Tag: stream

Charming Pop from The Slow Summits

Leave a comment

There’s definitely been a whole in my heart since Cats on Fire called it quits a few years ago (or went dormant). But, it looks like The Slow Summits are here to pick up the fallen torch of charming-man indiepop. Anders voice definitely harkens back to Mattias’ vocals in the aforementioned Cats act; they do a great job here too filling in some of the empty space with really light backing tracks, allowing the melody to blossom. Steady drumming and a wash of synths definitely build that swoon that accompanies many an orchestral pop act; I particularly like the little nuanced shuffle in the distance at the 3:11 mark, which close ears will catch. What a splendid day to start the week!

 

Last Week’s Jams (8.21 – 8.25)

Leave a comment

There continues to be an unreasonable amount of great music coming out nowadays, and I’m absolutely baffled at how it just never ceases; there’s been nothing but week after week of tunes for me to fawn over. This week’s a little all over the place, with a little bit of rock, a little bit of pop, a little bit of songwriter and back again. Wanted to begin with the great cover of “Rock n’ Roll” by the Feelies, then jump right into some of my favorite tracks of the week. I mean, new Tony Jay and Red Pants make all of us winners. Plus, there’s a new Lewsberg tune floating about, which I definitely have included in other playlists. And, I got back on that review game with a track by track breakdown of Holy Wave’s latest. So spend some time looking back at last week!

Sagittaire Share Two Lovers Video

Leave a comment

Patience is a skill oft overlooked in the rock n’ roll scene, but when done well, it allows the music to marinate, to really soak the listener in its emotional power…like this new track from Sagittaire. To me, it feels like the an electronic pulse, sent to the surface from some underwater research center, at least for the first fifteen seconds or so. Then, vocals walk into the show, again, keeping their distance in the presentation, almost like a ghostly echo hanging in the ether. You’re here for a minute or so, meditating, waiting as a percussive element move into the song, pushing into a more organic, beat-driven world. The Surraul directed video builds upon the layering of sound, with a stationary figure seemingly unaware of the world behind him, then moving into a blurring of the lines as the song gradually unfolds. Lucian and Caroline is the new LP; it will be out on October 13th.

Fortunato Durutti Marinetti Announces New LP

Leave a comment

For some reason, ever since I devoured Memory’s Fool, Fortunato Durutti Marinetti felt like the natural heir to Jens Lekman; the songwriting had the same joyousness, even in serious tracks; it also had layers of depth, sonically speaking, which is clearly a gift in the songwriting. Today, we’ve got the news I’ve been waiting for, there’s a new LP headed our way real soon. This go round, we hear the project was meant to be a melting pot of synths, saxophones and violins; it’s like a chillwave playlist at the local club. As always, the songwriting craft is the perfect cocoon for the vocals, often spoken, then wrapped in the melodic texture. The saxophone work feels omnipresent, like its going to play in your head all night long, or, as I prefer to hear it, like the perfect musical accompaniment to a poetry reading. If you’re into Destoyer or the aforementioned Lekman, press play, slide back into your chair, and let the song dance inside you. Eight Waves in Search of an Ocean is out in November via Quindi and Soft Abuse.

Genuine Leather Share Genuine Love

Leave a comment

For almost ten years we’ve been throwing support by the shapeshifting styles of Chris Galis and Genuine Leather. While the early work of the band had Chris working with friends from the Austin scene, his later work reflects a bit more of a pop focus. Still, he’s always known his way around a huge hook, and that won’t change when he releases the Genuine Pleasure EP. I love the way this one slides in instantly, filling your ears with this sleek synthetic dreaminess; it puts the song in the current bedroom pop mold, only with a bit more bravado. Digging into the chorus, you can hear a bit of a funky R&B guitar slide, adding texture and style to the tune, clearly an indicator of how much time and dedication Galis put into his work for the LP. Think of acts like Tame Impala or Phoenix, sprinkling in just a bit more modern pop attitude. Genuine Pleasure is going to please a lot of ears on September 29th via The Animal Farm.

Corker Share Molotov Single

Leave a comment

I have a feeling today’s going to be a nice little 13 hour day at work, so I’m going to use this new Corker track to give us all that extra boost of energy, drawing from the fiery nature of the song’s title. You could toss the track under post-punk pretty easily, if you’re just focusing on the vocal delivery at the start; it’s not a bad starting point, but the band take that and turn it into something a tad bit more industrial and dangerous in nature. There’s moments when the guitar seems completely out of sorts, like its a train broken loose from the tracks hurtling towards you; the bass build in another heavy layer, making it difficult to breath, only for the vocals and drums to stomp in and kick that energy through your speakers. The band release Falster Truths on September 1st via Feel It Records.

The Feelies Cover Velvet Underground

Leave a comment

If you hop on this site from time to time, you’ve likely heard of both these acts, and now the Feelies have officially announced Some Kinda Love, a live recording of the band doing an entire set of Velvet Underground covers, now being put to vinyl! They’ve released their cover of “Rock n’ Roll,” which has me listening back to the original in a totally new way. I mean, the guitar riffs are there, buried beneath the Lou Reed cool curl; you maybe have to put that kick drum into gear and add some space, but strip it down and feels every bit a Feelies tune. I’ve been fortunate enough to get a listen to some of these tunes, and I’m quite partial to “Sweet Jane.” If Some Kinda Love feels like your thing, then get it on October 13th via Bar None.

 

Blues Lawyer Share Have Nots Video

Leave a comment

It’s been a handful of months since Blues Lawyer dropped their All in Good Time LP, so why not just jump right on into the next bit of rock n’ roll? The band just announced a new 7″ for Dark Entries, and with that, they’ve got an accompanying video to get you excited. You’ll hear a constant drive from the guitar, with one ringing out for the song’s entirety, discordantly knifing its way in the distance. Still, the band’s bread and butter has always been to take those heavy edges and sweeten them, which is easily accomplished in the way the band combine vocals, mixing in this sugary sweetness. Also, there’s something about this track that totally reminds me of that Coyote Shivers tune atop Empire Records, only more dangerous! Sight Gags on the Radio drops on September 29th.

Thank You, I’m Sorry Share Autonomy Shop

Leave a comment

As much as I like to feign my cool, I think my true love as a music nerd really began with classic pop punk sounds in the early 90s, so when I hear something like Thank You, I’m Sorry drop a nice punk jam in my ears, I crank up the volume and get my air drumsticks ready. The electronic sample threw me for a loop, but it sets up the immediate riff drop in the perfect way, maximizing the punch you get when the volume blasts into your face. Lyrically, Lleen Dow says it’s working with the classic trope of the end of a relationship and realizing “things could absolutely be better.” Turn it up, jam out, and grab Growing It Strange when it drops on September 29th via Count Your Lucky Stars.

Anna Hillburg Announces Tired Girls

Leave a comment

It’s a shame that we always pigeonhole San Francisco as a sort of land of dreary fog, particularly when you listen to the music we’ve covered the last few days, like this Anna Hillburg tune. Something in this track provides me with this majestic wistfulness; it’s dripping with nostalgia, but by incorporating the pianos and trumpet throughout, the tune pushes you towards the sun’s rays as they break through clouds. Hillburg’s definitely got her singing pipes down too, moving in between piano lines and that constant buzz of the cymbals tapping in your ear; I love the vocal control, fluttering between short accentuated notes and stretched out belters. Tired Girls, the new LP, is out on October 13th via Speakeasy Studios SF.

1 … 228 229 230 231 232 … 1,020
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com