This is fine.
Today is an unbelievably crowded day on the release scene, and well, we figured we’d point you in the right direction of a few of our favorite releases that hit today. There honestly are so many, and all you have to do it just hang out on the site and stream until you can stream no more! Hit the jump and find something to adore! You can also play the fun game of 7 Degrees of ATH Records too!
A few weeks ago we were really excited to hear that this year would bring us a fresh record from Fort Not, the Swedish duo offering up spritely pop music. On their brand new single, there’s this very sated vocal feel, something that reminds me a bit of some of those Forster penned Go-Betweens tracks (or his son for that matter); they hand on the cusp between melodic croon and spoken word, accenting the sharp jangles of the guitar. The drumming stays out of the way, only hitting above its weight when the fuzzier riffs come into play during the chorus. This should convince you to spend a little bit of money on You On Repeat, the new LP via Meritorio, out February 27th.
Swedish outfit Fort Not have been quiet for several years, but they make a bold pop statement with their return today, announcing they’ll release You On Repeat this February. Their sound pulls from a rich history of underground pop artists, combining jangly strummed guitars and light vocal notes to deliver these bright ditties. Since they’re pop focused, the melodies get to shine here, but there’s still some heavy waves of guitar underneath their feet, giving some depth to the track. There’s some Teenage Fanclub in this, but I can also hear similarities to ATH faves Pop Filter in the way the vocals kind of crest and ride atop. Really stoked to hear there’s a new LP, so be sure to get your hands on a copy before February 27th when You On Repeat hits courtesy of Meritorio Records.
The pending release from Fort Not is high on my list of anticipated albums coming our way in July; I’ve loved their approach to songwriting, taking on all sorts of approaches in their interpretation of guitar pop. Their latest single hits me somewhere in the realm of the Clean and Hunx; it has a distinctive vibe that feels supremely haphazard and DIY, but even in that, you can’t deny the joy that hits you when it comes through your speakers. Playful and carefree, with perfect execution and little touches (see 2:20 mark) that elevate the tune. Depressed for Success is going to hit on July 7th via Meritorio Records.
Felt like we covered a whole lot of territory last week, which was mostly me just working super hard to keep myself occupied over summer vacation. There were so many great songs that I felt people overlooked in the big indie world, such as the new stuff from Wireheads and Big Blood. Or maybe you can go on with the old dependable from Balmorhea, the Clienteleor High Water Marks. Going back through, definitely appreciating stuff like the Sheeps track and the Chopper tune too, so you’ve got plenty to be excited about when you burn through this playlist. Get on it.
When we heard the first track from the forthcoming Fort Not LP, you could feel summer approaching in the vibes on “Scum.” Now, with their latest single, it almost feels like the sweltering summer temperatures are surrounding us. There’s still the same sort of off-kilter pop sentimentality, but the mood seems slower, allowing the track to blow across your living room like a gentle breeze from your wall unit AC. You’ll find some garage pop meets psychedelia in here, but mostly feels like hanging your feet into the pond at the edge of the dock. Look for their new LP, Depressed for Success, on Meritorio Records on July 7th.
When the Club is Open first dropped, I was really surprised it didn’t get all the traction that I thought Fort Not deserved; I’m hoping their new LP, Depressed for Success find a little bit more Internet love. One of the reasons I love the band is the way they embrace this light-hearted nature in their songwriting, both in the recording and the lyrical content. I mean, they take aim at “men” throughout the new single, despite being men themselves. But, the recording has its own identifiable charms, as if it was quickly thrown down on a four track as the two tossed back a few beers and regaled one another with stories. Now, just because it’s got that vibe, doesn’t mean you can’t feel the sincerity and the glorious hooks bobbing and weaving their way through the track’s gentle strums. If you like, grab Depressed for Success from Meritorio Records before it’s out on July 7th.
About a year ago we first caught wind of Gothenburg’s Fort Not with their hit single “I Guess;” they’ve been teasing us with a full LP for the better part of this year. Tomorrow, however, The Club is Open will officially be birthed into the world, but we’ve got a preview of the album courtesy of our friends over at Meritorio Records (who are releasing it!). If you skip ahead, you can catch my track by track breakdown of the entire LP; all 13 tracks! Of course, you can also just grab a copy for yourself right HERE!
There’s only a few months left in this shitty year, but one bright spot I’ve picked out is the release The Club is Open by Sweden’s Fort Not. Today they’re sharing another stellar song that should whet your appetite as well. Perhaps this is the song that gets the notice of the greater populace, as it definitely seems to combine some of that Aussie indiepop style that’s in fashion with a love for 90s American college rock; I guess what I’m trying to say is that it sounds like Dick Diver or the like doing their best to cover something you’d find on K Records…which is a pretty great concept. Maybe a slight dose of power pop too! The whole LP drops on September 18th via Meritorio Records.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear the whole of the new Fort Not LP; we’ve already been teased with two delectables, and now we’ve got another. I love how there’s an implied nod to indiepop in the band’s sound, though here, they kind of pull back just a little bit to craft this timelessness you only get in the purest of pop purveyors. For me, it’s the vocals pulling that off; they have this sort of breezy warmth, like basking on the beach as they crash into your face. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that its coming out on one of my favorite labels of the moment, Meritorio Records; they’ll release The Club is Open on September 18th.
