Cold Beat Announce War Garden

Always been a big Hannah Lew fan, particularly when it comes to her work with Cold Beat. Yesterday, word hit the streets that the band would be releasing a new LP, War Garden, and why not throw our hat into the ring with this tune. I love how the musical element has progressed; the synth work still allows for there to be that sort of sterility, that “cold” beat if you will. But, on this, there’s some incredible melody moving beneath, like an undercurrent of nostalgia rippling through the band’s craft. Plus, as is usually the case with Lew, you get a really visually stunning video accompaniment, this one directed by Mimi Pfahler. War Garden is out on September 17th via Like Ltd.

Icarus Phoenix Shares All the Same

Ya’ll all know by now how much I love Drew Daburry’s project, Icarus Phoenix; it’s one of those little secret I keep hoping you all are willing to dip your toes into as you browse our site. When this song opens, you get the traditional Danburry feel, an emotional vocal plain and upfront in the mix. But, what really charmed me on this track was the song’s elevated punch. It hits for the first time just before the 40 second mark, drums dropping in and guitars giving off a little more bravado. Honestly, it reminds me of the best of Jason Lytle, blending a more modern power pop feel with folk inclinations. This tune will appear on the seance Icarus Phoenix release, slated for later this Fall.

New Music from We Were Promised Jetpacks

They’ve been hinting at it for a bit, but the Scottish outfit We Were Promised Jetpacks have officially announced their new record, Enjoy the View. The band have come a long way since dropping one of my all time favorites, “It’s Thunder and Lightning;” they seem to have come out with this sharp optimism in place of their typical bombast. Personally, I love that, as you don’t want to hear a band write the same record time and time again. Plus, Adam Thomspon’s voice will always hold a special place, so listening to him in any fashion immediately feels like home to me. Enjoy the View is out September 10th via Big Scary Monsters.

Stream New Jesse Marchant Album

Canadian born musician Jesse Marchant, formerly known as JBM, is one of the most talked about artists on the pages of ATH over the years. While he is clearly a singer/songwriter at his core, Marchant has always managed to expand on the genre with intimate, yet fleshed out tunes, that can offer the listener just about every emotion imaginable during one song. Naturally this means we have been giving this brand new album, Antelope Running, heavy rotation around our offices over the last few weeks. The stunning new LP from Marchant is streamable now on Spotify and also available for vinyl pre-orders via AntiFragile Music. I think you will find this to be one of the most creative and beautifully arranged albums of the year.

Sorry I Missed This: Abram Shook Shares No, Not Carolina

Going on vacation leaves you in some email pits of despair, but I think I’m officially out, as I’ve reached the end of all the missing emails with this great new Abram Shook tune. As was hinted at his last few singles, he’s crossing into that funky rock category, letting the guitar lines go on a nice little jiggling walk through the tune. Shook, for his part, has these softened vocals, almost like gasps of breath whispering into your ear. Again, we have Abram changing directions, giving us glimpses at his past, while forging new musical direction, which, if you ask me, makes him one of the stronger artists in our ATX hometown. Look for a new album on the horizon my friends.

Geoffrey O’Connor Shares Brand New Single (ft Jonnine)

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a devoted Geoffrey O’ Connor fan, whether that was through his role as a songwriter with Crayon Fields, or his underrated solo output. On this brand new tune, he’s working with Jonnine, who plays the accomplice, with both artists having this delicate croon to their voice. Personally, I just love the textured arrangements in O’ Connor’s songs, with little woodwind instruments popping their heads out from behind the synthesized shrubbery. For me, this is the brand of pop music that makes me swoon, enchanting and polished, elevating the genre beyond the trappings of kitsch. Geoffrey will be releasing For As Long as I Can Remember, his new solo LP, via Chapter Music on August 6th.

New Damon & Naomi Tune

As much as I hate posting stuff that I know is all over the place, it’s always going to be hard for me to ignore something from Damon & Naomi; Galaxie 500 is somehow always on every playlist I make, or every DJ set I build in my mind. Still, as a duo, things aren’t exactly the same, though I’m still mesmerized by the tones of Damon’s voice, just like I’ve always been. Their new album A Sky Record is a collaboration with Kurihara, though this tune feels like it could also be J Spaceman, such is the pacing of the track. I love how they leave all this open space in this track, letting you have that moment of reflection as the guitar notes scuttle off into the song’s distance. The new LP will be out on August 6th. But for now, go on and get the feels.

Florry Shares You Don’t Know

When I stumbled upon Florry, courtesy of their new LP announcement with 12XU, I was pretty floored; I felt like I had stumbled upon the most delightful lo-fi rock there was to find. Now, Francie Medosch is taking me for a different ride entirely, and I don’t mind one bit. Casual listeners will feel like they’ve landed in some sort of barnyard bash, such is the force of the twang and slide of those guitars. But, stay with it, as you’re in for a treat. Francie’s vocals are gentle, yet they have this distinctive peculiarity, not unlike something you’d associate with Daniel Johnston. Trust me, we’re in for a treat when Big Fall drops on August 27th.

Efterklang Announce Windflowers LP

I’ll admit, it’s actually been some time since I actually thought of Efterklang, though I’ll also add that they crafted one of my all time favorite jams, so they’re never too far away! Just yesterday, they announced a new record, and of course, the band continue to push the way they approach pop music. This song feels like it employs heavy sample work, or at least loops, letting the rest of the project add in these little layers, whether that’s dual vocal harmonies, laser sounds or woodwind notes; they just let things build and build, allowing you to sort of jump in where you see fit, immersing yourself in their blend. Windflowers will be out in October via City Slang, so this is the perfect time for me to go revisit the old catalogue.

Smile Machine Shares Shit Apple

If you’re a fan of juxtaposed sounds, then you’re going to love Smile Machine; I think the very band name hints at what you’re getting here, mentioning the warmth of a smile and the metallic vision of a machine. Musically, you get this crash of noisy guitar work and crashing cymbals, rumbling, almost as if you’re ripped the cones of your speakers. Beneath it all is the voice of Jordyn Blakely, offering up these quiet melodic whisperings that are barely able to billow through the wall of noise. Two great sounds crashing into one glorious moment of rock n’ roll. And, as if it wasn’t obvious enough, Smile Machine will release Bye For Now on the appropriate home, Exploding in Sound Records.

1 26 27 28 29 30 61