march/15 playlist

In like a lion, out like a lamb.

Love On My Brain - Jim Ford

Jim Ford is a southern roots artist remembered for contriving funk themes into his renditions of country music. Ford was born in Johnson County, Kentucky in 1947, but spent most of his adult life in Louisiana and California. He wrote a number of songs over the course of his career, some of which were later covered and recorded by the likes of The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and Bobby Womack.

During his life time, commercial success never fully arrived for Ford - partly due to the fact he was only able to record one album, Harlan County, released in 1969. Following his death in 2008, Bear Family Records published several previously unissued albums from Paramount and Capitol in addition to compilations of demos and masters.

"Love On My Brain" is a song trying to capture the strange place one finds themselves in realizing they've reached inner peace. String and wind arrangements drive the tune's main euphoric momentum. Ford is happy to sing he's encountered what he'd failed to see for so long: "Found a little bit of kindness is a blind man's walking cane." <TM>
 

Message - Alex G

 

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.

"Message" is the closing track off of  Rules.
 

I Remember - Bully

"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>

Woah Man - The Aquadolls

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>

 

Run Baby Run - Toro Y Moi

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>

Half Sister - Emma Kupa

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>