Listen Up

The Mercy Beat – “Sweet”

April 30, 2014

Thanks to My Old Kentucky Blog’s Blog Radio show on Sirus XM U yesterday for turning me on to LA-based pop act The Mercy Beat, and in particular, its celestial single “Sweet.” The group dropped the track a couple months back, but it seems to be getting more play as of late due to its airy vocals and dreamy synths. Fans of Trails and Ways, Young Galaxy, St. Lucia, and even the Radio Dept should check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/136016045″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Seahaven – “Karma Consequential”

April 29, 2014

Seahaven have traded distortion for chilled-out guitars and effected drums on this ambient track from Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140537809″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Peter Matthew Bauer – “Philadelphia Raga”

April 25, 2014

The most intriguing solo project to rise from the Walkmen ash is not from former front man Hamilton Leithauser, but rather the band’s bass/organ player Peter Matthew Bauer. The latest track from his solo debut, Liberation! (6/24), comes in the form of “Philadelphia Raga.” Leading off with a worn down instrumental, which recalls the Walkmen’s dreamy “Line by Line,” the song turns into a drifty folk number in the likes of Cass McCombs and even Calexcio. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/145816077″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Melted Toys – “Blush”

April 24, 2014

Our inbox was greeted to a nice treat this morning from San Fran based pop group Melted Toys. “Blush,” the lead single from the band’s self titled debut (7/15), sounds like Dearhunter if Bradford Cox decided to dabble in sugary pop music. There is a little lo-fi Ariel Pink or Pains of Being Pure at Heart goodness in there too. Listen to the song below and judge for yourself. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/143686196″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – “Eurydice”

April 15, 2014

Shimmering pop perfection from melancholy NYC indie quartet. The soaring “Eurydice” can be found on the Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s upcoming LP, Days of Abandon, due out on May 13th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/144201135″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Manchester Orchestra – “Top Notch (Acoustic)”

April 11, 2014

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142901285″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Manchester Orchestra offers a haunting acoustic take on the lead single from their new album, Cope.

Landlady – “The Globe”

April 10, 2014

Brooklyn’s Landlady has been catching a buzz since their impressive showing at last month’s SXSW festival/indie mecca. This week the band released it’s first single, “The Globe,” from the upcoming full-length titled, Upright Behavior. “The Globe” is disjointed and has an unpredictable song structure, meanwhile sounding like a pretty mix between a male-fronted Dirty Projectors and a more atmospheric Yellow Ostrich. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142767807″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Posse – “Shut Up”

April 9, 2014

Seattle trio Posse have described their sound as being inspired by “delay pedals and 27 years of disappointment,” hinting at a bleak, yet sincere sense of humor that comes across on their sophomore album, Soft Opening. Singer Paul Whitmann-Todd’s monotonous delivery is backed by slinking melodic guitar lines and a slow pulsing rhythm on “Shut Up,” as he discusses the banality of a relationship gone stale. Despite the dreary subject matter, a blissfully redemptive guitar solo at the two minute mark gives the track a sense of peaceful resolution. Drawing comparison to bands like Yo La Tengo, Pavement, and Real Estate, Posse occupy a familiar sonic territory that rarely ceases to be affective when purposefully executed in the manner that makes Soft Opening such a confident, rewarding LP. Stream “Shut Up” below.

She’s So Rad – “Levels”

April 8, 2014

Our inbox gets close to a hundred e-mails a day from PR agencies, freelance managers, and independent bands casting their nets for coverage. With the new updates to the site, we pledged to give more listens, reads, and write-ups to these e-mails. With that being said, Auckland, New Zealand’s She’s So Rad caught our attention with their new-shoe-wave single, “Levels.” The song is the returning single for the band after a member suffered an unprovoked beating that left him in coma. “Levels” is sincere, dreamy, and hypnotic. Fans of Black Light Dinner Party, Cherub, or even Metronomy would dig this euphoric synth-pop jammer. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134482097″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Great Western Plain – “Thom”

April 2, 2014

Driving is one word to describe Maine-based tree-piece, Great Western Plain. Their most recent release,  Elastic Smile, was sent to us a few short weeks ago, and has been on repeat in the buffaBLOG offices. The first track on the album, “Thom,” is a fourteen minute post-punk voyage that fans of Cloud Nothings, The Medications,  or French Toast (and probably  dozens of bands coming out of D.C. in the early-to-mid 2000s) would really appreciate.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – “Coming Down” [ft. Matt Berninger]

April 1, 2014

Fuzzy and exhilarating psych rock single from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s upcoming album, Only Run, due out 6/3. Features the National’s Matt Berninger on supporting vocals. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141751050″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

First Aid Kit – “My Silver Lining”

March 31, 2014

Lead off single from the folk sister’s forthcoming album, Stay Gold, set to drop on June 10th via Columbia Records. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140599293″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Woods – “With Light and With Love”

March 27, 2014

Swagger filled title track from forthcoming  release via Woodist Records (4/15). Woods continue to get better with every release, and With Light and With Love could be best yet. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140731408″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Todd Terje w/Bryan Ferry – “Johnny and Mary” [Robert Palmer Cover]

March 26, 2014

Maximum smoothness levels. Todd Terje is really someone to keep an eye on this year. Also getting Bryan Ferry on your track helps. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140882320″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]