The High Water Marks Share The Works

Surely you have been listening to all our encouraging hype surrounding The High Water Marks, as they’ve been one of my go-to acts over the last several years. Today, they’ve shared a brand new single with us from the new EP, and it has them tight-roping along their sound. Clicking play, you’ll hear the chugging of riffs, bouncing but with just a bit of an edge…this is where they get the “power” nod from all the fans. However, those instant handclaps are a warning of their penchant for twisting gritty vibes into pop masterpieces. This tune has overlapping melodies on the vocals that kick in this delicious sweetness that counteracts the crunching riffs, and that only gets furthered as the song evolves, particularly in its chorus and the ensuing little solo. Consult the Oracle will be out May 16th via Meritorio Records, so get a fix of power and pop right here!

Monnone Alone Share River of Sighs

I thought good old Mark Monnone was playing a trick on me when I first press play; I mean, I didn’t expect a vocal sample in a different language! But, as the guitar lines begin to sound familiar and friendly, that’s when I notice that Monnone Alone is still an on-going project, and thus entitled to grow and try out new tricks. The trick here is perfect execution, with one of the best vocal performances I can remember from Mark; it’s aided by the perfect little detailed backing vocal too. There is something light and good-natured here, however, like a bug setting sail on a loose leaf and sailing down a stream, nothing but promise of a new horizon on its mind. Here Comes the Afternoon will be out on May 2nd via Lost and Lonesome/Meritorio/Safe Suburban Home.

Slack Times Share Swing the Dial

What wasn’t finished on Gone Things, now has a home, as Slack Times have finally put the finishing touches on this bouncing jangler. The Alabama outfit have this incredible nature to bring this bit of Southern rock n’ roll swagger to the world of jangle pop, but for this new track, it’s the instrumental breakdown that has me fawning; it feels like something left on the cutting floor of a Go-Betweens recording session, and that’s never a bad vibe. The style of the vocal recording also appeals to my senses, and guarantees that if we wait patiently, the next LP (which is in the works!) is going to be out of this world. New ditty comes courtesy of Meritorio Records.

The High Water Marks Drop Old Farm Witches

Through most of their listens, Norway’s The High Water Marks have given us pop-infused rock n’ roll, but they pull back on the reins a bit here, releasing a bit more of a pensive pop number. Light guitar strums are accented by equally careful percussive bops, with some synthetic textures layered into the background, perhaps creating that witchery alluded to in the song’s title. But, the title is more than that, as it is a clear statement on female empowerment, standing in the face of the continuous inequalities women face around the world, putting out the seemingly internal flames of injustice placed upon those who would think differently. Their new album Consult the Oracle is out May 16th via Meritorio 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)

Monnone Alone Preps Here Comes the Afternoon

As an avowed Mark Monnone fan, I feel obligated to make you aware that he’s got his fourth Monnone Alone LP ready to go; it’s titled Here Comes the Afternoon, and will be released by a trio of great indie labels. With said announcement, the record gets a new single too, which has a sunny little bounce to it, something that makes the track infinitely more playful. There’s all sorts of percussive elements included, kind of bringing out the old kitchen sink analogy, and in doing that, it forces Mark and company to kind of move and break down their boogie into something loaded with hooks and joy. This new LP is being released on May 2nd by Meritorio Records, Repeating Cloud and Lost/Lonesome…three of our favorites!

Exploding Flowers Release Across a Sea

I’m awaiting my copy of Watermelon/Peacock in the mail, and yet I’m still completely excited there’s another early listen by way of their last single before the big drop from Exploding Flowers. Having adored the band since stumbling upon their last LP, this tune feels like the connecting piece of pop that’s going to make the listen to spectacular. It’s got this casualness or effortlessness to it, bringing out gentle nods of warmth and slightly obscured jangles on the back of a bouncing drum beat. It seems fitting as an album closer too, as it breezily whips from your speakers and out into the world, leaving you with this global yearning that hopefully brings brighter days. Grab a copy of the new LP from Meritorio Records today!

The High Water Marks Announce Consult the Oracle

At this point in the indie sphere, it seems (to me at least) that The High Water Marks should be required listening. They consistently churned out a brand of power-pop, envied by their peers and relished by fanatics who trace the band’s musical construction back to its early Elephant 6 roots. Sure, those days are long in the past, but you can certainly hear the way that vocal melodies are layered atop one another, carefully, so as to subtly encourage you to dig beneath the surface. And of course, they’re never straying from pop pieces, as that’s their bread and butter, and they do so with just enough attitude to make the cool kids swoon. Their new album Consult the Oracle is out May 16th via Meritorio Records.

Another Single from Exploding Flowers

An unexpected joy for this year will be getting to hear a new album from Exploding Flowers; they return this Spring with their first new release in 5 long years. This tune finds them in prime guitar pop glory; they settle into the circular seance of guitars, with the occasional drum fill adding in some textural depth. You’ll find a lot of joy in the way the vocals sit, soothingly swimming about in the center of the tune, though they’re not overproduced, so they fit perfectly into the grander picture being pushed out here. And like that, the wind blows the song into a tumbling breakdown and its over, as there’s no need to linger, because you’ll be back to play it again in no time. Watermelon/Peacock will be out on March 21st via Meritorio Records.

Prism Shores Share Overplayed My Hand Single

Those of us on this side of the indie scene have all been anticipating the new Prism Shores LP, Out from Underneath; it drops next week via Meritorio Records. But, before we get to the finish line, the group are offering one last trick to tickle your fancy, and it might be the best one we’ve heard from the group. When it begins, it has this quieted joy, the sort you’d associate with the Reds, Pinks and Purples, but progresses into something with a bit more explosiveness that warrants repeat listens. I absolutely love the way the track just feels like a big hug, despite hitting these jittery notes that seem like we’ve lost total control. Grab the LP before it’s too late!

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