New Music

Goodfight – “Lucy”

November 10, 2017 Jason Klaiber

“Lucy” by the five-piece Floridian group Goodfight is carried right from the start until the song’s closing by energetic yet melodic guitar work slightly reminiscent of Real Estate and genuinely catchy harmonies. The female vocal part is innocent and baby doll-like for the duration of the verses before turning more angelic during the choruses. The male voice follows suit, matching its counterpart with a soothing-turned-weightless delivery, only at a slightly lower register. Goodfight’s upcoming album ‘Florida Room’ is slated for release on November 17th via Baby Blue.

Vacances – “Don’t Go”

November 10, 2017 Jason Klaiber

Formed by singer Danny Lannon upon the expiry of his preceding project The Frail, Vacances has found traction on Spotify as of late, owing to a style of vibrancy as well as the boost from the production and songwriting handlings of Alex Fitts of The Kickdrums, a team partly responsible for concocting hits put out by John Legend, 50 Cent, Lana Del Ray and Kid Cudi. The latest single from “Don’t Go” has ‘hit’ written all over it, exemplified by synth-pop stylings, an anthemic chorus and gentle-to-the-ear vocals all encased in a radio-friendly run time.

Glassio – “Daydream”

November 10, 2017 Jason Klaiber

At the start of “Daydream,” something exhilarating lurks, awaiting an invitation to burst out at the seams, as it does in full by song’s end. This something is a tantalizing breed of house and pop music ornamented with sonic, multi-layered brilliance. This new release from New York City-based indie-pop partnership Glassio finds its footing on jabs of keyboard, an insatiable bassline and ear-catching harmonies hoisted up by on-the-rise vocalist NAKAYA. Penned as both a sign of the times and a hybrid of Dr. Dre’s production methods and French electronic duo Air’s atmospheric touch, “Daydream” should induce momentary reflection, hand clapping and a willingness to treat the track with repeated listens all in one flurry.

Company Ink – “Eat Your Ropes”

November 10, 2017 Jason Klaiber

Irish-Norwegian duo Company Ink starts off their new single “Eat Your Ropes” with a disciplined keyboard line, which breaks into a stop-and-start rhythm of bass, drums and vocals. The casually delivered line “just taking sips of the fountain of life that is shit and piss” is at once explicit, humorous and thought-provoking. These words lead into the song’s chorus and the kinetic burst of instrumentation that pleasingly accommodates it. The second verse adds a layer of shimmery guitar to the picture, which gets its spotlight just beyond the midpoint of the song. Even while pulling in ancestral elements, namely the attitude of post-punk bands and the regimented style adhered to in electronic music, “Eat Your Ropes” maintains a singular, fresh sound.

JR JR – “Control”

November 10, 2017 Sean Lynch

Detroit-based indie pop group JR JR crafts bouncy infectious vibes on their new single “Control.” Coming off the release of their album JR JR in 2015, the band has released multiple singles in 2017. The song first came to band member Joshua Epstein while driving around in the group’s van in November. “Control was written on November 10th at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI,” said Epstein. “I woke up late and was driving in our van–which has no radio anymore. Suddenly the melody and the lyric was in my head, ‘careful of who you let control the people that you know oh-oh-oh’.” There is a sense of the care-free nature of the song. The use of analog elements gives the song a light floating effect. The vocals go from Dylan-esque with a faster-paced vocal to a smooth but powerful belt in the chorus. The twist between different pieces of[...]

Nicky William – “Hurricane”

November 10, 2017 Sean Lynch

Swedish artist Nicky William brings a small-town flair to his music with the release of his single “Hurricane.” The single is a part of his newest project Set Your Loved Ones Free We Have You Surrounded out on Hi-hat Music on November 17th. The single has a crisp sound through the mix of vocals and guitars. William’s baritone is soothing as it rolls along with the jingle of the guitar. The riff is simplistic, but pairs really well with the baritone singing from William. The song lies within the realm of folk, but production values link it to pop music as well. Check out “Hurricane” below via SoundCloud.

Pale Grey – “Seasons”

November 9, 2017 Cassandra Dailey

Belgium’s Pale Grey throw another piece of dreamy indie pop our way with their latest single, “Seasons.” The trio seamlessly capture the wistfulness of nostalgia, reflecting on the past as if casually flipping through the pages of a photo album. The track ties in muted guitar melodies, buzzing synths, and silky smooth vocals to create a sound that’s all in all comforting, while recollecting through a warm, rosy glow. It has an irresistible, soothing quality that provides both a sentimental journey and a soft place to land. Check out “Seasons” below, and get your full fix of Pale Grey here.

Kingdom of Birds – “Tired”

November 8, 2017 Cassandra Dailey

At first listen, Kingdom of Birds have the sound of a delicately refined band that’s been playing together for several years. The Toronto trio have a way of drawing in intrinsic guitar lines, rolling drum tracks, wispy vocals, and an ever-building song structure that musicians three times their age have yet to master. The band’s single “Tired” garners a moodiness associated with growing pains, where youthful restlessness butts heads with despondency. Vocalist/guitarist Ása manages to channel some of this angst into her vocal delivery, giving the song’s luminous melodies a slightly darker tint for emphasis. This track is the premiere single off the band’s upcoming album Pretty, where Kingdom of Birds will have you wishing you got a move on your music career a decade or two sooner.

Arms Akimbo – “Parachute”

November 8, 2017 Cassandra Dailey

L.A. indie rock outfit Arms Akimbo bring a softness to their alternative edge with their new single “Parachute.” The foursome joined forces after studying recording at Loyola Marymount University, where they would combine their varying musical backgrounds to draw up the band’s premiere EP in 2015. Since then, Arms Akimbo have amassed a reputation for buoyant instrumentation, soaring harmonies, and compelling drum lines, carrying this vitalizing energy on stage for their legendary live shows. “Parachute” is no exception, tying in rippling guitar lines, driving percussion, and heart-warming group vocals to bring it all home. Where traces of sunny surf rock in the clean guitar strains and vocal melodies meet mid-2000’s punk rock in the distortion guitar layering and gritty lead vocal delivery, the track is the best of both worlds, and just about as California alt rock as it gets. See for yourself with “Parachute” below.