Latest Posts

Sea Span – “Diane”

April 19, 2016

Philadelphia based indie-gaze act, Sea Span, have a new song that has been the soundtrack of our weekend. The song “Diane” is a mellow song of regret about trying to rewind and make things right in a relationship. Could you win them back? Would it all be the same? It’s a snapshot of the past mixed with the reality of today meshed with the mellow and calm delivery of the band. Fans of Big Eater, Beach House, or hiding in the backyard while being heartbroken sitting in a lawn chair in your backyard with a clear view of the stars would be into Sea Span. Check out the band’s latest single “Diane” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255586305″ 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 Cat Empire – Rising With The Sun

April 15, 2016

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 Reggae-ish album compared to most of their other albums.  With the use of trumpets, synthesizers, and a funky bass, The Cat Empire brings you into the summer with this album. The second track on the eleven-track album, “Bulls,” is an upbeat reggae song that relies heavily on the piano for the refrain and the reggae breakdown in the verses.  The bass is also a big part of the verses holding the groovy beats together.  Once the refrain hits, the trumpets come in hot, giving the refrain a sing-along effect.  It then cuts into a fast break/ending with the bass leading the way to close it[...]

Queue – “Falling Into Skies”

April 14, 2016

Philadelphia / DC based indie act Queue have a new song that is right up our alley. Queue’s song “Falling Into Skies” is emotional, with breath-y, sweet vocals over delicate guitars. Beneath the surface, “Falling Into Skies” is about falling for someone that is turbulent but gives you so much joy. The best way to describe Queue is if early Foals did a collaboration with Sarah McLachlan to form a sound in the same realm of the Temper Trap. The quintet have a forthcoming EP in the works. In the meantime, listen to “Falling Into Sky” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/251894241″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Our Mother – “Age of Empirez”

April 13, 2016

  London-based baroque indie rock quartet released their latest track from the up their upcoming debut EP titled A.O.B. this week and it’s a burner. “Age Of Empirez” is falsetto waltz, a slow and a delicate dance. Fans of Dresden Dolls, minimalist Bon Iver, or a stripped down version of TV on the Radio would be into it. The band’s freshman release will be out on vinyl at the end of the month via Lucky Number. In the mean time, enjoy “Age of Empirez” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255764471″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Islands – “Christmas Tree”

April 12, 2016

Islands are back again proving that undoubtedly Islands are forever. The project, fronted by Nick Thorburn, formerly of The Unicorns and current Serial theme song composer, released their new single “Christmas Tree,” off of the band’s forthcoming album Should I Remain Here at Sea.  Islands’ latest single starts out with delicate vocals synonymous with Thorburn’s delivery over a simple guitar riff, eventually growing into a song the whole gang gets into. Under the surface, the band’s single is about the willingness to self-destruct. Remarkably, the track was all recorded in one live-shot. Check out Islands’ latest single below and be on the look out for Should I Remain Here at Sea, out this summer. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254993151″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sleep Science – “Tears For The Money”

April 8, 2016

Being a non-established grinding indie rock act is hard in itself, with booking paid gigs, gaining fans, balancing work schedules, and overall managing a functioning band. Canadian bands deal with this with and then some based on their basic isolation in between cities. The hard part about living in Canada as an indie rock band outside of southern Quebec or Ontario is that it’s close to impossible to tour and get your name out there. Unlike the United States, where 80% within of the country you can get to another mid-sized city within a four hour drive, Canada’s cities that have any sort of underground, DIY supportive scene are 10+ hours in between. Vancouver’s Sleep Science is one of those bands that is taking it in stride and serious about making a name for themselves. In March, the trio released their first single in over a year, titled “Tears For The[...]

Pusher – “Clear (ft. Mothica)”

April 7, 2016

Toronto-based electro-producer Pusher has returned after nearly a year with a song that could be the song of spring.  The up-and-coming producer collaborated with Brooklyn-based singer Mothica to create a song that is best described as infectious. In the pair’s new single, Mothica’s delicately sweet vocals (think Chairlift) float over Pusher’s delightfully playful instrumental. Warning: This song will be stuck on repeat. I might go as far as to call this song the underground pop hit of the season. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257300076″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Why We Run – “A Moment To Return”

April 6, 2016

Sydney-based quartet Why We Run released the video for their first single “A Moment to Return,” off their forthcoming album due out early summer. The video is powerful, featuring an elderly man swimming, then Benjamin Button-ing back into retrogressing in childhood over a three minute time-lapse.  Below the surface, “A Moment To Return,” is about a near-drowning experience where lead singer of Why We Run saw his entire life flashed before his eyes. Heavy stuff. Check out these up-and-coming Aussie’s new video below and keep your eyes peeled for their new album. It’ll be a good one.

Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression

April 5, 2016

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 question in which will be debated endlessly, but I can safely say that Mr. Pop still has the weirdness that we know and love along with some fresh creative energy. Pop brings a flavor that isn’t youthful energy, but is no doubt rock n roll. On the icon’s latest effort, Post-Pop Depression, the vocals bring about a sound reminiscent with the likes of Johnny Cash’s sound when he was around the age Pop is now with the added crudeness that we are familiar with when it comes to Iggy Pop. This is certainly not to say that Post-Pop Depression lacks[...]

Ray LaMontagne – Ouroboros

April 4, 2016

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 alternative rock favorites My Morning Jacket to serve as his backing band on the record, with their lead singer Jim James serving as producer. It’s James’ unique voice as producer that lends a helping hand in taking that next step. Musically, LaMontagne draws on the same influences that informed the cosmic rock of the early ‘70s, which combined elements of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, psychedelia, soul and folk. He claims that the album came to him in a dream, and therefore he needed to present it as one cohesive record. Much like his influences from the ‘70s, he utilizes the album format as an artistic vehicle. It’s not quite[...]

9 Theory – “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck (ft. Dawn Mitschele)”

April 4, 2016

Los Angeles based electronic-producer, 9 Theory aka Gabe Lehner, released a new song last week that is making the rounds in our office. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” starts of with a 4/4 heartbeat, soft keyboards, and Moby-like snippets from “Natural Blues” accented by smokey vocals. Singer Dawn Mitschele sounds very much like Emily Haines in Metric-prime, luring the listener in for a closer listen. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” is off 9 Theory’s upcoming six-song EP titled Beautiful Things. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254861891″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Saga ft. Blu – “Up”

April 2, 2016

Brooklyn’s Saga has been a king of loosies of late. His latest standalone “Up” is a perfect rap track to transition from the depths of winter into warmer vibes. The warm, easy production is handled by France’s 20syl and is perfectly complimentary to the smooth flows of the rappers. Saga’s well-rounded attack features some really dope rhyme schemes and lyricism, and the song has a great structure. It’s a collaboration with noted emcee Blu, who along with a guest verse brings vocals to the chorus and throughout the song. Working with Blu and headed on a tour with Asher Roth soon, Saga is well on his come-up. Get your spring on and give it a listen. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254754559″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ace of Base – “Don’t Turn Around (MONAKR Remix)”

April 1, 2016

My introduction to Swedish pop sensations Ace of Base came after watching Full House. Stephanie Tanner’s band, GirlTalk (not to be confused with Greg Gillis’ one-man splice machine, Girl Talk), covered one of their singles for a talent show and Uncle Jesse got all stage uncle-y. At the time, “I Saw the Sign” was everywhere and I was happy that Stephanie’s band “made it,” as if a starring role in a show on TGIF wasn’t enough. After months (…and months…and months) of hearing “I Saw the Sign” on the radio, I finally discovered the truth. Michelle Tanner and Kimmy Gibler did not collaborate to write one of the catchiest songs of the early nineties—it was a bunch of Swedish people under the name Ace of Base. This is important because I have a subliminal disdain for Ace of Base because for no reason I felt as though they stole from[...]

M. Ward – More Rain

March 31, 2016

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 own solo career, and producing work for countless other artists. More Rain is a nice collection of fun, but familiar, new tunes. Ward doesn’t stray far from his comfort zone on the new record. But why would he if it works? He has made a name for himself by fusing the sounds of classic folk, ‘50s do-wop, and ‘60s rock n roll all through the lens of a modern indie context. There is a certain appreciation for artists who have established a compelling sound and can continue to churn it out, without it feeling worn. More Rain does exactly that. In typical M. Ward fashion, the genre lines[...]

Damien Jurado – Vision of Us on the Land

March 30, 2016

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 album gives us exactly that.  This is a combination of the soft voices and harmonies of Fleet Foxes and the mysterious lyrics and raw acoustic guitar of Iron & Wine. We see much more of an experimental phase from Jurado on this album.  As we hear in the fifth track titled “Sam and Davy,” he opens with a simple guitar riff while singing with an intense echo in the background.  The experimental rock side to this song is the synth that is being played as well making the song sound like it came out of a Pink Floyd album.  With the orchestra instruments slowly coming in[...]