse to sit down with “Can You Deal” and then prepare to stand right back up so that you can dance to your teenage hearts’ content. This track is a whirlwind of quick-lipped lyrics and ferocious guitars that is hard to get out of your head once you’ve let it in. I’m digging the catchy chorus, which has the right attitude to get you out of bed in the morning and face the day, guns’ blazing.
The EP that this track is taken from will be out March 3rd, alongside the “Can You Deal” Zine, which the band is releasing and contributing all profits to Planned Parenthood. Go buy one.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/304476618″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
After waiting almost 22 years, we can all finally rejoice that there’s new Slowdive music coming our way. The band reunited in 2014 to get some things going for reunion shows, sparking that creativity that has led them to sign with Dead Oceans. If this song’s swelling wall of guitars sounds familiar, well, that’s because they’re just one of the staples of indie rock that so many after them have ripped off. I look forward to what’s coming from these guys, so stay tuned to hear what’s next. Hope they can help make 2017 just a touch brighter.
Anytime Kristian Matsson shares a new song under his moniker of The Tallest Man on Earth, you can bet I’m going to share it with you. This new song, “Rivers,” is an interesting addition to the song bank that this gentleman is accruing in that it’s a very refined and subtle– the vocals are angelic and delicate. Like all Tallest Man on Earth tracks, you get a perfect example of folk magic with this song. I don’t have much to say about this song, other than you should probably just press play below and let yourself be taken away by the graceful track.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/278551013″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Seems like Ryley Walker is writing music non-stop, whether with his friends, or, as in this case, as a solo artist. Not surprisingly, each release garners more and more praise, and while it probably hurts indie fans, this latest single is something that seems destined to move beyond the “I heard it first” crowd. The guitar work, as always, is intricate, but the construction of the rest of the track is what really makes the track…percussion rises where needed, but never oversteps its need. This number sounds like it deserves more than just running on the blogs, but maybe that’s just me. Look for his new effort, Golden Sings That Have Been Sung, to hit stores on August 19th via Dead Oceans.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271274430″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
While Ryley Walker is only becoming a household name for many, he’s been quite busy since his stardom burst through with Primrose Green. Today comes new that he’ll be issuing a new record with Dead Oceans, Golden Sings That Have Been Sung, on August 19th. Musically, he’s still an exploratory artist, taking on the space his guitar has crafted, adding in varying textures of percussion and further guitar accompaniment. His vocal delivery seems steadying, but almost inserted as an afterthought, wordplay inserted to keep your attention as the song’s changing patterns unfold. There’s always more than meets the ear in his work, so bring your careful listens to this 6 minute jam.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264794451″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Rating: 
Kevin Morby has been making albums under his own name for a few years now, and with each release, this brand of Americana-influenced rock seems to grow and take a more definite shape. Singing Saw is his third full length on his own, and its nine tracks of delightful folk rock, well orchestrated and complex, haunting and lingering in their construction.
The album eases you in gently, with Morby at his quietest with Cut Me Down, but then picks up quickly with infectious single, I Have Been To The Mountain. Opening things up, you get the impression that Morby is picking up where he left off with his last release, Still Life, which came out in 2014. This track has got that stewing darkness that centers around Morbys smoky vocals, akin to what you found on that last record with tracks like Drowning, but where this song nails down the difference is the way in which Cut Me Down, starts and stops, creating newfound drama. Morby looks you in the eyes as he takes his stance and proclaims And youre going to do/what you came here to do/ So why not do it now/cut me down. This kind of welcome confrontation adds a bit of a punch behind the folk blend.
Such a lyrical punch is mirrored in the instrumentation on the next track as the first track begins to pick up in pace before the second track makes its entrance. I Have Been To The Mountain, is an exceptional songone that makes you want to dance as well as marvel at how detailed it is. Theres this brooding darkness underneath the groove that comes from the string work and the acoustic guitar that begin the track and then simmer underneath through its duration. To balance this darkness, there are the popping horns that chime in and the gospel choir Ahhs that intercede and combine with Morbys vocals.
Singing Saw, the title track, follows up on the dark undercurrents of the previous number, the licks of guitar snarling through the mix like flames of a growing fire. However, this song doesnt just stay in one place, but picks up strength as it goes. Theres so much going on here, and yet, each instrument and vocal note feels precisely placed as the number builds and builds. The rest of the album keeps surprising youwhether its the bouncy Dorothy, the gentle, lyrically driven Black Flowers or ending blues-inspired Water, you remain with Morby to the very end.
What sets Singing Saw apart from your average folk rock is that does both the quiet and bombastic tracks superbly welltheres never a dull moment on the album. The brevity of the nine songs works to hold your attention and keep you rooted in their fine craftsmanship. You ought to take a listen.
This is it folks…this is your last chance to listen to some music from Kevin Morby before the release of his new effort on Friday. The song revolves primarily around the strength of Morby’s vocal performance and beautifully rich piano. You’ll get an added bonus when the strings swoop in mid-track, slightly altering the tone in Kevin’s voice. And that’s not all, as a great horn scoots into the picture accompanied by a female vocal counterpart as we fade to a close. There have been some really good albums this year, but it’s beginning to sound a lot like Singing Saw will be a special one. Look for it Friday via Dead Oceans!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258689385″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
With all the hustle and bustle of every day life, I think it’s safe to say that everyone needs a good dose of calming music that lets you take a deep breath and relax for a few minutes. Today, that dose comes from Julianna Barwick and this new single, “Same.” This track is bathed in warm synths that flood the mix from the beginning until Barwick’s vocals join in, adding another layer of rich warmth that makes for five minutes of experimental dream folk. You should definitely take a listen and then get excited for Barwick’s upcoming album,Will, which is out May 6th via Dead Oceans.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257279659″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
