Portland

STREAM: Universe – ‘Infinite Wonder Songs’

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Ambient pop act Universe is back with the follow up to 2014’s airy release The Center of Information and we’ve got a first listen. Though The Center of Information made use of an 8-piece band to truly execute its rich soundscapes, Infinite Wonder Songs is out today and sees Hunter Skowron, the man behind Universe, bringing it back to its original incarnation – as a solo project.

Infinite Wonder Songs‘ eight tracks use analog synths, classical guitars and precise drum programming to produce textured instrumental heights thematically inspired by the topics of mental health, artificial intelligence, coming of age and futurism. 

A sublime aura is experienced when listening to Infinite Wonder Songs, making it a solid collection of tracks for soothing introspection. Listen to the album in its entirety below.

NYC

Punk band Fucko “Deals with the Weird” on latest album

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The Boston-based trio of "sarah, jake and derek" have given themselves one of those classic band names that I’m a little bothered I didn’t think of first: Fucko. Their latest release, Dealing with the Weird, is a fun punk LP–catchy as all hell, tongue-in-cheek at times, but not to be confused for an album without a ton of heart. Singer/guitarist Sarah, whether belting out hooks or delivering her lyrics dryly, sings with a relatable earnestness that is instantly translatable–even on a first-blush listen. But then again, who out there isn’t dealing with their own weird? Check out Fucko streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Portland

Vibrissae does Siouxsie, show tomorrow

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There’s no better time of year to participate in a Siouxsie & the Banshees tribute album than now. Local electrogaze trio Vibrissae were fortunate enough to do so. Sao Paulo, Brazil based blog and label The Blog That Celebrates Itself released Desert Kisses: A Tribute to Siouxsie & the Banshees a little over a week ago and its celebration of one of the most influential post-punk bands in the game is ideal for the Halloween season. Vibrissae’s featured cover of "Red Over White" aces the balance between their individual, celebrated sound and that which makes Siouxsie & the Banshees still worshipped to this day.

Vibrissae has a show coming up tomorrow supporting the first Portland appearance for Cincinatti art rockers Lung, along with the beautifully blended indie-electropop-punky alt blues of dynamic duo When We Met and the psych tinged post-punk of the New Not Normals at the High Water Mark.

Hopefull they’ll play their version of "Red Over White" tomorrow but just in case, here it is:

Austin

Sun-Drenched Harmonies Shine Through on SMILE’s New Release

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The Austin music community is rife with ironic and self-serious bands, and SMILE is certainly not one of them. This six-piece power pop group, fronted by Jack Miles, can certainly light up the room with their sunny demeanor and chilled optimisitic vibes.  Blending elements of soul with purist Beatles-esque melodies, the group released a sun-drenched single "I Dunno" to generate interest in their soon-to-be-released new album.  Crooner vocals float over doo-wop inspired harmonies to create an atmosphere of love and postivity. While there is a strand of jam band DNA in SMILE, their music is overhwelmingly and unabashedly an homage to 60’s artists like the Beach Boys and Harry Nilsson.

-Lee Ackerley

 

NYC

Buzz Alert: Navy Gangs play Warsaw with HInds on 10.28

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Having created an early buzz via their raucous live show, New York City’s Navy Gangs self-titled debut EP captures a similar raw appeal. Piercing extended vibrato guitar melody lines and sludgy bass-drums accompaniment create a feel comparable to Dinosaur Jr.’s (very) early days. While “Special Glands” (video streaming) may exhibit requisite “slacker rock” attitude, its central hook depicts a surprisingly direct vocal refrain. “Instant Play” bounces along in that J. Masic covering The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” way where it straddles the line between serious and ironic. A guest female vocalist provides tandem vocals, smoothing out the rough edges. “Mondays” stomps with Americana inflected group chorus vocals while their instruments capture The Replacements ragged attitude. EP closer “That Party Sucked” alternates between Mascis-level burning guitar figures and softly sung verses, creating a heavy-light atmosphere enhancing the impact of both. The band play this Friday the 28th at Warsaw on a bill with Cold Fronts and Hinds. – Dave Cromwell

 

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best indie songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

NYC

I Am Snow Angel releases single ‘Factory’ + plays Sofar Sound tomorrow (10.25)

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2016 was a busy year for this Julie Kathryn (aka I Am Snow Angel), who released an EP, four singles, and a short remix set, in particular if you keep in mind that she is her own producer as well as singer/songwriter (and multi-instrumentalist). At the same time, she’s been actively working on an all-female musical collective called Female Frequency, founded in 2015. Her sound is completely digital, though this never undercuts her humanity. Newest single, “Factory,” is a dead ringer for eighties rare bird Jane Siberry. Since it’s not available for embedding, we are streamiing below our favorite track from her most recent repertoire, entitled "Fever." I am Snow Angel will be performing a Sofar Sound Show at a secret location tomorrow, Tuesday 10.25. – Brian Chidester

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electro songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

NYC

Flower Girl unveils “Wafing Online” from upcoming LP

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Brooklyn lo-fiers Flower Girl, whose debut album ‘Okie Dokie Howdy Doody‘ was named NYC Record of the Month late last year in this very blog, just unveiled single ‘Wading Online’ (streaming below) from their upcoming LP ‘Tuck In Your Tie-Dye’ scheduled to drop on November 11 on BUFU Records. With this new song the band take us for a ride back to the three chord songs or early Velvet Underground, adapted to the "nu slacking" tendencies adopted by many young Brooklyn musicians. Keep an eye out for a release party date, as of now not announced.

San Francisco

Bells Atlas Releases New Single – Spec and Bubble

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The Oakland-based pop-soul band Bells Atlas are gearing up to drop a standalone single, “Spec and Bubble.” Attempting to neatly describe the sounds that Derek Barber (guitar) Geneva Harrison (drums, percussion, keys) Sandra Lawson-Ndu (vocals, percussion, keys) and Doug Stuart (bass, vocals, keys) produce together is no easy task. Kaleidoscopic and richly layered, each new foray by the band expands the wide, colorful sonic palette from which they paint dazzling, vibrant structures from.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Dean’s Room” – Allison Crutchfield

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Below is a new video from Allison Crutchfield for her lead single, "Dean’s Room," which premiered earlier today at Pitchfork. The song will be found on her upcoming full-length album, Tourist in This Town, that was co-produced by Crutchfield and Jeff Zeigler (Uniform Recording). The record is scheduled for release on January 27, 2017 via Merge Records. The music video features lovely performances by dancer Marlee Grace, and was directed by Lara Jean Gallagher.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “We Are Selfish” – The Ghost In You

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Singer-songwriter Billy Polard, a.k.a. The Ghost In You, just shared a new music video for the track "We Are Selfish" (off his latest album Heaven Help Us), which he conceptualized and directed. It was also shot in the woods of Willow Grove, PA earlier this month, and edited by Bob Sweeney. The footage features appearances from Polard’s dad, stepmom, brother, cousin and her child. (Photo by Bob Sweeney)