Effexor can “treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder." However, “Effexor” by Party Nails can cure awkward silences, 5 o’clock traffic blues, lame parties, and is a general mood booster. Elana Belle Carroll’s new single, “Effexor,” is an intoxicating blend of dream-pop and indie-rock that has an indescribable vibe. Her wide variety of spunky and uplifting tunes will be the unofficial kick off to the summer, which started June 20th, and is the perfect banger to shoo those winter blues. – Kayla Hay
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
Rose Dorn deal with their unease on charming new single, “Shaking”
"Shaking," the new track by San Fernando Valley trio Rose Dorn, fools you at first—it begins with a wispy, sticky-sweet melody that quickly descends into a slow, shambling manner. That changing mood suits the indie-pop band’s downcast theme, having been inspired by the coping mechanisms people use to fend off trauma. Nevertheless, they’re able to make it land with a wholesome, bright melody. Bar None Records recently signed the band, and you can see why—their keen sense of melody fits right at home with the label’s past and present, from The Feelies’ post-2000’s jangle-pop to Happyness’ winding indie-rock.
"Shaking" is the first single off Rose Dorn’s forthcoming full-length debut album, Days You Were Leaving, due out August 23. Juan Rodríguez
Listen to Good Days’ bopping new single, “Blue”
Good Days’ "Blue" sounds as wholesome as their origin story—songwriters Eric Ronick and Michael Cannova met at the Lower East Side in New York when they discovered they both had shared likeminded musical interests. The indie-pop duo both have an affinity for a beachy, classic oldies sound, something they bring back to life on their joyful new single. The piano-led track opens with their prominent dual harmonies—and keep it that way for about a minute—capturing a vintage L.A. pop groove that carries on into the very end. If there’s a restorative effect to "Blue," well, that’s intentional, as they wrote its infectious bopping beat with three phases in mind—focus, escape, and love.
"Blue" is the latest reveal off Good Days’ singles collection ROYGBIV, which you can listen to now via their official soundcloud. Juan Rodríguez
West Coast Weekend welcomes the summer on “Nobody Like You”
West Coast Weekend has one great thing going for them—they have a band name that virtually any 9-5er can sympathize with. Luckily, the indie-pop quartet’s new single, "Nobody Like You," also has a brisk, jubilant vibe that perfectly exemplifies their positive attitude. Everything about it pops with a radio-friendly sound—featuring energetic claps to surging horns, the band lends their slick harmonies to a track that casts a sun-dappled glow.
"Nobody Like You" is the second single off their upcoming EP, which comes out sometime in June. Catch their debut show at The Satellite alongside Sleeplust and Molly Moore on June 10. Juan Rodríguez
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Kills Birds manifest their essence on raw, primal new single “Ow”
Kills Birds wanted to bring a primal approach on their new single “Ow”—ignore any restrictions and discover their essence through pure spontaneity. Armed with vocalist Nina Ljeti’s feral delivery, the noise rock project built the skeleton of the track through unconstrained means. At first, guitarist Jacob Loeb had a simple riff and Lteji could only offer her stream of consciousness vocals. The final result shows the now-quartet’s undeniable chemistry—Ljeti’s offbeat, cryptic imagery is built around Loeb’s bendy, soft-loud sonic dynamics, stringing together an aural assault that blazes through with loads of attitude.
"Ow" is featured on Kills Birds’ self-titled debut LP, which is due out August 28 via KRO Records. Watch them perform at Office Party in Highland Park on June 18. Juan Rodríguez
Wild Wing’s “Me ‘n Mine” is a trippy, offbeat rocker, play Non Plus Ultra on 6/21
Wild Wing like to take their garage-meets-cowpunk into strange, unexpected detours. The San Fernando Valley’s latest, "Me ‘n Mine" is no different—accentuated with ripping, fuzzed-out guitars, the four-piece envision a barren apocalypse that seems to suggest our imminent future—mostly attributed to today’s destructive political tribalism. "I arrive/to find there’s no one else alive," sings vocalist/guitarist David Gantz, conveying a calm demeanor before the band spirals into a disorienting breakdown.
"Me ‘n Mine" is featured on Wild Wing’s upcoming fourth full-length album, New Futures, which is due out on June 21. That’s also the day they’ll be holding a record release show at Non Plus Ultra. Juan Rodríguez
Animal Waves’ “Lately, So Lonely” is well oiled riff-rock
Both in thought and feeling, Animal Waves coast along in overdrive on "Lately, So Lonely." Singer/guitarist Robert Davis, alongside bassist Charles Salvaggio and drummer Matt Zavorski, deliver heavy, pummeling scuzz-rock that captures the looseness of a fun night out. But the trio’s warm, breakneck scuzz is also nuanced—dabbed with a touch of psych-noise, they balance rough and smooth with an unbounded energy that complements Davis’ yearning, impressionistic lyrics.
Check out Animal Waves’ "Lately, So Lonely" single below, and be on the lookout for upcoming gigs by visiting their official website. Juan Rodríguez
The Millennial Club’s She’s So Insane EP is fire you need to ignite your summer
The Millennial Club has just released their debut EP, She’s So Insane, and we should talk about just how insane it truly is. This band keeps creating an incredible mix of music that continues to impress me, given that the collection of songs on this new release are important to the success and growth they have experienced this past year. “MI” is by far the most accomplished, proving that they’re raising the bar with a madcap collection of riffs, keyboards, synths, guitars, and even saxophones.
She’s So Insane makes you feel like time isn’t slipping away as fast as you may think. Their music sparks a warm and familiar glow that proves just how irresistible their music authentically is—an album to fuel your summer, every single day. Kayla Hay
Desert Weather’s “Still in My Head” is a joyous garage-rock jam
A shrieking cry opens Desert Weather’s swaggering new single, "Still in My Head." The garage rock quartet captures the euphoric excitement of meeting a special someone whose spirit is infectious. Led by singer Eric Smedberg’s vocal nonchalance, the band tears through a raw, yet exuberant guitar work that’s backed up by a chugging backbeat. "I’m screaming your name/from the top of my lungs," he openly declares, fully surrendering to a rush of emotions that are impossible to contain. And as it unfolds, we can’t help but feel the excitement, too.
"Still in My Head" is the first single off the band’s forthcoming EP, due out later this year. Juan Rodríguez
Field Medic’s “used 2 be a romantic” is a bittersweet ode to life on the road (Video)
Life on the road must be as thrilling as it is exhausting. On the video for his latest single "used 2 be a romantic," Field Medic—the stage name for folk-rock songwriter Kevin Patrick—shares a video journal of sorts that capture his numerous touring experiences: the crowd’s warm embrace; the backstage banter; the everyday ennui. It’s all there—Patrick’s daily routine is consumed by night after night of stirring performances and intimate cigarette breaks. "I need a cigarette/ those fuckers talked over my whole set," he sings with genuine candor, strumming a twinkling melody that brightens its otherwise muted country drift.
"Used 2 be a romantic" is taken from Field Medic’s latest album, fade into the dawn, which is out now via Run for Cover Records. And while we’re on the topic of touring, catch Patrick play a hometown show at Moroccan Lounge on Sunday, June 9. Juan Rodríguez
Take a break with Annabelle Maginnis’ “Steady”, performs at The Echo on 5/13
Annabelle Maginnis is driven by the spirit of collaboration on “Steady.” On her latest single, the singer/multi-instrumentalist takes a moment to take a break from all the noise and rush of everyday life. The smooth slow jam—which features prolific hip-hop rapper Def Sound—tucks you like a warm blanket, on which her mellifluous vocal delivery dances around his slippery flow. Combined with the sleek chord progressions of keyboardist Smiley, the blissful track invites listeners to sit back and unwind.
“Steady” is the second single off her forthcoming project, Free Debris. Watch her perform at The Echo this coming Monday, May 13. Juan Rodríguez