Eighty Ninety paints a vivid portrait of a loved one long-lost in its new single “10K Summer Nights” which boasts airy vocals that dance around an upbeat sonic atmosphere decorated with bright guitars. The duo’s layered arrangements allow the listener to become engrossed with the story told by the lyrics. By the time the tight rhythm section kicks in on the second verse, you are hooked in true pop fashion. The track is kicking off 2019 for the two brothers (Abner and Harper James) who are planning to release their sophomore EP later this summer. The Brooklyn-based act is right at home alongside major indie-pop artists of the moment like Billie Eilish, helping wave the flag of a genre that’s perfectly in season. The music is relaxed, filled withrhythm and evocative messages, it’s got plenty to keep you listening. – Rene Cobar
New Track: “Coasters” – Service Dog
Bethlehem-based quartet Service Dog recently shared a new single, “Coasters”. The recording captures a confessional, personal-note tone. Guided by acoustic guitar, a sense of regret/disappointment is expressed as lingering communication breakdown is felt. The isolated feelings are intensified by the use of harmony in the chorus, which is further elevated by the tightly woven guitar patterns. The song appears to let go and move forward, but the emotive pain resonates.
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Mocrep “I Like My Friends”
Parlour Tapes+ recently released the debut album, I Like My Friends, from experimental collective Mocrep. This album is both challenging and rewarding, electronic and Americana, strange and traditional. You have the straightforward Pop of “Phantom Love” or the meditative country twang of “Cold Pillow” or the disco thump of “All I Need” mixed with the ambient spoken word of “A Love Below” and the jazz of “The Way You Comb Your Hair”.
The 18 track album really defies classification but is compelling from start to finish. Mocrep is the work of Amanda Bailey, Owen Davis, Alex Ellsworth, Zachary Good, Deidre Huckabay, Lia Kohl, Jenna Lyle, Zach Moore, Andrew Tham, Chris Wood, and Ryan Zerna.
Listen to Good Days’ bopping new single, “Blue”
Good Days’ "Blue" sounds as wholesome as their origin story—songwriters Eric Ronick and Michael Cannova met at the Lower East Side in New York when they discovered they both had shared likeminded musical interests. The indie-pop duo both have an affinity for a beachy, classic oldies sound, something they bring back to life on their joyful new single. The piano-led track opens with their prominent dual harmonies—and keep it that way for about a minute—capturing a vintage L.A. pop groove that carries on into the very end. If there’s a restorative effect to "Blue," well, that’s intentional, as they wrote its infectious bopping beat with three phases in mind—focus, escape, and love.
"Blue" is the latest reveal off Good Days’ singles collection ROYGBIV, which you can listen to now via their official soundcloud. Juan Rodríguez
boy wonder – Vintage Video “Care”, EP Release Party 06.14
Catchy and unique indie rock from Toronto is what I’m pickin’ up from boy wonder. His latest single is an acoustic ditty called “Care” that I think Jack White would like when he’s in his acoustic mood. It has an old school feel to it. The vocals are unusual in a good way and the video appears to be shot in a previous generation. A comical and self-depracating ending is the cherry on top of this video. Boy Wonder has his EP release show at 187 Augusta on Friday June 14th. – Kris Gies
Ajani Jones “Pluto”
Ajani Jones released the first single, “Pluto”, from his forthcoming LP, Dragonfly. The new album will be released via Closed Sessions on July 16th.
“Pluto” features production from BanksTheGenius who handles tracks on the album along with previous Jones collaborator Boathouse. The album will also feature contributions from Jack Red, Shao Doja, Iris Temple, and Anna Agosta.
Tracklist:
Jani’s intro- ft. Jack Red (produced)
Save Yourself- ft. Shao Doja (Blookah)
Dragons- (produced by Boathouse)
Sea- ft. Iris Temple (produced by BanksTheGenius, Solosam, Quinn Cochran)
Black Power Ranger- (produced by Boathouse)
3D- (produced by Boathouse, Sebastian Kemae)
Dutchmaster- (produced by Boathouse)
Lucid- (produced by Drake Connor)
Pluto- (produced by BanksTheGenius, additional vocals by Anna Agosta)
Europa/Ready- (produced by BanksTheGenius & Blookah)
Come Alive- (produced by BanksTheGenius)
Quicksilver- (produced by Boathouse)
Vaughan Supple pours it out in debut record “A Lovely Grave”
Few things are as powerful as music that has a confessional vibe to it, an outpouring of emotions that maybe was not meant for anyone to hear, Vaughan Supple’s debut album sounds like that outpouring and feels a bit forbidden. A Lovely Grave—quietly released a couple of months ago—is filled with heartfelt tunes that are fashioned using distorted riffs, orchestral swells, light but engaging rhythms, and much more. Songs like “Trace Of You” and “September” with their gentle acoustic guitar strings and soft harmonies have that feeling of familiarity to them; they are quiet afternoon sonic treats that you enjoy alone. “And We Drown,” and “Anemic” have all the rage of throbbing drums and serrated vocals, they bleed grunge. Vaughan Supple, the Boston-based singer/songwriter, has left his heart on the table with this release, and we are damn sure glad we found it. “Anemic” is streaming for you below. – Rene Cobar
Jean Deaux “Anytime”
Jean Deaux has released a new single, “Anytime”, from her forthcoming EP, “Empathy”, which drops this Friday, June 14th. The track features Kehlani and production from ROMderful.
This is the first two EP’s that Deaux has planned for 2019.
PHOTO CREDIT: Joshua Corlew
New Number One Lovers EP Available for Streaming & Download
Lonesome Light, the debut EP from Number One Lovers, is now available for streaming and download as well as on cassette. The delicate interplay of guitar & keys is lifted by tasteful accents of horns. There’s a laidback, smooth, R&B/soul element that you can easily refamiliarize yourself with. Cole Berggren & company, which also includes Matty Terrones (Neutral Shirt) and Alyssa Milman (Blushed, Puppy Angst, Secret Nudist Friends), cultivate an intimate yet at ease environment that you’ll never want to leave.
Sea Dramas’ Upcoming Until the Dark Goes Out
Sea Dramas‘ new album, Until the Dark Goes Out, is sixties-inspired hazy folk and feels like the Magnetic Fields, sixties British rock and a tiny wisp of the beach. Killer warm guitar, happy melodies and pleasing vocals. We want to say this is the “perfect album for summer” but we’ll be digging on this long after the heat is gone. Enjoy their new video for single “22 Renewal,” which features lots of sixties hipsters checking each other out and looking generally aware of themselves in a very mesmerizing-to-watch way. Stay tuned for upcoming shows. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Paul Bedal “In Reverse”
Jazz Pianist Paul Bedal released his third studio album, In Reverse, via Bace Records last week.
For this album he is joined by Nick Mazzarella (alto saxophone), Matt Ulery (bass) and Charles Rumback (drums). This quartet has been together since 2015 and that experience and trust truly shines on this project.
Little Wings releases People LP
Little Wings has been busting out one solid album after another and their newest LP People is no exception. It’s lovely folk, simple plucking and marvelous lyrics that make you feel sad and amused and happy and intrigued and cozy at the same time. Since we’re talking cozy, enjoy this video from 2015 and accept the mystery of Little Wings. Their next show is July 10th at Zebulon in LA. Bless this album, bless this band. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor