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Callum Pitt – “You’d Better Sell It While You Can”

January 20, 2017

Indie folkster Callum Pitt got us to bob our heads to his latest jam, “You’d Better Sell It While You Can.” Penned when Pitt was just 15 years old, the song features piano, clean guitar tones, and Pitt’s distinctive falsetto. Pitt gives a nod to The War On Drugs, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, whose influence can be heard throughout his music. If you like Pitt’s style, purchase his tunes here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297869476″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pool Art – “Gender Balance”

January 20, 2017

Grungy shoegaze act Pool Art caught our attention with the droning noise of “Gender Balance.” The Manchester-based duo penned “Gender Balance” about loneliness; although it’s semi-autobiographical, the song also takes inspiration from an article about gender imbalance in China and inequality for women. Fun fact: the cover image is the tail fin of the legendary 52-hertz whale, which some consider to be the loneliest mammal in existence. You can purchase “Gender Balance” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296802099″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Todavia – “Fix Myself”

January 20, 2017

Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Rhyan Riesgo is perhaps better known as Todavia – we’re digging her latest single, “Fix Myself.” The LA-native combines an all-around swimmy atmosphere with strong attention to detail, insisting that, “all lone sounds are purposefully placed to carry out a meaning.” Fans of Lykki Li, Imogen Heap, or Mitski would dig Todavia. For more info, check out Todavia’s website. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/300812539″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Lowly – “Prepare The Lake”

January 19, 2017

Lowly is a Danish quintet worth checking out. The group pairs smooth synthscapes with a skittering drumbeat and lilting female vocals, a winning combination in our book. Fans of Sylvan Esso, Phantogram, or Feist will dig Lowly’s vibes. Keep your eyes open for Lowly’s debut, Deba, due out 2/10. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/300203674″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Soy Christmas – “Tinsel”

January 19, 2017

NY chilltronica duo Soy Christmas has already landed two songs on Spotify’s “New Indie Mix”” and “Undercurrents,” so it’s no surprise that their newest release, “Tinsel,” is also ear candy. The duo combines lightly auto-tuned vocals with Postal Service-style atmospherics and a steady but subtle beat. We dig it, so we think you give it a spin. Check Soy Christmas out on Bandcamp too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296516460″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Swain – “I, You”

January 17, 2017

We think slowcore act Swain is worth a few minutes out of your day. “I, You” is a lesson in calm and beautiful indie rock, featuring a meandering guitar, smooth vocal harmonies, and chiming atmospherics. Swain says this particular jam is inspired by “pretty girls in big coats.” Recommended for fans of Bon Iver, Low, or Fleet Foxes. If you’re digging it, check Swain out on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/299375977″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Doombird – “Sheer”

January 17, 2017

Doombird is an indietronica band based out of Sacramento. You may recognize frontman Kris Anaya’s gentle voice from folksy Drive-Thru records act An Angle. Doombird is truly a new direction; ambient, indie/electronica vibes with strong influences from Caribou and Bibio – perfect for a rainy day or a hike in the woods. Lyrically, “Sheer” touches on themes of Anaya’s anxiety and his efforts to cope with it. Doombird has a website – check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214161274″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Datura Daydream – “SEA SIX”

January 17, 2017

Datura Daydream are a trio from Toronto whose latest music video has us reeling. The trio specializes in out-of-the-box music videos like the sprawling nine-minute epic “SEA SIX.” The uniquely syncopated video blends well with their proggy post-rock sound (although if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy, you might want to sit this one out). Fans of The Mars Volta, The Fall of Troy, or Explosions in the Sky will find themselves right at home. Get more familiar with the three-piece by scoping out their Tumblr.

Slowcoaching – “Training Wheels”

January 17, 2017

Last time we checked in with Melbourne-born Slowcoaching, he was touting his dreamy new jam, “Night Fiction.” He’s caught our attention again with the delightful “Training Wheels.” Slowcoaching is still nodding towards The War on Drugs, Ducktails, and Wild Nothing – his music is full of chorus-drenched guitars, squiggly synths, and Kurt Vile-esque vocals. Head over to Slowcoaching’s Bandcamp page and do the right thing. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297978193″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lukr – “A Long December”

December 23, 2016

What a great song to wrap up a long year of blogging! We’ve written about Lukr before, way back in June when he released his warm weather anthem, “Fucked Up Summer.” This time around, we’re closing down operations with his take on the Counting Crows classic, “A Long December.” Lukr injects his neon-pop grunge sound into the 90s hit, turning the already infectious song into a true pop jam with sparkly production values. Until next year folks! Have a happy and safe holiday season. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296370530″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Automotive Steamhorse – “You’d Be Surprised”

December 16, 2016

We think brand new Seattle act Automotive Steamhorse are on to something with their latest single, the droning “You’d Be Surprised.” The song has a pretty unique backstory. “The lyrics of the song are based on a letter I received from an old friend who I counted cards with… There was a husband and wife who had about 10 people working under her, the FBI ended up busting them for fraud. They had ripped me off for thousands of dollars. The husband committed suicide – he took his motorcycle in the wrong lane of traffic. The wife ended up sending me a letter about two years after the fact, [and] all the lyrics are taken straight from the letter.” Recommended for fans of Pedro The Lion, Phantogram, or Radiohead. There’s also a music video for “You’d Be Surprised” – check it out here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/247110926″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Syracuse Act Ohne-Ká and the Burning River Release Apocalyptic Instrumental, “Where the Forest Ends”

December 15, 2016

Syracuse act Ohne-Ká and the Burning River caught our ears with the apocalyptic sounding “Where The Forest Ends.” Taken from their latest release, Tree Lines and Birth Rights, “Forest” is a part of a concept album accompanied by a book (or digital PDF) that you can read while you listen (or even on its own). The story follows the travels of several forest animals and the pack leader wolf they all follow. Musically, fans of mewithoutYou, Explosions in the Sky, or Thrice would dig Ohne-Ká’s style. Check these guys out on Bandcamp too.

Cities Vanishing – “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like”

December 15, 2016

Noisy duo Cities Vanishing caught our ears with the overblown, lo-fi production of “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like.” This is the first of five urgent songs that the duo penned together, with “the girl” ripping the theremin and some guitar, and “the guy” shredding drums and some more guitar. Fans of The Thermals or Ted Leo will be jazzed for sure. We think you all should get into these guys before everyone else – listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295166278″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Staff Picks

December 15, 2016

To begin our Best of 2016 coverage, we asked a handful of our staff writers to submit their favorite albums and songs of the year. Cliff Parks Favorite Album: The Avalanches – Wildflower The joy and pleasure this album gave me this year is incalculable. The elusive Australian DJ collective saved the day with this next level sonic adventure into boom box urban funk and ear tickling psychedelia, featuring a wicked sense of humor, a killer collection of guest stars (Danny Brown, Toro Y Moi, Biz Markie, Mercury Rev’s Jonathan Donahue, Father John Misty..) and some of the greatest crate diving ever, creating a thoroughly satisfying journey into the sounds of summer and of our lives, and an ode to walking down the music filled mythological NYC streets of our shared popular imagination. Favorite Song:  Anderson .Paak “Put Me Thru” This year was far from spectacular, but Anderson .Paak was incandescent,[...]

Soviet Dolls Release New Dark-Pop Song, “Ghostlover”

December 14, 2016

Rochester electro-pop act Soviet Dolls recently released their latest single, the dark and looming “Ghostlover.” The quintet combines lush synth textures with an alternative rock backbone and the cherry-on-top vocals of dusky singer Alexandra Wendt. The result is a dark pop banger that we can’t help but crush on. Fans of CHVRCHES, Metric, or The Naked and Famous would really dig this tune. “Ghostlover” is available via Bandcamp for a “pay what you want” rate. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296780980″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]