The Week in Music May 10 – 14

Here we are. Here you are. It’s Monday morning, so let’s go back in time. Way way back, to last week. We’ve got new hits from the Goon Sax and Quivers, as well as some more obscure stuff like Keron and Nina Savary. Plus, we’ve got some old favorites in Dentist, Leon Bridges and Tapeworms, piled on top of a few tunes we dug that already got the mass of hype you’d expect. As per our tastes, its all over the place, which is sort of how I’m feeling on this Monday morning. Have a rad day my friends!

Tapeworms Return with Magic Pierrot

After dropping an incredible album in Funtastic last year, French outfit Tapeworms return with a real hit that was until now only included in the Japanese version of their LP! For those looking for an apt description, maybe take the more Stereolab-tinged tracks from a Peel Dream Magazine LP, then pump them full of Monster energy drink, and boom! I know, it sounds ridiculous, but there’s just no other way to really get at it; there’s great pace and energy, but the arrangements matched up with the vocals bury the song in this French pop atmosphere you’ll want to dig up for hours and hours on end.

Another New Tapeworms Gem

The opening 45 seconds of this song was enough to get me to press repeat on this new Tapeworms single over and over again; it’s just that bruising wall of squall that accompanies many of the new shoegaze acts. But, the way they pull themselves back from the fire is what really captivates me; I’m reminded of that sort of dynamic between the old quietloudquiet approach…works perfectly here. They take a little bit of leniency with the album’s closing moments, but there’s enough force in the opening 2 minutes to have you rushing over to Howlin Banana to pick up their LP, Funtastic.

Catchy Pop Number from Tapeworms

I’m super in love with this new track from French gaze-pop band Tapeworms. Margot Magnieres helps get the song underway with this sort of sly croon, sliding right underneath the bounce of the keys and guitar; you think you’re lost in some magic pop realm, tapping your toes playfully. Suddenly, right at the 1:45 mark, the pedals get pushed down and you’re hit by this barrage of swelling noise that you can’t run from. All the while, Margot’s still there, still bringing you in with her voice. If you dig this style, you’re going to really enjoy listening to the band’s debut LP, Funtastic, out September 25th via Howlin Banana.