Jersey City songwriter and producer Amy Rage debuts her maximalist sound on new anthem “Doin’ It Right,” a dazzling showcase of synth-driven indie pop with nods to 80s femme forerunners such as Madonna and Blondie. A singular product of the artist’s existential crisis earlier this year, induced by the slog of the 9-5 and feelings of office-bound inertia, Rage turned to a small MIDI controller and a makeshift home studio to craft a vibrant sonic escape from the malaise. Hammering synthesizers and a strong emphasis on larger-the-life vocals, alongside emotional lyricism stressing how the right person can render the world’s sanity inane, propel this saturated electronic bop forward, delivering a single evocative of pop’s past and present stylings. Recommended for fans Charli XCX and Perfume Genius, stream our premiere below, and keep an eye out for Amy Rage’s forthcoming debut EP out later this year.
The Addisons “100% Familiar”
Indie Vets The Addisons have released a new EP called "100% Familiar". This is the group’s third EP and follow-up to 2019’s "Fake It".
The Addisons are Dave Lysien (vocals, guitar), Tom Counihan (vocals, guitar), Rick Uncapher (bass), and Jesse Carmona (drums, percussion).
Cloudtone “Poinsettia (Live)”
Cloudtone recently released a live recording of their debut single, "Poinsettia", from a show that took place at Subt back in late January. The quartet released three singles in 2019 and have more new music planned for 2020.
This recording should help hold fans over until the next time we are able to see them live. However, if you need more, Noiseless Inc has also released footage of Cloudtone’s full performance that night.
Lower Automation “Father’s Shirt is a Dress on Me”
Lower Automation has released a new single called "Father’s Shirt is a Dress on Me". This is the first new music from the Math Rock trio of Derek Allen, Brian Sutton, and Matt Walen since 2019’s "These Didn’t Fit" EP. The EP contained three outtakes from their 2018 album, Shoebox Companion.
PREMIERE: Bandits on the Run soundtrack modern love in new short film “Love in the Underground”
The baroque-pop sensibilities of New York trio Bandits on the Run well make for cinematic music — with vivacious cello lines intertwining with acoustic guitar, and three part harmonies as a centerpiece, there’s a goosebumps-inducing element to their tunes, a plethora of hair-raising moments wherein the band’s distinct parts emerge from quietude into a full, sunny sound. It’s fitting then that their newest single, “Love in the Underground,” was released alongside a nine minute short film for which the track serves as score (and in which the band serves as background players), enabling listeners and viewers to become swept up by the band’s dynamic, driving performance. Visually charting two strangers (actors Jason Gotay and Michael Hartung, themselves a couple IRL) falling in love on the subway, their dialogue is told primarily through choreography and music, a conversation which spans several station stops along the L and the East Williamsburg streets, before settling in at an atmospheric speakeasy — where the film visually enters its second act. Transitioning from an upbeat, primarily string-forward approach to the tone of a piano-driven ballad, Bandits on the Run re-emerge in the bar to perform a slower, more somber rendition of the track, creating a visual and sonic B-side to the entire production that builds to this featurette’s heartfelt climax. An impressive endeavor by any metric, aided by production from veteran companies Chucklehead and Must B Nice and choreography from co-director Lane Halperin, it’s required, sweetly succinct viewing in a time where love might seem far away — though it could just be one train car over. Watch it below. Photo by Fletcher Wolfe
Dance like nobody’s watching to Dream Machine’s “Sarajevo”
After sitting around in your house for too long, you might crave for something to get your blood flowing. Dream Machines have a new EP out called Trust/Desire with five tracks to get you out of your quarantine-induced stasis. Jamming out at the intersection of Prince, Hall & Oates, and Queen, Dream Machines take 80s rock and mash it with the future pop sounds of today. "Sarajevo", the lead track, introduces the EP with a heartbeat drum riff to get your body pumping. Then it throws in the energetic vocals of Harry May Kline and Luke Burba, along with some soulful synths and fiery guitars to send a shockwave to your brain. Fans of Ariel Pink, Drab Majesty, and Tame Impala will want to take a listen to "Sarajevo" below. – Will Sisskind
The Unswept “The Codependent EP”
The Unswept have released a new EP called "The Codependent". This is trio’s second EP and sixth release overall.
For this album, the follow-up to 2019’s LP Minor Blemishes, the O’Brien trio, Charlie, Liz & Ryan, have acquired some new pieces of equipment and with that a fuller, more heavy hitting sound.
Jackie Lynn “Jacqueline”
Jackie Lynn has released her sophomore album, Jacqueline, via Drag City. This is the mysterious and mythical alter-ego of Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux, and this album is the first new music from Jackie Lynn since 2016’s Thrill Jockey debut.
The album’s third single is called "Dream St" and it is an ode to Haley’s favorite street in Chicago, Ogden.
Homesafe “What’s Mine Is Yours”
Homesafe has released a new EP called "What’s Mine Is Yours". The EP is two stripped down, acoustic, tracks, "Slide" b/w "Down", and the first new music from Homesafe since 2016’s LP Evermore.
"Down" is accompanied by the Lars Juveland shot and edited visuals below.
This is the Alt Rock of Ryan Rumchaks, Tyler Albertson, Emanuel Duran, and Joe Colesby.
Wyn Doran cuts deep in new single “Cigarettes”
For Nashua, New Hampshire’s Wyn Doran, public evisceration of her personal experiences through music is nothing new, but her latest single "Cigarettes" cuts even deeper than usual. The music is tinged with residues of anger, fresh disappointment, and many stains of love all lit by the bluesy guitars that riff away in "Cigarettes" and the soulful vocals of Doran, which carve its choruses. The emotion in the music can be intimating, only because of the deep, relatable pain it reveals, the humanity behind it all too real. Doran is in her full alt-soul element in this new single, and that only adds a layer of strength to recall the song’s theme head-on; Wyn shows in the track the same grit that has characterized her sound, explosive beats and all. Stream "Cigarettes" below, you may just recognize something in its blackened, burning candor. – Rene Cobar
Billy Ghost “Street Judas”
LoFi Hip Hop producer Billy Ghost has been releasing a new song a month for over a year now and has now amassed a collection of chilled, downtempo beats that are both relaxing and enjoyable and somewhat mysterious.
His latest single is called "Street Judas", and it is filled with a calming beat, beautiful synths, and samples of known and unknown origins.