Straight Arrows Drop Fresh Single

Having not dropped an album since 2018’s On Top LP, Sydney’s Straight Arrows are coming at you hard and fast with this fresh jam. It’s the sort you want to turn up nice and loud and let it rip right through your speakers. It should make sense that the band’s got the backing of John Dwyer and Ty Segall (who’s taking the band on the road); they’ve got this frantic scuzz rock riding high on the thumping rhythm section…all of which culminates in the sweet eruption in the chorus. You can sense the song’s anxiety slicing right through this tune here, amping up everyone that catches the group in the live setting! Single out now via Rice is Nice!

 

Silver Biplanes Share Searching for Your Name

You ever have one of those days where you wish you could just take a song and put it in your pocket and carry it around with you all day long? No? Just me? Well, today, I want this Silver Biplanes track with me wherever I go. It’s got this beautiful innocence to it, something that just seems both timeless and nostalgic all at once, matched by the video footage that accompanies the track. The melodiousness of the vocals is so sublime that it’s almost too sweet for your listening pleasure; you’ll be coming back in no time to listen to this tune again and again. Such a beautiful tune; you’ll find it on the band’s debut, A Moment in the Sun; it’s out this Friday via WIAIWYA.

The Tubs Share Wretched Life Single

Having covered the previous singles from the Tubs, I wasn’t totally sold on this new one until I caught the write-up from Stereogum, as they’re always the gatekeepers of cool. So, I jumped right onto that ship, and here we are, with another great track from the group. Having spent a lot of time with bands like The Black Watch, this tune’s right up my alley; it sounds like the soundtrack to a dance put on by the school’s local Dungeon’s and Dragons Club. It’s got a little goth tinge to it, though the guitar licks still remain absolutely sharp, even boisterous for brief bursts. Their album Dead Meat is out on January 27th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Dwell Release New Single on Open Tab

Open Tab, the singles project of Fire Talk Records, has given us some great stuff this past year, but today, be prepared to immerse yourself in the vast expanse that Dwell are offering. Their sound moves between this sort of grandiose indie folk and classic slowcore, casually moving forward one step at a time. Vocals here are dramatic and deep, pulling from our primal nature, with string arrangements helping to build this textural swell that completely overwhelms the listener. It’s weird, as you can sort of feel some lineage to post rock too, particularly in the way some of the guitar sounds cascade and cut through the vocals; I’m really loving this as a Friday soundtrack.

Tugboat Captain Share Brand New Single, Flash of Light

Having been away for a few years after the release of the excellent Rut, Tugboat Captain return with a fresh tune, hopefully with the promise of a new LP down the line. On this record, as with many artists during the pandemic, you can hear how the band began to explore new territory; the opening alone on this track is louder than anything they’ve done to date, ringing with guitars once you press play. And while I love a bit of noise, the band’s delicate notes do appear once you peel back the layers; the song even fades out beautifully with this light piano and powerful vocal. It’ll be interesting to hear more from the band as we kick on in 2023.

Constant Smiles Complete Divine Cycle Trilogy with Kenneth Anger

Constant Smiles began the “Divine Cycle” trilogy back in 2017 with the release of Divine, followed by John Waters in 2019; today we get the news that the trilogy will be complete with the release of Kenneth Anger. Whereas previous releases have mostly been categorized as indie folk, the new single presents new themes, as the narrative of this record seems to be run through a synth pop lens. When pressing play, propulsive drum work thrusts you right into the core of the song; the vocals have this pleasant calm to them, contrasting the edgier musical bits, all of it tied together. It blends with the album’s themes of ritual and community and collaboration as a process of healing. Kenneth Anger is out on March 3rd via Sacred Bones Records.

Ibex Clone Announce All Channels Clear

Gathering members from across Ex-Cult, Nots and Hash Redactor, it seems like Ibex Clone already had a nice formula, at least to appeal to my tastes. Now, with their new album and a brand new single, it’s time to give the band’s work a nice listen. Drawing inspiration from GBV, Meat Puppets and XTC, the band’s aim are to take those pop structures and stretch those sounds into something fresh. You can certainly hear the guitar work playing into the jangling pop scene, though the fleshing out brings in a little bit more heaviness and weight; it all sort of feels like collage work, adding layers and textures from the musical touchstones and building a new piece that stands on its own. Excited to hear where All Channels Clear takes us; it’s out via Goner Records on February 3rd.

Jackie Mendoza Drops New Video

I’m always going to give Jackie Mendoza some love on this site, particularly when I can kickstart your day with a fun bit of solid gold pop. This song’s narrative circles around a love story from a youthful perspective, albeit one going on during a pandemic; the young couple is just excited to go off on a dream vacation, and there, they get “Maui’d.” Sure, the lyrics are silly at times, but who gives a shit; there’s a rad hook throughout, which kicks a nice bounce through your speakers…clearly I’m a sucker for it. Jackie’s new album Galaxia de Emociones drops on March 4rd via ZZK Records.

Blues Lawyer Drop Video for Nowhere to Go

The Bay Area, for me, is one of the hottest musical commodities in the States at the moment; it seems like every band is just dropping hit after hit. Blues Lawyer are no different, with this quick burst of fuzzy pop to rock you right out of your seats. Pounding drums melt with these angular riffs, both rushing through the gates from the instant you press play. The chorus hits with this powerful little emphatic stomp, briefly, then running right back out the door with that driving rhythm; we’re all in a hurry out there. It’s an infectious vocal delivery that certainly makes the song’s darker subject matter seem sunny and bright…like only the best pop can do. If you’re digging it, grab All in Good Time from Dark Entries on February 17th.

Mary Anne’s Polar Rig Announce Makes You Wonder

It’s hard breaking through the US/UK press to offer refreshing music, and to be honest, if folks aren’t given stuff directly, they’re not always likely to seek out the good stuff outside of the geo-musical landscape. Good thing we’ve got some connections in places like Sweden bringing us the goods from Mary Anne’s Polar Rig, who just announced their new LP, Makes You Wonder. This Malmo duo isn’t really playing by any rules or expectations; they rip through their songs with sharp riffs and explosive moments. It’s all delivered in an off-kilter manner, keeping the listener on their toes, turning unexpectedly one second then tossing melody right in your face. Malin’s vocal performance is so primal at times, it’s hard not to be captivated by what’s coming through your speakers; it reminds me of that 2002 EP from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in a lot of ways, so I’m completely on board here. Makes You Wonder is out in March via Rama Lama Records.

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