New Music

Faults – “Should’ve Been”

May 28, 2018

Toronto’s art rock four-piece Faults produce a cavernous wall of sound in their latest single “Should’ve Been.” Astral guitar strains, spitfire drum fills, and ambient synths fill the air as frontman Aidan Belo-Nascimento’s seeping vocals weave it all together. This track is as much of a lament as it is a call to arms. There’s a lot of mull over with “Should’ve Been,” and that only makes the listening experience that much more captivating. If this is the first you’ve heard of Faults, you’ve come just in time for the band’s sophomore self-titled EP release, coming up on June 1st.

Basement Revolver – “Baby”

May 28, 2018

The atmospheric indie rockers in Basement Revolver know how to pull the heartstrings, especially in their newly minted single “Baby.” Songwriter Chrisy Hurn delves into her past experiences in a way that’s deeply personal and universally felt all at once, ruminating over regrets and should have beens. Meanwhile, the band strums up a sturdy foundation of rippling fuzz guitar, robust drum lines, and a cementing bass, all covered in a foggy layer of reverb. Despite the song’s sonic force, there’s something undeniably tender about the delivery that’s equal parts apologetic and wistful. Get a taste for “Baby” below, and stay tuned for the band’s upcoming album Heavy Eyes, due out August 24th on Sonic Unyon/Fear of Missing Out.

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.

Provoker – “Dark Angel”

May 25, 2018

Provoker surprised us with their surprisingly tasteful take on a combination of goth, post-punk, and punk. We recommend you start with their latest offering, the dark-wave punk of “Dark Angel.” the spine of this track is the thundering, overdriven bass that trudges along faithfully, but there is magic all throughout this track… Whether its the slacker-esque vocals, electronic drums, or sparse (but tasteful) guitar, this band sounds like a unique mix of The Cure, She Wants Revenge, and Joy Division. Visit their Bandcamp page for purchasing/listening options.

Spooky Forest – “Escape Artist”

May 25, 2018

Don’t be scared! Despite the foreboding name, the sounds that Philly DIY artist Spooky Forest create are actually quite inviting. We’re recommending you start with his latest jam, the smooth electronic-laced indie-pop of “Escape Artist.” With a swirly, chilled-out sound reminiscent of Portugal. The Man and Cold War Kids with a hint of Washed Out, this one’s sure to give you good vibes. Check it out via the widget below. If you like what you hear, be sure to visit Spooky’s Bandcamp.

Guilt Coins – “Iza Crime”

May 25, 2018

Guilt Coins is a rock band consisting of four dudes spread between Essex and London. They came together to craft the smart indie-punk of our latest recommendation, “Iza Crime.” The lo-fi, “band-in-action” shots of their music video supplement the frantic guitar work of their music perfectly… Be sure to stick around for the cool, stuttered ending. Fans of Bloc Party, Kasabian, or even Cloud Nothings will enjoy this one. Interested? Check the Coins out on iTunes.

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.

Straight White Teeth – “Illuminate and Burn”

May 19, 2018

Straight White Teeth, the project from songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Patrick McGuire, releases the visuals for his latest dreamy alt-pop single, “Illuminate and Burn.” Featuring a pensive, synth-driven beat, McGuire adds subtle acoustic riffs with entwined male/female vocals for a laidback track that will get the gears in your head turning. Check it out below. For more Straight White Teeth tracks, check out their SoundCloud here.