Johnny Maraca and the Marockers Share Hot Boy

There’s something great about the simplicity with which Johnny Maraca and the Marockers approach their craft, cranking out a blend of old school rock n’ roll, albeit with a bit of a modern punch-up. You can hear bits of the Dolls or later garage rock acts, though here it’s dealt with such clarity that you’re instantly latched onto the hooks. And boy are there hooks! Even when his delivery is most biting, Johnny has these syllabic hiccups in his delivery that send chills down the spines of pop fans like myself. The new Little Heart record is a celebration of the great history of rock n’ roll; grab you copy on April 25th from K Records.

Friday Album Streams: Sharp Pins, Exploding Flowers, Cats of Transnistria + More

It’s a really busy week in the music business, with everyone aflutter over the new album from Japanese Breakfast. But, while that’s stealing the headlines, we’ve got some other recommendations we’d like for you to consider before you venture off into the weekend. We’ve been highlighting several of these releases, most notably the reissue from Sharp Pins, which features some incredible new songs. But don’t worry, as usual, the stuff below is all over the map, so feel free to click and find out what you love the most.

 

Sharp PinsRadio DDR (K Records/Perennial Death)

Exploding FlowersWatermelon/Peacock (Meritorio Records)

Cats of TransnistriaIV (Soliti Music)

Private LivesSalt of the Earth (Feel It Records)

Now Announce Now Does the Trick

If there was a K Records credit card, I’d definitely be down to sign up, as the last few years, the label has been one of the dominant forces in wayward pop music, and with this new Now LP, it looks like I’ve got more money to spend. Personally, as I was just listening to Television Personalities, it kind of turns the corner and takes a more psychedelic leaning; it still feels ramshackle and on the edge of following apart, but that’s part of the beauty, as it never collapses, letting melody craftily waft into the year. The group features members of Thunder Boys and Cindy, so you’re guaranteed to have some of the best songsmiths in the underground creating new pop gems. Now Does the Trick is out on May 16th via K Records.

Sharp Pins Share Storma Lee Video

The expanded version of Radio DDR will be out this March, but every new little Sharp Pins snippet we get to hear, like “Storma Lee” just makes me feel embarrassed how infinitely cool this kid is. I don’t mean that in a belittling sense, but there’s this wiseness and awareness that I can’t imagine possessing at his age, and his music is beginning to show the depths of that knowledge. Slater calls this a “zombie beach boy daydream terror,” though I can see it as a less erratic Guided by Voices; it has this slight polish, just on the cusp of being overdone or disappearing altogether. There’s a dedication to a sort of lo-fidelity taste, and the warbles add to that texture, but slight little changes like the plot twist at 1:48 illustrate the stunning craftsmanship in all these songs. Just another phenomenal taste of what’s to come: Radio DDR is out March 21st via K Records/Perennial.

Johnny Maraca and the Marockers Announce Little Heart

While I often find myself swept away with fads, I love going back to good old fashioned rock n’ roll to get my day started, which is why I’m grateful this Johnny Maraca & The Marockers tune dropped today. The group’s not necessarily pushing new boundaries, instead they choose to revel in classic nostalgia; they’re sound takes a punk ethos and applies it to the OG rock style. Johnny, for his part, carries that bravado and bite that fascinates teens and makes old fogies like me boogie in their seats. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a big allegiance to Johnny Thunders either. Look for the group to release Little Heart via K Records on April 25th.

Sharp Pins Reissue Radio DDR + Share New Single

Originally released as part of the Hallogallo tape series, Sharp Pins have elected to reissue Radio DDR via the heralded K Records/Perennial. But, the real kicker is that Kai Slater has not only doubled-down on his craft, he’s added a few new tracks to the release, one of which you can’t catch below. There’s a familiarity to his discordant pop, especially if you’ve found yourself fond of obscure lo-fi pop, though there’s some little nuances that add their own layer of charm. Just listen to the bass bob right before the 2 minute mark hits, turning the song into an entirely different piece that opens up a pandora’s box of melody before reverting back; it’s a brief flourish, albeit one that has Slater as one of the great indie hopes of tomorrow. Radio DDR will be out on March 21st via the aforementioned heroes.

Feeling Figures Celebrate East Coast Jaunt with New Video!!!

Nearly two months ago, Canadian outfit Feeling Figures dropped the super Everything Around You LP into our laps; it was filled with a refreshing brand of indie rock that managed to incorporate old and new sounds all simultaneously. This week, the band are coming from the Great North to play some shows in Philly (11.14), NYC (11.15), Boston (11.16), and New Haven (11.17). Despite being bummed they’re New York trip was a week after my own, I love that they’ve got a great video from the title track. When you press play, the song sort of noodles; it’s playing in a familiar sort of post-Sonic Youth territory, indicating it’s just the band locking into their own internal sound. Just before the minute mark hits, the pop rolls in, coming across like a slight more dissonant Broadcast; I absolutely adore this track! If you haven’t picked up a copy, it’s available now through K/Perennial.

The Smashing Times Share Title Track from Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys

Despite the lengthy title on the forthcoming LP, the Smashing Times definitely know how to write a tune for those wayward pop fanatics. They’ve got the title track from Mrs. Ladyshops and the Cleanerhouse Boys, and while I think I’ve previously pegged them as the second-coming of Television Personalities, this new jam feels wholly like it was meant to be in the Comet Gain catalogue. There are some special little backing moments on this, like the simple “la la la” that just make your cup overflow with joy, all the while still locked into a bit of rock n’ roll swagger and shake. K Records will drop the record on November 1st, so get your ears ready!

Friday Album Streams: Merce Lemon, Feeling Figures, Being Dead and More

What an absolute banger of a Friday. There are several releases, on top of the super rad Best Bets record we shared with you yesterday. Plus, I missed a rad release last week that I’m including because, well, it rules. And I do what I want. Also, a great new Cleaners from Venus Tribute Compilation. No need for bullshitting, let’s just crank up the good tunes and have a blast.

Merce LemonWatch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild (Darling Records)

Feeling FiguresEverything Around You (K/Perennial Records)

Being DeadEELS – (Bayonet)

Kate BollingerSongs from A Thousand Frames of Mind (Ghostly)

Weak SignalFine (12XU)

Various ArtistsTales of a Kitchen Porter: A Tribute to Cleaners from Venus (Dandy Boy)

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