The Vacant Lots Share Thank You

The world of music is filled with juxtapositions, so when I turned on this track from the Vacant Lots, I expected the tune to really drive forward with the propulsive electronically manufactured groove. That’s the easy move, right? Instead, the group hold onto a more complex pop feel, morphing the sound into something that feels nostalgic, while simultaneously sucking you into this dance vibe. It’s the sort of late-night feel that twists and turns you about, more primal than danceable, and sometimes, your body just feels the moves and you flail about in ecstasy. You’ll find this tune on Closure, their new LP, out in September via Fuzz Club Records.

Semi Trucks Share Thank You

Next week, LA’s Semi Trucks will release their new Vs. California album via Meritorio Records, and with that, we get another track to entice you to give it some notice. Listening here, there’s this ramshackle home recording vibe, or lo-fi as the kids like to call it. In a way, it sounds like some sort of fusion between a Beat Happening record and maybe something fuzzier from the UK in the late 80s; I can even hear folks drawing some David Berman comparisons on the vocals. One thing is for sure…this tune’s the sort that kind of catches you off guard, stands out amidst the rest of the noise, then you hold it closely as you listen on repeat for years to come. Grab the whole LP next week!