No better way to start your weekend than with the upbeat acoustic brilliance of Wrentham’s Tom Abbott! The singer-songwriter has released his sophomore full-length record Puppet Boy, a collection of indie-folk tracks dipped in just enough lo-fi-production waters to provide a raw sound irresistible. The vibrant acoustic guitar phrases and upbeat drum patterns of "Hello" have the candid indie-folk spirit of bands like The Decemberists while "8 Hours" kicks off with serrated guitar riffs à la lo-fi star-of-the-moment Justus Proffit. In "Happy," Abbott bares his soul in a cathartic blues-tinged song that showcases his vocal magnetism to the tune of elegant piano chimes. The fuzzy bassline and fractured guitar arpeggios of "Fly on the Wall" are pure indie-rock goodness. The record finishes with the aptly-titled "Goodbye" a track that keeps the sonic sprint going, flashing sweet harmonies as it races to the finish line. Tom Abbott can be proud of a record that encompasses a variety of genres from punk in "Fake Punk" to alt-country in "Lemonade," treating everyone to something exquisite. Tom will be playing at the Wrentham Town Common July 28th, sure to unleash his sonic collage in a must-see performance. "Hello" is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
Wet Dream Song Release
Wet Dream just premiered their song “See Foam Run,” off their upcoming album Future Nostalgic. The dream-pop band manages to peacefully blend the more wistful elements of their music with the more upbeat backing. “See Foam Run” creates a unique and lovely combination of moods. It feels lost but not lonely, guided by an earnest desire to explore the darkness it finds itself in. Listening to the song feels like looking at yourself in the mirror surrounded by shadowy neon lighting. It’s a beautiful piece of exploration.
Future Nostalgic will be out on August 7th.
-By Suzy Harrison, photo provided via Instagram
The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Broke Body
Being broke financially is a situation that a majority of fledgling artists can relate to. For Broke Body, life has been taxing in the physical sense as well, so they wanted a band name that would represent their lives right now. However, things haven’t been all that bad for the trio here in Philly of late. After discovering “a really dope, supportive community,” the group just released its first EP, Bleed, via local imprint Good How Are You Records, and claimed victory in our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll. “Exploring themes of dissonance, loss, apathy, and anxiety,” you can give Broke Body’s fiery debut a spin below, and take a gander at our interview with the gang HERE. Tru.
JOB LP Release @ Emporium Tonight! (6/21)
JOB released their new album, Meaningless, today (6/21) via the local label Forge Again. This is the trio’s first new music since their 2016 self-titled debut EP, and it is a sonic adventure. The instrumental trio of Otto Junker (guitars/bass), Bill Myers (keys/synths), and Jim Myers (drums) create a sound that is somewhere between experimental ambient music and explosive cinematic math rock.
You can catch JOB tonight, June 21st, at Emporium Logan Square with Engines, American Draft, and William Covert. Proceeds from this event will benefit One Tail At A Time Dog Rescue.
Of Origins “Discover”
Progressive Djent Metal band Of Origins released their debut full-length album, Discover, earlier this month. This is the Schaumburg-based band currently consisting of Arman Zumberi (guitar), Shane Wegener (Guitar/Vocals), and Ernesto Yebra (Vocals).
Across the album the trio enlisted help for friends including John Matalone of VCTMS, Duaa Qureshi, and slak.
New Little Gunpowder EP Available for Streaming & Download
Baltimore transplants, Little Gunpowder, recently shared a new three-song EP, titled Don’t Fall Asleep. A stirring, scene-painting, singer-songwriter atmosphere opens its doors. Observations and self-assessments make for honest, unfiltered, lyrical portraits. Raw, emotive turmoil leaves a lasting imprint.
Goon releases new single “Check Engine Light,” debut LP out 7/19
There’s a weary quality to Goon frontman Kenny Becker’s optimistic sentiment. "Alright/Okay/I’m walking on sunshine all the time," Becker sings on "Check Engine Light," subsumed by the anxiety that consumes his thoughts. His words may be sincere, but his dry tone says otherwise. And just like that indicator lamp that nags one to no end, it’s a feeling that’s better not to ignore—before it gets any worse.
Goon’s fourth single off their full-length debut, Heaven is Humming, continues their solid streak of hook-driven scuzz rock—a sound they’ve been refining since the release of 2016’s Dusk of Pink -EP. Check out the band’s forthcoming headline release show at Echoplex on July 18. It’s out July 19 via Partisan Records. – Juan Edgardo Rodríguez
Fresh Buzz: Arthur Moon announces debut LP, plays Elsewhere with Palehound 07.10
We’ve been huge fans of Arthur Moon for awhile. Admittedly, releases-wise things haven’t been moving at break-necking pace for the the avant-indie project of queer artist Lora-Faye Åshuvud, as it often happens with music that’s a little more sophisticated than the average. And Arthur Moon’s music is a lot more sophisticated – and complicated – than the average. But finally word is out that the project debut album, following their excellent 2017 debut EP Our Head and a few singles, is about to drop, and preview single Homonormo bodes well for an outstanding release. Subverting anything that can be subverted in the rhythmic, melodic and production realms, this vocoder and plodding drumbeat-driven song finds a perfect balance between experimentation and melody, with Lora-Faye’s vocals guiding us charmingly and confidently through an unexpected path of sonic twists and turns that never sound forced.
Arthur Moon will be performing live at Elsewhere with Palehound on July 10th, with the debut record scheduled for an August 2nd release.
KAINA “Could Be A Curse”
KAINA has released a third single and video called “Could Be A Curse”. The track is taken from her forthcoming debut album, Next To The Sun, and features Sen Morimoto, who also stars in the video.
Next To The Sun will be released on July 12th via Sooper Records and can be preorder here.
You can catch KAINA at Lincoln Hall on July 14th with Sen Morimoto, Luna Luna, Kara Jackson, and Kahekili.
Jon Worthy & The Bends release new album “Something’s Gotta Give” on 06.28
Jon Worthy & The Bends have a busy summer ahead of them as they set out to promote their new album, Something’s Gotta Give, which will drop on June 28th. The record features some sounds new to the band, including the violin, cello, and accordion; it gives Worthy & The Bends more of a folk — if not a post-country — feel. But the instrumentation rounds out the tunes and balances well with Worthy’s powerful, emotional vocals. Worthy & The Bends will take Something’s Gotta Give around the southeast and Midwest before making a quick pit stop along the Northeast Corridor in August. The band will also play a plethora of music festivals this year including Musikfest 2019 in Bethlehem, PA, The Rhythm and Brews Fest in Newport, KY, and The River Rat Festival in Gallipolis, OH. Take a listen to the most recent single from Something’s Gotta Give, "Takin’ My Time", below. – Will Sisskind
Single Premiere: Forever “How Sad”
We are proud to be able to premiere the debut single, “How Sad”, from Forever. This is a new project fronted by Jacob Rosenberg, and the single is taken from their forthcoming album, Ecstatics, which is due out September 1st.
The album was engineered by Dave Vettraino at Jamdek and Public House Recordings who has worked with Lala Lala, Deeper, Pool Holograph, and many others.
Dream-folk Band a.harlana Video Release for “Textile Workers” off New EP ada belle
The Brooklyn-based dreamfolk band a.harlana has released this new video for their song, "Textile Workers" from their latest EP ada belle. The trio started their career making shoegaze-type textured music with a 2018 release of sparse, simple covers, titled adventure dog covers. In 2019, their changes are coming from within: realizing a creative process that nurtured original music, the band locked themselves away for approximately a month, churning out the three songs "Textile Workers," "Faces," and "The Thunderings Are Nearly Through."
The wistfulness, plus a penchant for fingerpicking makes for a thoughtful take on dream-pop, while the video streaming below adds a welcome element of evocative playfulness. – Susan Moon