Two dudes, a four track, and a singular microphone are the driving force behind vexation, the debut offering by lofi, “tropical country” duo Otra Vez — and that’s really all they needed to make a groovy, kickass record. Endowed by the charm of its palpable crunchiness and compressed vox and available for four dollars and twenty cents on Bandcamp (nice), the album skirts being defined as silly or serious; members DJ O’Loane and Sean O’Hara seamlessly switch between ditties detailing past relationships (“death by 1000 cuts”) and stoney meditations on the virtues of selling out (“fat sandwich”), their detuned guitars and easygoing percussive lines in toe. Recommended for fans of Makeout Videotape, Soko, and John Dwyer deep cuts, give it a listen below, ideally on a rooftop with a couple of buddies, and catch Otra Vez at Our Wicked Lady on April 2nd.. —Connor Beckett McInerney
L.A.
Posted on:
Hollow Fortyfives release new EP “Weekender” for any day of the week
The Hollow Fortyfives have put out their new EP Weekender, and despite what the name may suggest, the record suits any day of the week. The indie rock jams of Travis Corsaut, Brett Incardone, and Lucas Renberg pay tribute to late nights, debauchery, and general reckless fun outside the confines of the doldrums of the workplace, the chore chart, and the day-to-day responsibilities. At under twenty minutes, Weekender makes for a good one-time listen on your way home from work on a Friday evening, or — if you put it on loop — you can make it your soundtrack for your whole Saturday or Sunday, if not both. Weekender is the follow-up to the band’s debut 2018 LP Strange Times, and while the rock-and-roll power remains, there’s an extra crunch on the new EP that gives it just a little more bite. Check out one of the tracks from Weekender, called "Get Out", below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
Posted on:
TALsounds “No Rise”
TALsounds released the first single, "No Rise", from her forthcoming fifth album, Acquiesce. This is beautiful electronic music of Natalie Chami, and this project will be released by Brooklyn’s NNA Tapes on May 22nd.
You can catch TALsounds on April 2nd at Metro with Dan Deacon and Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, and you can help her celebrate the release of her album on May 22nd at Constellation with Sam Prekop.
Chicago
Posted on:
Side Hug “Conversations”
Side Hug has released a new single called "Conversations". This is the first new music from the Dream Pop group since their 2019 EP "Wasted Summer".
This is the work of Allan Cardenas (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Christian Ovalle (Drums /Percussion), Lyd Landor (Vocals/Guitar), and Yuda Goldbloom (Bass).
The Hive released their live session with Side Hug recently and the group closed their session with this new single.
Chicago
Posted on:
California Widow
California Widow recently rereleased several tracks from their self-titled debut EP. The most recent is called "Howl" which was originally released three years, and is centered around a couple named Ike & Jean. Jean was diagnosed with ALS and past away only to be followed shortly thereafter by Ike.
This is the somber Desert Rock of Darja Vaarsi (vocalist/lyricist/songwriter/producer) and Brendan Blewett (vocalist/guitarist/producer).
Toronto
Posted on:
Mountain Head – Heavy Dream Rock Single “We Stole Your Head”
Mountain Head have hit the ground runnin’ here on the Toronto scene. These two brothers aren’t new to the scene but after spending some time in the mountains…Mountain Head was born. Their first single “We Stole Your Head” is a heavy dream rock tune. The drums have a hip hop vibe to them and the rhythm hits hard with the bass and synth combo. See these mysterious bearded brothers this Friday March 13th at The Rivoli along with F.Scott & the Nighthawks as well as Joan Smith & the Jane Does. Excellent lineup! – Kris Gies
L.A.
Posted on:
03.13: Mild Minds releases melancholic debut album “MOOD”
Maybe, given the recent goings on in the world, you’ve had a rough go of it, and just need some time to disassociate. If you need to freshen up your Music To Zone Out To playlist, give Mild Minds‘ MOOD a try. Run by Benjamin David, Mild Minds has the trip hop sounds to which fans of Caribou and Four Tet will find themselves dancing. MOOD, Mild Minds’ debut album, has tracks such as "Movements" and "Walls" which layer catchy drum grooves and soft pulsing synths over droning bass. The effect will keep you moving to the beat as you remove yourself from whatever stressful medical, financial, or mental situation threatening you at the moment. MOOD drops on March 13th; take a look at the music video for "Walls" below. – Will Sisskind
New England
Posted on:
Vundabar preview new record with sugary track “Burned Off”
Boston’s Vundabar is set to release Either Light on March 13th and how excellent it promises to be. That promise exists in the deliciously retro indie-pop track “Burned Off,” which takes the listener on a speedy sonic roller coaster that cascades past a pulsating bassline, a crisp drum pattern, candy-sweet vocals, oh and guitar riffs so 2003. Brandon Hagen, Drew McDonald and Zackery Abramo continue this project that is quickly escaping our stratosphere on here as the group is touring the country throughout the spring with a show on April 24th at Paradise Rock Club for our New England folks. If the new record has more of the exquisite falsettos, and atmospheric breaks, featured in the single streaming below then wonderful it will be. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
Posted on:
Mending “When He Met Prem”
Mending has released the second single, "When He Met Prem", of Book 02 of the Wakerobin Archive, To Yellowknife ~ Chapter 01: New Green Bay to Bismarck. This is is long form storytelling through song of Kate Adams and Joshua Dumas
The full album is set to be released on March 19th.
NYC
Posted on:
PREMIERE: Couvo takes change in stride on “Still Hanging On,” plays Way Station 3.23
It’s an unfortunate truth that, with the passing of time, we tend to lose touch with those that matter most to us, a fact that’s become abundantly clear to Bushwick-based indie pop artist Couvo as of late. His new single “Still Hanging On” is an ode to old acquaintances and relationships that come with the changes inherent to life, a shoutout to erstwhile friends in his hometown of Manchester, Connecticut, channeled through bright, downtempo indie pop reminiscent of the Morning Benders and pre-Powerman Kinks. A sunny-yet-forlorn disposition powers Couvo’s lyricism — nostalgic, yes, but always grounded in realism, the “knowing, in the moment, that these relationships will fail and these people will leave, or you’ll be the one to go,” in his own words. Sweetly sorrowful and bolstered by a third act explosion of winding saxophones and group harmonies, Couvo proves that, despite these seemingly-inevitable transformations, there’s resilience and strength to be found in act of “hanging on.” Stream our premiere of this track below, and see Couvo at the Way Station on March 23rd, alongside Ruby Wave, Phil Robinson, and Zman. Photo by Kevin Condon
Chicago
Posted on:
Coyote Man “Perilous”
Psych Rock duo Coyote Man has released the first single, "Perilous", from their forthcoming album, Precognition, which is due out on April 20th.
This is the instrumental rock of Augie Portugal (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards) and Ian Wheeler (Drums, Percussion).
You can catch Coyote Man on May 22nd at Downstairs at Subt with Pale Horseman and Sons of Ra.
Photo by Matthew Vineyard
Chicago
Posted on:
Impulsive Hearts “Cry All The Time”
Impulsive Hearts have released their latest album, Cry All The Time, via Midwest Action. The latest single from the album is called "Telephone Girl" and is accompanied by the video below.
This is the Indie Surf Rock of Danielle Sines, Doug Hoyer, Jess Lemaster, and Dan Julian.
You can catch Impulsive Hearts on March 19th at Sleeping Village with Bev Rage and The Drinks, Harvey Fox, and Richard Album.