New Music

Ayo River- “Porcelain”

July 20, 2017

Atlanta-based indie group Ayo River dropped their single “Porcelain.” Following up the release of their first single “Failed State” five months ago, the band expands upon that single in “Porcelain.” The guitar riffs match the somber vibe of the song. Gently picked strings pair well with the tapping of the cymbal in the background. Growing older is one of the main themes of the song, with lines like “I’ll be 25 soon/All my older friends never think it’s news,” showing how the change of age doesn’t really matter anymore. Listen to “Porcelain” below via SoundCloud.

Whales – “How Long”

July 20, 2017

Portuguese trio Whales recently released a vividly tongue and cheek video for their track “How Long.” The song is off to a groove-ridden start with pulsing drum track beats, filtering in haunting backing vocals, ruminating guitar lines, and driving synths for the total package. The thriving pop framework is soon taken over by a hearty alt rock conclusion, leaving the listener struck and hungry for more. This is the band’s second single release, with a debut album set for 2018. Dive into some stark visual imagery in the video for “How Long” below.

Rachel K Collier – “Rust”

July 20, 2017

Welsh electropop artist Rachel K Collier keeps things fresh and exciting with her new track “Rust.” The true embodiment of a one-woman show, Collier harnesses an independent and organic sound by way of her own production and performance. Featuring powerhouse vocals and swimming harmonies over a bed of animating house beats, the single blends party anthem with lovesick plea. Through tangible imagery, Collier sets the scene for a last stitch effort to reconcile and keep a relationship strong. Her second EP is set for release this fall, with a debut full length album out early next year. Until then, get your fix with “Rust” and more Rachel K Collier releases here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/323928124″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

annarestis – “full commie”

July 19, 2017

The Oakland-based commies in annarestis recently hit us up with their new jam, “full commie” and we dig it a lot. You may recognize one of the members, kbb, as a member of Trails & Ways, who we’ve written about multiple times. We think annarestis is just as deserving of a listen with its unique lo-fi mix and chill indie rock vibes reminiscent of early Shins, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, or Real Estate. Just so you know, “full commie” is very available via Bandcamp. full commie by annarestis

Dead Parties – “93”

July 19, 2017

Alt rock 5-piece Dead Parties meet wistfulness with grunge in their latest single “93.” The track is the result of a musical epiphany by frontman Etienne Mamo, recalled soon after a move across the globe from Melbourne to Barcelona. Set in a cacophony of guitar-driven fuzz, the band laments the best of times with driving bass and drum lines, listless vocal harmonies, and a stinging guitar solo. It’s a celebration of youthful angst through a lens of wisened nostalgia, made only more effective by the song’s addictive quality. Be on the lookout for more from Dead Parties by way of a debut album, to be released later this year. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310099536″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rahi – “Million Dollar Bike”

July 19, 2017

Jon Rahi took a different route to rap than most rappers. Las Vegas-based Rahi started off in rock music, but changed over to the production side of music. “Million Dollar Bike,” his new drop, shows Rahi true production side. There is a wide variety of samples used on the track to create the beat. The main mixture comes through the roots of three songs, “Biking” by Frank Ocean, “Portland” by Drake and “I Am A God” by Kanye West. Everything comes together to bring a deep bass and light kick to the explosive beat. Feature rapper Willay adds to the energy of the song through his support role. Check out “Million Dollar Bike” below via SoundCloud.

walkingshoe – “All The Wrong Places”

July 19, 2017

Chicago’s walkingshoe is not your typical indie rock solo project. His latest single, “All The Wrong Places” is a fair testament to that, bringing together raw acoustic elements with whimsically futuristic electronics. The track embodies walkingshoe’s soft spot for vintage recordings, honing in with crisp clarity on brisk acoustic guitars, luminous keyboard lines, and an irresistible vocal twang. It’s a breed of alt rock that’s perfect for the sizzling back roads of summertime, and it’s come just in time. Dig into “All The Wrong Places” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/331727712″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Hinkley – “Bible Has No Soul”

July 18, 2017

Alt-rock outfit Hinkley have been crafting their brand of fuzzy folk-rock for over a decade. The foursome’s track “Bible Has No Soul” is a true testament to ripening with age, off the band’s recent release Peak of Light. Frontman Will Veeder’s vocals cut clear across the haze made up of ethereal synths, smooth drum work, distortion guitars, and their twanging counterparts, keeping each line defined but well pieced together like a puzzle. They manage to nail down the contrasts perfectly, meeting clarity with grit and saccharine with crass. The Rochester natives find a way to marry country, rock, and shoegaze influences and have it make perfect sense. For more like “Bible Has No Soul” check out Peak of Light in its entirety here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/306585860″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Warp/The Weft – “Briars”

July 18, 2017

Poughkeepsie rock quartet The Warp/The Weft front the release of their upcoming album with their single “Briars.” The track highlights haunting vocal harmonies and stirring guitar lines, tied together with a faint buzz to accentuate the song’s lyrical eeriness. Since the band’s 2012 outset, they have amassed a reputation for a compelling listening experience, blending folk, chamber rock, and psychedelia. Think Dry The River with a bit more of a guitar-driven edge. If “Briars” has you hooked, be on the look out for The Warp/The Weft’s new album Mapping an Absence, to be released July 29th on Admirable Trait Records. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/332550182″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Yellow-House-Nuestras-Maquinas

Yellow House Drops New Track “Nuestras Maquinas”

July 18, 2017

Local indie rockers, Yellow House recently released a new single off their upcoming EP, slated for released on September 4, 2017. Opening up with guitar that’s got a bit of crunch to it, the song switches into something of a more standard indie beat, that ends up opening up once the vocals come in. The shoegaze like, listless quality to the vocals are made almost brittle when contrasted against the drums that really get going as the song goes on.  “Nuestras Maquinas” is a tight track that sits under 4 minutes and really pushes forward Yellow House’s sound after the release of their last LP, Songs from Limbo. Nuestras Maquinas by Yellow House

Catnip Cloud – “Lemonade Blade”

July 17, 2017

Introspective Norwegian songwriter Catnip Cloud (a.k.a. Kjartan Thorkildsen) caught our attention with his latest jam, “Lemonade Blade.” The song is about rain and loneliness, and Thorkildsen captures those vibes through use of vintage-sounding instrumentals, ambient guitars, and thumping bass. You can grab a free download of “Lemonade Blade” here.

Astral Cloud Ashes – “Moonphase Bloom”

July 15, 2017

Channel Island, United Kingdom based post-emo outfit Astral Cloud Ashes dropped the first single “Moonphase Bloom,” off their upcoming unnamed album. The single arrives one year after the release of their debut album Too Close to the Noise Floor and will be featured on their next album. The focus was placed more on the studio aspects of the band rather than the live aspects, placing more emphasis on working with a variety of sound engineers. There’s a sense of this effort through the sharpness of the guitars and the clearness of the vocal. If you’re looking for a clean sounding track, Astral Cloud Ashes bring it on “Moonphase Bloom.” Check out “Moonphase Bloom” below via SoundCloud.

Cina Polada – “Gloom”

July 13, 2017

Finnish indie pop combo Cina Polada dropped “Gloom,” the first single off their self-titled EP due out on September 29. The band is composed of Hilla and Tatu Miettinen, with Tatu’s brother Teemu and close friends Tony Salo and Nita Mattila. Growing in popularity with their place on Ja Ja Ja’s top Nordic Artists to Watch for 2016, the band hopes to continue their success in their EP. “Gloom” carries a vibe like its title. A mellow guitar riff leads to somber vocals. Hilla sings, “I’m just a waste of time, it’s just the way I feel,” further hammering away at the sad motif of the single. Listen to “Gloom” below via SoundCloud.

Pacewon & Mr. Green – “Massacre”

July 13, 2017

New Jersey-based emcee and producer Pacewon & Mr. Green dropped “Massacre.” Following the release of The Only Color That Matters is Green in 2008 and The Only Number That Matters is Won in 2012, the duo is back together to create more music. With hard-hitting bass and reverb, the track matches the tenacity of Pacewon’s hard-hitting bars. The track features Big Pun’s son, Chris Rivers, who brings the heat on his feature to keep up with the reputation of his family’s namesake. Listen to “Masscare” below via SoundCloud.

George Hollow – “Yipee Kai Yi Yay”

July 13, 2017

Pittsburgh-based rapper George Hollow dropped a music video for his single “Yipee Kai Yi Yay.” The video produced by The Hodak Brothers goes in a Tarentino-esque style in terms of artistic direction.  Ranging from shot selection to the use of bold letter face like the titles used in Pulp Fiction, the video captures the vibe perfectly. Bluesy guitars back up Hollow’s bassy vocals and bars. Check out the music video for “Yipee Kai Yi Yay” below.