New Music

Cold Boys – “You Used To Be Alright”

June 13, 2016

Cold Boys have just released a hot (see what we did there?) new track called “You Used To Be Alright.” After debuting last year with the imaginatively titled EP, EP, they are back with a shimmering slice of hazy guitar-pop. “You Used To Be Alright” is chill like its namesake and brings to mind fellow Londoners Bombay Bicycle Club in their more straightforward, indie rock days. Be sure to stop by Cold Boys’ Soundcloud Page and download “You Used To Be Alright” for free. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263755688″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

BD & The Jackrabbits – “Robbery/Galaxy”

June 13, 2016

Chicagoans BD & The Jackrabbits caught our attention this week with the stuttering “Robbery/Galaxy,” a 90s-flavored emo/rock jam. Fans of The World Is A Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die would surely enjoy the quasi-shouted catharsis from this quirky sextet. What’s more, this particular version is live, capturing the band’s impassioned harmonies and quiet/loud dynamics. Stop by their Bandcamp page and have a listen to their new Live EP. We recommend starting with “Robbery/Galaxy” below.

IDE – “Flight Patterns”

June 10, 2016

Brooklyn’s IDE lays down some ferocious lyricism on his new track “Flight Patterns.” Produced by Lucky Loopiani, “Flight Patterns” has a wonderful, classic hip hop beat centered around some plucked Asian strings. It sounds heavily influenced by the work of Wu Tang leader RZA. Behind the mic IDE is boastful, contemplative and gritty, relaying his New York spirit in lines like “I’m just lost in the maze, but I’ll find my way.” His flow weaves between crass and rapid as he lays down a fiery performance. For hip hop heads looking for more IDE, his newest project “Breathe Easy” drops this month. Give “Flight Patterns” a listen below.

The Dead Ships – “First Mistakes”

June 10, 2016

Coming off the high of a coveted Coachella slot, The Dead Ships are winding up to release their highly anticipated debut LP, CITYSIDE. We were lucky enough to stumble upon “First Mistakes,” a fantastic sneak peak of what’s to come. “First Mistakes” is an upbeat jangle pop track with soaring vocals and a yearning vibe, similar to Wilco, We Are Scientists, or Paper Rival. CITYSIDE is due out on June 26th via Nevado music. Till then, have yourself a listen to “First Mistakes” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264975739″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Titanics – “Close Enough”

June 9, 2016

Albany electro-pop duo Titanics just released the beguiling single “Close Enough” a few weeks before their performance at Herd Fest, and it’s safe to say that we should start getting stoked for this show sooner rather than later. Consisting of Mark Lombardo and Derek Rogers, Titanics deal in a sub genre (dubbed by them) “tranquil pop,” and the description is accurate as “Close Enough” is a gorgeous slice of Washed Out by way of M83 electronica, all hazy vocals, sexy attitude, dreamy synths, and tastefully deployed guitars and sax that gets all in your ear to shives your timbres. Titanics will be part of Herd Fest 2016, playing at Dreamland Saturday,  June 18th with Brat’ya, Humble Braggers, and M.A.G.S..

LIF – “It Ain’t Over”

June 8, 2016

LIF, AKA Felipe Cea, is a sound designer/singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia who specializes in mixing indie-pop and funk. “It Ain’t Over” is a true summer jam that continues his trend of thumping, indie funk bolstered by sounds of eras past. Late 80s electric piano tones and funky wah guitars mesh seamlessly with LIF’s contemporary, spacey vocal delivery. LIF’s music is out now via Lyfeik Records. Have a listen to “It Ain’t Over” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265804260″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Frith – “L’Amour C’est La Vie”

June 8, 2016

I admit that I can’t speak French, but Frith‘s “L’Amour C’est La Vie” transcends all language barriers. “L’Amour C’est La Vie” is a smooth, jazzy tune about a universal truth – losing your woman to another man (and hoping she comes back). Lady problems aside, we are digging Frith’s atmospheric vibes, especially from the stand-up bass featured on the track. “L’Amour C’est La Vie” is available for free if you stop by Frith’s Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263476909″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Well Rested – “Neeas”

June 7, 2016

The Well Rested are a group of British rockers whose music is in the vein of The Growlers, Connan Mockasin, or Allah-las. Their campy new video for “Neeas” had us chuckling and grooving at the same time, mixing randomized imagery with floating, dismembered body parts… Let’s just say it’s something you should see for yourself. Check out the video for “Neeas” below, and don’t forget to swing by The Well Rested’s Bandcamp page to pick up their EP.

Plastic Picnic – “Nausea In Paradise”

June 6, 2016

Plastic Picnic really pulled out all the stops on this one. The Brooklyn-based band is actually a group of Seattle transplants, which explains a lot about their sound. On their new single, “Nausea in Paradise,” the band brought in Producer/Engineer Ted  Young (Sonic Youth, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Kurt Vile) to record. The result is an explosion of shimmering, 80’s influenced indie-punk. The song ends in an explosion of reverb and melody along the lines of The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Wild Nothing, or Yuck. “Nausea In Paradise” is currently available for purchase on iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/260797810″ 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 Hazy Seas – “Kite Dodging”

June 6, 2016

The Hazy Seas are a spry quartet from the upper peninsula of Michigan. Their new song, “Kite Dodging,” is a tightly wound number about a 1980’s-era sport kite. The playful nature of the song is paired with a set of ominous lyrics, juxtaposed with what can only be described as upbeat, cheerful and chimey indie pop. Fans of Foals, Two Door Cinema Club, or The Wombats would surely enjoy The Hazy Seas. Be sure to snag a free download of “Kite Dodging” from The Hazy Seas’ Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262735730″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Smashing Lads – “Easier Said Than Done”

June 5, 2016

Smashing Lads is a group of English men who just don’t want to go to work anymore (and neither do we). Their new video for “Easier Said Than Done” tackles the simple, age-old question of: “Why the hell do I have to go to work today?” Despite the lyrical content, the song is charmingly upbeat, and this particular quartet’s sound is comparable to classic rock bands like The Beatles and The Kinks, wrapped in a contemporary Kaiser Cheifs vibe. “Easier Said Than Done” is Smashing Lads’ stellar debut single. Check out their website for more info here.  

Luke August – “One Heart”

June 5, 2016

Look out Miike Snow! Luke August is a  promising solo act from Perth who decided to take an electronic approach on his new song “One Heart.” The song is about an unfaithful relationship; the lyrical content compliments August’s yearning vocal approach. Textured synths flesh out the rest of the song, reminiscent of the aforementioned Miike Snow, Cut Copy, and the 1980s. “One Heart” can be purchased from Luke August’s Bandcamp page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265176225″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tigertown – “Lonely Cities”

June 5, 2016

Tigertown is a Sydney-based quartet whose Lonely Cities EP recently found its way into our inbox. We were more than pleasantly surprised with the title track and the snappy accompanying video. Tigertown has been picked up by prestigious tastemakers Neon Gold,  and for good reason. Their nimble brand of synth-pop is reminiscent of other pop giants like Of Monsters and Men, Icona Pop, or lablemate Charli XCX. You can pick up Tigertown’s new EP, Lonely Cities, via iTunes. Give the video for “Lonely Cities” a click below.  

Lost Coast – “This Is Water”

June 4, 2016

“This Is Water” is the result of having one foot planted firmly in the club and the other in melodic pop music. Lost Coast has created a sonic landscape with “This Is Water,” a track full of swelling, growing, ebbing, and flowing. The result is a track that is hard and driving while still remaining subtle and reflective. Fans of Lane 8 or HVOB would dig Lost Coast’s brand of house. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263365957″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lukr – “Fucked Up Summer”

June 4, 2016

Disclaimer: we’re about to let a few f-words loose. Nashville crooner Luke Foley (aka Lukr) is riding the waves of his new summer-themed banger, “Fucked Up Summer.” In the video for the new tune, we see the impressively-bearded Lukr splitting time between his music city hometown and the graffitti-laden neighborhood of Bushwick in Brooklyn. Lukr is chasing that big pop sound and “F*cked Up Summer” is incredibly pop-minded, highlighting Lukr’s quasi-rough, southern-tinged vocals with a set of fucked-up-romance style lyrics. Check out the vid for “Fucked Up Summer” below. If you and your SO are feeling the fucked up vibes, you can snag a free download from iamlukr.com.