A heavier track from Speedy Ortiz from the local Carpark Records. “Puffer” follows the excellent “Raising the Skate,” in anticipation of Speedy Ortiz’ album Deerfoil. The track starts off with a thumping bass and churning guitars that rise into a dark chorus full of expectation and lusty vocals. If it all sounds too harsh, it’s catchy nonetheless.
A beautiful ambient track by experimental group Inventions. The duo, of Eluvium and Explosions In The Sky fame (on the Temporary Residence LTD label), have crafted a lush soundscape in this track vaguely reminiscent of Brian Eno, Spiritualized, or Sigur Ros. Very tranquil and peaceful, take a listen.
Blur has finally resurfaced (again) with “There Are Too Many Of Us.” There’s a fairly strange video accompanying it, but what by the band hasn’t been very strange? The song itself is appropriately odd-sounding, and catchy. It almost sounds like frontman Damon Albarn’s solo album, but then it may just be his voice.
A band recommended by a fellow music listener, turned out to be a good one. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Conduct is a hard, no frills post-punk band recalling 80s DC punk or punk revivalists like Cloud Nothings. There’s a l0t of energy and no-fucks-given attitude. Check it out!
A really chill track by the Danish band Jigsaw You. The song recalls early 90s shoegazing and The Cure, lush guitars and dreamy melodies.
(Photo – Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Here’s a new song by the lovely St. Vincent song that was premiered on HBO’s Girls. For those familiar with her, the song is a little slower than her usual fare, but still worth a listen. The link is below.
Straight out of LA, this little synth-pop gem is by Pleasure | s. Nevermind the divider by the S in the name, the song is reminiscent of something out of Drive, catchy and electric.
Tokyo Daimo drops bar after bar on this new Drake freestyle. Endless double entendre…Expect something new from the NE DC rapper every week.
This is not a song from members of one of the largest police departments in the United States. “Los Angeles Police Department” is the name 20-something LA-based Indiepop artist Ryan Pollie records under. The solo artist first gained national attention in the past few years, after his synth-pop trio Warm Weather took a break from recording. Pollie’s self-titled first album was well–recieved and now he is back with more. The simple, airy “Water and Wine” (premiered by Vice) is an upcoming 7-inch release on Fat Possum records.
Baltimore-bred Indie darlings Lower Dens gained major attention after their 2012 album Nootropics. After a large gap, the band is soon coming back with a new album, Escape From Evil. Directed by Cody Critcheloe, the song (and video) for “To Die In L.A.” stays true to the same themes, starring Actually Huizenga and Jana Hunter in a short, wild and eerily absurd visual.
Wavves’ Nathan Williams takes his new band Spirit Club out for a visual spin in the above clip for ‘Still Life’, which features some old Simpsons and Saved By The Bell mixed with what looks like an ax-shredding Grim Reaper.
Hosted by Don Cannon and DJ Drama, The Neighborhood has released a new project titled #000000 & #ffffff, which features appearances from OG Maco, Skeme, French Montana, YG, DeJ Loaf, Danny Brown and more. Stream, tracklisting and download link below.
A girl I used to date was really into this band. So I got into this band. Most people I know seem to think of the Cold War Kids only as the people who made “Hang Me Out To Dry” or perhaps the modern version of label-sanctioned Indie/Punk. All of these thoughts are true but don’t account the band does have a talent for making driving, simply, catchy Rock tunes. “Hot Coals” is one of those. The album Hold My Home is set to be released October 21st. The band has released two other tracks in the past months, which will likely appear on the album. Check them out here.
-JL
Indie darling Caribou release the “Our Love” Video. Director Ryan Staake said this about the project;
In “Our Love”, I wanted to create a slow, brooding film that contrasted the seeming limitless of youth with the reality of death in later years. The film (which was photographed by Luca Ciuti) was shot on location in Ireland, at the beautiful Lough Ine House, about an hour and a half outside of Cork.
Rating: B
It probably surprises no one that Radiohead front man Thom Yorke released a new solo album on us suddenly (surprise), through BitTorrent, of all places. It’s not so much the method of distribution that makes this special, it’s just a good album. Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes emanates with a slow ghostly peace, trippy and alien, an album that would fall apart if it were crafted with lesser hands.
There’s nothing too ground shattering here, those familiar with Eraser and Thom Yorke’s side project super group Atoms For Peace won’t be surprised. It’s all the same strange, and antiquated electronics composed with grace and melancholy balance. Something that sounds both old and new, but not exactly timeless. What we get here is an album that sounds very good, not great. Nobody tops themselves all the time. The soundscape is haunting, bare and grey, something that can easily turn people off, but things are propelled forward by interesting percussion, something vital to keep our attention. Yorke isn’t looking to push things forward so much this time as simply express himself. Things get complicated as usual. He takes through an amazing walk of a different side of life. It’s certainly not a happy album but doesn’t seem to have as much of the lonely cold of Eraser. Things get beautiful in a way that only Yorke seems to be able to deliver, everything flying, seemingly chaotic, to create a harmonious mess, jangled nerves and tired eyes.
As usual, the album probably won’t win any new fans (maybe it will, considering the way it was released, another surefire way to buzz up some headlines). But what we get is a solid album, not the greatest, but at this point in his career, Thom Yorke is doing pretty stellar, finding the beauty in the darkness more than anyone, the rest and quiet warmth in the spaces in between.
On September 23rd, SBTRKT will release the Wonder Where We Land album.”The Light” featuring Denai Moore is the latest single.
Big Sean adds some Detroit Hip-Hop flavor to Maroon 5’s ‘Maps’ (which was already at top 10 single in its own right), which comes from the bands upcoming album V (out September 2nd).
