Sleeper and Snake Announce Fresco Shed

In a roundabout way, I’ve been writing about Sleeper & Snake for some time, as its Al and Amy from Terry. In the single accompanying the announcement of their new LP, you get the slightest hint of their quirky pop sensibility, but this outing seems to take on a more experimental purpose. It’s a fairly simplistic approach, using cello, bass and a synced beat to provide rhythm; they layer their vocals and a nice dose of saxophone atop as icing on the proverbial cake. For me, you can hear spots where they could erupt or speed up, but they show restraint, holding you (and the song) in a permanent state of suspense. Fresco Shed will be out on September 25th via Upset the Rhythm.

Vintage Crop Share The North Video

Had we not been in the midst of a world pandemic I’d place bets on Vintage Crop being the next big thing. They’ve got that sound people keep gravitating towards, combining these sharp guitar cuts with the matter-of-fact vocal delivery you’d expect from a singer stalking the stage. One thing I like is that they’re kind of reveling in the joy of their own song; they’re so in love with this riff that they refuse to push the pace of the song, holding themselves back. In doing so, they allow the natural pop attitude to bleed through the speakers. I promise, this is your new favorite band; they’ll drop Serve to Serve Again on August 7th via Upset the Rhythm.

Naked Roommate Announce Do the Duvet

Two of my favorite labels, Trouble in Mind & Upset the Rhythm, are teaming up to release the new LP from Naked Roommate. Honestly, the band reminds me a lot of Aussie outfit Holy Balm, perhaps with a nod to the Blow; it’s like house music, but stripped of the reliance on the beat. In leaving the song specially open, they’re allowed to build in their own artistic notes, while still grasping onto our preconceived concepts of what makes a song. Amber Sermeno’s vocals have this matter of fact delivery (which is where I felt the Blow reference), though when she puts emphasis on syllables, they seem to echo through cavernous hallways, ringing out as the beat skips along beneath. Cool vibes going on, so give a listen. Do the Duvet will appear on September 4th.

Es Share Hidden Track

One of the records I’m most looking forward to this year is the brooding post-punk of Es, who’ve just shared their latest single from their debut. You can’t escape the ominous feel of this track; it feels as if we’re being surrounded, smothered…only to make one last ditch effort for survival with this song. I thought adding nice little synth line before the 3 minute mark added in some pop sensibility that may have gone unnoticed otherwise, allowing listeners just the briefest respite from the dark. The band release their debut album Less of Everything on April 3rd via Upset the Rhythm.

Primo Share Perfect Paper

Having already shared “Best and Fairest” from Primo‘s forthcoming LP, it only makes sense that we continue our personal hype machine for the band’s album with their newest single. What I love about the tunes we’ve heard from Sogni, like the one below, is that the band seem to have really settled into their skin as a group. The harmonies are spectacular, faintly outlining the band’s pop leanings. Here, the guitars ring out in this steady fashion, sort of holding court patiently with this crunchy sound; guitar layers get built in around to craft this wondrous wall of catchy discord. I love this record. It drops April 17th via Upset the Rhythm.

Handle Announce In Threes

Perhaps it’s too early in the morning for the disorienting post-punk of Manchester’s Handle, but that’s precisely why you need it this morning…get outside of yourself. The band celebrate the absence of a guitar by crafting this pulsating blend of combustible art rock; it’s a mesh of industrialized societal noise swirling about your inner ear. On their new album, the band bob and weave through political and personal, yelping and bouncing through madness as they unleash a barrage of noise meant to disrupt and rebuild. Fell free to immerse yourself in all this song, and album, has to offer; In Threes will drop on March 6th courtesy of Upset the Rhythm and Maternal Voice.

ES Announce Debut LP, Less of Everything

Until this morning, I knew very little about ES, but as of now, I’m completely converted. When I first played this single from their forthcoming Less of Everything LP, I was transported back to some of the stuff off the second Wax Idols LP. It had this swirling madness that was intoxicating; there is a primal pulse, and I couldn’t pull myself away from the song. In a way, there’s this tension that’s suffocating, simultaneously pulling you in with some inexplicable gravitational pull; it feels dangerous, but leaves you begging for more. Less of Everything will be released by the esteemed folks at Upset the Rhythm on April 3rd.

Handle Announce Debut Album, In Threes

This Handle tune is exactly what I love about the end of the year; folks like to wrap up and pretend like the end of the year is over, yet there’s absolutely fucking amazing songs sneaking out there. This Manchester trio are making this sort of jazzy no-punk, using these incredible rhythms and wonky structures to sort of keep you off balance while you’re hit in the face with this barrage of vocals. It kind of makes you go in and wonder what the hell you just got hit with, so you press play to get that feeling all over again. The song’s little fade out also hints at some of the great little odds and ends that make up their debut, In Threes; it’s going to be released on March 6th via Upset the Rhythm and Maternal Voice.

Robert Sotelo Shares Infinite Sprawling

Infinite Sprawling is the name of Robert Sotelo‘s forthcoming LP, and the Glasgow based artist just recently put up the album’s title track for our listening enjoyment. There’s two distinctive sounds for you to enjoy within the track’s confines, so lets explore a little bit. The verses have this bright sharpness, using these chords bending around Sotelo’s voice to craft an almost bossanova version of post-punk. The chorus takes on more energy, with the guitars having more force and Sotelo’s vocals taking on more purpose, almost a calmed rush of melody bursting out. The new LP is out next Friday (9/13) via one of my faves, Upset the Rhythm.

Robert Sotelo Announces Infinite Sprawling

It’s always interesting to discover what musically captivates us, what draws us in. Sometimes, it’s a huge hook or some beat, or sometimes, its the absence of it all, as is the case in this new tune from Robert Sotelo. He crafts this sparse musical landscape, working with his guitar and voice to attract your ears…then he moves the song towards a touch more elegance, built by blossoming strings and aided by backing vocals. It feels so grand at times, and yet so simple…it’s hard for me to turn away from it. This track will appear on the new LP, Infinite Sprawling, out September 13th via Upset the Rhythm.

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