Lamplight Announce Self-Titled LP

While it may be sunny here in Austin today, there’s bound to be some colder climes, patiently waiting for the music of Lamplight to brilliantly warm their souls. Every musical step here carries this weighted intent, with the edges of the tune billowing with emotional arrangements; I loved the piano plodding, but the twang of the slide guitar and gentle horns just lift this track to the heavens. In a way, it feels like something Pedro the Lion adjacent, albeit with huge feels that are pretty near inescapable. There’s this nostalgia to it, even in the lyrics, all of it allowing the song to just sit with you, stay awhile with your heart. Western Vinyl was surely on to something when they agreed to release the band’s self-titled LP next March!

Special Pillow Share Fond and Foggy

The Special Pillow are like that little rock you found along your beach walk; you put it in your pocket as a reminder of all the great walks along said beach, occasionally taking it out to be reminded of all the charms. Today, the New Jersey pop purveyors are here to remind us of their songwriting prowess, bringing news of a fresh EP as well! Those of you in the nerdy pop realms will surely be swept away; it has that sort of Belle and Sebastian (the Jeepster era) charm to it, using horn/string work to grow the steady toe-tapping trance you’re likely to find within its confines. It’s a gift for us all to find folks still crafting this perfected poetic pop we can put in our pockets and treasure years down the line. They’ll release The Special Pillow Meets the Space Monster on February 16th via Zofko.

Coucou Babe Share High Again

As the year draws to a close, we get to spend our year jamming out to some of the stuff we maybe missed, or perhaps something slid into our listening rotation out of nowhere, so here we are with Coucou Babe. The project is a dreamy pop act out of Austria, though with roots tied to Nashville. When I listened, I recall the earlier days of Beach House, taking these clever little keyboard driven soundscapes and building them with a wash of atmosphere and foggy vocals carrying a bit of wonder. Just a fun way to start off the week, as we know you’ll all be clamoring for year end lists; try something new instead!

Stream The Lighter Age from No Museums

Quietly going about their work, No Museums have always had a really special place in my listening rotation. They’ve crafted these intimate listening situations, continuously evolving and continuously releasing great LPs. Today, there’s a new single (and a new album) I wanted to turn your attention towards, as it represent a very underground pop turn that I hope you’ll find charming. After a quick sound bite, guitars ring out brightly, buoyed by an established heavy groove beneath them. That groove allows the song to have natural movement, even though the vocals and mood of the song may feel weighed down with emotion. Here’s to hoping you love this song and go check out their new LP, the Lighter Darker Age.

Grandaddy’s Cabin in My Mind

When reading all the press around Grandaddy‘s return, there was likely skepticism around the influence of bluegrass leaking into the record. But, with this second single, one can definitely hear how Jason Lytle is capable of stretching influences into something quite moving. He’s always had this lightness to his vocal delivery, and it shines through here, allowing the song’s mellower feel to really blossom into this sparkling pop opus. It’s a solid reminder that sometimes the simplest formulas allow the space to make art expansive and personal. Looking forward to hearing all of Blu Wav; it drops February 16th via Dangerbird Records.

Bolis Pupul Announces Letter to Yu

I’ve definitely been indulging my dance/electronic tendencies this year, looking for a nice little pick-me-up in this stressful year. With that, this Bolis Pupul tune has certainly found its way to my heart…and my listening rotation. The song, and the forthcoming Letter to Yu, are all written with Bolis’ deceased mother in mind…a love letter of sorts. This tune has a softened bounce to it, almost hiding there; when the chorus hits there’s a tiny adjustment that teases the track’s hook, but the subtlety keeps it buried deep in the tune. Watching it along with the accompanying video should certainly hold your interest, then having you, like me, looking towards the album’s release; Letter to Yu drops in March via DeeWee.

Non La Signs to Mint Records, Shares New Single

A few years have passed since Non La release Not In Love, which is one of my daughter’s favorite records to grab off the shelf (she’s really into pink!), so I was really pleased to hear that DJ On has signed his project on to work with Mint Records. Listening through this single, you can definitely hear the slight change in direction DJ, mostly as it feels a little more minimal upon the first minute or so. Still, the track certainly explodes, giving you that hook-laden punch that drives home all lyrical content from On. Visually, the video pays homage to the moments of “queer joy, love and tenderness,” hopefully shining a ray of light through the darkness of our times. There’s a new record in the works, but for now, you’ll have to just enjoy the hell out of this track.

Ducks Ltd. Announce New LP

Seems like only yesterday when we were writing about Ducks Unlimited, but the last few years they’ve been operating under Ducks Ltd, charming folks with their sharp guitar licks and indiepop tendencies. Today they offer a fresh track, letting us know there’s a brand new LP on the horizon in February. The duo have gathered friends from Ratboys and Dehd, among others, to flesh out their sound, warning us that we should expect a big sound on their second full-length LP. Harm’s Way will be out on February 9th via Carpark Records…and based on the first single, folks are already lining up at the shops to grab a copy.

The Umbrellas Share Echoes Video

A few weeks back, when The Umbrellas dropped the spritely “Three Cheers,” I couldn’t be happier; it was the perfect taste of joyous indiepop to tease what was coming our way. Now, we’ve got the band turning a different note on “Echoes,” offering up a more solemn note, though tightening the band’s grip on pop sensibility. The hook on this one is all about the chorus where the guitars shuffle and the vocals try to play catch up, giving off this shimmering sparkle that overwhelms with emotion. And, just as you settle into the vibe, there’s a little guitar breakdown, opening into the male vocal role, serving as a little aside, but wholly fitting. It all leads to the exuberant bop that closes, with the vocals dancing on the notes and fulfilling all our wishes of joy. Fairweather Friend hits on January 26th via Slumberland/Tough Love.

Obligatory Jesus and Mary Chain New Album Post

Admittedly, there’s probably not much more to the story of JAMC that I can personally add, other than I’ve enjoyed the band the four times I’ve caught them after their most recent resurgence. They’ve got 40 years of rock n’ roll under their belts, and now, they’ve got a brand new album to go along with it! The opening minute or so of the record’s first single has a very British feel to it, somewhere in the cool waters between Blur and Spiritualized (or Spacemen 3 if we’re looking to avoid anachronisms). But, then the band makes it entirely their own, dropping in those trademark heavy guitar walls. As the tune builds, the song’s title gets repeated, giving off this rhythmic pattern that locks the vocals in step with the groove. Glasgow Eyes drops on March 8th via Fuzz Club!

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