Top Albums of 2021

Honestly, I’m pretty over lists at this point. They’re arbitrary and don’t really reflect anything but someone’s tastes, except here where they reflect the tastes of three individuals…because that’s how we roll. So, take this list with a grain of salt. These are the records we thought were the best, which mostly just means these are the ones we listened to on repeat throughout the year! Feel free to leave a comment on what you think we missed, or why we’re dumb; we love good comment trolls.

Also, because this list is really about crediting the art that made us happy, we wanted it to make you happy too, so we included purchasing links where we could. Read more

Last Week’s Jams Today (10.18 – 10.22)

We were back on our game last week, for the most part. We had tons of great tunes, so we’re hoping you caught wind of at least a few of these on the site. But, if you didn’t, Monday’s a great day to just sit back in your chair and relax. I also threw in a few tunes from the likes of Spirit Was, Keg, Power Supply, Belaver and Dummy who all released most excellent albums last week. You get 20 songs to ease you into this week. Might I still suggest listening to Japan Review. That Rural France tune isn’t half bad either!

Last Week’s Jams, Today (October 11 – 15)

So last week Ryan and I had to do tons of training and such things for the job that pays, so we took Monday off. Thus, our week ran a little short on tunes…that and it feels like there wasn’t a whole lot out there that I really dug. Maybe I’m just being an old curmudgeon. Thus, we let you off light this week, with only 9 little jams, so you can get in and out on this last week’s listening playlist in just over 30 minutes…then move on your way. Some jams from Austin’s Zero Percent APR, as well as that beautiful new tune from Dummy from their forthcoming album.

Dummy Share Atonal Poem

We’ve been on board the Dummy train since their first EP, and let me tell you, you’re in for a real treat when you unwrap your copy of their debut Mandatory Enjoyment. On the last single before the record drops, the band have chosen to release an instrumental jam…but one that ties this LP to their first EP. When we first heard EP 1, you were getting the feeling that the band was just finding their footing, sampling a collection of sounds. But, in retrospect, and seeing how “Atonal Poem” fits into the new record, it feels more purposeful. It’s like they sat down to create a 7 course (or 12 song) meal, and in it, there are supreme highs, and subtle treats, and there are palate cleansers, like the closer we have below. Coming across like an instrumental sonic exploration, this tune caps off the record, allowing you the space and time to reflect on the whole of your experience. Mandatory Enjoyment hits on October 22nd via Trouble in Mind.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (September 7 – 10)

Welcome to another Monday my friends. First, taking a minute here, as I’m writing this post, to celebrate the 7 day young Rhys Bennett Lankford! That’s right, went and had me another one of those kids, and its been a lot of fun, and well, we’re super stoked on the lil’ fella. That said, we also had a short week, so maybe we didn’t get as many jams in as we might otherwise. But, rest assured, we’ve got a pretty solid little collection of tunes here for you to begin your week, with quite a few ATX appearances from the likes of Lola Tried, American Friend and more. You know what to do, press play and stuff.

Dummy Share Final Weapon Video

I think my favorite thing this year is going to be reading all the glowing Dummy reviews and see exactly where people name drop an influence here or there. I’m sure they’re likely to get some ESG, some Stereolab, maybe even some Peel Dream Magazine (if you’re going more recent), but I really wanna see what everyone drops; I need new stuff to listen to; I’m not trying to be a jerk. I honestly don’t even think it matters, as the band seem to kind of operate like some mad lunch lady, stirring a pot of everything left in the kitchen pantry and churning out something incredible. This latest single flirts with these propulsive notes that kind of seem dance-floor ready, yet there’s this layer of left-field psychedelic experimentation that kind of holds everything in one unique spot…all the while, the vocals here feel like they’re trying to bewitch me, seducing me with this calm amidst these vibrant sounds. That’s the wonderful thing about the band, they seem to be kind of formulating their sound as they go, so it constantly seems to evolve, and that bodes well for all of Mandatory Enjoyment, out October 22 via Trouble in Mind.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (August 2 – 6)

Here we are amigos, welcoming you back to what is shaping up to be a really fun week. RayRay and I have to go back to our real jobs, officially, so there’s that. But, we wanted to reflect on last week, bringing you the hits of last week, only bringing them to you today. Most of the stuff we covered, or have covered, since we’re not apt to get to tons of reviews for individual albums, so I threw in a jam. Definitely got some good Austin coverage with new Half Dream, as well as a part Austin participation with Daphne Tunes on that new Central Heat Exchange track. You know, its not tough. Just press play, let the algorithm guide you.

Dummy Announce Mandatory Enjoyment

We’ve been anxiously awaiting new music from Dummy, knowing they’d signed on with Trouble in Mind after two wildly successful EPs. Our first listen to Mandatory Enjoyment is beyond my expectations, so label me blown away or whatever you need to say here. There’s this synthetic hum that shoves the song forward, bleeding in with the jangling guitar riffs underneath and the dueling harmonies. But, where the immediacy could just get dialed in to an easy close, they opt to go the other route, bringing you a big blast of discordant noise to seal the song’s end. Dummy release Mandatory Enjoyment on October 22nd.

 

Dummy Return with EP2

We’ve been super high upon the relatively new LA group, Dummy; we’re continuing that by pointing out that today they release their new EP2. We’ve already offered up “Pool Dizzy” to the masses, which definitely gives a little nod to Stereolab, for all those currently into that sound. I really love the new EP, as it gives a deep view into the band’s influences and musical tastes. Opener “Thursday Morning” is a ringing meditation on pop music, guitar notes bouncing in your ear while the vocals keep your emotions grounded, sedated even. “Mediocre Garden” takes electronic music to adventurous new places, built more as a twinkling soundscape to a world filled with bright lights and warm breezes. Then they close with the brilliant “Prime Mover Unmoved,” which begins in a bit of a dream state before your alarm goes off and your brain starts to buzz with the possibilities of the day. Grab it while you can!

Dummy Announce EP2

Dummy burst onto the scene this year with a brilliant EP that culled a bunch of influences from indiepop, noise, shoe gaze and more…it was an exploratory collection of great pop references. Today they’ve announced EP2, their second release this year; this opening single is a doozy! It’s got that sort of blend of kraut and pop driving rhythms, sort of that feeling of a train barreling down the tracks with a smile on the conductor’s face. There’s a slight vocal that courses through, acting as the song’s gravitational pull holding all the pieces together…even bringing in some textured backing vocals too. At first, I thought they were going to ride out the track in peppy fashion…but please, just stay focused for the entirety of the song…you’ll thank me when you get there! How does a brand new band get this good so fast? Well, we’ll find out just how good when EP2 drops November 6th.

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