Latest Posts

Cellars – “All The Time”

May 28, 2018

Dazzling electropop act Cellars draws up an 80s-inspired dance track for the ages with her single “All The Time.” The mix of bubbly percussion, strident synths, and circular melodies conjure visions of leg warmers and scrunchies, when neon-hued pop was king. The brainchild of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Allene Norton, Cellars has taken shape in a variety of forms over a 5 year lifetime, but has never strayed from its sparkly synthpop roots. Citing influence from the likes of Madonna, Yaz, and Prince, it’s hard not to catch some of the infectious energy Norton channels our way. After a life-threatening health experience nearly a year ago, she is back and ready to light up the Austin, Texas music scene once more. Get hooked on “All The Time” via Manimal Vinyl Records below.

Charlotte & Magon – “Yes I Am”

May 28, 2018

Parisian pop duo Charlotte & Magon are back with another historically campy music video for their track “Yes I Am.” Their vintage-inspired cosmic pop sound sets them apart from the crowd, along with their expressive and accessible lyricism and delivery. The video manages to highlight the song’s playfulness by way of their unhampered dance moves and vibrant doodling. There’s something purely feel-good and unrefined about this track that’s hard to get enough of. Get a feel for “Yes I Am” in motion picture below.

L I P S – “Apartment”

May 28, 2018

There’s just something about saccharine dream pop that really hits the spot. If you’re on the lookout for your latest fix, British quartet L I P S aims to please in their balmy track “Apartment.” Frontwoman Rachel Anstis’ vocal stylings echo that of the DIY songstresses of our age like Hazel English and Gabrielle Smith of Ó (formerly Eskimeaux,) while the band’s inquisitive indie rock stylings allude to a smattering of surf rock, alternative, and shoegaze influences. It’s the perfect mix of fuzzy ambience and dozy melodies. Lose yourself in the waves of reverb and beaming guitar lines below, and check the band’s previous releases here.

The Silhouette Era – “Waste Me”

May 25, 2018

San Francisco based The Silhouette Era funnel pure kineticism through a sieve in their recent single, “Waste Me.” This four-piece has everything you could hope for from a California band – there’s the garage rock abrasiveness, the surf rock shred, and punk-inspired vocals to make a slacker rock heart melt. They hit their sonic stride somewhere on the spectrum from Wavves to The Orwells, which turns out to be a winning mix. Their pension for rowdy live shows will certainly hold strong with this track, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a crowd surfer or two down the line. With the band amping up their touring presence and discography, the future is looking California sunshine-bright for The Silhouette Era. Check out “Waste Me” below, and find more where that came from here.

Active Bird Community – “Spend The Night”

May 24, 2018

There’s something immediately catchy about indie rock quartet Active Bird Community’s latest single “Spend The Night” that’s hard to put a finger on. Maybe it’s the band’s earthy garage rock feel, mixed in with a few drops of whiny punk essence. Maybe it’s faint guitar distortion, the driving beat, or the rousing group vocals. More than likely, it’s a combination of all of the above. This track captures the jaded, slacker vibes that we’ve come to love of bands like Modern Baseball and The Front Bottoms, but ABC does it differently. After 13 years as a band, they seem to mastered the art of the slow build. Where younger indie guitar bands dive in headfirst with layers of electric fuzz and blatant lyricism, these guys from Brooklyn have got making an impact down to a science, adding in a stereo guitar line here and a falsetto-laden vocal track there, while still[...]

Last Box of Sparklers – “Give Way, Long Gone”

May 24, 2018

Last Box of Sparklers’ track “Give Way, Long Gone” is perhaps best described as hazy psych pop. The Gothenberg indie production project-turned-experimental collaboration has a foggy, yet delicate sound reminiscent of early Teen Suicide (now American Pleasure Club.) There’s a sense of personability and intimacy to the song that’s not always easy to find, as if frontman Erik Gunnar Nyberg is confiding in a friend while soundtracking his innermost thoughts. The group clearly has a soft spot for vintage synths, piecing each instrumental element together so that they seamlessly coexist while remaining distinct. It’s the ideal mix of down-to-earth indie pop and carefully calculated electronica. Take “Give Way, Long Gone” for a spin, and check out the rest of LBOS’ album Airwaves if time allows.

Oddysseys – “Fever Dream”

May 24, 2018

The haunting disco stylings of Boston’s Oddysseys culminate in the band’s recent single release, “Fever Dreams.” If you’re into sad boys making somber dance music reminiscent of the 70s, it doesn’t get much better than these guys. Their wordpainting conjures visions of restlessness and longing, while lyrically the track broods over what could have been. It’s all what ifs and missed connections, only adding to the effect of their dark and dusky sound. This is Oddysseys’ third single release in the past year, sparking hopes for an album release in the near future. For now, get familiar with “Fever Dreams” and the rest of the trio’s discography here.

Feelium – “Your Heart Will Learn To Recognize It In Time”

May 22, 2018

Swedish pop duo Feelium take on a reminiscence that’s syrupy sweet in their track “Your Heart Will Learn To Recognize It In Time.” They combine video game-era electronics with dreamy saxophone, melismatic paired guitar lines, and 60s soft rock vocal refrains that channel The Carpenters or The Beach Boys, reminding us all of a simpler time. The track provides just enough musical nostalgia to be irresistible, while still bringing that lifeblood of inventiveness that we’ve come to expect with standout indie pop bands. It’s a full three and a half minutes of non-stop, radiating light. If “Your Heart Will Learn To Recognize It In Time” has you hooked, check out the rest of the duo’s singles here. We have a feeling you won’t regret it.

Palm Ghosts – “Who Knew Me Better Than You”

May 22, 2018

Nashville’s murky indie rock quintet Palm Ghosts dip their toes into cinematic soundscaping with their latest track, “Who Knew Me Better Than You.” Meandering guitar lines set the song up for success, combined with the brooding fervor of Joseph Lekkes and Erica Whitney Wilkes’ vocal duet. Despite its sunny instrumentals, the track takes on a bit of a melancholy tone, stirring up the deep introspection Palm Ghosts is famous for. This single is the precursor to the band’s upcoming third album, Architecture, promising more electronic ambience and some 80s rock flare. In the meantime, taste test “Who Knew Me Better Than You” below, and find some of their previous releases here.

Digisaurus – “A Simple Way”

May 12, 2018

L.A.’s Digisaurus is not your average electropop project. The handiwork of James Allison, Digisaurus combines years of production and performance experience with electrifying vitality and neon hues. Allison’s storied career boasts tours with Weezer and recording sessions with Phantogram, among a host of others, attesting to his musical mastery. Since his 2015 outset, Digisaurus has garnered a reputation for hard-hitting singles, and his latest, “A Simple Way,” is certainly no exception. The track is part of his monthly single release series, and highlights zippy synth lines, meandering guitar strains, and unwavering falsetto. The song’s production is as experimental as it is ever-evolving, making for an engaging listening experience from start to end. “A Simple Way,” along with its B side track “Detour,” lay the groundwork for the second leg of his upcoming tour, with a number of dates alongside an appearance at Norman Music Festival. Dig in to the track below[...]

Courts – “Tonight”

May 11, 2018

UK quartet Courts defy genre boundaries and refute definition via their latest tune “Tonight.” This track seems to crack the code for the optimum party anthem, stringing together an anthemic disco-inspired chorus with jangly guitar lines, a soulful backbone, and a rapid verse delivery that gives a nod towards London’s notorious grime scene. There’s something deeply infectious about a healthy dose of Brit culture with a dance-driven, indie rock groove, and we can’t seem to get enough. Lyrically, the track parses through the plasticity of existence these days, grappling with perceptions of reality in the digital age. Courts clarifies, saying the song focuses on “spirituality, love, and the connection we feel to the universe. Everyone is painting false perceptions online, not many people are being real. It’s about tapping into the positive amongst all the negative.” Check out the video for “Tonight” below, where a low-key night at the pub turns[...]

Coastal Wives – “Ramen”

May 11, 2018

Denver’s ironically named indie rock foursome Coastal Wives meets youthful energy with gritty guitar-ridden angst in their latest single “Ramen.” An ode to the beloved discount noodles/college kid meal of champions, the song digs into some coming of age themes and the clumsy growing pains that come with them. The band identifies their sound as blues rock, however, the full essence of Coastal Wives is much more complicated than that. It’s easy enough to pick up on the band’s folksy influence via their meandering guitar lines, alongside a bit of an emo edge, garage fuzz, and surfy twang. Get a feel for their sound with “Ramen” below, and find the band’s full discography on their bandcamp.

Maratta – “Love’s For Real (feat. Kerry Reeve.)”

May 9, 2018

Budding San Francisco producer Maratta promotes a greater appreciation for the art of dance music in his single “Love’s For Real (feat. Kerry Reeve.)” This track is an homage to Maratta’s assortment of influences, from jazz, to house electronica, to disco. Citing inspiration across the board, including his native Seattle hip-hop, Michael Jackson, and Steely Dan, it’s no surprise that Maratta’s music crosses boundaries and genres in one fell swoop. His pulse on famed dance music of the past makes his music all the more impactful, bringing something both new and nostalgic to the production table that we don’t often see. Stay tuned to find out where Maratta’s next original release takes him.

Juno Disco – “Do What You Want”

May 9, 2018

Aussie electronic duo Juno Disco bridge genre gaps with their debut single “Do What You Want.” What starts off as tropical take on electro-funk quickly brings in hints of synthwave, indie pop, and house. If you consider yourself an electronic music skeptic, this song just might be the one to turn you. As the title suggests, “Do What You Want” is all about staying true to yourself and letting go, encapsulated through radiating synths, light percussion, and a buzzing bass line. The mellow vocals take a page out of the M83/Vampire Weekend textbook, combining rhythmic delivery with sweeping track layers. Take Juno Disco’s premiere release for a spin below – this isn’t a band you’ll want to sleep on.

Firstworld – “Space”

May 6, 2018

Everyone loves a good concept album, right? In the age of the hit single, it’s often refreshing to see an artist put in the effort to mold a cohesive listening experience over several tracks. Miami’s Firstworld keeps the dream alive with an upcoming EP chronicling snapshots from each stage of a relationship. The EP features his premiere track “Space,” channeling some 80’s disco, psych pop, and early 2000s club scenes. The track gets its start with the help of thumping bass lines and pulsing synths, meeting brassy tones with ethereal clarity. It’s an invitation to tune out the rest of the world for the song’s nearly 6-minute duration. Our only recommendation is that you settle in for the ride. Tune in to “Space” below, and be on the lookout for the rest of Firstworld’s forthcoming EP, I’m Right Here.