Life Strike Share Whip Around Track

I love when I fall for a track that completely changes direction from earlier singles, like the newest tune from Life Strike. “Downwinders” and “Giving up the Ghost” both had this combination of punk urgency and jangling hooks, but “Whip Around” has this mood that seems like a meeting place between REM and the Replacements. There’s this maturity and use of patience in the development of the song’s space, allowing for the punch in each verse to really blow back on the listener. Whereas those early hits felt urgent, this one feels a touch more lax, like sitting on the beach waiting for the sea spray to wash across you. Peak Dystopia hits on July 14th via Bobo Integral.

Night Drive Share Summerwave; Announce Position II

We maybe be known for covering a lot of weird guitar pop and indie folk stuff, but everyone on the ATH team loves a good dancefloor banger, and no one’s been donning that cap in ATX as well as Night Drive over the last few years. This video and song sort of encompasses all the band’s come to represent, with sharp drum work combined with hip post-punk grooves; they hit you with a visual presentation too, so you can really immerse yourself in the whole experience of the group. You can always count on the group to deliver upbeat numbers with darkly tinged corners, which is what we expect when they release their new Position II EP on August 4th.

Melenas Drop Dos Pasajeros Video

I am ready to admit that the new stuff coming out on this new Melenas LP is fucking marvelous. Their latest single begins with these synthesized beats creating this giant open space that slowly unfolds as more texture is built into the track. Vocals enter the foray, but their passive calm almost feels like an added layer of melody being built; it’s like a synthetic cake of pop goodness, sugary in all the right spots. I can easily see where fans of Broadcast would find this their favorite new place to hang out, so if that sounds like you, you’re going to want to grab Ahora, which comes out on September 29th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Fort Not Release Tell Me Nothing Single

The pending release from Fort Not is high on my list of anticipated albums coming our way in July; I’ve loved their approach to songwriting, taking on all sorts of approaches in their interpretation of guitar pop. Their latest single hits me somewhere in the realm of the Clean and Hunx; it has a distinctive vibe that feels supremely haphazard and DIY, but even in that, you can’t deny the joy that hits you when it comes through your speakers. Playful and carefree, with perfect execution and little touches (see 2:20 mark) that elevate the tune. Depressed for Success is going to hit on July 7th via Meritorio Records.

The Clientele Share Claire’s Not Real

I will likely despise the weather in July down here in Texas, but I won’t have to hate on all the great albums, as the Clientele will drop their much anticipated I Am Not There Anymore. Their latest single begins with this sort of bossanova influenced bit of jazz, dripping with this sort of lounge mentality; it’s definitely a further sign that their still growing their sound, years down the road. Of course Alasdair lets his vocals rain down through your speakers, the tune takes on that familiar territory and I’m here to swoon. You can grab the new record on July 28th from Merge Records.

Jeff Rosenstock Announces HELLMODE

You can count on the Internet going wild when there’s a new Jeff Rosenstock track that pops up, particularly when it comes to a new album announcement. I wanted to be sure that I was on top of that, as I really love this new single, and have fingers crossed that HELLMODE will be equally as good. This tune drops in perfectly, with the first hint of Jeff’s ability to deliver a hook coming in as he drops a change in the vocals at the 52 second mark; his vocals throughout this song are really the little bits and pieces that sold me here. For all its steady calm, the track doesn’t hesitate to rip up a little bit when you get to the latter half around the 2:52 mark; it sheds the softer piece to add an emphatic growl to the tune’s whole. If you’re into screaming along with your favorite song, this is setting up perfect! Polyvinyl will drop the new LP on September 1st.

Joanna Sternberg Drops Stockhold Syndrome

One of my favorite sets this past SXSW was that of Joanna Sternberg, playing quietly on the stage inside Cheer Up Charlies. They were self-deprecating and humorous, with an intimate performance that endeared itself to those in attendance. This Friday, Fat Possum will be releasing the new album I’ve Got Me, and Sternberg has crafted this marvelous little video to entice you with one more tasty treat. The whole of the record has Joanna opening up on all these intimate life experiences, but with lines like “when you turned off the light/there was a roach crawling on my arm” make it hard not to chuckle along with every word. We’re blessed to have artists like Sternberg take unearth the mundane and shine a light on the little pockets of our lives. Buy the new LP this Friday!

Once For Kicks Drop Banger

Tuesday is shaping up to be a fun little rock n’ roll day, so what better way to get you stoked on life than to throw this tune at you from Once for Kicks. The band’s name definitely seems to encompass what they’re doing musically, out here ripping huge riffs and dropping in melodic hooks throughout to keep you coming back for more and more. You can feel the band’s enthusiasm dripping through your speakers as those fuzzy riffs turn into huge bursts while the various vocal pieces all fall into harmony. If you’re loving this, be on the lookout, as they’ve got a new LP slated for the end of the year.

Richard Tripps Shares Missing Piece of Time; Drops New LP

Sliding into Richard Tripps‘ new single felt like curling up on my couch with my family; there’s something so familiar and comforting, in both the voice and the light strum of the songwriting. That light-hearted strum fits perfectly with the weighted tones of Tripps’ voice, but when little pops of accompaniment rise here and there, the song begins to take hold of you emotionally. When you hit the chorus, Richard switches his tones to something a bit softer, with little bell notes and a forlorn guitar sliding into the background. It’s the sort of gentle pop that deserve more attention, so if you dig it, be sure to stream the whole new LP now; find it HERE.

Cruise With Lost Cousins

Well summer is officially here and real proud of itself which always gives me an inclination to hit the road and drive with the windows down (but also with the AC on of course). Luckily I have Toronto based group Lost Cousins to help me along my way with this new single “Dreamer.” It has an incredibly relaxed, atmospheric take on dream rock and should inspire some late night cruises as you hit the open road. Many of us will be trekking out on adventures next week and this should be the perfect tune to take along with you.

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