Alex G is releasing physical, remastered versions of two of his previously Bandcamp-only albums Rules and Trick , via Lucky Number Music on April 6th. The songwriter from Philly first burst onto the scene with last summer's DSU, which was a major hit at college radio. His songs sound like the work of someone raised on Built to Spill, managing to live in the space between slumping melancholy and bright bedroom pop.
"I Remember" is the latest single from Bully's forthcoming album, Feels Like, out on June 23rd. On the single, Bully leader Alicia Bognanno tears through the memories of a past love over fast power pop guitars, from remembering meeting parents, Christmas plans, the hurt she caused, what made her ex cry, and everything in between. Feels Like also features all the tracks from Bully's awesome 2014 self-titled EP. Stream "I Remember" below. <EC>
The Aquadolls is the project of 20 year old Orange County, CA native Melissa Brooks. Her age and roots are evident on her debut full-length album Stoked On You, released at the end of last year on Burger Records, with rollicking surf rock and lyrics devoted to guys who sk8, getting high, and finding young love. Comparisons to Best Coast seem easy, but Brooks puts more crunch and power behind her songs.
"Woah Man" is the closing track from the album. You can stream it below.
The Aquadolls will be playing in their backyard at the incredibly stacked Burgerama IV this weekend. <EC>
Chaz Bundick continues the roll out for his upcoming Toro Y
Moi album What For? with today’s release
of “Run Baby Run”. Bundick had already shared “Empty Nesters” and “Buffalo”
which have both shown a stark genre shift from much of his prior electronic-heavy
work. Toro’s evolving sound was the subject of a recent Huffington Post interview, where Bundick admitted feeling hindered by the labels assigned to
his music. “Run Baby Run” echoes the cheery, instrument filled tones of the album’s
two previous singles, and if the What
For? album art is any indication, this is the most fun Chaz has had in a
while.
Stream the lead single "Empty Nesters" below. What For? is out April 7th via Carpark Records. <PM>
Emma Kupa releases her debut album today, the heart achingly
personal Home Cinema, via British DIY
label Where It's At Is Where You Are. Formerly the lead singer of indie-pop
group Standard Fare, Kupa surpasses the work of her old band in her first solo offerings. Made up of a concise six tracks, Home
Cinema conceals Kupa’s deeply intimate lyrics inside tunes of folk pop. Each
of the songs on the album was written about a member of her family with a
refreshing and somewhat painful honesty. The excellent lead single finds the
songstress wondering about the possible resemblances and personality traits she
shares with her half-sister, and pleading for reconnection after finding out
second-hand that they live in the same neighborhood. Kupa’s vulnerability is
flawless, and when paired with the carefree jangling guitar gives her music a
layered beauty. Stream "Half Sister" below. <PM>
Sounds like: Royal Headache energy (complete with screaming Aussie vocals) meets the tempo of King Tuff at his most garage rock (complete with a face-melting solo). <PM>
We'll not soon forget "Wild Thing", the song that launched the careers of The Troggs, and for better or for worse, forever fused itself with our collective pop culture consciousness. But there's more to remember, some notable and some flat out eccentric, like lead vocalist Reg Presley's use of royalty money to fund publication of his research on extraterrestrials and paranormal activity.
What's often overlooked is that The Troggs' music inspired more than Charlie Sheen's fastball from Major League. Their grip it and rip it style is seen by many as the precursor to garage rock and a major influence on the punk sound revolutionized by Iggy Pop. The band has a litany of devotees, influential and groundbreaking in their own right, which runs from The Buzzcocks to Spiritualized.
"Push It Up To Me" is British 1960's psychedelia in full bloom. Presley is purposefully puzzling and distant and coy. One guitar chugs, another frolics, and the drums are hardly heard performing their minimal duties. None of it is all that technical or grand, but it doesn't have to be. The simplicity is what's memorable. <TM>
As any urban
dweller can attest to, there inevitably comes an urge to skip town and head for
literal greener pastures. After a particularly defeating day the cityscape
loses its luster and escape from everything familiar seems like the only
option. In truth, the goal is a simpler time as much as it is a different
location, which ultimately leaves a true exodus impossible. Despite these
setbacks, a vehicle exists that travels to this unreachable place. Crafted
in the 21st century but walking, talking, and sounding like
1960’s folk-rock, the Felice Brother’s 2007 self-titled effort takes listeners
away, and it takes them back.
Riding the success of their 2012 album, awE naturalE, the astro hip-hop duo of Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White have returned with another round of bold, adventurous music. Conflict is the source of their sound: the contrast between two, even, delicate, harmonious voices laid against choppy and discontinuous instrument samplings.
"EarthEE" is a pulsing interstellar ode to the space between thoughts and reality, and the peace of mind you can receive from recreational drugs. On the track they sing, "Loosen up my mind. Lengthen and unwind. Release, one time." It's an intoxicating combination of song and melody that hits you like a meditation.
EarthEE, the record, is out March 6th on Sub Pop. <TM>
Snock, the Snock, Snockman, Elwood Snock, Doc Snock. These are the many names of Michael Hurley. Born just north of Philadelphia in 1941, Hurley began to write and play music at the age of thirteen. He moved to New York City and lived there through the '60s and '70s leaving his impression on the Greenwich folk scene. At the age of twenty-two, his earliest album, First Songs, was recorded on the same reel-to-reel tape player that Lead Belly used to lay down his Last Sessions collection. His blues are warm and highly eccentric, and his off-kilter sound is more than endearing. If you listen closely to his songs, you'll find sweetness and humor within the sadness.
"Trinidad" is the final song from "Hi Fi Snock Uptown", which when finished in 1971 was his third full recording. Hand drums play steadily in the back drop while Hurley whistles and strums bits and ends on the guitar. Odd tips from our outsider tour guide anchor the verse and chorus as we get a glimpse into one man's playful vision of tropic island lifestyles. Who are we to question the advice? Have you ever been down to Trinidad? <TM>
