The Darling Suns recently released a new single called “Afterglow”. This follows the release of the band’s 2019 album, Midnight Feelings.
You can catch The Darling Suns on January 18th at Emporium Arcade Bar with The Cordial and Tiny Kingdoms.
New England
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AB/CZ debuts with psych-Americana single “Yellow Into Blue”
A defining characteristic of modern musicians today is that they do not only create tunes to jam to but entire worlds to immerse in, atmospheres rich with their personalities. Amy Beauregard and Corey Zwart, known to some as AB/CZ, have done just that with their December single “Yellow Into Blue,” which takes traditional Americana instrumentation and blends it slowly with lingering distorted guitar-chords for an ever-quaking track that is a feast of sonic delicacies. You have an assertive drum beat, distant guitar solos, mighty vocals, and the best part, which is how one can truly appreciate each thanks to the track’s length: bask in the composition. The debut single is a fine introduction to the duo’s psych-Americana vibe; the Lowell, Massachusetts duo gets extra points for blending New England’s folk history with a more modern feel. Stream “Yellow Into Blue” below for a much-deserved Monday pick-me-up treat. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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V.V. Lightbody “Baby, Honestly” Video
V.V. Lightbody (aka Vivian McConnell) recently released a video for “Baby, Honestly”. This was one of the two single Lightbody released this year, and the video was directed by Alex Babbitt.
You can Vivan performing on December 20th at Sleeping Village as part of a new duo called Valeboi with Daniel Villarreal of Dos Santos. She will also be performing with V.V. Lightbody on January 17th at Lincoln Hall as an opening act for Stella Donnelly, and as a part of Tomorrow Never Knows.
Chicago
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Mending “Chapter 09: Christopher at The End”
Over the last two year Mending, Kate Adams and Joshua Dumas, has told a story that spans decades through their beautiful blend of folk and drone. This week they released the final installment in the nine part series, “Christopher at The End”.
Here is the brief overview of where the story is as it ends. In year 39-40, safe among family and friends in his home, six-year-old Christopher tries to make sense of his rapidly changing world. But unmitigated climate change with increasingly volatile weather, and a militarized authoritarian government threaten the sanctity of Wakerobin Hollow. This chapter, told entirely through the eyes of this young child, filtered and abstracted by his naïveté, joy, and fear, brings us to the conclusion of Book 001.
You can catch Mending opening for Dried Spiders at Middle Brow Bungalow on Dec 29 for free.
Chicago
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El Gato Roboto “Merry, Merry Christmas”
Power Pop trio El Gato Roboto has released a new single called “Merry, Merry Christmas”. This follows their 2019 debut album, Heavy Petting, which was released back in February.
This is the work of Brian Demski (drums, guitar, organ, percussion), Jennifer Thornbury (vocals), and Patrick Thornbury (bass).
You can join El Gato Roboto for a Christmas celebration on December 20th at Montrose Saloon with John San Juan and Band Black.
L.A.
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Winter drops “Hazy” EP full of catchy bedroom rock
Winter‘s music has always sparkled with dream pop shimmer, but despite the title of the band’s new EP Hazy, the sound waves away the smoke and mirrors of production to introduce something more raw and unrefined. Samira Winter sings on five lo-fi tracks recorded in her Echo Park bedroom, all influenced by the likes of Sparklehorse and Elliot Smith. The stripped-down format creates a more vulnerable platform for Winter to share tracks full of unobscured emotion such as "I Feel" and "Bad News". But even with the more rough production value, the shimmer remains the same. Take a listen to Hazy below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Andy Grozier “Don’t Forget the Lights”
Andy Grozier recently released a new single called “Don’t Forget The Lights”. This is the songwriters first release since his 2018 album Close To Midnight. Grozier, originally from Scotland, has embraced Chicago and the Alt-Country sound.
NYC
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Harrison Lipton lays down soft disses on “2 Good 4 Me,” plays Mercury Lounge 12.12
New York alternative-R&B crooner Harrison Lipton returns with his latest slow jam, “2 Good 4 Me,” a song billed as the “world’s softest diss track.” Inspired by a less-than-positive public critique of Lipton’s 2018 single “Pool," Lipton, rather than going on the offensive, finds himself cooly turning inwards, examining facets of his persona, his personal journey with queerness, and his life as an artist in NYC. While the song’s primary narrative is rife with self-doubt and anger, its surface level vibe is as nonchalant as ever; easygoing 80s keyboards, Lipton’s distant vocal performance, and an Act 5 surprise sax solo layed down by Zach Berro exude radiant coolness. This combination of components both introspective and confident make “2 Good 4 Me” a resonating effort, a relatable tune for anyone who’s struggled to keep their composure in a world of constant criticism. Listen below, and catch Harrison Lipton at Mercury Lounge on December 12th. —Connor Beckett McInerney
L.A.
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Pop songwriter Emlyn releases debut single “Had Me At Hello”
Indie pop artist Emlyn dropped her debut single this past weekend, a chopped-and-screwed emotional track called "Had Me At Hello". The track — inspired by the Nashville-born artist’s destructive past relationship — describes Emlyn’s personality, which she describes as dynamic. "Had Me At Hello" doubles down on sonically representing that range, with its muted intensity and loudness even in its quieter moments. Dark and grungy, but accessible to a wide audience, "Had Me At Hello" will introduce Emlyn to a mass of new listeners in the new year. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Trafton’s “Gone” is a cold, lonely affair
It’s easy to imagine yourself in a verdant, lonely locale when listening to the music of East Village-based songwriter Trafton, and new single “Gone” is his coldest, most distant destination yet. Damper-pedaled pianos and an at times whispering falsetto endow this recent offering with visions of wintery woods, a more key-friendly take on the isolation familiar to fans of Bon Iver or Thoreau’s Walden. Within this distance established between Trafton and the listener, however, is a separate, more intrinsic loneliness, the product of a separation between the artist and their now-gone ex-love, as well as a desire to return; Trafton’s parting words implore the individual to “come tell me I’m wrong, and please don’t be gone.” It’s a haunting track that will resonate with fans of folk and good songwriting during this cold December— listen below. —Connor Beckett McInerney
New England
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Eggy oozes style in new live record, plays Orlando’s 12.14
Almost as if you were there, well, you kind of are, the music of New Haven Connecticut’s Eggy oozes out of your preferred listening device, rich and runny in its latest record Live at Nectar’s 11.1.19. The band calmly and confidently plays signature tracks form its latest record Watercolor Days: sweet funk songs like “Graceless” and “Golden Gate Dancer” create an atmosphere that is both fun and intimate; surely Nectar’s, the music venue in Burlington, VT, and its crowd did not mind. The production, as is typical for Eggy’s live albums, is excellent, and one can fully immerse in the music without ever feeling detached from the live setting. We recommend this latest entry for fans of the jam-band feel this group deploys. The band is on tour, but it returns to Orlando’s in Burlington, VT, on December 14th for those that want to experience the fun live. Stream “In It For The Ride” below and dive right into the moment. – Rene Cobar, photo by Miles Hurley
Chicago
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MICH “Room”
MICH recently released a new single called “Room”. This is the Dream Pop of guitarist Mich Shirey.
You can catch MICH at The Whistler on December 18th performing the classic Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack.