Have You Heard The New Damien Jurado Track?

131016-damien-juradoSecretly Canadian can always be counted on to have some of the best artists on their label, and so it’s no surprise that Damien Jurado finds his home there. Making ethereal, acoustic guitar driven tracks out of Seattle, Jurado has accumulated a long line of albums over the years, but it seems like with his upcoming release, Visions Of Us On The Land, he’s adding a bit of a power punch to his tunes. This new track, “Exit 353,” brings fuzzy guitars and a rock and roll finish that will have you screaming along with Damien as he rounds the song out with the repeated, emotional line, “I was alone there.” It’s a great track, and one that you’ll find yourself revisiting again and again–listen for yourself.

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More From Here We Go Magic

herewegomagicI was just talking to someone this weekend about Here We Go Magic and how the band almost seems like a local product with how much they are in town and how much we all love them.  Somehow the band has managed to stay popular, relevant, and evolve their sound over the years while we continue to support.  I’m excited today to be sharing this new single from the band called “Tokyo London US Korea”.  To me, it’s rather impressive how much the band has grown up and matured since their beginnings.

Be Small is out on October 16th via Secretly Canadian.

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Here We Go Magic Share “Ordinary Feeling”

herewegomagicIt’s been an interesting progression for Here We Go Magic. They had a lot of success with their initial sound, blending elements of folk with psychedelic flare (before it was cool).  But, as of late, it looks like Luke Temple has cleaned up his approach, providing the band with a more delicate touch. You can still hear elements of the atmospheric flourishes leaking into this song, especially during the perceived chorus (it has a cool J Spacemen feel if you’re into that), but by and large the song seems held back to a certain degree. I’m really interested to hear what all of Be Small sounds like when its released by Secretly Canadian on October 16th.

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Gardens & Villa – Music For Dogs

sc320Rating: ★★★☆☆

When Gardens & Villa’s Music For Dogs initial sounds flood through your speakers, immediately you get the impression of an electronic system booting up; “Intro” is almost a minute of futuristic synthetic sounds waving through your speakers. The level of anticipation swells with the beginnings of the huge sounds, all of which point to what’s to come next. Now, this is not the kind of entrance that the band really needs to make—Music For Dogs marks their third full-length record, following last year’s Dunes. And yet, the band amps you up for this collection of songs all the same, properly ensuring you’ve transitioned into the right frame of mind before you begin the album.

And when you do enter the first real track, “Maximize Results,” the band hits you hard with their synth pop: pulsating synths create a constant harried motion to the song, all while the vocal performance doubles up on this mood. Underlying this borderline paranoid feeling there’s a groove to the song in the distorted guitar riffs and the handclap beat. This then transitions quite abruptly into the light and airy “Fixations,” which strikes quite a bright note after the heavy opening number. Here, the synths are still buzzy and drone-like, but not as oppressive and dark as the first number. The piano also helps to brighten up the song, with its bouncy notes joining the mix with flair. It’s a catchy contrast to its predecessor before the band jumps back into the overall darkness that seems to coat most of the record.

While the album starts out quite strong with these two solid tracks, it seems as though the energy is a little difficult for Gardens & Villa to maintain through the duration of Music For Dogs. This isn’t to say that there aren’t some great and memorable tracks on the record, as there are numbers like “Alone In The City” and “I Already Do” that tack onto the aforementioned tracks as standouts. Oddly enough, where this synth pop group seems to shine the brightest on this record is not when they’re grooving hardest, but when the songs push into a tender emotional level. “Alone In The City” is a bit of a tender ballad type track that puts the vocal performance of Chris Lynch at very focal point. His voice is raw as it honestly professes lines like “Stay away from me tonight/I’ve had enough for once and it felt alright” and “This place is a nightmare/if I can’t be right there in your arms.” The sounds are subtle, and the nuance of sound that the band brings is glorious via the soft chimes that softly unfold amidst the gritty guitar and gently floating synth sounds. Same goes for the last song of the album, “I Already Do—” the band strikes this balance of groovy tune with tenderness in the mix of premature nostalgia in both the lyrics and bouncing piano sound.

Music For Dogs hits hard at first listen, but then slowly fades into a different tone, but still shows a band that’s come a far way from their debut album of 2011. The tracks that float to the surface upon further listening are evidence of their growth and movement into a balance of harsh electronic sound with real human emotion.

 

 

And Now For Something Different: Steven A. Clark

463486_254391227980241_1461196547_oThis song is a little bit outside of what I normally post on here; it’s neither jangly nor surfy nor folksy. Instead, Steven A. Clark brings to the table what sounds to me like new wave pop with touches of hip hop influence. In this new single, “Can’t Have,” I’m definitely reminded of Twin Shadow‘s sound here, but the synths and percussion feel closer and louder in the overall mix, giving the track a huge sound. Not to mention the track is dance ready: you’ll find yourself nodding along to the whole thing if you’re not careful. If you like what you’re hearing, look out for The Lonely Roller, Clark’s upcoming LP, which is due out September 18th via Secretly Canadian. 

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Another Sweet Jam From Gardens & Villa

gardens_villas_tourA little bit ago Gardens & Villa announced the release of their upcoming record, Music For Dogs, and gave us a new single of their swirling electrified pop music. They’ve returned again with another new track from that record, called “Everybody.” Whereas the last tune they shared pushed into a garage-y soundscape at points, this tune is more straightforward synth pop; its pulsating synths provide a tone of paranoia and anxiety, which is doubled up by the fast paced falsetto vocals. Later on more piano comes quickly as the band spirals carefully out of control in this great synth pop jam. Look out for Music For Dogs, out August 21st on Secretly Canadian.

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Here We Go Magic Are Back!

unnamed-2So Here We Go Magic have finally announced their return to the music scene with a new album and by sharing this robust and snappy single, “Falling,” from that upcoming record. This newest effort from the crew is called Be Small, and it’s slated for release on October 16th via Secretly Canadian. If the sound of this new single is any indication of the caliber of tracks on said record, then it looks like we’re in for a treat. “Falling,” starts out like other Here We Go Magic tracks, as the band tends to build layer atop layer of sound; synths waft in and out and the multiple vocals blend together to create an electro pop dimensionality to the indie pop. What I’m most digging about this track though, is the break down into the real end jam at the 2:20 mark of the song where you really just want to get up out of your chair and dance along. Check out the new song and it’s official video below.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/MTUe0I-pvBE[/youtube]

What Do You Think Of This New Gardens & Villa Track?

332994_10150324822454759_200890353_oSanta Barbara’s Gardens & Villa are back today with a new album announcement and single titled “Fixations.” It’s got a nice little groove to it, as most Gardens & Villa tracks tend to, but it spans out into a partially buzzy space. Sure, there are the pulsing synths, but the guitar parts are garage-y and the vocals provide a nice touch of lightness to the mix that make for a breezy pop track. I’m enjoying the vibe on this one and will be looking out for more from the band as we get closer to their album release. Music For Dogs is out August 21st on Secretly Canadian.

 

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Fresh Sunny Pop + Album Announcement From Cayucas

cayucasIt’s been a little bit of time since we’ve heard from L.A.’s Cayucas, but the good news is that they’re back with not only a sweet and spunky spring jam, but an announcement of a new album. Dancing At The Blue Lagoon is coming out June 23rd via Secretly Canadian, and judging from the sound of “Moony Eyed Walrus,” we’ll be doing a lot of dancing to this album. You get the glossy chorus of a summery pop song, but then the verses give focus to the playful guitar parts and you can also hear some orchestral elements that push the track beyond the ordinary. Jam with Cayucas.

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Austin Spotlight: I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness Return

I-Love-You-But-Ive-Chosen-DarknessIn the early 00s, Austin was alive, like most of the country, in the rehashing of 70s/80s influenced dance music; Red Fez, Whiskey Bar and Beauty Ballroom were the hot spots.  In the middle of that mini-musical explosion was I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, who unfairly got lumped in under the genre of Joy Division copycats.  But, they’re back with a brand new album, and from the sounds on the single, they’re not really going to have to wear that mark much longer. Sure, there’s that melancholic tone, but the guitar and percussive work seemingly move more into a post-rock sphere; clearly this a band who’ve taken some time to grow.  They’re new record, Dust, will be released on Secretly Canadian on October 28th.

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