Latest Posts

Happy Abandon – “Heavy Lines”

September 12, 2017

At the forefront of their recent album release, orchestral rock trio Happy Abandon’s single “Heavy Lines” captures the band’s heart wrenching ethos in one fell swoop. Formed in the wake of loss and heartbreak, the band turned their despondency to light with their penchant for soaring strings, intricate guitar lines, and dually gentle and compelling vocals. A truly dynamic piece of music, “Heavy Lines” captures the entire gamut of grief, from melancholy to animosity to resilience, as if separated into symphonic movements. Happy Abandon supply the kind of therapeutic experience we all search for from time to time, and their album only provides a fuller picture. If this track has stolen your heart, stream Facepaint in its entirety here, and catch Happy Abandon on tour through November in support of the album.

WHARVES – “Love Decide”

September 10, 2017

Alt-rock quartet WHARVES headed up their current East coast tour with the release of their new single “Love Decide.” Taking cues from the gritty, guitar-driven heft of Joy Division, The Strokes, and Foals, “Love Decide” brings in virtuosic guitar lines, a pounding bass, crisp drum work, and steadfast vocals to hammer the track home. Despite its powerful demeanor, the song opens up about letting the chips fall where they may, even if that’s not the easiest course of action. As frontman Matthew Collins puts it, “’Love Decide’ is about accepting that some things are bigger and more powerful than you and that you aren’t always in control. It’s a reminder to myself that it’s ok to be on my own and if a relationship isn’t working, I can let go and I will be happier and free. I’m not lying to myself or the person I’m with by forcing something that’s[...]

Tourist – “We Stayed Up All Night (feat. Ardyn)”

September 10, 2017

London singer-songwriter William Phillips recently released a music video for his latest track under his alias Tourist, “We Stayed Up All Night.” Known for crafting fervent and wistful dance tracks, Tourist has been tied to big name artists like CHVRCHES, HAIM, and Sam Smith through his widely popular remixes as well as his songwriting ventures. This single, featuring Ardyn, captures youthful restlessness by way of soaring synth lines, pulsing percussion, and circumambient vocals. A song tailor-made for the scenic blurring of the roadside passing by, the track’s video depicts that iconic road trip at the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood – a last hurrah before responsibilities fully take hold. Check out the video directed by Daniel Bereton below, and find more brightly nostalgic tracks from Tourist here.

Tennis – “No Exit”

September 8, 2017

Denver pop duo Tennis crank things up a notch with their latest single, “No Exit.” Enlisting a groove-centric bass line, ambient synths, and unrelenting percussion, Tennis captures the feel-good zeal of 70’s and 80’s height-of-pop. Their upbeat sentiment works as a bit of a double edged sword, meeting carefree youthfulness with familiar anxiety. It comes off as a push to dance the cares away, almost as if working through the turbulence with each repeat of the track’s ascending hook mantra. For the duo’s first slip into dance-track territory, they seem to hit the nail right on the head. Take a stab at letting go with “No Exit” below, out now via Mutually Detrimental.

Surf Rock is Dead – “Everything They Said”

September 7, 2017

Brooklyn duo Surf Rock is Dead head up the release of their upcoming EP with a new single, “Everything They Said.” Despite what their name suggests, the track funnels in a good share of sunny guitar lines and reverb-soaked vocals, while bringing in the moodiness and technicality of new wave to finish out their sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like Day Wave, Beach Fossils, and Diiv, Surf Rock is Dead are definitely shooting for that dreamy factor, while staying true to their driving rock sensibilities. “Everything They Said” is the third single straight from the duo’s EP We Have No Friends, due out October 6th.

Brunch – “The Goose”

September 6, 2017

London noise rock band Brunch prep for the release of their upcoming album with a video for their single “The Goose.” This track has everything we’ve come to love about fuzzy indie rock: dueling distorted guitar lines, gravelly crooned vocals, and choice moments of clarity for some striking contrast. Every move seems carefully premeditated, from the multi-track vocal harmonies, to every clean guitar melisma, to each spunky drum fill. Take a spin through London traffic with the band’s video, and keep an eye out for their album Useless, set for release this Friday.

Cassia – “Sink”

September 6, 2017

The calypso-inspired rockers in Cassia deliver glittering guitar strains and sweetly syncopated drum lines in their single “Sink.” Blending the sunny rays of surf rock with African and Caribbean-driven rhythms, this track is about as vibrantly upbeat as they come. It’s the euphoric indie rock of COIN and Panama Wedding with a hint of cross-continental flare. The Manchester 3-piece’s intent is clear – let loose and give in to those feel-good summery vibes. If “Sink” has you seeing colors, stay tuned for Cassia’s debut EP Movers & Shapers, set for release later this year.

Big Fred Releases Swirly Trash-Pop LP

September 6, 2017

Fans of big muffs, small clones, and pop songwriting unite! We’re digging Rochester’s Big Fred, who recently put out a nine-song LP called Oh Hi Hello. OHH is full of swirly, wonky trash-pop that seems tailor made for fans of Mac Demarco or Ariel Pink. The cherry on top of their psychedelic-tinged garage-rock comes from front man Conor McCann, whose distinct vocals add a tasteful trashiness to the mix. On a deeper level, Big Fred touches on themes of companionship and introversion and ponders whether the act of “wanting something” is more fun than actually having something. Check it out via the widget below. If you’d like to support Big Fred, Oh Hi Hello is out now via Sad Cactus records. You can snag it digitally from Bandcamp or purchase a physical copy here. Oh Hi Hello by BIG FRED

Bucolic – “Daisy”

September 5, 2017

Bucolic brings a heavier DIY edge to his signature blend of shoegaze with his latest single, “Daisy.” This time around, Seth Carpenter trades in breezy synths for hazy distortion, lethargic vocals, and tunnel-like sound settings. Despite the laid-back feel, the track has its stalwart moments, where commanding vocal strains and luminous guitar lines keep you from completely losing yourself in the drowsy sludge of it all. The song’s message is one of self-discovery, while its hypnotic groove soothes all worries away. Here’s hoping that there’s more where this came from on Bucolic’s upcoming album Rope’s Wing.

Shane Allen – “Life is a Dream”

September 5, 2017

Singer/songwriter Shane Allen paints an uplifting picture of vitality with his track “Life is a Dream.” Largely concerned with clever lyricism to tell his story, Allen takes the jangly edge of rock, anecdotal qualities of folk, and the homespun zest for life akin to Americana to craft his trademark sound. His number one goal is relatability, using clear-cut imagery and narrative to bridge the gap between listener and artist. “Life is a Dream” comes straight from Shane Allen’s debut EP under the same name that was released this summer. Take the track for a spin below, and check out the whole EP for the full picture.

all-caps LADD – “Computer Kids”

September 5, 2017

Connecticut four-piece all-caps LADD brood over life’s harsh realities in their latest track, “Computer Kids.” Their sound has a raw, sobering edge that’s not often found in a band of young rockers. Combining souped-up distortion, nimble guitar lines, swift drum beats, and heart-wrenching vocals, the track takes bottled up teen angst and refines it into pure fuzz rock gold. Speaking on arduous and all too relatable topics of loss, hardship, and temporality, they know just how to shake the listener to the core and come out cathartically on the other end. “Computer Kids” comes from all-caps LADD’s most recent release, The Whole EP.

Pink Elephant – Around Your Neck

September 4, 2017

Rochester garage/noise-rock outfit, Pink Elephant are hot off their recently released single, and have dropped a new LP, Around Your Neck on 20 Blood Records. The four piece consists of Eric Witkowski on vocals and guitar, Greg Wilcox rocking the bass, Jeff Thompson banging on the drums, and Nick Walter rounding out the group on guitar. Around Your Neck is a conjoined effort to put out some solid tracks that bridge the gap between pysch-noise and post-rock. What sets Around Your Neck apart from other alt-rock records is with its diversity. There’s so much going on with the record that things never get stale, like week old bread left out on the counter. These songs aren’t a band trying to reinvent themselves, or a band straining to be “different”. Instead, this diversity just shows how strong Pink Elephant are as a band. Songs like the title track, “Around Your Neck”[...]

Iron & Wine – Beast Epic

September 1, 2017

On his sixth studio album, Sam Beam feels like he’s come full circle. When he first started out, Iron & Wine was a solo acoustic vehicle, defined by his DIY lo-fi home recordings. With each subsequent release, his sound evolved and his band expanded, all the while helping to define the indie folk movement of the last decade. On Beast Epic, there is a shift back to an acoustic-centric focus, but with years of experience now giving both fresh weight and familiarity to this set of songs. Beam’s poignant, narrative lyricism and trademark hushed-vocals have always been the winning ingredient to Iron & Wine’s music. It is what has allowed him to glide seamlessly through different styles and sonic palettes during his career without losing the warmth and immediacy of his songwriting. No matter what’s happening on the surface, whether it’s the orchestral jazz-folk of 2013’s Ghost On Ghost, or[...]

Sights and Sages – “Aghori”

August 29, 2017

San Diego four-piece Sights and Sages will have you humming along for days with their intensely hooky track “Aghori.” There’s more to this moody alt rock number than meets the eye, featuring a salient, falsetto-fueled chorus, racing drum beat, and a driving bassline to cement it all together. Their affinity for pop melodies does not go amiss here, while still maintaining a progressive edge with polyrhythms and a unique song structure. In the video for the track, Sights and Sages keep things wholesomely traditional by alternative/indie rock standards, showcasing band performance while toying with field of view and perception. “Aghori” comes straight from the band’s latest release, their EP Doubleplus.

Ronnie Lott – “14th Ave”

August 29, 2017

Rapper/songwriter/producer triple threat Ronnie Lott brings the fire with his fierce new single, “14th Ave.” The native Texan masters an unrelenting flow with a subtle back beat, achieving a sound somewhere between Drake, Big Sean, and Migos. The track is all energy all the time, harnessing a vivacity that both powerful and refined. Lott is no rookie to the game, previously working as Rated R within local San Antonio groups as well as solo. With numerous singles, an EP, and a full-length album under his belt as Ronnie Lott, there’s certainly a lot to sink your teeth into. Get your first taste with “14th Ave” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/338648973″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]