Last Week’s Jams (2.26 – 3.1)

As we ramp up towards SXSW, things have been in full swing over at the ATH camp. We ran a bunch of our “getting-to-know-you” interviews with the Ophelias, Jess Cornelius, Tigercub and Native Harrow. But, we also covered a shit-ton of new music that’s worth revisiting, if you’re up for it. Our old friends Blushing dropped a new tune from their next LP, plus we got to hear more from Dancer and Torrey in relation to their new releases. Long time ATH faves like Mo Troper and Rosie Tucker made an appearance too, with each having their own new records on the horizon. Plus, a bunch of other greats like Red Sleeping Beauty, Klaus Johann Grobe, Non La and more…so dive on in.

Red Sleeping Beauty Ask Is This Love

Challenging themselves to write get out one song a month for the year, Red Sleeping Beauty have another pop ditty to slide into your rotation. A dancing little line jumps you right into the track, before being met by a quick wash of keys that cleanse your palate as the song slides into subtle disco pop. I love the fusion of the electronic elements with this jangling guitar line that hangs about in the distance; you tie it all together and you have this freeing moment of melody that should have you spinning about with your arms out wide like a helicopter, ready to take off into the weekend. Track comes courtesy of the band and Matinee Recordings.

Last Week’s Jams (1.2 – 1.5)

We swept back into the New Year with a bunch of tunes last week, though technically we were only working 4 days, so not knee deep in jams as we expect to be here for the next few months. New music from David Nance and Ducks Ltd ruled, but there were some left-field gems lurking like My Best Unbeaten Brother and Camille Benatre, to name a few. I keep coming back to the Seasonal Falls and Red Sleeping Beauty tunes too. Not a bunch, but a damn fine collection of rock n’ roll, even including Austin’s Thanks Light. Stream some hits below.

Red Sleeping Beauty Return with Song a Month Series

You can expect me to have a lot of coverage on Red Sleeping Beauty this year, as the band have just signed themselves up to release one brand new single a month, and I’ll obviously be covering said singles until the end. It’s a challenge for the group, hoping to get them into working towards a new LP, and they’re starting off on the right foot if you ask me. Electronic pulses serve as the backbone of the track, allowing the Swedes to bring their cooled melodic vocals through the verses. Then, the chorus hits, spinning you around with this high-toned vocal that seems sprinkled with hooks, moving forward to open up for a playful interlude before dropping that hook right back on you. Always great to hear from this act, so expect to hear more from them throughout the year.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (4.4 – 4.8)

Here we are folks, another Monday. We’re starting off the week, as we always do, looking back at last week’s hits, just in case our five followers missed a song or two. We’ve got new indie pop stuff from Red Sleeping Beauty and Jeanines, plus new tunes from long-time ATH faves, Stephen’s Shore. Then there’s a new Chronophage album on the way, so we’ve got that covered here too. It’s a quick little way to breeze into your week here, starting things off nice and light. Enjoy!

Red Sleeping Beauty Drop Single w/ Amelia Fletcher

It’s hard to not fawn over a track that takes Red Sleeping Beauty‘s pop craftsmanship then throws in the marvelous support of Amelia Fletcher (Swansea Sound/Heavenly/Catenary Wires) on vocals. The thumping drumbeat gets us started, with a stuttering guitar line faintly toying in the background while the vocals enter pushing the accompanying guitar bits towards more of an outright jangle. When the chorus hits, the vocals get textured backing and the arrangements swell, building it into this indiepop gem that’s going to resonate with all sorts of pop fans. This glorious pop song comes to you courtesy of Matinee Recordings.

Red Sleeping Beauty Return with Second Time

Red Sleeping Beauty were meant to be joined on stage at last year’s Cologne Popfest by Mary from Even as We Speak, so they did the next best thing and got Mary to join them on a track for their forthcoming record. The song’s a masterful bit of driving synth pop, running with a heavy beat that seems built for late nights and neon lights. But, as much as the energy has this dance floor fit, Mary’s softness does a good job of keeping the tune elegant, giving it this confidence that shows signs of a huge record coming our way. This tune’s available now via Matinee Recordings, with the album to follow later this year!

Letting Up Despite Great Faults

While Mike Lee’s always hard at work in our ATH faves Fanclub, he’s recently gone back to recording tracks where we first fell in love with him, as the songwriter behind Letting Up Despite Great Faults. This song reminds me a lot of Red Sleeping Beauty, driving these hook-laden beats into your skull; they delight upon each rhythmic pulse and each bouncing step. Lee gets help on the vocals here from fellow Austinite Socha, and that textured vocal combination is a sure-fire win in my book. No word on how much new stuff we’ll get from the project, but we’re always grateful to hear Mike working on anything.

Red Sleeping Beauty Ready New EP

It’s barely been a few weeks since Red Sleeping Beauty dropped the highly recommended Stockholm, and all ready the group are turning around a few extra tunes to go with the Tonight EP/Single. I mean, it only takes an instant to be submerged in a pool of refreshing synth pop; the beats are light and playful from the get-go, driving forward with energy as the chorus comes to fruition. This band just continues to offer up these delectable pop treats that are primed for quick consumption; you’re not going to find too many folks crafting better pop than this trio. The Tonight EP will drop July 12th via Matinee Recordings.

Red Sleeping Beauty Celebrate Stockholm LP with New Single

Since their fabulous return, Red Sleeping Beauty have been working pretty hard on crafting delightful pop numbers, and today they release Stockholm, their new LP! At first this tune caught me off guard; it has a much deeper electronic pulse than the majority of the band’s work of late; it’s heavier and dark. But, the group are able to play upon that, working with melody that will never make you think of this track as a dark club banger. I mean, just listen to the chorus and delivery of the lines “New York City girls, New York City boys;” it’s the perfect balance of club hit and bedroom pop. I love this tune; find the album over at Matinee Recordings, out today!

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