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.
Wildcat Slim enjoys the ride in new single “Two Ships”
Boston’s Wildcat Slim takes you for a ride around the brilliant soundscape it has created in its latest single “Two Ships.” The new song is a hazy brand of indie rock that slowly but steadily seeps into the listener’s most cavernous parts of the mind with a simple close of the eyes. Crunchy, sustained guitar chords, a tough-intrepid drumbeat, and vocals so comforting flash past each verse, each chorus, and lead to a sonic cascade you can’t help drown in. The music is sufficient evidence that this is a group enjoying every sound it produces, each world explored together; stream “Two Ships” below for a ride to kick off your week right. – Rene Cobar
Premiere: Necatuss “Arawn: Incongruent Goals”
We are proud to be able to premiere the latest single from the forthcoming new album, Of Myths and Fables, "Arawn: Incongruent Goals" from electronic music producer Necatuss (aka Patrick Soper). This is new project, which is set to be released later this month, is years in the making and is the result Soper’s deep dive into his Irish and Celtic Roots.
Each track on this project takes its name and inspiration from a "different Pre Christianity Celtic god and its contemporary god of today". Arawn is The God of Death, War and Terror, and, according to Soper, this track is about the human price of profits which is rather pertinent in this moment of debate between human life and safety and the security of the economy.
Here is what Soper had to say about this project as whole; "My Ideal outcome would be something that is hyper layered, full of musical and art historical contexts that create this sort of archeology of a fictional past explored in it’s own fictional universe and something that can also exist without these narratives on it’s own, embracing a duality of Pop accessibility and artistic sensibility."
04.15: Alt-country songwriter A.W. opens live-streamed show for Future Teens
Experts say that we may not see another live concert until next fall, but that won’t stop the most passionate from chasing their dreams of performing great music. Alt-country songwriter A.W., a major collaborator in the alternative scene, will perform live on Instagram on Wednesday, April 15th as an opener for Philly-based indie powerhouse Future Teens. A.W. has worked with artists and bands such as The Front Bottoms, The Wonder Years, and Chris Farren, and has released three full albums and several EPs of their own original music. As one of the key voices in the rising alt-country scene, A.W. is an act to watch, even if it’s on the small screen for a while. Take a listen to their latest track, "Good Luck", which they released under the name Charlie Mtn., and don’t miss their show on April 15th at 3:00 p.m. on the Instagram account @SmartPunkRecords. – Will Sisskind
From the submissions: jake or luca’s “friends and a half, summer forever and ever”
From 2016 to 2019, Jacob Levine toiled away at his new EP friends and a half, summer forever and ever on his iPhone, creating a loose conceptual record about a summer spent indoors — “because of depression and all,” in Levine’s own words. The end result is a crushing, intimate lofi release under the moniker jake or luca that’s filled with entrancing songwriting and melodious vocal performances, one that captures the dulling nature of mental illness in terms lush and bright. Charting the experience of untethered day-to-day living (“dreaming”) or the creeping feeling you’re letting someone else down (“bet you would”) through primarily acoustic guitar and the human voice, Levine’s craft is nuanced and meticulous, able to render malaise in a manner that’s both deeply personal and universal; snapshots of binging television and imagining the ghost of Zelda Fitzgerald find themselves situated within an ongoing internal monologue detailing an abiding hope things will get better, and the corollary fear that they won’t. Moreover, the record’s production, which features Levine’s layered vox front and center with occasional ambient synth, furthers its confessional qualities while lending a reassuring warmth to each of its six tracks. Recommended listening for fans of (Sandy) Alex G or Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie & Lowell, give it a thoughtful listen below. —Connor Beckett McInerney
HITTER/Midnight Dice Split EP
HITTER has released their half of a new split 7" with fellow local rockers Midnight Dice, "29 Levi Slim".
The Midnight Dice side of the album is a track called "Precious Metal", and vinyl release of this 7" is set to be released this summer via German label Underground Power Records.
HITTER was scheduled to perform on April 26th at Empty Bottle, but that show is clearly not going to happen. However, there is a little more hope for their May 30th date at Reggie’s with Acid Witch, HenryxChinaski, and Dead Sacraments.