Stream Aligning LP from Cats of Transnistria

For many of us, music is escapism. We wrap ourselves in our headphones and let go of everything around us. Perhaps no one is better at creating that sonic cocoon than Finnish outfit Cats of Transnistria, especially once you delve into the depths of Aligning. “Mountain High” opens things up, almost as an album itself, offering delicate touches and heavy notes to whet your appetite going forward. “Vampire” offers up the angelic beneath it’s brooding atmospherics, patiently bringing the vocals to rest atop. As you move into “Born Again,” a darker texture seeps in, though its still interrupted by the soaring vocal performance…if anything this only makes the song more haunting. In order to bring you out of that darkness, they offer up “Light” and “Wild Herbs,” sharing a natural warmth that provides the proper balance to the collection of songs; I think the latter is possibly my favorite track on this LP. The close of the album is much like the beginning, as “Aligning” seems very much like its own entity, book ending the listen with this exhilarating sonic exploration. If your one such listener looking for that other worldly experience, then grab Aligning from Soliti Music, out worldwide this Friday.

ATX Spotlight: New Gamma Dog

Today I am feeling a bit of local love with news of a single drop and upcoming album from ATX based dudes Gamma Dog. The guys just sent over this new track “Designer Love” and I’m finding lots to like about the direction of the sound. It definitely has a Strokes influenced sound with the garage style and quieter, effected vocals. For me, I dig the way it hits pretty heavy when the guitars fade for a second but then come back in with full force. You are sure to listen to this one a few times today and find lots to enjoy.

Gamma Dog will be releasing a new album sometime in early 2020.

Club 8 Return with New Music

It’s been just over a year since Club 8 released Golden Islands for Labrador, but amidst the release, they begin to work on a batch of songs they hoped would end up as a double album of sorts. We now get a first listen, and while it definitely plays into the hands of the band’s pop history, this furthers the band’s experimentation with its usage of space and lush arrangements. The vocals are so careful, you sort of get that sensation of weightlessness, feeling your body sort of release and float off into clouds…at least that’s what I hope it feels like…unless you’re Marge Dursley. For now, we wait for future news, but in this glorious fashion, lets just get ourselves lost.

Devendra Banhart Announces Ma

It’s been a few years since we’ve heard anything new from Devendra Barnhart, though he’s worked on a few compilations in his downtime. But, for me, while folks have their Obersts and their Whites, I’ve always been a Devendra guy; I also feel like he got sort of wrongfully placed in that whole freak-folk category…but, whatever. So, below is this wonderful new single; it’s got some nice little horn accompaniment, giving the song sort of a folk meets swamp boogie vibe; I suggest you wait until after the 3 minute mark for a real nice vocal touch from Banhart. His new album, Ma, will be out on September 13th, with a slew of tour dates slated for the fall, including a (possibly too expensive) show in Austin at Stubbs.

New Glands Music Coming Soon

A friend from Arkansas hipped me to the Glands back in 2001, and I’m pretty sure any romantic interest for the next few years found “Swim” on a mix of some sort…pretty sure I included it on a mix I gave to my wife. I’ve referenced the band countless times over the 11 years we’ve run this site, and had always thought them to be fairly unknown in larger circles…until yesterday. NPR, P4K and Stereogum both reported that New West would be releasing new music from the band, with the line-up crafting songs around demos left behind by Ross Shapiro after his passing. I guess its bittersweet, as I’m grateful for new music…though its a reminder of the fragility of your heroes. For me, the self-titled LP will always be one of my absolute favorites; it’s a near perfect album in my ears. If, like me, you’ve quietly fawned over the band for decades, you’ll want to get this new Box Set from New West.

 

New Music from The Generationals

Seems like the Generationals have been around almost as long as we’ve been “blogging” over here, as we’ve covered every release the band have done. They just announced they’ve got something brand new in the mix, and it’s always great to hear the duo’s songs. This song really revolves around the chorus of “always on the phone/keep it low,” which definitely has the greatest vocal hook. The pulsing melodies are definitely in line with their previous work, steady and hook-laden. No words on a release other than the promise that we’re in store for more from the guys in 2017, with a bit tour throughout March, so give in to the power of pop.

The Return of Slowdive

After waiting almost 22 years, we can all finally rejoice that there’s new Slowdive music coming our way. The band reunited in 2014 to get some things going for reunion shows, sparking that creativity that has led them to sign with Dead Oceans. If this song’s swelling wall of guitars sounds familiar, well, that’s because they’re just one of the staples of indie rock that so many after them have ripped off. I look forward to what’s coming from these guys, so stay tuned to hear what’s next. Hope they can help make 2017 just a touch brighter.

More From Busman’s Holiday

unnamed-14This new album from Bloomington, IN based band Busman’s Holiday is slowly becoming one of my sleeper picks for a Top 25 album of the year. Here’s more proof with latest single “Evening Flow”. Once again we are treated to something truly unique with a sort of theatrical, atmospheric core to the song which shifts dramatically into a doo woop, crooner finish. It sounds a little crazy sure, but you won’t hear anything else like it. Try it out.

Busman’s Holiday will release their new EP Popular Cycles on October 14th via Joyful Noise.

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Bit of Psych Rock From The Tambourine Girls

tambourinegirlscroppedsml-1You know how the story goes right? I’ve never heard of a band prior to today, but they impressed me with a memorable single… blah blah. You’ve heard it before and it’s happening again today with this new single called “Cupo” from Australian based act The Tambourine Girls. At its core, the song is most definitely of the psych rock genre and the band execute inside that sound quite well. Production is tight, the washed out vocals fit in perfectly, and musicianship is spot on. Carry on.

The Tambourine Girls will release their self-titled debut album on November 4th.

Download: The Tambourine Girls – Cupo

New Music from Gambles

Gambles-Far-From-Your-Arms-EP-COVER-highresThe last time we heard from Gambles he has released his album, Trust, which we fawned over.  Checking in on him the other day, I found that he has quietly been building new songs for us all, though they’re different in sound, showing his growth as a songwriter. His first effort had him working with the power of his voice over a strummed guitar, for the most part.  Now, he seems to have been experimenting, adding extra layers, percussion, etc; it’s an interesting progression, yet just as striking as his earlier work.  Both tunes are said to come out on a new record, which we’ll keep you posted on.

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