Rider Release Debut EP

Rider might be a new name on your radar, as it is mine, but the project is helmed by Frode Stromstad of I Was a King. The Norwegian project also includes Honey Radar‘s Jason Henn on drums, which should further our interest on this side of the pond. This project definitely pulls in Frode’s familiarity with little nuggets of pop, though admittedly, this feels a bit grittier, in the best way possible. “Deep Rivers” has some faint GBV references, though Stromstad’s voice is too kind, offering more of a melodic feel. I think the easiest to access for folks will be “Smell the Floor,” built on huge riffs disguised beneath layers of fuzz, though rest assured there’s melodic treasure lurking beneath this song’s surface. Just imagine if Comet Gain were a power pop band; then you’ll understand Rider. Stream the whole EP below!

2019 Albums of the Year from Pale Lights

I’m a big fan of indiepop outfitPale Lights, and I reach out to the band from time to time, like I did this year when I was compiling my Year End List collection from people I admire. The band got back to me with their collective list, including some reissues, which you can find down after the jump. I don’t mind one bit seeing Robert Forster on a list!

Be sure to go listen to the Pale Lights at their Bandcamp page, and then check out their great new track for the FadeawayRadiate Compilation.

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New Honey Radar Tune

Honey Radar first bounced onto our radar when the Philly act released their second LP via What’s Your Rupture. Today, they’ve announced a brand new EP is on the way via Chunklet Industries; it’s titled Psychic Cruise. Immediately you’re going to toss out that psychedelic vibe, but the song’s brevity and casual demeanor make it a far cry from that far out land. Sure, I can hear some of the guitars giving you the impression, but just the smooth delivery of the lyrics gives the song a whole lot more polish and assuredness. Jamming can be cool, but it’s only as cool as the song will take it…and this tune takes it pretty far in under a minute and a half; look for the EP on April 20th.

New Honey Radar on Split with Telepathic

Honey Radar first came to my attention when they worked with What’s Your Rupture, and I’m always excited to hear what they’re doing. They’ve got a couple of new ditties for you with a split cassette on Third Uncle Records. I really like the first tune, which is featured below; it almost has this weird Stereolab feel to it, hiding softened vocals beneath the mix. It also helped turn me onto Telepathic, who offer up a progressive model of punk and pop sensibility…so you know it’s got me hooked. Give it all a listen at the stream below.

Honey Radar Freak Out

honeyradarWhat’s Your Rupture just recently tossed up another of the new tracks off the forthcoming Honey Radar LP, and this one takes the band’s psychedelic tendencies to another level. From the get-go, the song has a funky little guitar plod and a settle vocal delivery that casually chills atop it all. That guitar, however, is just waiting for its moment, waiting to creep out of its cage and take the freak-out level a little bit higher. As the guitar squeaks and squawks, there’s a vocal sample fading out the track. Cool and crunchy…Blank Cartoon comes out on May 20th.

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New Music from Honey Radar

honeyradarLook who’s back with a brand new full length for those ears? Honey Radar. I only recently (as in the last year or so) got into the band, but I’m definitely ready for the vibes I’m hearing in this new single from the group. You’d be an idiot to ignore the psychedelic influences, yet the recording of the vocals seems to have a different effect than many of the other like-minded acts. Looks like the band are readying their brand new album, Blank Cartoon, via Whats Your Rupture on May 20th.

More from Honey Radar

honeyJust last week I urged you to check out Honey Radar and their new 7″ for What’s Your Rupture, but now they’ve got a new jam they’ve offered up for Unblinking Ear Records Office Series. This track is definitely on the shorter side, but it manages to pack enough of a punch to make it worth your time, offering up a psych-jangle with a coated vocal calmly cooing in the forefront. I’m in love with the band’s seemingly casual approach to songwriting, crafting hits that feel half-hearted in a sense, though somehow managing to pull at your emotions. It’s up for the NYP over at Unblinking Ear

Honey Radar Is Super Hip

12234920_1664698017140133_7132038731607968554_nI like to think of What’s Your Rupture as the label that births the cool. Seems like every band they work with at some point explodes and gets cool; see Love is All, Parquet Courts and Royal Headache. One of the newest releases is this very small scale 7″ by Honey Radar, and I’ve got big expectations for this band’s sound. Not sure how one would really identify their sound, though you can hear all sorts of influences from lo-fi to jangling pop to art punk; it makes for a beautiful sound that I can’t believe more people aren’t clamoring over just yet. Guess that’s the price one pays for being ahead of the curve. Stream the 7″ below and BUY IT HERE.

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