Last Week’s Jams (6.10 – 6.14)

Consider yourselves lucky! Three of the song’s I wrote about didn’t make DSPs yet, otherwise, you’d have a two hour playlist of joy to listen through today. Luckily, Australia was keeping it real, with new stuff from The Male Gays, Pop Filter, Kosmetika and Alluvial Nuggets all gracing the site. There was some Austin show coverage too, namely Mikky & the Doom and Adrianne Lenker, so jams from those acts get included. On the personal tip, I was really pulling for the Manners Manners and Nightshift to be big hits out there in the scene, with this new Parallel tune right behind it! There’s also some expansive jams too from the likes of Immersion and Nap Eyes, if you need a tune over 5 minutes for your life. Enjoy.

Melenas Announce Ahora Remixes EP

I was a huge fan of the latest LP from Melenas, Ahora, so I was as equally as excited to hear what other artists would do to their work when they announced the Ahora Remixes EP. While the folks like Tim from Stereolab and Peanut Butter Wolf, our first listen has Spanish outfit Hidrogenesse working with “K2.” Instead of the rolling pulse that worked through the original track, this remix version takes the vocal work and layers it atop what’s a more spirited bit of electronics; the beats have more of a thump, with the tiniest percussive glitches springing the tune into life at the get-go. Different way to run with the group’s sound; look for the EP via Trouble in Mind Records on July 5th.

Top Albums for Nathan

Honestly, I thought about foregoing a year-end list this year. I mean, if you read our site, you know what we love. But, list making can be fun, especially if you really really love music. My criteria was simple, and not based on what I think is “best,” but rather looking at the stuff I listened to the most, and eventually bought (or was gifted). Popular locals for my Nathan Wrapped have me living on an island in between San Francisco and Australia; label of the year would be Trouble in Mind (congrats to Bill and family!); genre would be: most awesome. Again, this is one man’s personal tastes, take it for what its worth.

Read more

Last Week’s Jams (9.25 – 9.29)

While it seemed like a slow week, in my brain at least, there was lots of really great stuff to cover over on the site. We were happy to host the new video from Seablite, so be sure you drop in and give it a couple of looks. Plus, our Rock n’ Recipes features returned with Spain’s Melenas, who dropped their new Ahora LP on Friday. Plus, Austin was alive and kicking with new stuff from Molly Burch, Semihelix and Sun June. Seeing our old friends in Pop Filter return to the fold was just a little cherry on top of a great week of music. There’s lots more for you to find in this playlist!

Friday Album Streams: The Small Intestines, Hartle Road, Melenas + More

What’s the old cliche? When it rains, it pours? It’s a freaking downpour over here, as there’s just too damn much good music, or at least for my ears. I tried to pick up what I was laying down, and spread some suggestions out for you. No bullshit. Just tunes and their labels for you to stream.

Hartle RoadMAXX II (K Records/Perennial)

The Small IntestinesHide in Time (Lost & Lonesome/Meritorio)

MelenasAhora (Trouble in Mind Records)

Plastic CandlesFuton Stereo Mix (Paisley Records)

Molly BurchDaydreamer (Captured Tracks)

Buildings and FoodsInfinity Plus One (Self-Released)

The PopgunsPopism (Matinee Recordings)

 

 

 

 

 

Rock n’ Recipes: Melenas

It’s been a minute since we’ve run a proper Rock n’ Recipes piece, and what better way to get back into the swing of things than to reach out to Spain’s Melenas. Today, Trouble In Mind Records is dropping the band’s brand new record, so we reached out with some questions to talk about the album, having a US label and the obligatory futbol comment.

** Editor Note ** I originally reached out to the band in the middle of the World Cup, wandering how they felt about their team. But, that was before the fallout of Rubiales, so I reached back out with a new question to deal with that, rather than the generic fan question.

Special shout out to RayRay for the formatting and Bill at Trouble in Mind for helping us get organized.

Read more

Melenas Share K2 Video

Like Hansel and Gretel, Melenas have been leaving little motorik breadcrumbs in the forest on the way to the release of Ahora, their latest LP for Trouble in Mind, and while it seems to really come to the forefront of their recent work, I’m really captivated by the textural layering. Here, they’re employing these various rhythmic synth pulses, punctuated by that motorik rhythm, but as the tune is unwrapped before you, you get to hear these overlapping vocal pieces. In doing so, they build yet another layer atop the intoxicating heavy wash of their pop constructs. We’ve reached out via the Internet with some questions about the new album, and maybe bringing back a rock n’ recipe with the band, so stay tuned for news on that before the LP drops. Until September 29th, you’ll just have to take our word on how good the Ahora is.

Melenas Drop Dos Pasajeros Video

I am ready to admit that the new stuff coming out on this new Melenas LP is fucking marvelous. Their latest single begins with these synthesized beats creating this giant open space that slowly unfolds as more texture is built into the track. Vocals enter the foray, but their passive calm almost feels like an added layer of melody being built; it’s like a synthetic cake of pop goodness, sugary in all the right spots. I can easily see where fans of Broadcast would find this their favorite new place to hang out, so if that sounds like you, you’re going to want to grab Ahora, which comes out on September 29th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Melenas Cover Grauzone with Osa Polar

Friday’s are perfect days to get your weekend attitude on, and what better way than to listen to one of the ATH faves Melenas (not to be confused with Melons) cover the 80s hit from Swiss outfit Grauzone, “Eisbaer.” They’ve retitled the tune, giving the bear a female perspective, one that prefers living in the isolation of the Arctic where intruders aren’t allowed. The mood between the cover and the original is definitely similar, though I feel like there’s more warmth in the Melenas version; the industrial sterility of the original seems to have been given a nice softening of the textures. If this isn’t getting you ready to dance yourself into Friday night, then I don’t know what will. This tune’s brought to us courtesy of Trouble in Mind Records.

Melenas Share Primer Tiempo Video

One of the great things about the new Melenas (formerly Melons) LP is that the group managed to craft an entire LP that’s as diverse and deep as you’re likely to hear this Spring. Inside Dias Raros you’ll find some spinning pop numbers, some moderate rockers, a slow burn or two…and some spots that incorporate them all beneath a dense psychedelic haze…which is the song we’re sharing today. It opens with this propulsive kraut beat, pushing the song as these synth lines craft this wobbly-wonk that almost has you bobbing up and down as the melody via the vocals joins you. Eventually, they move into a dense fog of lush arrangements with the core pop sensibility remaining part of the whole; it’s a lovely sound which I’m told nods to a Spanish Stereolab. Their album drops on May 8th digitally via Trouble in Mind, with a debut in shops about a month later.

1 2
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com