Letting Up Despite Great Faults Announce Crumble EP

After releasing last year’s excellent IV, Austin’s Letting Up Despite Great Faults return today with the announcement of a brand new EP. That, of course, means we get a brand new single (with a Mobb Deep reference no less!). When you press play, you’re immediately greeted by this cacophony of melodic noise, matched with Annah’s vocals running through the middle. Suddenly, the noise drops off and you get the melody clear and open, sparkling with the immediacy of a great pop hook. Back and forth goes the song, balancing on the tightrope between an abyss of noise and pop. The band are set to release the Crumble EP on April 4th, with rumors of tour popping up online.

Don’t Sleep on SUEP + Stream Shop

Bands like Porridge Radio, Joanna Gruesome and the Tubs have gotten lots of press in the States, but I’ve been surprised by how many folks have slept on the SUEP stuff’ the band interestingly shares members with all the same acts, plus a few other thrown in to the mix. That said, I promise you, you can’t really pigeonhole what they’re working on. Their latest Shop EP feels like its got bits of ESG and Blondie and Talking Heads all butting heads with one another; I think my favorite is the darkened dub-ish number “Misery.” From track to track, they’re taking risks and never hanging in just one spot, so feel free to go on a journey with this lot. Their new Shop EP is available now via Memorials of Distinction.

Stream Looking for a Sphere EP from Dippers

Dippers, the band formerly known as Thigh Master, today release their new Looking for a Sphere EP, offering up a new vision/sound to coincide with the name change. The EP has two core traditional tracks, embracing slower tempos while honing in on the melodious nature in Matthew Ford’s songwriting. I love the way “Drift Space” moves, slightly opening up as drums come in quietly and notes just kind of hang in the atmosphere; it feels like something you’d have found on a K Records release in the early years. The other two tunes find the band playing with more of an instrumental approach, exploring new sonic visions as they prepared to write a slew of songs for a forthcoming long player on Goner Records. So go on then.

Peel Dream Magazine Releases Surprise EP

Pad has barely been worn out on my record player, but Peel Dream Magazine has already returned with a brand new surprise EP today. To me, it completely encompasses the concept of an Extended Play, as even creator Joe Stevens claims he was able to “view these songs as belonging on Pad, were it not for the restraints of what will fit on a 12 inch.” In listening, you get two little instrumental pieces, continuing to watch the project dabble with new sound, then two more traditional tracks that continue the musical motifs present on last year’s Pad. Of course, none of this would be available were it not for the brilliant folks over at Slumberland. Happy Friday to you.; here’s Magic is Pocketed.

Straight Rocker From Perfect Angel At Heaven

Clearly I have been struggling a bit getting back into the groove of things this week and I’m sure many of you can share the same sentiments. As I slowly find my footing this morning, I happened upon this nice lil jam from Indianapolis based artist Perfect Angel at Heaven over on bandcamp. It certainly reminds me of some of our hold heroes like The Thermals or Ted Leo, hence my urgency to share it with you all today. The single is part of a new EP coming from the band which is due out sometime… today? Or so says on their bandcamp page.

Bratty Release New Single ft. Nsqk and Mene

A new year is upon us, and RayRay and I won’t shy away from our love of Spanish pop, like this brand new tune from Mexico’s Bratty. Despite the linguistic difference, you can slide this track right alongside any of the adored acts in the States; it holds a gentle melody, light jangles and this sort of dreaminess that ties it to trends from the 80s. In this song we also get to hear the voices of other rising Mexican artists Nsqk and Mene, who both lend their help to Bratty here. If you’re digging these bits, then check out the Es Mi Fiesta y Si Quiero Hago Un EP, which is out today!

Dreams on Tape Share 1999 Single

Jake Benfant is still working on the finishing touches to Tomorrow’s Unknown, the new EP for his Dreams on Tape project, and with that, he’s given us another peek into what’s in store. This track feels a lot like its pulling from Julian Casablancas solo record, texturing these cavernous electronic pieces atop one another, letting the vocals hang heavily coated in the middle of it all. There’s this sort of heartbeat to the way the song pulses and moves up and down with those melodic vocals, giving the track this sort of dark pop lifeblood. Give it a listen while we wait on the new EP to finally get here!

Michael James Tapscott Releases Michael, the Worst EP

It’s that time of year when we start to feel nostalgic and reflective, which for me, typically means indulging in tunes slower than where my tastes typically gravitate. Luckily, there’s this striking new EP from Michael James Tapscott, so why not spend some time talking about my favorite of the five tunes, “Luxembourg Gardens.” There’s something in this that feels like its Rod Stewart meets Kevin Morby; it’s this big bold voice, softly buoyed by the accompanying arrangements, allowing the whole track to swell into this enormous wave of emotions as you stand, waiting for it to crash upon you. Michael, the Worst EP is available to take on your walk toay.

Dress Warm Release A Cowboy on Ice EP

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Dress Warm over here, as the band are an upstart act from our home; they’ve just released their new EP, A Cowboy on Ice. The one song we hadn’t heard as of yet is the nicely strummed “Close,” which wraps up the four-song listen. It operates on a nice little bedroom beat and gentle strum, but then it bursts into life, albeit momentarily as the group pull back to really hit those warm indie rock notes that make guitar pop so enjoyable. I really appreciate the band maneuvering back and forth in this track, mixing up the pacing, allowing the song to really swell into something lasting. Here’s “Close,” but be sure to check out the whole EP.

T.G. Shand Shares WAWO Single

Feel like there are still so many good tunes to be had at the end of the year, and I wanted to make sure we didn’t miss out on the latest from New Zealand’s T.G. Shand. A new EP is in the works, and this is our first listen, bringing the artist back to some of her darkened shoegaze roots. There’s a whole lot of cavernous scaffolding, first with subdued jangles ringing slightly, allowing the vocals to layer in an icy dreaminess. Soon, the vocals begin to layer atop one another, continuing to add in this dense texture that makes the song a marvel. Here’s to hearing more real real soon.

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