Russian Baths specialize in incorporating dissonance into traditional song structures. “Slenderman” makes this perfectly evident by blending atonal noise, 70s space rock, and modern indie punk sensibility into a three minute wall of sound. This NYC four-piece has jammed their songs full of big muff driven guitars, rolling tom beats, and cavernous female vocals… Dirty, but beautiful. Russian Baths’ new EP is out 2/23/2018 via Good Eye Records. Check it out on iTunes.
Abbot Kinney is an alternative rock band that specializes in big melodies, big choruses, and accessible songwriting. We’re bringing attention to a remix of their latest single, “It’s the Middle of the Night.” This song features a huge chorus with memorable vocal hooks and lots of frantic drum and synth work… Check this out if you’re a fan of MGMT, Foster the People, or Neon Trees. Do you like this song? Be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist.
New Mexico act Sorrytown infuses the desolation of their hometown into their particular brand of heart-on-your-sleeve emo rock reminiscent of Hum, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Superheaven. “Know” is our recommendation of where to start… Between the gut-wrenching lyrical content and the in-your-face grit of the guitar tone, this one is sure to get your emotions churning. “Know” is available on Bandcamp. Too by Sorrytown
If the title “Concrete Murder” isn’t enough to draw you into this new song from Utah alternative pop group OKKAH, perhaps its bursting rhythm will do the trick. OKKAH’s sound possesses noticeable influence from eastern cultures, a touch derived from their time spent in East Asia and sculpted with the universal appeal of amorous vocals and a catchy, electronica-like melody. Check out the track below:
“With Me,” a new track from Canadian art pop duo Language Arts, is pleasing beyond belief. The song is a full-bodied, engrossing concoction. The deep-seated bass, sparkling keyboards and gentle vocals make for a delightful four-minute listening endeavor that will relax and energize you at the same time. The music video for “With Me,” which can be viewed below, is a dazzling visual that arouses psychedelia and the stylings but not the downfalls of the rave scene. The band is currently on a small tour and in the process of putting together their third album.
Ringing in their new track “Good Times” with charging drums and an ensuing melody similar in the coolest way to the Law & Order theme song, Los Angeles brother-sister duo The Fontaines are a breath of fresh air. The simultaneously sultry and powerful vocals of Charlotte Fontaine are put through an amp here, giving the song a gritty and unique appeal. The brief instrumental solo in the latter half of the track is like a surge of high voltage, and the following breakdown shows the band’s mastery of different dynamics. Fresh off a sold-out gig at The Troubadour in Hollywood, The Fontaines will also be appearing at South by Southwest in March.
The new tune “Lost” from the Idaho-based recording artist assuming the pseudonym Hear the Taste is a mesmerizing and memorable stab at experimentation. Recorded in the artist’s practice space at the Boise Bomb Shelter from the middle portion of 2017 and this newly welcomed year, “Lost” opens with a thumping rhythm joined with a heavenly aura of instruments. Then, in come layered fresh and passionate vocals hurdling over perfectly jittery piano. Midway through, on the final utterance of the chorus, we get a climactic rise in the song before the instruments take it from there. A barrage of quickened percussion leads into a somewhat murky melody guided by piano and analog synth. The track fades off with a more upbeat and funky batch of classic rock guitar riffage. Check out Hear the Taste’s “Lost” down below.
Local indie folk singer-songwriter Eric Beeny’s latest project is part three in a series of albums under the moniker Glass, the Wall’s Ghost. The self-titled record (Glass, the Wall’s Ghost III) is his most unified piece yet, with a cohesive and polished flow throughout. Using only an 8-track digital portastudio and a condenser microphone, the album was recorded entirely at Beeny’s home. Engineered, produced and performed completely by himself, the album feels inherently all his own and extremely intimate. The songs are meditative and melancholic, reckoning with themes of death and despair. Throughout his GtWG series of albums, he has brought the listener on an emotional journey through his own personal trials and tribulations. This third installment is no different, and finds his words more contemplative and story-like. Musically, the record is steeped in hushed bedroom folk akin to Bon Iver, with ornamental elements of dream electronica in the vein[...]
Breaking in the exuberant new track “50 mg” with a nifty bassline, the Rochester-based project Boy Jr., which finds music conservatory-studying collegiate Erica Allen at the helm, adopts a punk-type verve while keeping things light and easy on anyone’s ears. The fast pace is matched with a delicate guitar presence and crooning vocals fir for tackling the Great American Songbook. Everything remains playful but cool at the same time, such as in extemporaneous-sounding lines like “another round, please.” Such a mold was carved out by The Strokes in their prime, and Boy Jr. certainly nails it here on this fresh offering. The recent two-song effort from Boy Jr. titled Some More Tunes (a continuation of December’s Some Tunes) is available through bandcamp. Some More Tunes by Boy Jr.
St. Louis rap duo chris x slikk team up for their first record of 2018 in what will hopefully be the first of many. With an impressive command of their flows, both chris and slikk compliment the bouncy and undulating beat perfectly, switching between laidback and urgent cadences with seamless ease creating a full and satisfying track. Relax with a listen after a long day and watch your worries melt away. Expect solo projects and a collaborative mixtape from these promising emcee’s in the near future.
“Slow Dance” is the latest single from Inara George‘s (The Bird and the Bee) solo project… The song is a nostalgic, (albeit bittersweet) look back at her youth, highlighting George’s trademark ethereal vocals, with gentle, folk-tinged instrumentation. Some definite retro vibes pepper this track; it’s full of tremolo guitar swells, electric piano tones, light-handed drums, and acoustic strumming. Inara is on Spotify too – give “Slow Dance” some love.
Future-pop artist ADAL specializes in “what the 80s thought the future would sound like.” This is a pretty apt description, made evident by the pure-pop nature of his latest single, “Synthesize.” The electro-pop instrumentals are surely set off by the buoyant, light vocal stylings of Alexanderson… If you’re in the mood for some no-funny-business pop jams, look no further. If you’re digging it, add “Synthesize” to your Spotify playlist.
Provo, Utah’s New Shack surprised us with the deeply groovy synth-pop of their latest single “Ways and Means.” Singer Cat Leavy expertly weaves her breathy vocals through the pulsing synth work and stuttering electro drums. “Ways and Means” is out now on Little Assembly, who hint at big things to come from the duo in 2018… Till then, be sure to get well-acquainted with “Ways and Means” via Soundcloud, Spotify, or otherwise. New Shack also filmed a music video for “Ways and Means” – check that out here.
San Fran indie-poppers Faux Canada sent over the peppy “Projector” and we’ve been hooked ever since. We’re not sure what to love more, the spacey, squiggly keyboards that squiggle their way through the song, or the delightfully spastic guitar riffs that propel “Projector” forth. Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s impossible to listen to this song without a big smile on your face. Check it out below. Add “Projector” to your Spotify playlist.
Nothing better than some punky, fuzzy goodness to start off your day. “Take What’s Mine” is the latest offering from Dallas act Caved Mountains. For fans of fuzzy noise, there is plenty of velcro fuzz in this song to melt your face… After a frantic opener, the song cascades into a crescendo of balls-to-the-wall jamming. With songs like these, it’s best just to listen for yourself – give it a play via the widget below. “Take What’s Mine” is available on Bandcamp for a very reasonable “name your price” rate.