SURVIVE – RR7349
The second half of 2016 has been a very good to Austin, Texas electronic band SURVIVE. The preposterous viral success of Stranger Things on Netflix this summer catapulted the largely unknown band into the public's imagination thanks to adoring articles from Pitchfork,...
Hypoluxo – If Language
Drawing inspiration from bands like Beach Fossils, DIIV, and Told Slant, it isn’t difficult to figure out the hometown of new Broken Circles signees Hypoluxo. Further building on “that Brooklyn sound,” Hypoluxo’s new record, If Language, takes atmospheric dream pop...
Bon Iver – 22, A Million
In 2012, Justin Vernon announced he was putting his musical brainchild, the beloved and acclaimed Bon Iver, to rest on an indefinite hiatus. In the years since, he has been essentially in hiding. There were occasional collaborative efforts with the likes of Kanye West...
Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam – I Had a Dream That You Were Mine
I Had a Dream That You Were Mine is the debut album from the partnership of Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam Batmanglij. Appropriately named Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam, the duo has found a delightful sound together as they venture into solo careers. Leithauser’s band...
Wilco – Schmilco
On their tenth album, Wilco’s arrangements are as bare as ever. Following last year’s more effervescent release Star Wars, 2016’s Schmilco is laid-back, stripped-down and acoustically driven. The band themselves described the record as “joyously negative,” an...
Prince Daddy & the Hyena – I Thought You Didn’t Even Like Leaving
Do you like Bomb The Music Industry!? Do you like PUP? Do you like Weezer? Do you like WEED? If you answered any of those questions, you should probably go put on I Thought You Didn't Even Like Leaving by Prince Daddy & The Hyena. Hailing from Albany, NY, the...
De La Soul – and the Anonymous Nobody…
It isn't easy being De La Soul. Almost from the start, the struggle has been real for the Long Island trio: instead of enjoying immediate cultural impact of their debut album Three Feet High And Rising and it's idiosyncratic and irreverently funny explorations of hip...
Frank Ocean – blond
For most fans, the wait for new Frank Ocean has felt like more than just four years. However, four years is all it has been since his landmark debut album channel ORANGE firmly put him on the map. Much speculation and anticipation feverishly built up over that time...
County Mike – Live Alone
Alongside other Albanian groups like Coupons and They Are Gutting A Body of Water is County Mike, a new, mysterious one-man-band fronting a near lo-fi sound that flutters comfortably within the boundaries of alt-folk. The man behind the mask (and beard) is Michael...
Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
British soul singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has released his second album for Polydor Records. For this sophomore release, he enlisted the help of veteran Danger Mouse to handle the bulk of production duties. Love & Hate is a smooth and melodic record steeped...
Coupons – Number One Hit Album
Coupons is an Albany-based group that seemingly mastered mid-tempo, just-sad-enough songs. At times they're bluesy, at times they're straight power-pop, and at times they're math-y (namely the drums). In creating their Number One Hit Album, Coupons carved themselves a...
They Are Gutting A Body of Water – s/t
They Are Gutting A Body of Water is a rather complex name for an emotional, lo-fi solo act by singer/songwriter Doug Dulgarian. Dulgarian, a lead singer to Albany-based Jouska, proudly released late last month via the project's bandcamp. The album is written as if...
Weaves – s/t
Buzz Records signees Weaves have released their much anticipated debut album. The Toronto-based indie group’s self-titled effort is an energetic amalgam of noises. It’s a delightful smorgasbord, where you’ll find elements of pop, rock, funk, punk, and indie. The...
Andy Hull and Robert McDowell – Swiss Army Man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Robert McDowell are broadening their horizons with their latest project. The pair were enlisted by experimental film directors Dan Kwan and Dan Scheinert (known professionally as The Daniels) to record the score for their newest...
GØGGS – s/t
GØGGS is a fairly recent project primarily made up of Ty Segall, Ex-Cult frontman Chris Shaw, and Charles Moothart. As we have seen with FUZZ, when Ty and Charles Moothart collaborate they can make some great riff-centric jams. Also, with Chris Shaw’s claim to fame...
Mitski – Puberty 2
While attending SUNY Purchase, indie-rocker Mitski self released her first two albums. After graduating, she signed with Double Double Whammy to release a third. Now with Dead Oceans Records, her fourth studio album Puberty 2 is an earnest look at growing up. She...
The Hotelier – Goodness
Massachusetts natives The Hotelier are just a little bit lighter on their latest release. The underground emo revival champions’ third record, Goodness, was prefaced with a statement from lead singer-bassist Christian Holden. In it, he indicated a subtle shift from...
Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial
Recording under the moniker Car Seat Headrest, Will Toledo has self-released eight albums between 2010 and 2015. He finally made his major label debut last year with Teens of Style, a collection of reimagined tracks from his previous albums, now performed with fuller...
PUP – The Dream Is Over
Toronto punk rockers PUP are back with their second full-length album. The title, The Dream Is Over, is apparently a jab at vocalist-guitarist Stefan Babcock’s doctor. After incessant touring following their 2014 self-titled debut, Babcock’s vocal cords were shredded....
Rogue Wave – Delusions of Grand Fur
Hop in your car, roll the windows down, drive along a long winding road, and throw on Rogue Wave's Delusions of Grand Fur in your CD player. Well, I should say throw this album on the aux chord because this is 2016, lets be real. Rogue Wave’s sixth studio album...
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have been on a tear since forming in 2010. The Melbourne, Australia-based psychedelic rockers are now on their eighth full-length studio album in six years, an impressive output considering they are also relentless live performers....
Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop – Love Letter for Fire
Singer-songwriter heavyweight Sam Beam (know mostly as Iron & Wine) has released another collaborative work, titled Love Letter for Fire. After 2015’s joint effort with Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Beam has teamed up with singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop, who is...
Evil Wizardry – The Garden
On April 25, Evil Wizardry released the condensed, electronic beauty that is The Garden. Evil Wizardry is a Utica-grown ambient, dream pop, noise band. A summary of those genres is: Though there are vocals and lyrics to this 5-song EP, don't try to listen close...
Parquet Courts – Human Performance
Parquet Courts is one of the rare rock'n rolls bands in the last couple of years to manage a consistent number of good releases in a short period of time. Coming from Brooklyn, they manage a good work ethic and have put out some actually thought-provoking music that...
Kevin Morby – Singing Saw
After a stint in the group Woods and a short lived side project The Babies, singer-songwriter Kevin Morby is now on his third solo record, titled Singing Saw. He has grown with each album, establishing a unique voice in a musical realm of familiarity. With pristine...
The Cat Empire – Rising With The Sun
The Cat Empire has just released their new album Rising With the Sun. I wouldn’t put this Australian band into any particular genre because they are a very unique group that incorporates several genres into their astounding music. Rising With the Sun is a very...
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
Releasing a rock and roll album at 68 years old is no easy task as the genre is almost synonymous with youthful energy. When you are one of rock’s most legendary icons does that mean you can still release music that was up to par with your early material? That’s a...
Ray LaMontagne – Ouroboros
On the latest from folk-rock veteran Ray LaMontagne, he takes his sound another step farther from his earlier material. Ouroboros is his sixth full-length studio album, and the sonic palette is as expansive as it’s ever been. The singer-songwriter has enlisted...
M. Ward – More Rain
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Matthew Ward (aka M. Ward) has released his 8th solo studio and first album since 2012, More Rain. The restless indie-folk favorite is known for his work with duo She & Him, super group Monsters of Folk, his...
Damien Jurado – Vision of Us on the Land
Damien Jurado brings us a unique experience with his newest album titled, Visions of Us on the Land. His latest release is a 17-track album that revolves around the acoustic guitar. From the experimental folk genre that has risen from the Indie Rock scene, this...
PineSheets – Casual Frustrations
… Think a completely synthetic Elvis Depressedly meshed with the trippy-ness of Youth Lagoon. The previous ellipse is necessary as it reflects Casual Frustrations' tendency to slow your breathing as you become entangled in its dizzying churn. For PineSheets’ new EP,...
ROMP – Departure From Venus
When two individuals meet via Tinder, one would be safe to assume that there is a certain "connection" waiting to be made. That swipe to the right might result in a new partner if you catch my drift. In our age of digital love, what does a Tinder swipe really mean? In...
Kendrick Lamar – untitled/unmastered.
After several rumors surfaced last week regarding a new project, Kendrick Lamar surprise-released a compilation of previously unreleased material in the early hours of Friday morning. untitled unmastered. consists of eight tracks that were recorded during sessions for...
DIIV – Is the Is Are
DIIV has acquired quite the reputation among independent music fans over the last couple of years. For both their music and through offstage controversies, like when the bassist of the band, David Ruben Perez, was accused of making bigoted statements on the image...
School of Seven Bells – SVIIB
After nearly a decade, Alejandra Deheza is ending School of Seven Bells. Originally a trio, Deheza is lone founding member after her twin sister Claudia left in 2010 and Benjamin Curtis tragically passed away in 2013. SVIIB is the fourth and final album from the dream...
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made
Seattle-based hip-hop duo, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, have a lot to say on their sophomore album. This Unruly Mess I’ve Made is a hodgepodge of genres, thoughts and stories. A lot of the tracks do actually hit their mark, while others fall short of the massive...
Ra Ra Riot – Need Your Light
After three years of no music from Ra Ra Riot, they have finally released new material with the act's fourth studio Need Your Light. Co-produced with Rostam Batmanglij, former member of Vampire Weekend, the album has brought Ra Ra Riot’s electronic anthems back to the...
The Pooches – Heart Attack EP
The Pooches are an up-and-coming indie band hailing from Glasgow and signed to Philadelphia-based indie label, Lame-O Records. The band's latest release, Heart Attack EP, is modern indie-surf pop at its best, coming across like the softer albeit friendlier little...
Ty Segall – Emotional Mugger
Ty Segall is arguably one of the most hardworking artists in music right now, and he's only improving with an increasing catalog of releases and side-projects. The guy has kept good company since he started making music in his early years with the likes of Mikal...
Hinds – Leave Me Alone
Hinds’ debut album Leave Me Alone is bursting with sunny energy. Direct from Madrid, Spain, these indie rockers come out with a bang. Leave Me Alone was released in the middle of winter and their spin on garage-rock pop is a much-needed doldrums-reliever. From the...
J. Cole – Forest HIlls Drive: Live from Fayetteville, NC
J. Cole released his fourth album, Forest Hills Drive: Live from Fayetteville, NC at the tail end of January. This is a live album of Cole's third album Forest Hills Drive, except with the bonus addition of “Note to Self.” The album is very different from the studio...
MONEY – Suicide Songs
Hailing from Manchester, England, MONEY’s aim is wide on their sophomore album. Titled Suicide Songs, the album takes on a large, atmospheric scope, and a tonality of self-oblivion. Here, lead singer and songwriter Jamie Lee tackles isolation and despair head on. He...
The Black Ships – Dead Empires
The question of what would have happened in a world where Joy Division still exists is one of pop culture's enduring questions. And while the Manchester foursome may have never been able to answer, Saratoga Springs' The Black Ships may be able to, at least sonically....
Petite League- Slugger
Baseball. Rock ‘n’ Roll. The Carrier Dome. Do those phrases resonate as “American” to you? Well, they should. And they’re three words that, more or less, resonate with the band from ‘Cuse known as Petite League. Petite League is a lo-fi garage rock band currently...
Prince Daddy & The Hyena – Adult Summers
Prince Daddy & The Hyena has me baffled. They've just put out something truly unique, an almost unclassifiable sounding new EP called Adult Summers. My attempt at classification: take equal parts Andrew W.K. and The Hotelier, and toss in a dash of The Locust. One...
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – It’s A Holiday Soul Party
It's not that holiday music stinks per se, it's the fact that holiday music is bloody ubiquitous for a solid month; weaponized against us every time we go into a store (notably, except for The People's Wegman's on Amherst St). There's also a lot of terrible holiday...
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Paper Mâché Dream Balloon
If you haven’t heard of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, here’s a short history of the band’s existence. They formed in 2010 in Melbourne, literally as a side-project/joke band. They released the hard-hitting 12 Bar Bruise in 2012. It was mostly garage-ey psych...
BØRNS – Dopamine
Hey, did you like Foster The People’s Torches? ...No? Well boy oh boy, do I not have the album for you. This time around, it's from Garrett Borns. Birthed in Michigan, and better known as his stage name BØRNS, Mr. Borns has released his full first length album,...
Neon Indian – VEGA INTL. Night School
After what seemed like a relatively boring end of summer in terms of new releases, we’ve got a bunch of goodies coming out from indie icons. Seasoned veterans (Wavves) and 22 year future bedroom stars (Alex G) have both put out new stuff this month, but we’re going to...
City and Colour – If I Should Go Before You
City and Colour strikes gold again with its fifth album titled If I Should Go Before You. The band preserves its deep and solemn lyrics accompanying its melodious sounds, but definitely has changed from previous album The Hurry and the Harm, opting for a newer mixture...