Required Listening: New Tallest Man on Earth Track

13423995_1013036708744582_3711737306648003127_nAnytime 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.

 

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Rambling Folk Number from Ryley Walker

ryleySeems 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.

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New Album Coming from Ryley Walker

ryleyWhile 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.

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Kevin Morby – Singing Saw

kevinmorbs
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.

 

One Last Kevin Morby Track

Kevin MorbyThis 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!

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Ethereal Bliss From Julianna Barwick

unnamed-40With 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.

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Yes! More Kevin Morby!

unnamed-32If you haven’t taken the time to familiarize yourself with Kevin Morby yet, it’s really time for you to sit on down and take a listen, as his entrancing brand of rock will have you swooning. The latest track/video he has released is “Dorothy,” which you can take in below, and it’s a blazing dose of americana influenced rock and roll. What I’m most fond of on this number is the way the unique vocals of Morby are both mirrored and complimented by the instrumentation. You get the fuzzy guitars that blend with his voice, and then that ragtime piano that comes and goes through the mix, juxtaposing with the buzzing main focus of the song. Take a listen and watch the video below, and buckle up forSinging Saw, which is out on April 15th viaDead Oceans.

 

[youtube]https://youtu.be/pWDvlekoPkg[/youtube]

Check Out This Track From Mitski

unnamed-30I don’t know about you, but I live for the tracks that surprise me. You know, the ones where you think you’ve fully grasped where it’s going and then it spins you in a different, delightfully unexpected direction. This is the case for the newest single from Mitski, called “Your Best American Girl.” What begins as a slow and quiet track explodes sonically into a fuzzy garage-inspired crescendo, bringing a bit of drama. The vocals on this track are impossibly smooth and sweet, at first dominating the quiet mix and then contrasting the intense musical swells. It’s a masterfully crafted tune, that you’ll be playing again and again. Make sure to look out for Mitski’s upcoming album,Puberty 2, which will be out June 17th on Dead Oceans.

 

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Bleached Strike Again!

12471348_959204584127145_6166781260372655284_oBleached are really on a roll– the video and track they released a little while back for “Keep On Keepin’ On” caught our attention and has brought us back for repeated listening. Now, they’ve got another single/delightful music video for “Wednesday Night Melody,” which is a Weekend at Bernie’s-classic short story featuring the members of the band. The music video is enough of a treat for you, but then you add in the great track and the band’s hit a sweet spot. The song has got a great laid back beat to it while still packing a punch of that rock and roll in the huge sound of the guitars. Take a listen and watch below and lookout for Welcome The Worms, out via Dead Oceans on April 1st.

 

[youtube]https://youtu.be/2hFYgMBDPFE[/youtube]

New Single/Video From Kevin Morby

unnamed-23We’ve been tracking Kevin Morby and his work with Woods and The Babies for a long while now, and at this point that anything this man has a part in will be some sort of magical. Today, he’s shared a new video and debuted the single, “I Have Been To The Mountain,” which is classic Kevin Morby with a bit of a pop twist to it. It’s got this stewing haze to it, made possible by Morby’s vocals and the grumble of the electric guitar which cuts in and out. Meanwhile, the beat is kind of groovy, simmering underneath it all. It’s a damn great song, and the video is interesting to say the least. Make sure you check it out below and get ready for Morby’s upcoming album,Singing Saw, which is out April 15th onDead Oceans.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/5hpZqvrYFXI[/youtube]

 

 

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