Lush electronics, memories which have just started to fade, and an abiding, comforting acoustic guitar bolster “Come By,” the latest single by niecesandnephews, but the song finds its greatest strength in the human voice. Composer-producer-songwriter Mario Gutierrez’s baritone register, in collaboration with Sara Sommerer, provides narration of events both past and present, unfurling a tale of lost love among a sea of bright instrumentation, almost as if he’s telling a long, sad story of indeterminate ending. Better yet, his choice pairing of folk textures with synthetic accents presents receding recollections of the past in appropriately hazy fashion — Gutierrez said the track itself details how, in recalling bygone romance, that “the vision is generally unclear, but we wish to just have that moment to show we can bring, but that time doesn’t come.” As such, it’s recommended listening for your next nostalgia trip, or for fans of Bon Iver circa 22, A Million era — stream it below.
Peach Tree Rascals share video for new single “Things Won’t Go My Way”
These times of isolation have not stopped Peach Tree Rascals from putting out new work, as they’ve released their new single "Things Won’t Go My Way", along with its music video. The song puts into words feelings of self-doubt, the transitions of life and the dangers they present, and how disillusionment can get in the way of aspiration. Its music video channels The Truman Show, with the band acting as characters beaten by misfortune after misfortune, all of which brings them together at the end. Take a look at the video for "Things Won’t Go My Way" below. – Will Sisskind
NNAMDÏ “Gimmie Gimmie”
The latest album, Brat, from NNAMDÏ will be released via Sooper Records on April 3rd. This is the follow-up to his groundbreaking 2017 debut Drool.
The latest single from the album is called "Gimmie Gimmie" and it is a warped R&B classic. He also recently released the album’s lead single, "Wasted", which is accompanied by the video directed by Sen Morimoto, Jess Myers, and Husni Ashiku below.
The record release event that was scheduled for April 18th at Lincoln Hall has officially been cancelled and there is no word yet of a virtual release event.
Austin Bullock discharges garage rock in new record “Wasted 8”
Rhode Island may be small, but it is big with talent, and that is evident in artists such as Austin Bullock, who detonates inside your speakers with sick bravado. The Providence resident recently released Wasted 8, an album that pays tribute to garage rock and all its gritty complexities and simplicities. Tracks like “Don’t Be Like That” are easy-going in the verses, featuring cheery acoustic guitar strums that slowly disappear into the distortion that permeates the choruses. “Halo” features a slow-slithering bassline underneath hot vocals and psych-tinged ambiances that anesthetize away worries. “Not for Sale” accelerates into a beautiful mix of ‘70s punk and early ‘00s revival: past meets present and it rocks. The record has fight in it and that we need right now indeed; stream “Not for Sale” below for a trip well worth the time. – Rene Cobar
Pet Symmetry “S.S. Decompressed”
Pet Symmetry announced this week that their April tour of Japan has been cancelled and they are hoping to reschedule in 2021. The trio has a new record ready for release, but is holding off on announcing a date as well.
The trio, Erik Czaja, Marcus Nuccio, Evan Weiss, did release a new single this week called "S.S. Decompressed". The proceeds from sales through April 1st will go to the World Health Organization Relief Fund.
Sleep On It “The Social Distancing Collection”
Pop Punk band Sleep On It has released a new EP called "The Social Distancing Collection". It features three songs the band felt best fit the mood of our current situation. The opening track is called "Burning At Both Ends" and was previously released in 2016. Our favorite track, the one that seems the most fitting, is a piano ballad called "Window", and perhaps it should be accompanied by a trigger warning for those standing alone in a room staring out a window.
Sleep On It was scheduled to perform two sold out shows at Beat Kitchen on March 28th and 29th, but those shows have been rescheduled for October 16th and 17th.
The Darling Suns “Better Off”
The latest EP, Better Off, from The Darling Suns is out today, March 27th. Late last year we shared the album’s lead single "Afterglow", and below is a video of sorts for the song.
The Darling Suns is currently scheduled to perform at Beat Kitchen on April 22nd with Gramps the Vamps, Vision in The Rhythm, and Thomas and the Work Men.
Ruins in a Time of Social Distancing
Ruins, Adam Schubert of Cafe Racer, has been spending his time during this period of social distancing and the shelter in place order wisely. Since March 16th he has been releasing a song a day accompanied by a fun little drawings via bandcamp. They latest song, at the time of this post, was release March 26th and is called "Whats It About".
It has truly given us something to look forward to every day and we are sure his has given him a way to stay connected and creating. Adam, if you see this, Thank You and stay safe!
Photo by Alexa Viscius
Chicago Underground Quartet “Good Days”
The latest album from the Chicago Underground Quartet, Good Days, is out today, March 27th, Astral Spirits. This is the blending of styles and approaches to music of Josh Johnson (synth bass, organ, piano), Rob Mazurek (piccolo trumpet, electronics, bells), Jeff Parker (electric guitar), and Chad Taylor (drums and percussion).
The album’s lead single is called "Orgasm" and it is a cover of a 1969 piece by Alan Shorter. Through out the album there is a mix of group composed and improvised tracks and a couple of solo pieces. It has been a surprising nineteen years since the last album from the quartet, and the first with the addition of Johnson.
Forrest Management
Experimental ambient artist Forrest Management (aka John Daniel) has released two albums this month with the most recent, "Untitled", appearing just last week. Back in January, Daniel made his debut on the St. Louis label Distant Bloom with his deep exploration of Fiona Apple’s "Sleep To Dream".
Perhaps his most ambitious project released in 2020 is 4 Cassavetes, which was released on March 15th. This is a four CDr album dedicated to American cinéma vérité pioneer John Cassavetes. Daniel created his own score to four Cassavetes movies "Faces" (1968), "Shadows" (1959), "Opening Night" (1977), and "Too Late Blues" (1961).
For all trapped in doors, Forrest Management is continuing to provide deep, rich soundscapes to endlessly explore.
PREMIERE: My Son the Doctor explode outwards on debut single “Dancing In Your Basement”
Despite currently being pent-up in Bushwick, indie quartet My Son the Doctor demonstrate they know how to have a good time in small spaces on debut single “Dancing In Your Basement.” A raucous ripping two minute track driven by frontman Brian Hemmert’s lilting, expressive vocal performance and driving garage instrumentation, the song is four pounds of kickass in a two pound bag, a concise, blood-pumping vamp wherein the band can tout their cohesive, breakneck rock sound. These adrenaline-pumping acrobatics are in large part the goal for the group, because when they’re not dropping cryptic, weirdly prescient philosophical tidbits in the middle of a chorus (the lyric “time is such a foreign substance” took on new meaning for many this week), My Son The Doctor’s primary focus is jazzing you the hell up. “We wanted ‘Dancing In Your Basement’ to be the first song released off the EP because, honestly, we think it rips the hardest, and we want people stoked,” said drummer John Mason. Mission well accomplished — stream our premiere of the track below, and keep an eye out for their EP Dad Time, out May of this year. Photo by Brian Stoothoff
