A brooding, grim stomp paces “Found Out,” the first half of Worst Ones‘s latest single release. One enters into a horror-thriller scene as the presence of another lingers. With the constant trail of footsteps pounding behind and the buzz of chainsaw-style guitars, you will want to look over your shoulder and sleep with one eye one.
Amelia Airhorn (The Knocks & Skylar Spence) unveil single “NY is Red Hot”
The sleepless summer nightlife of the city echoes throughout “NY is Red Hot” (streaming) a new track from Amelia Airhorn. A collaborative effort between electronic dance duo The Knocks, and nu-disco vocalist Skylar Spence, the track takes a ride on a time machine to the vintage disco and pop sounds of ’80s and ’90s New York, a city they pledge loyalty to in the lyrics ("New York is my life and I’m never gonna leave!"). The song pulsates with high energy grooves that conjure up images of sweltering hot summer parties and the carefree city lifestyle. Take it as a reminder to partay! – Tafari Lemma
HNRY FLWR release EP “Flowerama” play Berlin on 6/16
Brooklyn musician David Van Witt records and plays live (with a band) under the name HNRY FLWR. After spending the last two years honing his project’s live show, he found a home for his debut EP ‘Flowerama’ at NYC’s Paper Garden Records. Opening track “Stranger” moves from somber beginnings into a bright keyboard driven anthem. Nuanced layers emerge throughout with cascading background vocals and buzzing synths. “As Above, So Below” (streaming) slithers along like a soundtrack to some middle-eastern mystery quest film. Ballad “Little Brother” explores the cycle of violent abuse, ultimately concluding that “now I’ve become those bruises on your arms.” “Down In Carolina” is propelled along by a deliberate bass line under bright synthesizer enhancements. There’s a muted, distant quality to the vocals that add an air of mystery and depth to the track. Closing track “Context (Trans-Pecos, On A Full Moon, On A Monday)” sounds pretty much as the title suggests – this acoustic-guitar-only live track was recorded at the Queens’ venue. The EP release show is Friday 6/16 at Berlin with The Undercover Dream Lovers and Rhinestone. – Dave Cromwell
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
New Track: “Sooo Bad” – Sad13
Adult Swim is currently in the midst of its year-long singles series, and just released its fourth track from the compilation. "Sooo Bad" is the latest offering from Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis, a.k.a. Sad13. The song was tracked during a late-night session in her mother’s kitchen. Overdubs and mixing were handled by by the band’s touring sound engineer Danielle DePalma at Seaside Lounge, with mastering by Chad Clark (of Beauty Pill/Smart Went Crazy). It was also the first time Sad13 live drummer Zoë Brecher appears on a recording. (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
From the submissions: a glance at 3D-WOW’s promising debut album
Arctic Desert Tundra, the debut release by New York duo 3D-WOW, is a startlingly original piece of psych/progressive-pop. Quietly released last November, Sara Kossin and Alec Ciesla’s debut is a collection of eight songs that are brooding, moody and at times menacing. The underlying sensitivity of songwriter/vocalist Sara Kossin radiates through the shuffling, thrashing dissonance like light through cracks in a door. Fans of Tortoise and Modest Mouse will be intrigued by the record, as it takes the guitar-heavy, ambient sounds of ’90s and early-2000s indie and runs with it into promising new post rock territory. – Ethan Ames
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
New Music Video: “Pianos, Heavy Instrument”/”Snow on the Moon” – The Spirit of the Beehive
Together with visual artists/filmmaker/photographer Craig Scheihing, psych outfit The Spirit of the Beehive has provided us with a woozy documentation of their adventures on the road, soundtracked by "Pianos, Heavy Instrument" and "Snow on the Moon," songs sequentially found on band’s latest LP Pleasure Suck (Tiny Engines). The former goes along with the band members on a scenic, hillside hike, before melding into the latter, where a lazy, sun-kissed day at the beach is eventually interrupted by the perpetual motion of life on the road. The Spirt of the Beehiove will be continuing their heavy 2017 touring schedule with a nearly month-long stint opening for The Districts this summer, but before they leave home, you can catch the guys and gal this evening at Spruce Street Harbor Park’s Waterfront Sessions with Permanent Body. (Photo by Emily Burtner)
Demure For Sure unveils flower-power fantasy single ‘Coconut, Rum And Banana’
Plenty of musical acts want to ride high on the Sixties-esque psych-rock revival to bring about some good feelings. Demure For Sure (the brianchild of NYC composer Zack De Sorbo) folds that avant-garde pomp and nostalgia into his newest track, "Coconut, Rum And Banana", released last week. The song — from a distance — could double as an outtake from The Beach Boys’ Smile or something from The Monkees’ discography, or as a more polished Ariel Pink single. Bubbling sounds and meandering flutes put the finishing touch on this flower-power fantasy, which might make you want to frolic through a field like a 21st-century Merry Prankster. "Coconut, Rum And Banana" will appear on Demure For Sure’s EP "Tie-Dye Shadows", which comes out July 12th. – Will Sisskind
The Curls
The Curls recently released a new single, “Violence”, and an accompanying video. The band was recently interviewed by Gamma Prince.
New Midwestern Exposure LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Midwestern Exposure follows up its Grizzly Bear EP (released earlier this year in March) with a new full-length album, entitled The West. The trio splices elements of haunting country-blues with an ominous bite, stirring up the surroundings; however, despite those sinister sounds, fresh, folk-oriented points of optimism persist as well. They’ll be setting up shop at Ortlieb’s on Wednesday, August 9, for a billing with the Dirty Soap Blues Band and King Kong and the Bleeding Hearts.
Sleepy Sun releases new LP, plays Amoeba Music 06.14
San Francisco indie rock quartet Sleepy Sun recently released their new LP, Private Tales, on Dine Alone Records. The album incorporates a host of contemporary indie rock influences like The White Stripes, The Black Keys and Fleet Foxes with inflections of ’70s rock in the vein of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac. As a whole, the release showcases the band’s effectiveness at stylistic blending and makes for a compelling, unique pop experience. Sleepy Sun will be playing at Amoeba Music in San Francisco tonight (June 14th) in support of the record. Listen to "Crave" below! – Ethan Ames
Fuzz pop duo Umm prove their devotion on “I’m In Love”
A name can sometimes invite some immediate skepticism. And Umm is unfailingly straight, but don’t let the marked hesitation fool you: the new project from Stefanie Drootin and Chris Senseney command your attention from the very first second with their visceral brand of fuzz pop. Their first single, "I’m In Love", reimagines the guitar assaults of classic alternative rock with some chamber ornamentation, making for a deliriously explosive three minutes that will keep you on your toes.
"I’m In Love" will appear on their debut album Double Worshipper, which is out on July 28 via Majestic Litter. – Juan Rodríguez
Kill Alters release ‘No Self Helps’ + play St. Vitus on 06.16
Brooklyn noisemakers Kill Alters make music that attacks, both physically and mentally. With pulsating percussions, laser-like synths, and the visceral vocals of Bonnie Baxter, the band offers a sound that’s aggressive, complex, and demanding. Their compositions break from tradition, incorporating sounds ranging from the industrial to the downright frightening (a baby’s laughter), and adopting a nightmarish aesthetic reminiscent of early post punk groups like Throbbing Gristle. Upcoming LP ‘No Self Helps’ (out June 28th on Haus Mountain) promises something different, and sometimes uncomfortable, through a journey that’s complex, textured, and entertaining, every step of the way. See them live at St. Vitus on 06.16. – Allie Miller