New Music

CatchTwentyTwo – “Heartbreak Dance”

May 20, 2023

Up and coming Florida native CatchTwentyTwo has released a celebration of slick soulful disco and neon synths with his new single “Heartbreak Dance.” Smooth, dulcet vocals layered and electrified deliver emotional lyrics that originate from his heart while he is lost in the romance of a warm Californian night. A groovin’ bassline and four on the floor drum pattern carry CatchTwentyTwo’s production while synth stings dance and glimmer in the night sky as they pulse from you head to your feet and hips, making for a deliciously melodic dance track filled with hooks and mouthwatering production. “Heartbreak Dance” has influences ranging from Michael Jackson, The Weeknd, Pharrel, and Daft Punk all of which come together in CatchTwentyTwo’s undeniable and joy filled single. Listen to CatchTwentyTwo’s new song “Heartbreak Dance” on Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, and Apple Music.

Blondes – “Beautiful World”

May 20, 2023

Nottingham’s Blondes are on a bit of a hot streak lately (ICYMI, here’s our writeup of their previous single, “The Basement”). The quartet strikes again with their warm and luscious take on dream-pop, this time in a song called “Beautiful World.” A bouncing bassline provides the root for twinkling guitar leads to spiral around your ears – it’s topped off with a beautifully-delivered vocal, airy and gentle, that seems to yearn for better times. The band further explains their perspective below: “Beautiful World feels like our first proper pop song. It’s my favourite that we’ve written so far. It’s about our relationship with our environment and each other. We wrote it to speak not just for ourselves but to anyone that finds themselves looking around at our world and wondering just how we’ve become so disconnected from one another and the planet. We hope you like it.” Fans of Turnover,[...]

Born Twins – “Tiger”

May 20, 2023

“Tiger” is the lead track and second single from Texas based duo Born Twins‘ album Novelas Cortas (May 5). In it, bandmates Singer Mayberry and David Lujan have crafted a beautifully put together track that somehow ignores space and time. I think five minute songs are usually bloated, but this somehow ignores that gripe and I enjoyed it enough to add it to my regular rotation (not all bands get that distinguished honor). The play between Mayberry’s subdued vocals and the resonating guitar effect are this track’s biggest strength. Listen for the subtle Wurlitzer bass synth interspersed through too. If Bob Ross were a musician, he would have made a clever little comment to the effect of “we’re just gonna add in this tiny synth line here… if you use it in the intro make sure you come back to it again, but only if you want to.” Fans of[...]

Spirit Award – “New Energy”

May 15, 2023

Spirit Award is a collaborative effort between Daniel Lyon of Pomegranates and Chris Jordan, bassist of Sunny Day Real Estate. “New Energy” is a single off of their upcoming album, The Fear (May 19th). The track itself starts with tight guitar and drums that sound like they’re in a dead sprint to finish in first. Neck and neck, it turns into one of those Tough Mudder (TM) races as they come up on some more layered guitar with some subtle midi accompaniment, symbolizing that colored power stuff they throw on you (I think, I’ve never done a race in my life). On the subject of “New Energy” the band had this to say: “The song is a wishful look into the future. Change or progress isn’t always good as we have seen throughout history. But I believe some things and minds in this world must change in order for us[...]

Paper Lady – “Starcross”

May 15, 2023

There’s just something about a Big Muff that screams romance-gone-awry… Massachusetts-based act Paper Lady crank up the fuzz on latest single, “Starcross,” a scathing account of a farmer who (star)crossed the wrong lover. Singer Alli Raina’s vocals lay perfectly atop the buzz saw guitars and angry drum bombast, creating a sound that’s equal parts alt-rock and shoegaze. Feedback squalls and walls of guitar distortion will have you thinking of Pity Sex, My Bloody Valentine, and Nothing as you lay back and let PL’s sound tear up your heartbroken soul. You can find “Starcross” on Spotify, Instagram, and their website. Check out the YouTube embed below.

Isaiah Josiah – “Dumb To Fly”

May 15, 2023

Providence’s Isaiah Josiah is a bit of an enigma – one listen to his latest single “Dumb To Fly” will have you knowing exactly what we mean. “Dumb” is a pleasantly verbose song that falls somewhere near the cross sections of post-punk, hip hop, and synthed-out indie rock. Squiggly keyboards, punchy Casio-keyboard drumbeats, and Josiah’s enigmatic wordplay will leave you stunned as they fly (pun intended) in and out of your ears and leave you wondering how this could possibly be his debut single(!). If you’re into tongue-in-cheek or slightly self-deprecating vibes (think LCD Soundsystem or Viagara Boys), we think Isaiah’s got something up his sleeve for you. You can find “Dumb To Fly” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

k0d4m4 – “valkyrie”

May 15, 2023

It’s fitting that a song as mysterious sounding as “valkyrie” would come from an artist as mystifying as k0d4m4. Walking a fine line between haunting, ominous, and gorgeous, “valkyrie” takes elements from witch house, darkwave, and 8-bit music and combines it into a song about arguably the least electronic thing in the world – k0d4m4 explains below: “[‘valkyrie’ is about] a valkyrie, as in norse mythology, taking a fallen warrior to valhalla” Dark, danceable, and gauzy, “valkyrie” makes you want to dance just as much as it makes you question your reality – fans of Crystal Castles, Crim3s, or Pastel Ghost are going to love this one. Check it out below via the YouTube widget, or, check out k0d4m4’s latest album, white hearts, upon which “valkyrie” resides.

Frogs Show Mercy – “Stallion”

May 15, 2023

Miami-based Frogs Show Mercy are back with another spastic jam that is sure to scratch all of your basement show itches. If you remember our previous feature of FSM (ICYMI, see here), you already know that they specialize in pleasantly-wonky indiemo compositions reminiscent of The Dismemberment Plan, Cap’n Jazz, or DIIV. “Stallion” continues that trend with a hint of post-punk angularity, pairing clean guitar plucks with nimble bass theatrics and a guttural howl that’s as emotional as it is intense. The band completed the song in a single, fateful night, and the of-the-moment urgency of the song’s composition clearly shines through in the finished product. You can find “Stallion” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Sleepy Kitty – “Do It Without Me”

May 14, 2023

“Grimy meets shiny” is a perfect way to self-describe the music coming from New York-based act Sleepy Kitty. Their latest single, “Do It Without Me” caught our ears with its tried and true formula of chugging guitars, bouncing drum bombast, and upbeat but heartfelt vocals reminiscent of Best Coast or Beach Bunny. With sonic influences ranging anywhere from 60s girl groups to Weezer to the aforementioned acts, “Do It” starts with a bit of restraint before launching into an emotionally cathartic ending – perfect to get you amped up if you’re ever in the need for some angst. If you like “Do It Without Me” as much as we do, be sure to check them out via Bandcamp (below) or Spotify. Do It Without Me by Sleepy Kitty

Babe Rainbow – “Super Ego”

May 12, 2023

Today we have the joy of bringing you the latest single from Australia’s stoner-pop group Babe Rainbow, with the eccentric and wonderful “Super Ego” off their upcoming EP Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce, due for release on June 16th.  These psychedelic, permaculture farming, surf-cultists plant blurred, neon guitar lines and other worldly vocals in your ears while a joyous, groovy head trip blossoms. A sound evocative of Mort Garson’s Plantasia, Devendra Banhart’s freak folk, Junior Murvin’s reggae, and surf rock culminate in a singular and wholly lovable sound. Employing impeccable production, the song is a headphone trip that tickles the psyche while an effortless cool oozes into your chakras and wraps you in a psychedelic pop calm. Don’t deny yourself the joy of this trip. Listen to “Super Ego” by Babe Rainbow on Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Find more from Babe Rainbow on Instagram.

Flora Summers – “Obsessions”

May 12, 2023

The entrancing new pop single “Obsessions” has just been released by songwriter and producer Ida Johansson AKA Flora Summers. “Obsessions” is the first single from Flora Summers’ upcoming debut EP and will be Ida’s first foray into solo work after finding successes with pop duo Isle of You and contributing to the Grammy winning band Ghost’s latest album. Listen as the sun-soaked pop phrases swirl together with evaporating guitar lines that shimmer in the heat of obsessive love that burns hot and consumes you. Infectious rhythms from the bass and drum creates the head bopping root that Flora’s pop sonics flower from. Flora’s peerless vocals take center stage with evocative imagery and luscious delivery that will give you chills as you join her in finding your latest obsession. Here is Ida talking about the song’s creation: “Obsessions is the kind of song that fell from the sky. All of a[...]

Ellur – “Anywhere”

May 9, 2023

Halifax’s Ellur is here with a guitar-pop jam that encapsulates an entire coming-of-age story. With soaring melodies, a driving beat, galactic synth plunks, and Ellur’s passionate vocals, “Anywhere” brings to mind indie luminaries like Angel Olsen, Lorde, and HAIM. We’ve all been enthralled with people that are no longer in our lives at one point or another and Ellur zeroes in on those feelings of regret and longing with pinpoint accuracy – further explaining the song, Ellur explains: “Anywhere is a song written for your ex (the one that you’re not over). Set on a summer night, at dusk, after a day of drinking in a park somewhere with your friends. Your skin is warm, your head is dizzy and your recent ex is walking towards you. A song about a feeling I think everybody has felt. The building tension between you both; your past relationship and all the feelings[...]

STARRY EYES – “No Show”

May 9, 2023

The emotion is tangible in the newest single from Californian duo STARRY EYES. “No Show” is a grunge-pop ode to a heroin-addicted father – with a guitar-driven backbone and somber melodies aplenty, the ennui comes pouring out over the course of this song’s 4:46 runtime. With plenty of 90s alt-rock energy (think “The Freshman” from The Verve Pipe or “Stars” by Hum) and a pinch of emo revival energy, “No Show” checks all our emotional boxes with a healthy dose of starry-eyed (pun intended) nostalgia. About the EP, singer guitarist John Shippey adds: “These songs are for people who’ve been through some shit — music is our catharsis. Many of the songs on ‘Ciao Bella’ wrestle with the issues of addiction and loss, but we always try to balance the negative with the positive and keep looking toward the future.” “No Show” is available on the band’s new EP, Ciao[...]

charlø – “Lemon”

May 5, 2023

LA’s charlø (aka songwriter, vocalist, and producer Charlotte Reed) is here with a tape-aged bedroom-pop banger called “Lemon.” Synths that warp in and out of a vintage warble power this one forth, giving “Lemon” an indie rocker feel without losing sight of top 40-quality melodies. Complimenting the smooth production and pop-minded songwriting approach, “Lemon” is a song with a much deeper meaning – charlø uses her songwriting chops to diatribe about the challenges of being a female in the music industry, ultimately fantasizing about flipping the bird to her haters from the top. Here’s what Charlotte has to say about “Lemon” below: “Lemon came about from a general frustration around being written off by people in the music industry and just wishing that I could tell people to shut the fuck up sometimes. I hate feeling like you can’t risk burning bridges by speaking up for yourself in relationships where[...]

girlhouse – “gen x boyfriend!!”

May 5, 2023

Sugar and spice for sure – emphasis on the spice. We’ve been digging the latest from girlhouse (aka Lauren Luiz), a one-two punch of honeyed melodies and blistering guitar energy called “gen x boyfriend!!.” Relationships (especially ones full of love bombs) can often feel explosive in both good and bad ways and “boyfriend” certainly takes that sentiment to heart. With the raw intensity of Hole (think “Celebrity Skin”) working against girlhouse’s saccharine vocal chops, “boyfriend” feels like an outpouring of anger from someone sweet who’s been constantly keeping themselves in check. Check out what Lauren has to say about this one below: “Basically we wanted to tell the story of someone who is in the very beginning ‘they can do no wrong’ phase of a relationship, where all the red flags are ignored and all the abuse is somehow super endearing and ‘real.” I used to be super into older[...]