Boston’s Hazel Bloom has created an alt-pop decadence too delicious not to indulge: once you get a taste of his EP Space Between Words on a Page you will be hooked. The richly-layered sonic confection of pop melodies is glazed with sweet R&B rhythms and topped with irresistibly syrupy synthesizer riffs. Bloom is taking the best of pop’s current climate and adding whichever ingredients he sees fit to pay tribute to the recipe that makes the genre so addicting while still keeping it a signature serving of his own. The return of Madonna—for better or worse—revitalizes the genre and heats the spotlight on artists like Bloom, no matter to him though, as he has plenty of goods to bake still. "Lipstick Love" is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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Fluorescents “Complacent”
Fluorescents recently released the lead single, “Complacent”, from their forthcoming debut EP, “Losing Sleep”. This is the blistering Alt Rock of Tyler Milka (Vocals/Guitar), Bobby Guidi (Bass/Vocals), Sasquel Roby Exum (Guitar/Vocals), and Ivan Palushek (Drums/Vocals).
Below is the Beyond Elusive created video for the single.
You can catch Fluorescents at Burlington Bar on June 26th with Mr University and Stay The Course.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Mid Life Elation” – Pat Cassidy
Pat Cassidy (of The Districts) recently released a new solo single, “Mid Life Elation”. Lyrically, the song attempts to assess one’s place, purpose, and options. A steady, synth-steeped progression is laid down to form the track’s foundation. Cassidy’s vocals enhance and actualize a clarity of thought. It’s an illuminating, honest, serene approach to the dynamics of age. (Photo by Jeremy Zimmerman)
NYC
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NJ’s The Vaughns open for the Gaslight Anthem at Irving Plaza on 06.22
One could say that, with their influences equally split between pop-punk and brainy/noisy indie rock, The Vaughns represent the perfect balance between the most dominant musical inclinations of the Garden State and the Big Apple. But, of course, influences mean nothing if they aren’t supported by good and original songwriting, and the Springfield, NJ, quartet can certainly deliver in that department. Their 2017 single Santa Cruz is still their most accomplished track to date, with its pressing arpeggiated chord progression that seems able to build up tension for an indefinite amount of time, and vocalist Anna Lies’ borderline casual approach to singing. More recent single "Bring Your Kids to Work Day" (video streaminbg below) is a faster, punkier number dressed with Sonic Youth-style guitar stabs, Blur-worthy "who-oos," culminating into an orgiastic (sonically speaking) grand finale. The band just landed an opening slot for The Gaslight Anthem’s show at Irving Plaza on June 22, it should be fun.
Chicago
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Hal Baum “Buzz Aldrin’s Love Song For The Moon”
Hal Baum recently released the second single, "Buzz Aldrin’s Love Song For The Moon”, from his forthcoming debut album, Love Songs For The Moon, which is due out June 17th.
This is beautifully quirky folk music with simple, but possibly insightful, lyrics.
Philadelphia
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New Zilla Rocca LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Wrecking Crew member Zilla Rocca rewinds it back to Allen Iverson’s rookie campaign with his new album 96 Mentality. With smooth/grimy grooves, the Philly emcee/producer exudes confidence and wit through interconnected, layered storytelling. Reminiscing while remaining in the present, the tracks capture an up close & personal, street-level sound, with a dramatic, cinematic edge. The LP also features collaborative efforts with Curly Castro, YIKES the ZERO, PremRock, Vic Spencer, and many others.
L.A.
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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
New England
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Luniere returns with vibrant sophomore record, plays release party at Blue 06.16
Portland, Maine’s Luniere is releasing its sophomore album Leave The Light just in time for the vibrant New England summer. The band’s blend of pop, rock, and folk is gorgeously displayed once again in this second entry to the group’s discography. "Always" (streaming) for instance has a lax drum beat that accompanies exquisitely-timed electric guitar embellishments, a sweet hook, and a haunting chorus to finish off. The group graces pop, country, rock, and folk, it caresses these genres to produce tracks perfect for those easy-going summer evenings by the fire with friends, or for reflective times of solitude. The trio will be celebrating the release of their EP with a show in their hometown at Blue on June 16th, singer-songwriter Molly Ladd will be providing support. – Rene Cobar
Nashville
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Patrick Droney releases video for “Stand and Deliver”; hits Bonaroo 06.16
This weekend, Bonaroo will bring thousands of music fans to Tennessee; perhaps you know this if you’re reading this post from traffic heading to Great Stage Park right now. One of the rising voices at the festival belongs to Patrick Droney, a recent signee to Warner Records who just released the music video for his single "Stand and Deliver". The song highlights Droney’s voice and intense bluesy songwriting style, which many might find similar to the likes of John Mayer, Sam Smith, or even early Adam Levine. Droney will perform at Bonaroo on Sunday night of the festival at 3:45 on the Who Stage; later this summer, he’ll play Austin City Limits, as well as an opening slot for Sheryl Crow. Check out the music video for "Stand and Deliver" below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Pelican “Nighttime Stories”
Atmospheric Post-Rock band Pelican released a new album, Nighttime Stories, last week. This is the band’s sixth studio and first full-length release since 2013’s Forever Becoming.
This week Amoeba Music released their “What’s In My Bag?” with Larry Herweg and Trevor Shelley de Brauw of the band, and that can be viewed below.
You can help Pelican celebrate the release of album at Metro on June 29th with Young Widows and Cloakroom.
Philadelphia
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New Greg Mendez EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Philly singer-songwriter Greg Mendez has a new EP, entitled Heavy Metal High. Lo-fi, key-oriented instrumentation creates lighthearted feels that allow the touching sensitivity of the lyrics to shine. Endearingly relatable, you can feel free to find a bit of solace in his songwriting. Mendez is slated to perform at Bourbon & Branch on Wednesday, July 24, alongside Josh Levinsky and Thin Lear.
Chicago
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Album Premiere: Violet Crime “Paper Queen EP”
We are proud to be able to premiere the full album stream of the new EP from Violet Crime “Paper Queen”. The "Paper Queen EP" not only shows off the band’s genre-bending sound and boasts production credits of pop-punk heavyweights Sam Guainana (Like Pacific, Story Untold, Silverstein, Young Culture) and Derek DiScanio (State Champs vocalist), but it’s also being released through Play Together Records — a social impact label that invests profits back into the Chicago elementary art and music programs.
In addition to a profits from the EP, via Play Together, a portion of Violet Crime’s merch proceeds are directed to the youth after school music program Intonation Music to support the next generation of Chicago artists.
We recently had the chance to ask Jeff Mills of Violet Crime about the new EP; "This album was a long time in the making. For the past year and a half or so, we’ve been trying to expand and explore our potential when it comes to writing. Our trip to Toronto to actually record everything was the frosting on the cake – our producer Sam Guaiana truly had a vision for all the songs, and challenged us daily in the studio to fulfill that. We all learned and grew so much from that experience!
Just as this album is a step up for us in writing and recording, our June 29th release show at Bottom Lounge will be a step up for our live performance. We have a backing ensemble of horns and vocalists performing with us which is so exciting, and we’re planning out every minute of the performance from start to finish. We can’t wait celebrate with all our fans, friends, and families!"
You can help Violet Crime celebrate the release of their EP on June 29th at Bottom Lounge with Bright Kid and Johari Noelle.