Special Friend Share Isolation Single
Our first few listens to the new Special Friend LP have given us relatively upbeat singles, bouncing and clipping along with a classic pop vibe. Now, the duo flip things over and offer up a mellower, albeit equally as moving, brand of pop; this one feels quite a bit like Camera Obscura, particularly in the way the vocals come through here. There’s a softness, with the group settled, happily letting the feathered jangle provide the track with enough rhythm to keep your ears perked up. Adding into the magic is the careful harmonizing of the vocals, which is one of their trademarks in excellence. You’ll be able to grab Clipping in just over a week courtesy of Skep Wax/Howlin Banana/Hidden Bay!
Honestly, I thought about foregoing a year-end list this year. I mean, if you read our site, you know what we love. But, list making can be fun, especially if you really really love music. My criteria was simple, and not based on what I think is “best,” but rather looking at the stuff I listened to the most, and eventually bought (or was gifted). Popular locals for my Nathan Wrapped have me living on an island in between San Francisco and Australia; label of the year would be Trouble in Mind (congrats to Bill and family!); genre would be: most awesome. Again, this is one man’s personal tastes, take it for what its worth.
There was a ton of great music dropping last week, which seems to be the norm for this Spring…not that we mind one bit. I tried to give some love to our Austin friends like Jana Horn and Letting Up Despite Great Faults, who both dropped new releases…and new tunes from Batty Jr. and Born Twins too, so keeping the ATX alive. It was good to hear new stuff from Estonia’s Pia Fraus, who’ve always crafted great landscape shoegaze. New stuff from Cindy and Beach Fossils wasn’t a bad way to slide into the week either, but we closed it out with a fun feature between My Favorite and Holy Wire. Check it all out.
Not too long ago I raved about “Pastel,” the first single from