This is fine.
The last few months I’ve been really hyping up Ribbon Stage; they’ve got Hit with the Most coming out Friday. They encompass everything I love about noisy pop, offering gritty singles spliced with delicious melodies. So, I thought I’d reach out to see if we could get a Rock n’ Recipe going with them before the release; we got some great responses from Jolie, along with a wonderful acai bowl recipe you should try out! Grab the LP from K Records when it drops friends!
Up until now, Ribbon Stage‘s new ripper of an album has been accompanied by poppy singles, albeit brandished in the band’s discordant fashion. But, while they’ve noted various indiepop darlings in their work, this new single seems to be channeling a bit of Kim Gordon in the craft; the vocals feel heavy and dark, with just a hint of indifference towards everything surrounding it. Musically, the vocals are surrounded by a swirling tornado of noise, with a subtly bouncing drum beat hooking into the show here. Just really can’t get out to say enough good things here about the group; they drop Hit with the Most next Friday via K Records.
So, I’ll admit that I’ve been sort of swamped as of late with life and such things, so occasionally things slip under my radar, like this forthcoming EP from Big City. As of right now, there’s one single from the group’s new release, and its this cavernous mixture of guitar pop and techno vibes coursing through. You can hear the guitar line cutting through the fog in the distance, allowing the track to build on this atmospheric tip that lets the vocals waft on through to the other side. Really looking forward to hearing where the rest of this musical journey takes us; they drop Liquid Times this week via Perennial and K Records.
There are certain bands I get to fawn over on these Interweb pages, and as of late, it looks like its going to be the case for Ribbon Stage and their new LP. There’s something insatiable about the latest tune, something that keeps me pressing play again and again and again. It starts with a wall of furious noise, building into this thumping rhythm that allows the distorted guitar sound to sway in and out of focus. On the edge, you get the melodic vocal notes, though they’re just beneath the mix, kind of undecided about how forcefully they’ll make their presence. Still, they had this sweetness to the furiousness, which has Hit With the Most high upon my anticipated albums as the year draws to a close; it’s out October 21st via K Records.
It’s a K Records kind of week around these parts, with that excellent Ribbon Stage jam yesterday, and today, I’m really excited to share the latest from San Francisco’s Almond Joy. The group have scheduled their Oh Henry EP for a September release, and this first listen is like sitting by a crackling little fire at camp singing with all your best friends. It’s got this quieted vibe to it, but the vocal work throughout is enough to bring sweet melodies to the forefront. Those voices intertwine and untangle, leaving behind a trail of endearing sweetness that begs repeat listens. You’ll get that chance when K Records drops the Oh Henry EP on September 30th.
Ok, so this Ribbon Stage tune’s been out for a few damned days, and I’m super late to it. But, if ever something felt like the natural connection between modern DIY and Sarah Records, I feel like its surely gotta be this New York outfit. At times, the video simply feels playful, like your best friends made it in their spare time between inside jokes and cigarette breaks. Still, there’s this natural infectiousness, an almost sure-fire sweetness that has you circling back for more and more. Not to mention, is that a Shop Assistants reference in the album artwork for Hit with the Most!? The group will release the LP in October via K Records.
Admittedly, things I love escape me at first, so I’m not sure how I missed this new 7″ from Ribbon Stage; it’s 5 songs in under 10 minutes, but dammit if its not the most enjoyable little dose of noisy pop you’ll hear this week. Take bands like Talulah Gosh or Jeanines, but put the pop sensibility on the back-burner, add a couple of tablespoons of energy and crank the noise, and well, the perfect batch of pop songs. Kind of like if you love the Comet Gain when David’s not singing, particularly in the pre 2000s output. I know you’ve got ten minutes to spare, so don’t drop the ball and skip this like I did!
I’ve been on the Shivas train for quite some time, and I’m rather surprised at how quickly they’ve returned considering they were just rocking their last album less than a year ago. This track, however, might catch a few off-guard, offering a smooth Western-tinged ballad that brims with soulful vocals. Sure, lacking in the punch and hooks they’ve offered before, but the song builds in such a way that it’s hard for listeners to turn this thing off. It’s a song of maturity and growth, giving us a glimmer of what we should expect on the band’s new LP, Better Off Dead, which is being released on February 9th via K Records.
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We at ATH have long admired the work of Jeremy Jay, from his earliest days on K Records to his newest efforts with his full band Dystopian Violet. He’s a great songwriter, so we’re always glad to share something with you if it pertains to his writing chops. Recently he tossed this new single our way, which will hopefully be coming along with a new full length. In it you’ll hopefully hear some added production value, like string and keyboard touches. It adds depth to his already solid sound; I’m personally in love with the steady propulsion of the drum beat here. Take a listen, and we’ll keep you posted on upcoming releases as they come our way.
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Make no mistake about it, there are still people out there who are madly in love with the work that Calvin Johnson has done; I remain one of those steady die-hard fans. Today I’m brining you the new single from his up-coming album with The Hive Dwellers; it’s titled Moanin. Of course, the heart and soul of the song resides on Johnson’s voice, backed with a fitting female backing voice. For my two cents, I think the witticisms and simplicity of Calvin’s work has always been endearing, and you’ll find that on display here in this track, as well as throughout the rest of the album. You can get your copy on April 29th via K Records.
