Dot Dash Release Madman in the Rain

I hate to admit it, but Dot Dash is one of those bands I take for granted. They consistently release a great record every few years, though the last time we heard from them was back in 2018, before the world went to shit. But, this Friday they’re dropping their rad new Madman in the Rain LP, and we’ve got an early listen that warrants your time today…not to mention a great reminder to never forget them. Listening through, I’m really struck by the ballad-esque title track, though that opening bass line in “Forever Far Out” sets the tone for a record chock-full of bangers. Little pop, little punk, little attitude, lots of hooks…a record you’ll come back to time and time agin. Madman in the Rain drops on Friday courtesy of the Beautiful Music.

Frass Green Share Mural Mosaic

Sometimes a band just brings a simple formula to the table, and their execution and hooks bring the to the top of the fold…which is what got me on this new Frass Green tune. You get sucked in right away with the way the song chugs in before the drums hit hard and the guitars begin to cascade through the meat. Once Joe Antoshak’s voice comes into the picture, the melodic pop nature is cemented; he’s got this really special delivery that operates between belting out notes and drawing you in with intimate hooks. Plus, you get a nice little mix of emphatic attitude just before the 3 minute mark. Solid tune, that I’m enjoying on this Monday morning; look for it on the group’s new LP, Buried, which hits in September.

Super Catchy Tune From Flasher

Washington D.C. based band Flasher is a local favorite around these parts and we’ve been entuned to the group since their debut album Constant Image dropped in 2018. With so much love and hype from us, you can bet we all added this new tune “Love is Yours” to our best of 2022 playlists after just a few listens today. It’s an upbeat, indie pop inspired tune with a downright sick baseline to boot. All of us in the ATH offices are glad to have this band back and can’t wait to hear more from the upcoming LP.

New album Love is Yours will be released on June 17th via Domino.

Pearie Sol Announces Real Happiness

If you ever caught DC’s Gauche live, then you likely got a glimpse at Pearie Sol, the man behind the keyboards, but now with Real Happiness, we can peel back the skin and see inside the man! This song rides a wonky bounce, like a frantic train terrorizing its patrons as it speeds down the tracks led by the maniacal engineer. Pearie Sol howls at the passengers, matching the song’s natural propulsion with his own exuberant vocal display. But, don’t let the crazed joy of this tune be your sole memory; the song is a call to arms for all of us to embrace what’s real, what’s before us…real sadness and real pain and real joy and real happiness and everything in between! Celebrate something real; the album drops on June 18th via HHBTM!

Too Much Announce Club Emotion

In case you didn’t get hip to Too Much when they dropped their Patent Leather 7“, you’re going to be rewarded with an introduction to your new favorite dance duo! Consisting of Ian Svenonious and Rich Morel are brandishing an elevated style of club bangers. Morel crafts these pulsing beats that you’d likely hear at any number of dance clubs; the songs would be catchy and fun right there. But, not one to settle, Ian elevates the club sound with his spoken delivery; it kind of feels like Ian’s channeling a disco-ready Jarvis Cocker. The duo will release Club Emotion on Radical Elite on July 3rd.

Bad Moves Announce Untenable LP

Attention everyone! Bad Moves are back with a brand new LP! If I were to pick an underrated band I try to turn folks onto, this is that band. They’ve gotten some love, sure, but I’m really hoping that this new record puts them in the little big leagues. I don’t know about you, but this song comes at the perfect time; it’s filled with this natural sense of joyousness, even though the subject matter is rather bleak. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of the American answer to the Spook School, spinning pop spiderwebs around serious subjects, filling your brain with infectious hooks and anthemic choruses. Untenable will be out on May 27th via Don Giovanni.

Say Hi To Frass Green

D.C. based musician Joe Antoshak has worked for several years with his project known as Frass Green. Though originally a solo gig, Antoshak put together a 4 piece band under his moniker and has toured a bit around the D.C. area over the last year. Currently on the up and up, the band is also sharing more music online, starting with this sweet new track called “Hair”. It is an inspiring pop song built in the vein of garage rock with tons of energy and fun vibes to boot. If you are feeling this one, the band currently has a new album called For You streaming over on bandcamp. Enjoy!

Cigarette Share Video fro Drips

Next week, Cigarette will release their new album Light Blues, a record filled with these ornate pop touches that walk the fine line between slow-core and bedroom pop; I think in a lot of ways it’s really similar to the Clientele, but stripped bare of the various psych flourishes. The brilliance of this video, for me, is that the tune and video are so closely tied to one another; the filming seems to move in step with the ringing of vocal notes and guitar chords. Then, just as I think I’ve done a great job pigeonholing the sound, I notice this note or that, drifting away, like Sandra Bullock in Gravity; I guess it’s me who’s floating. Beautiful sound to get you through Monday…Light Blues is out next week.

TK Echo Announce New EP

Chris Richards, who sings on this track, played a huge part in my musical collection as far back as 2000, but that’s another band and TK Echo is another entity entirely. That being said, you can’t help but feel a slight tinge of nostalgia when his voice comes through your speakers. This song kicks into gear immediately, stomping in with percussion and a warm wash of keyboards soothing your soul while Richards vocals burst through. You can definitely hear the emphasis on the rhythm section, though Chris never seems to be one to skirt pop nods of late, and my enjoyment is all the better for it. The band’s self-titled EP comes out January 25th.

Dot Dash Quietly Drop New Record

I’ve been following DC’s Dot Dash for some time, so it’s nice to see a new record come our way. It comes at the perfect time too, as Proto Retro is a great summer guitar pop record; it might also be jumping into the realm of my favorite LP from the group. There’s a quick poppy punch with opener “Unfair Weather,” giving listeners a slight Teenage Fanclub vibe, then they go for a cleaner almost Aussie sound on the following “Gray Blue Green.” The back and forth between the power pop and clean jangle of heavier indiepop is where the record succeeds; it’s got enough attitude to keep the cool kids satisfied, but just enough warmth to make pop fans swoon. The album is available from The Beautiful Music as we speak, so stream it for yourself below.

1 2