Last Week’s Jams (3.4 – 3.8)

Last week was crazy on our end, running around trying to get all the cool songs out, not to mention trying to cover some of the SXSW stuff we’d promise to get out from artists like Bodega and Smut. Ran a few solid premieres too, so be sure to focus on Magana and House of Heaven. You’ll also find new Lunchbox, Mirrorball, Good Looks and many more. Plus, Fantastic Purple Spots dropped a video HERE, so it gave us another chance to remind you of their gifts! Stream al the hits from last week below!

Mirrorball Share Take a Shot Single

If you’re looking for that dreamy realm of pop music this morning, you don’t need to go further than the Mirrorball single below. It will instantly recall some of the sweeping melodic work that Beach House pulled off early on, which makes sense considering Chris Coady was behind the production duties on their forthcoming EP. All those comparisons aside, I think one difference I’ve been drawn to here is the clarity in Alexandra’s vocal performance; she’s got these heavy tones that don’t need varying levels of effects, as they create their own powerful emotion. Stream the hit below.

Mirrorball Share Red Hot Dust Single

If you are one of those nerds (I hope you are) that reads the liner notes, the name Chris Coady should ring a bell; he’s produced tons of records by your favorite indie bands…and now he’s behind the recording of the new Mirrorball EP. Why does that matter? Well, if you trace his musical breadcrumbs, you’ll find tons of Beach House, and that’s not too far off from where Mirrorball fits. Alexandra Johnstone has that same powerful weight in her vocal delivery, though she seems able to carry it with a bit more confidence, allowing the track to rise to meet up the central melody; this melody is brought to us courtesy of this bounding piano backbone, holding up the entirety of the tune. Their new EP should be out this year, so keep your ears ready!

Catenary Wires Announce New 7″

When we were fortunate enough to have Rob and Amelia of Catenary Wires take over our web site last year, they hipped us to all they were working on, be it Swansea Sound, Heavenly reissues, European Sun and…well, we knew there was fresh CW on the horizon. Today, they announce their Mirrorball 7″, and they do so in typical fashion sharing a whimsical pop tune to give your day some wings, some spirit (maybe its only me that needs that!). Electronic buzz and horns open up before the light guitar strum provides the stage for the back and forth melodic banter between Rob and Amelia. For me, having listened to the band, and their various projects, this one feels supremely mature, like a lesson in the joys of indiepop being given by its elder states-people; it just gives you this warmth, almost as if it can’t be pigeonholed as anything other than a really great song. This 7″ will be out via Shelflife/Skep Wax on April 16th…and includes a Human League cover! And just a hint, this tune is the first single off a forthcoming LP later in the year.

Dream Pop from Mirrorball

Mirrorball is a fairly new band to the LA scene, though its two members have long been working in the musical community. But, their new project has this shimmering fragility that you can identify with almost immediately. The guitar chords seemingly dance in the distance, while there’s an electronic noodling that wavers in the foreground. There’s this forlorn vibe, almost making you weep as the song moves along…and I’m not even sad. They’ll likely draw some comparisons to Beach House, which are apt, but as a new band, there’s plenty of ways they can grow. For now, this single appears as part of Dangerbird’s Microdose Series.