Tag: new album

Lunchbox Announce Pop and Circumstance

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Seems like just yesterday that Lunchbox dropped the most excellent After School Special, and today it seems like another batch of hits is on the way; they announced their new LP Pop and Circumstance today. Opening with a blast of horn work and thundering drums, the song has a jangling undercurrent that sets up the group’s pop drive. When the vocals come in, they’re delivered casually, using backing vocals to layer on a bit more melody; the horns continue to punctuate the song, blasting pop notes right through your speakers. It’s a short jaunt, but one that carries a dose of pop sharpness that might surprise. Pop and Circumstance drops May 10th via Slumberland.

Blushing Announce New Album + Share Video

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Once upon a time, in a music city long ago, ATH Records helped press Blushing‘s Weak EP to hot wax; it sold out and has since been reissued as the band have risen to meteoric status in the dream pop/shoegaze scene. I actually take little credit in that rise, as the band have been one of the hardest working acts, which has seen them get huge and sing to Kanine Records. Today they dropped us a new tune and a new video to announce Sugarcoat; this song feels like they’re dipping beyond the modern “gaze” era and looking almost towards an alt-rock of the 90s…at least when it gets to the chorus. Give this deserving act a chance; Sugarcoat drops on May 3rd.

Rural France Announce Exactamondo

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I was a really big fan of Rural France‘s debut, RF, which in turn led to my fandom of Teenage Tom Petties…and now it seems that Tom Brown and Rob Fawkes have put aside time to lay down another delightful batch of tunes. At first listen, it seems like the jangles, while still present, have been turned down a bit in the mix, building more of a broad pop approach to the duo’s songwriting; it sort of feels like they’ve branched into Teenage Fanclub territory with these big riffs rocking throughout, though I’ll admit, their adherence to the melody is constantly delighting on this tune. Look for Exactamondo to drop April 26th via Meritorio Records.

Elephant Stone Are Going Underground

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As you’ve seen from the site, I’ve been really into the forthcoming Elephant Stone LP, which finally drops tomorrow! While we initially got into the band with their psychedelic sounds, Back Into the Dream seems to be offering a glimpse at a band working their way into other musical realms. For me, while I can certainly hear the psych nods in the mix, there’s something about this that feels more like a Britpop bit from the 90s; I keep thinking I hear hints of Ash in the way the vocals soar in the chorus. There’s a nice little plot-twist too, when the band pull back to offer a nice little subdued moment before letting the riffs fly right through your speaker. Stoked to see them flexing their songwriting muscles; grab Back into the Dream tomorrow.

R.E. Seraphin Preps Fool’s Mate + Shares Bound

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Think we’ve got 2 degrees of separation from R.E. Seraphin, but that’s neither here nor there, as we’ve got a fresh LP and a new track that immediately require your attention. A light little jangle and a wash of atmosphere opens things up, with the song taking a propulsive bass line under its wings as they push towards a meet and greet with the melodic center force. Seraphin’s vocals have a really nice warm jacket atop, perhaps with a nod to the album’s producer Jason Quever (Papercuts)…and whatever, it’s a really nice move that really takes Ray’s songwriting to the next level. Fool’s Mate is the new album, dropping on March 22nd via Take a Turn Records and Safe Suburban Home Records.

System Exclusive Share Click Video

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I’m a huge sucker for an easy hit, but that’s not what you get when you turn on a System Exclusive tune, like their latest, “Click.” Sputtering electronics and crawling vocals bring you into the track, waiting for the guitars to glide underneath the mix, met by drums and an electronic wash. Ari B’s vocal performance remind me of an early Karen O when she felt super dangerous, yet you can’t pull yourself away here. Throughout, the song moves in and out of its organic nature, letting tension build as it plays with the negative space behind Ari’s voice, always rolling in with this pulsing groove. Really stoked on this tune. Click is out on Mt. St. Mtn.and Le Cepe Records on May 17th, with a big Spring tour working through the US.

Choo Choo la Rouge Announce the Sunshine State

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Choo Choo la Rouge isn’t a band that I’m altogether familiar with, though I think I’ll aim to rectify that now that I’m indulging in their fresh single…as I hope you do. Through and through, this is a pop ballad, though strung together with a rolling percussive stomp and a nice acoustic strum. To me, it doesn’t feel too far off from what you might expect from a Jeff Tweedy solo outing, the strum and vocals pushed way out front in charming fashion, while an electronic piano gets to have its say in the absent moments sprinkled throughout. Give this track a listen; The Sunshine State is out April 5th via Kiam Records.

Unwed Sailor Announce Underwater Over There

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Having spent my college years in Oklahoma, I have always had an affinity of the work Unwed Sailor (there were only so many weird kids in the state in the 00s). While post-rock stylings of late seem to mostly mimic the quietloudquiet formula, this single has the group operating on more of a vibrant horizon; they’re offering these riffs that seem to rise and fall, like a light Spring shower continuously falling atop your head as the sun shines on in the distance, which seemingly matches up with the visuals from the video that accompanies it; I’m pretty sure that the vid was shot in Eureka Springs too, a nice little nod to those of us who spent time in that part of the country. It’s nice to hear some instrumental jams that just bring a natural warmth to the songwriting. Looking forward to Underwater Over There, out on May 10th via Current Taste.

Kelley Stoltz Returns with Reni’s Car + New LP

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Sadly, it sometimes we take our greatest artists for granted, and such is the life I fear for Kelley Stoltz. The songwriter has definitely been lauded, and maybe the fault is mine, so every time I hear new stuff, I circle back and jam out to Stoltz for a few days; I mean, honestly, the dude’s never written a bad tune, that I’ve heard. Hopefully we’re all hope on that train as we await La Fleur, a brand new LP from Kelley, dropping this Summer. For my two cents, there’s something in the songwriting that feels like a mixture between Glenn Donaldson and Robert Pollard, though with a bit more of a psychedelic bend on the guitar vibes. Plus, the song got a cool backstory, as he recants a tale of spending the day in the car of Stone Roses drummer Reni. Sounds like another classic jam if you’re asking me…La Fleur is out on June 7th via Dandy Boy Records/Agitated Records.

Premiere: New Single From Fair Visions

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For the last several years Queens based musician Ryan Work has been making some magical music under his recording and artistic moniker Fair Visions. This year, he has designs to release a new full length LP entitled Quite An End, which is due out on May 7th. Prior to that date, Work has just released what is easily my top song of the year so far with this stunning new single called “I Want You, Babe.” As far as progressions go, this thing moves along almost perfectly with a mellow, dreamy beginning as it flow into a slightly more heavy, swirling guitars sound. And those drums… ya it’s a fun one.

 

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