Brooklyn via Boston avant-punks Guerilla Toss just unveiled two new tracks from their upcoming release on DFA Records, "GT ULTRA" – check them out below. The band is ready to enter the next stage of their career with a full length that steps up the production values by several notches, broadening the act’s appeal without affecting the "edge factor" that allowed them to build a cult following since they started releasing wildly experimental, dissonant and noisy records back in 2012. Our sister blog Delicious Audio is running a Q&A with Guerilla Toss’ about their gear and creative process, check it out!
Edson Sean’s unveils ‘New Start” single, plays SOB’s on 06.21
Hip-hop soul artist Edson Sean blends live soul and jazz instrumentals with foundational hip-hop vocals. In his new single “New Start,” released last month, Sean and his band, The Experi3nce, takes a more soulful approach that references eclectic live instrumental hip hop artists like the Roots or the Fugees. Sean has garnered attention for his sentimental lyrics that often speak about the hardships of relationships, also a signature of his debut album The Pursuit of Magic, which was featured in regular rotation on VH1 Soul. The Brooklyn native will be playing the popular Sol Village at SOB’s on 06.21. –Tafari Lemma
Bedroom poppers Golf Lexapro play Sunnyvale on 06.19
If Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus had a little brother that carried his vocals into the disaffected post-internet age of today, that would be Golf Lexapro. On his EP for newbie label Fluorescent Thought, tracks like “Bluetooth Repair,” “WebMD,” and “Watering Plants,” bring a heartwarmingly specific reflection derived from spending too much time alone in your room on the computer. Golf’s well crafted, sincere lyrics propel a stylistically multifaceted record, whose sound draws from other indie rockers such as The Strokes, Yo La Tengo, and Jay Som. See them play live Monday, June 19th at Sunnyvale with Furnsss, Edgar Clinks, and Groupie. – Allie Millert;
Cigarette’s slo-mo harmonies at Black Cat on 06.14
Between lingering lo-fi vocals, featured string orchestrations, and simple guitar riffs drenched in reverb, it is difficult to gloss over DC’s own slowcore band Cigarette. Currently a four piece band with occasional guest musicians, the collective released their debut, mini-LP, Gush, in 2013, which displayed a vivid interpretation of modern indie pop, fused with slo-mo harmonies integrating gentle and gloomy vocals. The band has since released two more records. The most recent, “Warm Shadows/Love’s Mirror” features two overtly atmospheric singles which further enunciate the group’s sonic vocabulary. – Tafari Lemma
LittleBoyBigHeadonBike releases record at AS220 on 06.23
God Damn Wonderland is the latest LP by uber-productive Providence-based lo-fi folk artist LittleBoyBigHeadonBike (aka William Orchard). Although the LP will be not available until June 23rd, a few singles have already been released—like “It Was Alright (your heart was shining through your eyes last night)”, a poetic musing on being left behind. This song differentiates itself from the typical singer-songwriter piece with its complex instrumentals (William Orchard plays keyboards, guitar, and bass on this track) and full harmonies. The album release show will be held in Providence at AS220 on June 23rd. – Lilly Milman
Dawkins delivers blissful reverb drenched indie on debut EP
Existing somewhere in that sphere of experimental indie pop that contains Animal Collective and Neon Indian, Dawkins‘ Ep1 is a quality release that steers clear of being a cheap knockoff of the reverb drenched, chaotic sound that has made other groups famous. Although not flawless, the group’s first release achieves some really great moments, like at the 1 minute mark in Kiwi, where the chorus all of a sudden bursts through in a great moment of catharsis. At times blissfully harmonious with the pumping, youthful energy of indie pop, Ep 1 is a wonderful start for the group.
-Written by Michael Dranove
Amelia Airhorn (The Knocks & Skylar Spence) unveil single “NY is Red Hot”
The sleepless summer nightlife of the city echoes throughout “NY is Red Hot” (streaming) a new track from Amelia Airhorn. A collaborative effort between electronic dance duo The Knocks, and nu-disco vocalist Skylar Spence, the track takes a ride on a time machine to the vintage disco and pop sounds of ’80s and ’90s New York, a city they pledge loyalty to in the lyrics ("New York is my life and I’m never gonna leave!"). The song pulsates with high energy grooves that conjure up images of sweltering hot summer parties and the carefree city lifestyle. Take it as a reminder to partay! – Tafari Lemma
HNRY FLWR release EP “Flowerama” play Berlin on 6/16
Brooklyn musician David Van Witt records and plays live (with a band) under the name HNRY FLWR. After spending the last two years honing his project’s live show, he found a home for his debut EP ‘Flowerama’ at NYC’s Paper Garden Records. Opening track “Stranger” moves from somber beginnings into a bright keyboard driven anthem. Nuanced layers emerge throughout with cascading background vocals and buzzing synths. “As Above, So Below” (streaming) slithers along like a soundtrack to some middle-eastern mystery quest film. Ballad “Little Brother” explores the cycle of violent abuse, ultimately concluding that “now I’ve become those bruises on your arms.” “Down In Carolina” is propelled along by a deliberate bass line under bright synthesizer enhancements. There’s a muted, distant quality to the vocals that add an air of mystery and depth to the track. Closing track “Context (Trans-Pecos, On A Full Moon, On A Monday)” sounds pretty much as the title suggests – this acoustic-guitar-only live track was recorded at the Queens’ venue. The EP release show is Friday 6/16 at Berlin with The Undercover Dream Lovers and Rhinestone. – Dave Cromwell
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
From the submissions: a glance at 3D-WOW’s promising debut album
Arctic Desert Tundra, the debut release by New York duo 3D-WOW, is a startlingly original piece of psych/progressive-pop. Quietly released last November, Sara Kossin and Alec Ciesla’s debut is a collection of eight songs that are brooding, moody and at times menacing. The underlying sensitivity of songwriter/vocalist Sara Kossin radiates through the shuffling, thrashing dissonance like light through cracks in a door. Fans of Tortoise and Modest Mouse will be intrigued by the record, as it takes the guitar-heavy, ambient sounds of ’90s and early-2000s indie and runs with it into promising new post rock territory. – Ethan Ames
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
Demure For Sure unveils flower-power fantasy single ‘Coconut, Rum And Banana’
Plenty of musical acts want to ride high on the Sixties-esque psych-rock revival to bring about some good feelings. Demure For Sure (the brianchild of NYC composer Zack De Sorbo) folds that avant-garde pomp and nostalgia into his newest track, "Coconut, Rum And Banana", released last week. The song — from a distance — could double as an outtake from The Beach Boys’ Smile or something from The Monkees’ discography, or as a more polished Ariel Pink single. Bubbling sounds and meandering flutes put the finishing touch on this flower-power fantasy, which might make you want to frolic through a field like a 21st-century Merry Prankster. "Coconut, Rum And Banana" will appear on Demure For Sure’s EP "Tie-Dye Shadows", which comes out July 12th. – Will Sisskind
Sleepy Sun releases new LP, plays Amoeba Music 06.14
San Francisco indie rock quartet Sleepy Sun recently released their new LP, Private Tales, on Dine Alone Records. The album incorporates a host of contemporary indie rock influences like The White Stripes, The Black Keys and Fleet Foxes with inflections of ’70s rock in the vein of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac. As a whole, the release showcases the band’s effectiveness at stylistic blending and makes for a compelling, unique pop experience. Sleepy Sun will be playing at Amoeba Music in San Francisco tonight (June 14th) in support of the record. Listen to "Crave" below! – Ethan Ames
Kill Alters release ‘No Self Helps’ + play St. Vitus on 06.16
Brooklyn noisemakers Kill Alters make music that attacks, both physically and mentally. With pulsating percussions, laser-like synths, and the visceral vocals of Bonnie Baxter, the band offers a sound that’s aggressive, complex, and demanding. Their compositions break from tradition, incorporating sounds ranging from the industrial to the downright frightening (a baby’s laughter), and adopting a nightmarish aesthetic reminiscent of early post punk groups like Throbbing Gristle. Upcoming LP ‘No Self Helps’ (out June 28th on Haus Mountain) promises something different, and sometimes uncomfortable, through a journey that’s complex, textured, and entertaining, every step of the way. See them live at St. Vitus on 06.16. – Allie Miller