Stella Donnelly Shares Lungs + Announces New Record

In my opinion, Stella Donnelly is an absolute powerhouse, and I’m hoping with the announcement of Flood that she really starts to get the deserved attention here in the States. On her last record, it felt like sort of a more traditional singer-songwriter affair, though the songs were buoyed with great arrangements, not to mention Stella’s playfulness. But, earlier this year, Stella featured on Methyl Ethel‘s “Proof” single, which was an absolute banger. Perhaps we should have taken note, as this new single seems a little more intent on a similar production, using driving beats and natural hooks to set up the core of the song. Her wordplay is still clever as ever, so it doesn’t sound like you’re losing anything; you just get to see a great songwriter blossoming further into the every day name we fully expected her to be. Her new LP, Flood, will be out in August via Secretly Canadian.

Methyl Ethel Drop New Tune featuring Stella Donnelly

You ever stumble into a track, and you’ve got one thing on your mind, then suddenly your just floored and rushing to press repeat? I should have known that anything with Stella Donnelly was going to win me over, but this Methyl Ethel tune just slinks its way and you can’t escape. Sounds like sampled strings stuck to craft this pulsating groove, and then Donnelly comes in and erupts in the chorus, certifying that this tune’s a damned fine hit you’ll want to play again and again. There’s just something so fun and playful here, yet still feels like its a fresh sound you’re not likely to hear anywhere else. Are You Haunted is out on February 18th.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (August 30 – September 3)

Well, today might be the beginning of a little decline for the next few weeks, as you’re likely going to be pressing play on this just as I’m bringing Nathan Jr. Jr. into the world. But, like him, you are blessed with these incredible tunes that graced our site last week, all of which will enable you to recover from your Labor Day doldrums. Hopefully this week brings you a great many things!

Methyl Ethel Wants You To Dance

Jake Webb is an Australian based musician who records under the moniker Methyl Ethel, and if you are unfamiliar with his work, well I’m not sure where you’ve been. Webb has a slew of indie pop music to his credit and seems to be uninterested in ever slowing down the massive output. Earlier this year we shared the track “Neon Cheap” and now Webb is back again with this incredible, dance inducing song “Matters”. This is likely some of the most upbeat and poppy of any track we’ve ever heard from Methyl Ethel and I dig the progression of these sounds over the years. Enjoy this one as we slide into the long weekend.

 

 

Last Week in Music, Today

Everyone always be trying to wrap up the week with their “Week in Music,” but we’re a little lazier, plus we figured you wanted to slow start your Monday, so why not do it by checking out what we were jamming to last week. So, we’ve put all the singles, plus a few other things we were loving in the mix. That way, you can sit back and just enjoy a fun playlist…and if you weren’t in on it, jump back and see what we had to say. Or don’t. Either way, you can now start your day with this hip playlist. We kick it off with the latest from Los Esplifs, who drop their Estraik Back LP tomorrow for 4/20.

Methyl Ethel Brings Another Hit

Our Western Australian friend Jake Webb, and his musical project known as Methyl Ethel, has been praised many times on these here pages of ATH over the years. We are typically not much into straight pop music so we’ve always been down for the more alt-pop approach coming from the recordings of Webb. After the criminally underrated Hurts to Laugh EP from last year, Webb is back with this new banging single called “Neon Cheap”. This might be one of the most danceable tracks we’ve ever heard from Methyl Ethel and once again offers some incredible pop music for the more alternative/indie listeners. This should be on your weekend playlist.

Top Songs of 2019

Phew, the end of the year really snuck up on me this time and it’s crazy to think we are moving on from the 2010s. Before we do so, Nathan and I of course want to share some of our favorite things from the year for those of you who care to hear our opinions. I am typically the songs guy and Nathan usually takes on the albums, so here it is, my favorites from this year. Hit the jump for my list and a Spotify playlist to take with you.

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ACL 2017 In Photos: Friday – Weekend One

I got photo coverage started with a little gallery in our ACL Weekend One Recap. For me, Weekend One was all about the head down grind of chasing photos. Modern problems, I know, but it is hustling from pit to pit, sweating, lining up to make sure you gain access, attempting to keep everything clean enough and not have dirt ruin “the shot” and not having a panic attack knowing you have three songs to get it all right. It is a strange way to take in a music festival, often oblivious to the actual music as sensory depravation takes over and you enter a tunnel through the viewfinder.

…and loving every minute of it.

The Friday edition includes The Wild Now, Methyl Ethel, (Sandy) Alex G, The Aces, Hamilton Leithauser, Mutemath, Crystal Castles, Lukas Nelson, Bonobo and The XX.

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The Top ACL Undercard Acts

Unfortunately, a festival has to curate line-ups that cater to that audience, and as such, some bands unfortunately fall victim to the undercard slot…the slot before the day really gets going or on the smaller stages. Whether you see it as a slight, or just one of the many headaches with scheduling a mass festival…here are my highlights for bands on the Undercard slot (pre-2 PM).

Recent things that we loved that fit this description: Lucy Dacus, Slaves, Jose Gonzalez, Albert Hammond Jr., Rey Pila, The Rosebuds, Wild Nothing, FIDLAR, Widowspeak, Pinback, Willis Earl Beal, Gardens & Villa, and on and on…

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A Little Dream with Methyl Ethel

740088_718075458235398_671062281685800029_oAs I’m finally getting back on top of life, I’ve come across this gem from Methyl Ethel that I seem to have glanced over mistakenly, as there’s no other reason for that exclusion on our site.  Recently they gave this tune a live spin via THIS VIDEO, but I’m stuck on the swirling guitar work that casually glides like only the dreamiest pop songs can.  A nice little echo on the vocals smooths things out just a bit, completing my love of the tune. They’re wrapping up the finishing touches on their debut album, so I’ll keep you posted on the Aussie outfit.

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