The Lunar Year just released their debut full-length album Herodias today. Led by Katie Burke’s dynamic vocals, the band ponders literary themes and muses over youthful memories, intertwining the delicate with the dramatic. These songs serve as a series of snapshots, which upon reflection, create a captivating storyline. South Philly’s Boot & Saddle will be hosting the quartet’s record release show on Saturday, July 1, where they will be supported by Rosu Lup and The Chairman Dances.
L.A.
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Sterile Jets confront their turmoil on “Fireside Drive”
Noise rock trio Sterile Jets focus their nervous energy on "Fireside Drive", a stirring display of brazen discontent that communicates a verbally tempestuous treatise. The Long Beach trio are distilling the poison that’s consumed them through a period of darkness, configuring those emotions in gloriously muscular form with an onslaught of guitar distortion and groove-oriented experimentalism. It’s a difficult, though also inviting, listen that finds the band expanding upon the more forthright thrust of 2014’s Liqour Store.
Sterile Jets have also released an accompanying video for the track, which is the first single off of their latest full length, entitled No Gods No Loss. – Juan Rodríguez
NYC
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Edson Sean’s unveils ‘New Start” single, plays SOB’s on 06.21
Hip-hop soul artist Edson Sean blends live soul and jazz instrumentals with foundational hip-hop vocals. In his new single “New Start,” released last month, Sean and his band, The Experi3nce, takes a more soulful approach that references eclectic live instrumental hip hop artists like the Roots or the Fugees. Sean has garnered attention for his sentimental lyrics that often speak about the hardships of relationships, also a signature of his debut album The Pursuit of Magic, which was featured in regular rotation on VH1 Soul. The Brooklyn native will be playing the popular Sol Village at SOB’s on 06.21. –Tafari Lemma
NYC
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Bedroom poppers Golf Lexapro play Sunnyvale on 06.19
If Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus had a little brother that carried his vocals into the disaffected post-internet age of today, that would be Golf Lexapro. On his EP for newbie label Fluorescent Thought, tracks like “Bluetooth Repair,” “WebMD,” and “Watering Plants,” bring a heartwarmingly specific reflection derived from spending too much time alone in your room on the computer. Golf’s well crafted, sincere lyrics propel a stylistically multifaceted record, whose sound draws from other indie rockers such as The Strokes, Yo La Tengo, and Jay Som. See them play live Monday, June 19th at Sunnyvale with Furnsss, Edgar Clinks, and Groupie. – Allie Millert;
NYC
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Cigarette’s slo-mo harmonies at Black Cat on 06.14
Between lingering lo-fi vocals, featured string orchestrations, and simple guitar riffs drenched in reverb, it is difficult to gloss over DC’s own slowcore band Cigarette. Currently a four piece band with occasional guest musicians, the collective released their debut, mini-LP, Gush, in 2013, which displayed a vivid interpretation of modern indie pop, fused with slo-mo harmonies integrating gentle and gloomy vocals. The band has since released two more records. The most recent, “Warm Shadows/Love’s Mirror” features two overtly atmospheric singles which further enunciate the group’s sonic vocabulary. – Tafari Lemma
NYC
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LittleBoyBigHeadonBike releases record at AS220 on 06.23
God Damn Wonderland is the latest LP by uber-productive Providence-based lo-fi folk artist LittleBoyBigHeadonBike (aka William Orchard). Although the LP will be not available until June 23rd, a few singles have already been released—like “It Was Alright (your heart was shining through your eyes last night)”, a poetic musing on being left behind. This song differentiates itself from the typical singer-songwriter piece with its complex instrumentals (William Orchard plays keyboards, guitar, and bass on this track) and full harmonies. The album release show will be held in Providence at AS220 on June 23rd. – Lilly Milman
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Slomo Sapiens
The power trio of Ceallaigh Corbishley, Greg Geiger, and Jon Pritchard, better known as Slomo Sapiens (a band name that you know you wish you thought of), has us excited about the next wave of garage-psych acts, being homegrown in Philly. The group is currently building a recording studio in their buddy’s basement so we are hoping to hear more rad tunes from the local power trio sooner than later. Until then, check out their latest single, “Fangs,” below, and take a gander at our recent interview with The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner HERE.
Chicago
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The Just Luckies
The Just Luckies are preparing to release a new album, Lovesick Politics, next week. This is the 4-piece band’s sophomore album and follow-up to their 2015 debut, Same Kids, Same Things.
You can help The Just Luckies celebrate the new album June 23rd at The Bottom Lounge with The Peekaboos, Hawley, and Lever.
Chicago
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Swearwords
Swearwords released an EP this week called This is the Place I Was Telling You About. This is the follow-up to the band’s 2015 LP, Solar Vortex.
Portland
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Visual Vices: Johnny Raincloud – “The Wolf In My Backseat”
Most of us have got a few demons following us. Skeletons we’ve shoved so deep in our closets they’re basically in Narnia. But sometimes, the things eating away at us manifest themselves in the form of a big, bad wolf. Sometimes, that wolf IS us.
Johnny Raincloud‘s latest video for "Wolf In My Backseat" kind of embodies that ideal, with a comedic tinge to it. The video’s furry protagonist drifts through life causing mild ruckuses and having a generally fair time, much like the overall aimless activities we all participate in on a daily basis. Coming off their newest EP Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, the song and the video hit a little closer to home than they may initially seem.
NYC
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Dawkins delivers blissful reverb drenched indie on debut EP
Existing somewhere in that sphere of experimental indie pop that contains Animal Collective and Neon Indian, Dawkins‘ Ep1 is a quality release that steers clear of being a cheap knockoff of the reverb drenched, chaotic sound that has made other groups famous. Although not flawless, the group’s first release achieves some really great moments, like at the 1 minute mark in Kiwi, where the chorus all of a sudden bursts through in a great moment of catharsis. At times blissfully harmonious with the pumping, youthful energy of indie pop, Ep 1 is a wonderful start for the group.
-Written by Michael Dranove