LA-based act GROVES know how to appreciate the simple things in life. “Swim” is all about rejecting materialism in favor of what really matters. Blending spacey guitars, dual harmonized guitars, and upbeat vocals, the band sounds tight, polished, and ready for mainstream acceptance. Fans of Mutemath, Local Natives, or Young The Giant would dig GROVES’ grooves. GROVES is on tour right now with Boy George and Culture Club. Check out the vid for “Swim” below.
You know that feeling when you look at your SO and catch a glint of “crazy” in their eyes? Brother Moses does, and it’s the inspiration for their new jam, “Crazy Eyes.” Their music video is a good time – each band member falls victim to a wily and dreaded groupie/drummer girl. Murderous video antics aside, “Crazy Eyes” is a flawlessly crafted indie rock song for fans of Vampire Weekend, Islands, or Ra Ra Riot. Brother Moses is set to release their sophomore EP, Legends, on August 26th. Till then, check out the vid for “Crazy Eyes” below.
NJ solo act Wholewheat touched our hearts with his brand of 60s influenced bedroom pop. “Inside & Out” is an archetypal breakup song featuring electric drums, a lo-fi aesthetic, and Wholewheat’s palpable broken heart. If you don’t get the feels when you hear his catchy (albeit somber) chorus of, “I’m dyin’ on the inside and out,” you might want to get yourself checked out. We recommend Wholewheat for fans of early Beck or Daniel Johnston If you stop by Soundcloud, you can help yourself to a free download of “Inside & Out.” [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272202368″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Ottawa duo Skytone are here with “Second Hand Shops,” a brand new track destined to get you dancing. Blending jangly guitars, strong surfy vibes, and hand-claps (of course), the song carries a strong pop sensibility like the big surf hits of the 60s without sacrificing its contemporary feel. Fans of Reptar, Holiday Shores, or SW/MM/NG would be into Skytone’s surf goodness. Swing by iTunes for a download of “Second Hand Shops.” [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272267820″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
It’s impossible to put Alpha Hopper in a box, and their song “Western Walk” off their upcoming album Last Chance Power Drive is no exception. It starts off sounding like a straightforward post-punk song, in the vein of your favorite band on a Killed by Death or Bloodstains Across compilation. The one you always put on mix tapes and hope your friends ask you “Who is that band and where did you find them?” That all changes when the second guitar comes in. That’s when you get a taste of their psych-rock influence which fuses with their punk sound and builds up to the end and leaves you wanting more. Which is why this song, at nine seconds short of two minutes, is the perfect length. It gives you a good taste, but when it’s over you just want to hear what’s next. Luckily we don’t have to wait much[...]
Australian quintet Soviet X-Ray Record Club recently released the first single from their forthcoming EP. “This Girl” is a shoegazy, post-summer jam full of jangly guitars, noise-rock, and walls of sound. Drenched in reverb and vaguely electronic, fans of Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, or The Raveonettes would enjoy SXRRC’s sound. “This Girl” is best found and purchased via Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270306108″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Mons Vi is a Brooklyn based collective spearheaded by writer Matthew Hershoff. “Want Me Too” is his latest jam, taking swimmy bedroom pop and matching it with a simple, clicky electronic drumbeat. Simply put, “Want Me Too” is a relaxed, romantic song about wanting to feel wanted. The tropical slacker rock jam will waft through your speakers exactly how you’d expect it to. We recommend Mons Vi to fans of Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, Kings of Convenience, or Porches. Mons Vi is nice enough to offer a free download of “Want Me Too” via Soundcloud. Make sure you stop by and pick it up. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272154656″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
A live session from Alev Lenz recently made its way into our hands. Let’s just say we were charmed by Lenz’ strikingly honest songwriting and performance. “Airport” features fast-paced lyrics that give the song a neurotic feel (in a good way, of course!) further bolstered by a slew of amazing harmonies and understated instrumentals. Fans of Kate Nash, Ben Folds, or Regina Spektor would be all about Alev Lenz’ distinctive britpop. Alev’s latest release, Two Headed Girl, is available now via Bandcamp.
Do you have the munchies? If you love the sounds of future bass mixed with reggae and deep house, Austrian act Munchie Squad will be your new best friends. Their new single “No Lovin” features smooth crooner vocals, a groovy beat, and perhaps most importantly, strong summery vibes. We think fans of Mike Posner, Diplo, or Miike Snow would dig Munchie Squad. Satisfy your craving for new music with a free download via Munchie Squad’s Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270627662″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
If you’re looking for some uplifting house music, Miles Away‘s new offering “This Could Be Love” could be your next obsession. Unlike other house songs which have a tendency to be urgent and intense, “This Could Be Love” aims for ecstasy and euphoria with their simple and bubbly approach. The song’s simplicity truly works for itself – “This Could Be Love” could easily be the next “Safe and Sound” (that one inescapable Capital Cities song in case you forgot). Stop by Soundcloud for a free download of “This Could Be Love.” [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271944637″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Australian newcomers Trillionayers are a genre-defying act that is currently destroying 2016. Their brand new single, “Alive,” is a pulsing mix of shoegaze and arena rock. If bands were allowed to get together and reproduce, Trillionayers’ powerful sound could be the musical spawn of DIIV and Muse. We especially dig the immediately distinct guitar tones and the thunderous tempo change mid-song. Stream “Alive” below via the handy Soundcloud widget. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272094987″ 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 Genius Buddha Band are a band from Stockholm who are heavily influenced by Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beatles. Despite forming only a few months ago, their style sounds a lot like the garage rock revival of the early aughts – think The Strokes, Spoon, or Hot Hot Heat. “Bye” caught our attention for being a straight up banger. The band highlights their tight guitar playing with a catchy chorus and a great garage-rock drawl with just enough rasp. Check out the headless vid for “Bye” below.
We hope it’s not too late to keep tossing in the summer vibes! DJ Bizzy, Elvis Suarez, and Erin Nicole Smith‘s “Sunday Afternoon” is a straight up pop song that could be your next fun, summery jam. If it makes you feel like dancing (and we’re sure it will), check out some of the moves from the music video below – it may inspire some grooving of your own. For fans of Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, or CHVRCHES.
Spooky synth queen, Sparklebomb, has released a new batch of brooding ambient tracks. The Buffalo-transplant / Syracuse native, Angie Conte has been performing under the moniker for close to seven years, perfecting her atmospheric and dismal sound. As per the songwriter’s repertoire, the intro to “Right Along with Me” leads into the dialogue of an old-time audio of Murder Castle, a drama inspired by serial killer / madman, H.H. Holmes. The dialogue is spliced over ominous organs, eventually introducing a drum machine. The muffled interaction drops, leaving almost mesmerizing synth loop meanwhile building your anxiety for something to happen, which is a tease because the track fades out much like how it faded in. If there ever was a musician to score a horror film, it would be Sparklebomb. Check out “Right Along with Me” below and explore the ‘bomb’s discography here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273362364″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
German songstress Valentina Mér has us swooning over her new track, “Reminds Me Of You.” Inspired by the vastness of the Australian outback, “Reminds Me Of You” finds Valentina using her delicate delivery to paint a beautiful soundscape. Vaguely electronic and full of oohs and ahhs, fans of Imogen Heap, Ellie Goulding, or Little Boots would surely dig Mér’s approach. Valentina Mér’s newest EP, Giant, is out now. Check out “Reminds Me Of You” via Soundcloud below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271693122″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]