Humdrum Share There and Back Again

After years as a member of Star Tropics, it made sense that there were traces of the group’s sound on early Humdrum tunes. But, if you take a listen to the latest single, you can clearly tell that Loren Vanderbilt has completely grown into a new songwriting style. This new single feels like its set against the back drop of feuding guitar lines; there’s one jangling and crips ringing out up front, with a grittier layer behind that to build in the perfect contrast. Vanderbilt does his part, offering up vocals that feel as if they’re ripped straight out of a John Hughes film, albeit in a fashion that feels completely current. Every Heaven will be out on October 18th via Slumberland Records.

Capitol Share Interior Metropol Single

What a glorious day to open the inbox and see a fresh Capitol tune ready to be shared with the masses. I instantly loved the way this track drove right into the complex realm of noisy pop; you can hear curtains of guitar noise shimmering in the mix, waiting for the thunderous boom of that kick and snare to jump in and add to the textural stamp they’ve crafted. Interestingly, the vocals feel really far back on this number, like they’re hanging behind that curtain, peeking out just to see if we’re paying attention. As the tune progresses, they dive more into the ominous nature, almost allowing the band and the listener to completely lose themselves within the confines of the track itself. They release their new record, Sounds Like a Place on Meritorio this coming November.

New Innocence Mission Album!!!

Every night, or every other night, I put my son to bed, and we read three books, then “play music from your phone, daddy.” He’s two, and just wants something to help him drift into the night; the last few months, it’s been the Innocence Mission, one of my personal escape acts that I’ve adored for decades. Yesterday (I’m late to the game!) they announced a new record, already pre-ordered on my end; Midwinter Swimmers is out on November 29th. They’re one of those groups who have these little treats within the confines that continue to mesmerize me, like the 45 second mark where there’s this just the faintest uptick in the guitar line; it subsides, only to sneak back in with some plucked strings. This the album that will coat us in warmth to wrap up 2024, and I couldn’t be happier to play this for my son tonight.

Video Age Drop Record Shop 7″

As much as I enjoyed Away from the Castle, I think that Video Age might have upped the ante on their songwriting skills with their latest 7″ as they prep for a European tour. This one’s pulling on the jangling string stylings of acts like Lucksmiths, texturing backing vocals that build crest after crest of pop vibes that repeatedly soak the listener in melody. Personally, the change in attitude around the 2 minute mark only adds a sense of effortless cool that I couldn’t pull away from, taking their craft one step beyond. Hope the group have fun while their overseas and come back with more songs like these! That rhymes!

Forceghost Ready Recycled Hearts EP + Share New Video

If you’re an avid fan of textural pop, then perhaps you might spend some time with us, listening to the great new single from Georgia’s Forceghost. They’ve got one EP in the books this year, with Recycled Hearts on its way to your ears this November. One listen through is simply not enough to really indulge in the layered constructs the group are pushing. Synthesized beats and glitches work to build this fuzzy background, punctuated by a sharp drum hit, all the while space age notes spin and bounce throughout. Still, you’ve got a fuzzy bit of guitar crafting the slightest edge that keeps the track from bounding off into absurdity…and all of it’s tethered by these velvety vocal notes built into the musical complex they’ve built around themselves. Risky and rewarding makes for some of the best underground pop. Recycled Hearts is out November 1st via Gift Fig Records.

Check Out Tom Emlyn and His New LP

If you’re paying attention to the UK scene, Tom Emlyn might already be on your radar, but at the moment, there’s not a ton of folks covering him over here Stateside. That said, I’m here to get down and boogie with his latest release, Rehearsal for the Rain: Scaredycat Vol 2. You’ll get a big dose of classic pop writing styles, with nods to Barrett and the Beatles, but there’s a bit more shimmy and shake on the single below, which is why it works as a great introduction; the howling harmonica alone should set your ears afire. Also, as a fan of storytelling, I love the way he’s gone about explaining and detailing every track in his Bandcamp page. Give him a listen!

Mo Dotti Share Whirling Sad

What a gloriously disorienting way to open your day here, thanks to Mo Dotti. The band just dropped their latest single, rippling with discordant noise and thundering drum work centered around a spinning melodic vocal…all of this matched by dynamics of the video. They’ve created their own mythical moment, like sirens drawing you in with sparkling vocals, only to crash and bash once you’ve reached the shore, leading to what one can only assume is the sweetest death. It’s like their leading me astray, purposefully forcing me to rethink every decision in my day, and I couldn’t be happier. Be sure to order a copy of Opaque before it drops on September 20th.

September Single from Red Sleeping Beauty

You have to commend our friends in Sweden, Red Sleeping Beauty. They promised a brand new track every month this year, and here we are with the 9th installment, as we’re hitting September. This one has a different vibe somehow, while still feeling connected to previous 8 months of work. Something in the confines of this song just seems a little more organic, and perhaps less propulsive; I like that it has that earmark of synths, but still feels like a fresh take that’s blossoming by putting that sound in the background a little. As promised, we’ll be back next month with the latest installment from your personal Red Sleeping Beauty PR team!

The Chairman Dances Ready Evening Song

It’s been over a year since we last heard from Philadelphia popsters, The Chairman Dances, but it seems like this will all be worth the wait, with the group announcing a new record, Evening Song. Our first listen sprinkles in a bit of a light strummed jangle atop a roller-coaster of pop sensibility, rising and falling with the drama of the vocals. While you might file this under your typical folk meets orchestra meets rock, you’ll find a larger sense of exuberance within the confines of the tune; pretty sure there’s a little chuckle on the underbelly of a a vocal note or two, with an added “hey” celebrating the joyousness of band peaking at just the right time. Really looking forward to what’s to come on Evening Song, which hits on October 11th.

Squirrel Shares The Summer Dies Tonight

If you’ve been hanging out on this site over the last few years, you’ve surely taken note of my favorite, Squirrel. The New Jersey mystery man is like a swirling lollipop mixture of Wayne Coyne, Daniel Johnston and Jason Lytle…it’s delicious and strange, yet wholly circling pop constructs. He just dropped a little collection of B-Sides, tunes that didn’t make the final cut of Supersonic Summertime…and I’m loving this new one. Walking you into the tune on the back of a thumping bass groove and those high-pitched vocals, you’ll find that the tune opens up to this summery sun shining through your speakers. If you’re in search of outsider pop, you definitely need to dive into this song, and check out the other B-sides on Dream Islands.

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