The Reds, Pinks & Purples Share Learning to Love a Band

If you’re coming to this site to discover a new song or be reminded of a favorite act you’ve missed, then you’re likely going to find yourself in love with the new single from the Reds, Pinks & Purples. “Learning to Love a Band” can be seen as a track from both sides, as a fan fawning over their favorite act or as a person stepping into a new musical project. Either way, the subject matter is spot on for our site, and the musical element…the smooth softness of Glenn’s voice, the understated melody…you’ve been here before, and you loved the coziness, so feel free to learn to love this band all over. The new LP, Unwishing Well, will drop on April 12th via Slumberland/Tough Love.

Friday Album Streams: Adults, Chorusgirl, RPPs + More

There have been some really great tracks that have all led us to the release this week, and we’ve spent some time hopefully supporting the stuff that hits the hardest, in our books anyways. Most of these, other than one, probably haven’t gotten as much hype as they deserve, thus, here I am to be that voice. So, I’ve collected those album streams and encourage you to go grab copies for your collection, as all of these releases are worth spending your time with today.

ChorusgirlColapso Calypso (Reckless Yes)

The Reds, Pinks and PurplesThey Only Wanted Your Soul (Slumberland/Tough Love)

Cozy SlippersCozy Slippers (Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten/Subjangle)

AdultsFor Everything, Always (Fika Recordings)

WinterWhat Kind of Blue Are You (Bar None Records)

Star Party Share Shot Down Video

It’s a wonderful year for fuzzy pop records, and we’re only two months in; we’ve got the new Artsick and Kids on the Crime Spree LPs, then on the horizon is this new Star Party. They’re getting some Shop Assitants/Black Tambo nods, and I don’t mind that, but to me, it feels like they’ve taken Talulah Gosh, injected it with amphetamines, then recorded it in a ramshackle tin shed. It’s strikingly melodic, despite the chaotic tendencies, and you can’t help but be charmed by the accompanying video, either. Energetic and punchy, hook-laden and fun…all of which makes me excited to add another great pop album to my collection this year! Meadow Flower is out March 11th via Feel It/Tough Love.

The Reds Pink and Purples Share Let’s Pretend We’re Not in Love Video

Maybe it’s the last fact that I’ve played the last few Red Pinks and Purples LPs to death, but there’s something about listening to Glenn Donaldson that just feels like coming home to your loved ones and curling up on the couch together. It’s one of the biggest reasons that I love his songwriting; it just feels safe. Understated jangles dominate the musical element behind Donaldson’s voice here, with a nice steady bit of drumming, all of it operating as this silver serving platter on which Glenn’s voice crests. Hoping for this buoyed songwriting streak to continue, so we’ll get more music soon. Speaking of soon, Summer at Land’s End, the new LP, is out on February 4th via Tough Love/Slumberland.

Another LP is Coming from The Reds, Pink and Purples

Somewhere out in the Ohio, Rob Pollard is cursing Glenn Donaldson; he’s wondering how he’s been upstaged by Glenn’s brilliant songwriting and release schedule with the Reds, Pinks and Purples. You see, Glenn’s climbing the mountain towards peak pop performances, having already released the stunning Uncommon Weather earlier this year. Now, Summer at Land’s End has just been announced for a February release date. While it’s clear that I’m a Donaldson fan, I think one of the things I enjoy about this first single is the space that’s left in the song; the twinkling star guitar chords hang crisp in the air blanketed by Glenn’s voice, but you’ll also hear the perfect emptiness in the tune to let your mind drift far away. Congratulations to us on getting to experience an incredible songwriter just now hitting their stride. Summer at Land’s End is out February 4th via Slumberland/Tough Love.

Cindy Announce 1:2 LP + Share New Single

If you haven’t gotten on the Cindy train just yet, well, you better hurry, as they’re isn’t a bunch of room, particularly with the band selling out each time they drop an album. Today they announce the new 1:2 LP for Mt. St. Mtn. and Tough Love, and it’s a striking follow-up to Free Advice. Karina Gill is clearly the star of the show, her voice brimming with this quiet soulfulness; I love the airiness to, breezing through your ears. Of course, while Gill signs, the band’s perfect accents only elevate things. Guitars lightly jangle, hanging in midair, much like Karina’s voice; the keys create an emotionally nuanced atmosphere; the drums hang for rhythm, but stay to of the way to let the rest shine. The new LP will be out on October 1st (vinyl follows in November).

The Reds Pinks & Purples Share the Biggest Fan

If this new tune from The Reds, Pinks and Purples isn’t on every “best of” list for this week, then I assure you that pop music is 100% dead. You can’t listen to this song and not absolutely swoon at the carefully crafted emotion, all which seems to call out folks like me fawning over our favorite bands! I just imagine the video treatment opens up with Glenn hopping on his bike and riding off through any city center; the song feels upbeat and energetic, despite the haziness of Donaldson’s vocals. It feels like you’re on the verge of something magical, yet you can’t quite get there; it’s wistful and longing, and maybe even harsh, yet you want to smile and hop on your bike to join him on this trek. The best way is to be better than the biggest fan and buy Uncommon Weather from Tough Love/Slumberland before its out on April 9th.

The Reds, Pinks and Purples Share The Record Player & the Damage Done

Glenn Donaldson’s The Reds, Pinks and Purples have a new LP on the way, and rumor has it that it’s flying off shelves. Take one listen below, and you’ll hear the eternal pop sensibility that Donaldson brings to the fold. There’s a light strum fighting against an angular guitar stepping in and out; the drums have this steadying stomp, keeping the song’s balance…all the way to the push towards higher vocal notes. Oddly, the song is kind of stepping on its own toes, with the tune’s thematic reference, discussing the passionate affair of collecting great pop records, of which we have not doubt that Uncommon Weather will soon find its place in that pile. The new LP drops on April 9th via Tough Love/Slumberlandand the damage will be done.

Brand New Girls Names

Girls Names rode a wave of hype that seems to have crested and left few of the bands on that ride remaining, but not so for this bunch. They’ve continued to develop their sound on their own terms, and with this new, almost brooding track, they seem to really have found that sweet spot. The rhythm section gives the song a dark underbelly, while the guitar shimmers in an almost atmospheric way before adjusting to insert careful guitar lines that float across the mix. As usual, the vocals generally operate in these deep tones, though the moments of perceived chorus do give them a chance to rise into dreamier vibes. I’m glad this group is still going about their business, and we’re looking forward to Stains on Silence, which drops June 15th via Tough Love.

Girls Names Ready New Album

Oh Girls Names, how we’ve missed you. The long time ATH fave has just announced their return with this dense new single, opening with this brooding post-punk for almost two minutes before vocals even enter the picture. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot of movement following that, but I love the group’s ability to evoke maximum emotion with such simple structures. I can even hear a slight King Krule influence on the way the vocals come across during the verses. It’s an interesting entry into an already stellar catalog, so I look forward to seeing what comes out of it all when Stains on Silence is released on June 15th via Tough Love.

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