Singer-songwriter Andrew Stogel will put out his debut album as War Strings, called Who Cares How It Ends, on June 19th. Using inspiration from former stints as the frontman for indie and psych rock groups, War Strings is a grittier evolution from the groups that Stogel has performed with in the past. The darker vibe comes from Stogel’s months-long recovery from a major head injury, which caused him to remain bedridden for the better part of a year. But this long road back to good health allowed Stogel to reflect and write what would become Who Cares How It Ends, which includes the two tracks "Seventeen" and "Archer". Take a listen to the double single below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
Posted on:
Brandon James “Drifting”
Brandon James has released his latest EP "Drifting". Brandon skillfully blends R&B, Pop, and Soul to create a raw, emotional, and sultry sound.
The EP’s lead single called "So Emotional" and is accompaned by the video below.
Chicago
Posted on:
Bruges “A Thread of Light”
Noise Rock quartet Bruges recently released a new album called A Thread of Light. This is the band’s follow-up to their 2019 album, An Erasure of Form, and a strong step forward in their exploration of layered, sludgy drone.
The band released the album back on June 5th to coincide with bandcmap waiving their fees, and donated the proceeds from the release to the local charities Assata’s Daughters and My Block along with matching those proceeds from the band.
Chicago
Posted on:
Topaz “Help Yourself to My Garden”
Topaz has released his latest album, Help Yourself to My Garden. We shared the album’s first single, "Sirens", back in May, but it is now accompanied by the video below. The album’s second single is called "Troublemaker" and was released late last month.
Topaz is the beautiful Dream Pop of Zack Johnson, nd this album is his follow-up to 2018’s High Society.
Chicago
Posted on:
Jungheim
Jungheim has released a new EP called "Tell You All The Time". The group, and more speciffically Nayla, has used the quarentine to create and release a ton of new music. They kicked of the year by releasing a collection of home recordings mde of several years, but since March they have released four EPs.
Nayla Jungheim (Rhythm Guitar/Synths/Vocals), Zack Miller (Drums), Hammad Imam (Lead Guitar), and Gwen Giedeman (Bass).
New England
Posted on:
Unnamed Colors show pure class in new record “Be Where I Am”
Every once in a while, the week does not start with a bang, but rather it eases in with grace and much a soothing energy: that can be said of Be Where I Am, a new record from Newburyport’s Unnamed Colors. Each piano-led track is honeyed with glossy electric guitar embellishments, swinging rhythms, and the impressive vocals of Sierra Partlan, which take the classy music to the next level of finesse. “Come and Go” is an excellent example of the group’s ability to sway the sonic winds of arpeggiating guitars and rapid drum fills into a whirlwind worth admiring. “Come Play with Me” shows off the jazzy elements of Unnamed Colors, so exquisite and supported by a skilled bassline that buries itself in the heart of the listener. For each day we wake to there is something of a promise made that today will be better than yesterday, with Be Where I Am in your ears you are well on your way to a promise kept; stream the upbeat track “Kindling” from the new record below. – Rene Cobar
New England
Posted on:
New Threads offers up a refreshing alt-rock single in “Schlitz”
“Schlitz” is just the type of feel-good story we need for the weekend ahead: the song is over six minutes of summer-scented alternative rock recorded by Boston’s New Threads in three different parts of Massachusetts. Jacob Keplinger (guitar, vocals, keys), Justin Siegel (drums, vocals), James Siegel (bass, vocals) did not allow the pandemic to disrupt the connection they share nor the creativity that propels the group, and we all get to reap the rewards of that. “Schlitz” has a jam feel to it as it switches rhythms and flashes distinctive guitar riffs that feel refreshing and have a slight acidity to them—the song is a cool summer beverage. Sprinkling mint-cool elements of jazz and psych, New Threads offers a funky track you will want to take in slowly; recorded a la 2020 and perspiring a better tomorrow, “Schlitz” is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
NYC
Posted on:
From the Submissions: Mae Krell’s “Home”
It seems like as businesses and restaurants reopen in many American cities that the last three months have been rendered a blur — just time in-between stopping and starting that’s quick to be forgotten. “Home,” the latest video by New York songwriter Mae Krell, helps render some of these post- and inter-pandemic moments visually and musically, recalling the hopelessness of March’s last weeks. “I walk the streets with nobody besides me,” Krell croons, their voice floating above somber reverting piano and minimalist beat, as lofi snapshots of city life pass lazily before our eyes. While we’re in no way out of the woods yet, “Home” acts as a contemporary time capsule reminding us of collective despair and uncertainty, simultaneously serving as a reminder of the people who may have helped us weather the storm (emotionally). Watch it below, and maybe send it along to your quarantine buddy.
L.A.
Posted on:
Eyedress releases “Can I See You Tonight” from upcoming summer LP
Eyedress‘s upcoming LP Let’s Skip To The Wedding has been a long time coming, but its release date of August 7th is right around the corner, so you won’t have much longer to wait in order to hear the magnum opus. In the meantime, Eyedress has put out another single from the album called "Can I See You Tonight?", a track smacking of Ariel Pink and Wild Nothing vibes that expresses his love for his girlfriend. Her voice appears on the single, as both she and Eyedress recorded the track during one of her visits to LA before moving there. Let’s Skip To The Wedding is Eyedress’s first LP of original material since moving back to the U.S., and it’s tailor-made for a summer that may have us all seeing less of the beach and more of the backyard. Take a listen to "Can I See You Tonight?" below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
Posted on:
Gia Margaret “Barely There”
Gia Margaret releases her latest album, Mia Gargaret, via Orindal Records and Dalliance Recordings today, June 12th. This Margaret’s follow-up to her acclaimed 2018 album There’s Always a Glimmer.
The album’s latest single is the beautiful and haunting "Barely There" and is accompanied by the video below.
Chicago
Posted on:
The Devonns “Blood Red Blues”
The Devonns recently released their debut full-length album via Record Kicks. The album features their latest single and powerful protest song "Blood Red Blues".
This is ’70’s soul and blues influenced sound of Mathew Ajjarapu (Keys & Vox), Khalyle Hagood (Bass), Khori Wilson (Percussion) and Ari Lindo (guitar).
NYC
Posted on:
These People’s “Mind Reading” is a psychic heatwave
The psych-surf sound of “Mind Reading,” the new single by Long Beach-based outfit THESE PEOPLE, evokes memories of strange summers of years past, wherein tall tales become so exaggerated that you can’t tell where the facts end and the fiction begins. Swelling heatstroke guitar lines in tandem with an echoed-out vocal performance add to the track’s distant and foggy nature, and its quick transitions between major and minor modes prevent the track from ever finding solid footing. These elements combined make for an engaging listening experience, one that evokes a bit of Surfer Blood, a bit of Grateful Dead circa Blues for Allah, and a whole lot of Timothy Leary. Dip out for a bit and stream it below.