Earlier this month Jakob Battick, the Berkeley-based musician (originally hailing from the great state of Maine) released Tour Tape 2019, digitally and as a limited edition cassette. For fans of quiet psych folk who appreciate a touch of drone and drifting off into spacey realms. A personal favorite off the collection, “Lilac Bloom” showcases more melodic moments and a lovely female vocal accompaniment. Props to Liam Herb for the crystal wine glass work on these tunes and just the right amount of mystical synth. Feels like just the right kind of tunes to stargaze to. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Chicago
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Pan American “A Son”
Mark Nelson (aka Pan•American) is preparing to release a new album called “A Son” on November 7th via Kranky.
The album’s first single and closing track is beautiful acoustic take on a classic track called “Shenandoah”. Nelson begin playing this song in the days following the death of Heather Heyer, and including the track on this album as a tribute and to draw attention to her foundation.
This album finds Nelson putting aside the electronics in favor of the hammered dulcimer, but holding true to the ambient and atmospheric he has become known for over the last decade.
Chicago
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Shazmatic “W.I.P.s”
Shazmatic (aka Shane Prewitt) recently a new EP called “W.I.P.s”. This is Prewitt’s second album of 2019 and is filled beautifully lo-fi melodies and autotuned vocals.
L.A.
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Club Oro share taut, mellow new single “Lené”
On "Lené," Club Oro’s latest single, you’re never entirely sure where their taut, misty bedroom pop will take you. Led by singer Cassandra Cronin’s gentle lilt, the track’s clipped metronomic rhythm weaves in and out like a trance. Her clever imagery is just an uncanny, following a soulful, improvised groove that reveals itself the more you engage with it: "Most of art must be explained/Most of secrets end in flames." What once was a duo between Cassandra and her sibling Connor is now a full-fledged five-piece, though even in broadening their musical palette, they remain true to their DIY sensibilities.
"Lené" is featured on Club Oro’s forthcoming debut EP Where’s the Hook?, due out later this fall. Juan Rodríguez
Chicago
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Change Request “Shatter Proof”
House Music producer Change Request (aka Andrew Emil) is back with a new maxi-single called “Shatter Proof”. The single is set to be released on November 29th on the local label Fresh Meat, and features the vocals of Lailah Reich.
NYC
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Russian Baths share new single, play St. Vitus on 11/8
Creating their own quirky blend of noisy dual-guitar dreampop, Russian Baths share their latest single “Wrong” (streaming below) in advance of their debut full-length album Deepfake. A crisp, odd-tempo drum pattern and bassline set up momentary jolting guitars, introducing soft-spoken lyrics “what’s that effect you hear? Keep it in control.” Elongated vocals emphasize the song’s title with the refrain “I – was – wrong,” as atmospheric textures rise in the background, at times exploding, at times chiming like town square bells. A sonic ascention begins midway through this nearly 5 minute track, creating a wall of hammered guitar chords against the single word songtitle “wrong.” One more quite plateau is reached, as clean dual guitar interplay engages over a simple, basic drum beat. Deepfake is out on 11/8 and the band play their release show that night with like-minded noise rockers Bambara at St. Vitus. – Dave Cromwell
Chicago
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Charles Rumback & Ryley Walker
Thrill Jockey is preparing to released a collection of songs recorded over a two year span by the duo of drummer Charles Rumback and Ryley Walker. The album is called Little Common Twist and was produced by John Hughes.
These are meditative, almost ambient, creations that grow and develop with each listen. There are currently two tracks available, “Half Joking” and “Menebhi”, prior to the album’s release on November 8th.
Chicago
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Elk Walking “Over The Hills”
Elk Walking has released a new single called “Over The Hills”. This is the first new music from the group since their October 2018 single, “Walk Away”.
This is the work of Savanna Dickhut (of Burr Oak) (guitar /vox), Julian Daniell (guitar /vox/ percussion), Jeff Sullivan (Guitar), David Thrift (Bass), and Tommaso Veronesi (Drums).
NYC
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Pardoner plays El Rio Nov 6
San Francisco punky alternative group Pardoner is set to play El Rio on November the 6 with New York’s Bethlehem Steel and World Smasher. Pardoner’s most recent album, Playin’ on a Cloud, was a self-released collection of songs with Weezer and Green Day influences and some Fiery Furnaces thrown in for kicks. They’re fun and loud and happy and ready to roll. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Chicago
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LoCo
Two Hip Hop Vets, DJ ALO and CoJack have teamed up on a new self-titled album. The first single from the album is called “Fly” and is accompanied by visuals from Nicky Films.
Our favorite track from the album features Palmer Squares and is called “Strobe Light”. The album also features contributions from Danny Moreno, The Dread, Will Silas, Al Tamper, Nasa773, and Wes Restless.
Chicago
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Pelafina “Blue and Gold”
Indie Rock quartet Pelafina has released a new single called “Blue and Gold”. This is bands third single since releasing a split EP with The Flips back in 2017.
This is the work of Katie Steel-Thomas (Vocals, bass), Tyler Bachman (Vocals, guitar), Troy Sennett (Guitar), and Dan Bretz (Drums).
Pelefina will be performing at Gabe’s Iowa City in Iowa on November 15th.