Tag: K Records

Winston Hightower Announces 100 Acre Wood

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K Records/Perennial has consistently put out great records for decades, but they’ve really found their way into my constant rotation with releases from acts like Sharp Pins and Feeling Figures; today the powerhouse label announces a fresh LP from Winston Hightower. Much like the title, “Lay Low,” the song feels like a strong vocal experiment; the poetry is weaved through various musical textures, subtle in its presence, allowing Winston’s voice to bob and bounce between the lines. I love the video, particularly when you can see Hightower soaking in the joy of his own work in the studio. 100 Acre Wood is out on April 13th.

Sharp Pins Release I Don’t Have the Heart

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Any time that Kai Slater releases a song you better believe that everyone’s going to turn their attention towards it, and today with a new Sharp Pins track, our ears are enjoying the sweet sounds. There’s a definite leaning towards an old school garage jangle here, though he throws in some creative moments where the tune takes a little discursion, like near the 1:35 mark where he goes almost pure pop, or at least as far towards pop as Slater’s willing to go; it’s these little twists and turns that make him so unique as a songwriter, as he seems to pull from a wealth of musical allusions while building a soundscape all his own. His new effort, Balloon Balloon Balloon will be out on November 21st via K Records/Perennial.

Brand New Sharp Pins Album

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After a reissue of Radio DDR, which included some brand new singles, Kai Slater’s project Sharp Pins has a new release scheduled to drop before the end of the year. What I love about his solo work is how it pulls from a classic pop songwriting sensibilityl; there are melodies galore, but he consistently brings in just enough of a stomping groove that you feel as if you’re rocking out. That perfect balance is so rare, something accomplished by the greats like Bolan or Chilton, and perhaps that’s too much pressure for such a young artist…but Slater doesn’t seem to mine as he’s churning out incredible hits like the ditty below. Balloon Balloon Balloon will be out November 21st via K/Perennial Records.

Dummy Share Bonus Track from Dumb EPs

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When Dummy first burst onto the scene, you could tell they were a band in flux, moving from other projects to create something bold and new; you can hear how far they went in that goal by relaxing to the ambient piece below, one of the 3 bonus tracks available on their forthcoming reissue of the Dumb EPs. According to the group, the song came to be as a reminder about “simple gesture calming extreme anxiety,” which is perhaps still an aim we’re all seeking in this hell-hole of a world. That said, this track takes patience, as life does, so settle in and let the electronic wash splash against your ears, with the band in no rush to hurry their texturizing of the tune. The Dumb EPs will drop via K/Perennial this August.

Johnny Maraca and the Marockers Share Hot Boy

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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

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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 Pins – Radio DDR (K Records/Perennial Death)

Exploding Flowers – Watermelon/Peacock (Meritorio Records)

Cats of Transnistria – IV (Soliti Music)

Private Lives – Salt of the Earth (Feel It Records)

Now Announce Now Does the Trick

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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

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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

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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.

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