N.A.O Quelly knows how to use his youth to his advantage, with new single “Mo Betta” a standout example of how the Bedstuy rapper fashions raucous energy and unconventional production into an experimental label debut. A signee of Joey Bada$$’s newly-minted Badmind imprint, “Mo Betta” features distorted, drill 808s coupled with ghostly discordant synth, all calling cards of track producer (and previous Bada$$ collaborator) Powers Pleasant. It provides the perfect venue for Quelly’s nasal spitfire flow, where the emcee’s speed and lyrical persona play against the negative space of Pleasant’s production. While lyrically “Mo Betta” isn’t the most compelling production (much of it focuses on Quelly’s recent success and his ability to get his bread up), it’s a promising introduction to a (at the time of writing) relatively unknown artist, and nearly guarantees a barn burning performance at his live debut on August 14th at Knitting Factory. Give a listen below. -Connor Beckett McInerney
New Track: “Heart of Gold” – Field Mouse
Meaning is the forthcoming album Field Mouse, and is scheduled for release on August 16 via Topshelf Records. The band recently shared its lead single, “Heart of Gold” (which is not a Neil Young cover). Despite a dim perspective of the future, the track bursts with an upbeat, optimistic outlook. Field Mouse is set to open for Portland, Oregon’s Summer Cannibals on Thursday, August 15 at Boot & Saddle. (Photo by Katie Krulock)
Ultra Major brings ’90s inspired guitar sound to Baby’s All Right on 07.11
"I don’t care what you think about it / because everything is perfect," the lyrics of "Lost in the Moment" say. The line is appropriately groveled and sung by Ultra Major, bringing listeners into four or so minutes of existential self-reflection, within an in-your-face sonic environment. In keeping with the best rock’n’roll tradition, both their singles released to date ("Lost in the Moment" and "Drag") promote of letting go of control, revealing influences by ’90s heavyweights like Foo Fighters and Smashing Punpkins with an added emo element to the mix.
The band’s sonic identity consists of muddy, distorted guitars, fast-paced drums, and filtered vocals. Their lyrics, which channel apathy and existentialism in ways alternatively soft and dramatic, bring up big questions regarding personal search and the quest for peace of mind – without providing answers. While "Lost in the Moment" makes the case for isolation and solace, "Drag" assures the listener that moving forward is the only answer. You’ll be able to see the group live at Baby’s All Right on July 11th. – Susan Moon
Purple Mountains
Not that this album or brilliant musician needs our help, but when the talent David Berman (Silver Jews) emerged from his modest local apartment with a new album under the moniker of Purple Mountain, we had to listen.
This self-titled album, out July 12th via Drag City, is the first new music from Berman in ten years and the first since since Silver Jews disbanded. The album’s first two single out and available below, and neither go all that well with a sunny 90 plus degree Chicago afternoon, but they will transport the listener to colder, lonelier times.
Purple Mountains will be performing two shows at Sleeping Village on August 24th (sold out) and August 25th.
Gabacho “El Recuerdo”
Gabacho is preparing to release a new single, “El Recuerdo” (The Memory), on July 11th. This follows his debut EP, “Some Time Ago…”, which was just released back in April.
The track has an amazing retro psychedelic sound and was recorded by Chace Wall (aka Skul.kid). This is in sharp contrast to Gabacho’s EP, which was sung in a mix of English and Spanish, and was a stripped down, acoustic, affair.
One Time Weekend is a funky carnival of sounds too good to pass up, plays BRYAC Black Rock 06.28
Letting its reggae and funk influences lead the way, the group from Collinsville, CT known as One Time Weekend has crafted a record you can move to. Weekend at the Circus is jam-packed with hip electric guitar solos, fun changes in tempo, rapid-fire vocals, and piano notes that shine among the carnival of sounds. The lead vocal melodies on tracks like “Gandalf” and “Cavity” have the magnetism of great orators like Sublime’s Bradley James Nowell or Gym Class Heroes’ Travie McCoy; the instruments move the party along with groovy basslines to spare. One Time Weekend’s summer tour continues with a stop at BRYAC Black Rock in Bridgeport, CT on June 28th. We are streaming “Cavity” below for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar
New Track: “Playoff” – Makeup Tutorial
"Playoff" is the latest single to appear from Makeup Tutorial. Ruminating in lo-fi, bedroom-pop atmospherics, the soft, whispered vocals are contrasted by the forceful, acoustic strums. Mixed emotions express doubt over sustainability, as the outer perimeters morph sonically. It’s a song that begins and ends gently, yet resonates with a resounding strength.
Album Premiere: Radio Free Honduras “Mis Sueños”
We are proud to be able to premiere the new album, Mis Sueños, from Radio Free Honduras.
The album, their first in five years, finds guitarist and lead vocalist Charlie Baran and Musical Director and Guitarist Dan Abu-Absi at the top of their collaborative game. The goal of the group has always been to spotlight the talent, charm, and songs of Baran and this album does that perfectly.
You can help the band celebrate the release of the new album on June 28th at Sleeping Village with ÉSSO and Kaleta & Super Yamba Band.
Cindy Cane plays Brooklyn Psych Fest on 07.06 and 5 more NYC shows this summer
NYC band Cindy Cane is going to have a busy summer of 2019, with six live shows scheduled in NYC between July and August. That is either a sign of naiveté or of buzzworthy status, since getting enough fans to a gig twice a year is already a struggle for most emerging NYC bands – we’ll see how that pans out! The "post-everything" band seems intent on rejecting genre constraints in favor of imposing a peculiarly lo-fi and post-punk inspired character on genres as disparate as cold wave and folk music. The mangled ‘country’ of east river take me under (streaming below) feels like the only possible kind of folk a city like New York can produce. Don’t miss their upcoming show at the Knitting Factory within the Brooklyn Psych Fest on July 6th.
New Yeenar EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The quartet of Yeenar recently dropped its new EP Nonbloomer, which was co-produced by Mark Watter (Rosu Lup, Howlish). The record captures a delightfully melodic, powerpop picture. Allowing in momentous swells of unencumbered heaviness, the band juxtaposes beauty with a bluntness. You can catch Yeenar at Milkboy on Saturday, August 17, in support of Dionysia.
Dhan Dee “Muddy Waters”
Dhan Dee of Chicago Loud 9 is dropping a new mixtape called “Muddy Waters” on June 30th. The album’s first single is called “Nickels and Dimes” and it cleverly plays with the duel meaning of both words.
You can catch Dee performing with Chicago Loud 9 on July 6th at Emporium Wicker Park.
China the Band plays Minnesota Street Project June 27
China the Band is geared up for some local shows this summer, starting with their June 27th show at the Minnesota Street Project. Band members have been involved numerous musical collaborations throughout the Bay Area and beyond, including San Francisco favorite Sonny & the Sunsets, Sugar Candy Mountain, Odawas and Papercuts. China takes influences from Neil Young, The Band, and The Byrds with a little more twang here and there and some modern twists. If you can’t see them at Minnesota, they’ll be playing at The Makeout Room on July 14. –Lucille Faulkner