Aluk Todolo returned to the studio during May – June 2015 to record their fourth album, entitled Voix (“voice[s]” in French). And now, the album is set for European release on February 5th via Norma Evangelium Diaboli [NED] (same date in North America via The Ajna Offensive).
As the press materials that accompanied this record from Athens-based Antlered Aunt Lord so aptly describe it, the band (essentially Jesse Stinnard) is “the missing link between the Pixies and The Byrds if they’d been raised in the Appalachians.” No truer statements has ever been written in a press release. This oddball collection of nearly 20 songs is the perfect anecdote for what passes an “Indie Rock” today
With just four songs, Austin musician – by way of Louisiana – Ben Millburn makes an pretty meaningful first impression. On his debut, Strange Love & Consequences, Millburn blends classic rock with soul and pop for a sound that is instantly familiar.Of the four, the opening/title track is probably the strongest of the batch, but there really are no weak ones here. The production is minimal adding to a realness…
Straddling a thin line between garage rock and space pop, LA-based Mod Hippie turn in a debut that’s as satisfying as it is odd. The band mixes a wide collection of influences from psychedelic odd balls like Syd Barrett, with Beach Boys harmonies and Sonic Youth angular guitars
Over the course of the last year, we have been fortunate to sit down with Dena and give her last album, Lullabies, a review
Squirtgrandhoover’s Dis Letter of Mind is able to go back into the mid-1990s for a hard and gritty style, touching upon hints of 2Pac and the Gravediggaz. A backing beat builds off of the work of late-oughts/early-2000s New Orleans, while the flow that issues forth during Dis Letter of Mind is straight fire.
Five Fingertips have just released the video for “Nod” off of their 2015 self-titled release. The video is a good way to see the context in which the act would like the song to be understood; when there is a little wiggle room in regards to how a listener will conceive of the music that an act releases, this music video does well in keeping one’s attention. Bold logos…
George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass is a hard-edged and intense track that flitters with a hint of goth; the overwhelming fuzz that is interspersed in this introductory effort bolsters Steve’s vocals, which come forth with a heavy dollop of Neil Young. Iron Maiden’s Run To The Hills is a fairly on-point cover of the classic with a little bit of electronic styles buzzing about with splashy drums and instrumental…
Martin Del Carpio – Notes from the Underground CD Review / 2015 Self / 8 Tracks / https://martindelcarpio.bandcamp.com / https://www.facebook.com/martindelcarpiomusic / Kill Your Beauty is the opening composition on Notes from the Underground, the latest work from New York’s Martin Del Carpio. This introductory track creates a musical approximation of the hustle and bustle of a cityscape, with a bold and brash set of instrumentation that gradually gets more chaotic…
Hell Yeah is the latest single by The Fundamentals, and comes forth with a down and dirty rock style. The amount of grit that comes forth with the guitar work, splashy drums, and the snarl of the vocals is unparalleled.
Forgotten Lights is a tender and intricate song from Birds Over Arkansas, a track that touches equally upon the folk, progressive, and singer-songwriting styles. The vocals take listeners on a journey, while on-point drums, guitar, and bass unite to make a fitting backdrop upon which these lyrics can soar. The rich guitar arrangements that are peppered through Forgotten Light are punctuated by splashy and fulfilling drums.
A soulful song that blends together a tremendously infectious bass line with heartfelt and deep vocals, JoeBelle’s Just Say So is an effort that will worm its way deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. The effort from this North Carolina act goes at 100% from beginning to end, touching upon the Detroit sound of the 1970s, Mary J Blige and Angie Stone, and links the resulting effort into…
Confess is the latest effort from Norway’s Ane Monsrud. The track showcases Ane’s ability to set up a harmony with her vocals, something that is further bolstered by the inclusion of thoughtful instrumentation. The track has something for fans of the singer-songwriter, jazz, and classical genres; Monsrud comes forth with tremendous force and finesse during this song.
Los Angeles is a pop-infused track that shines, drawing comparisons to performers like Pink and Kelly Clarkson. There is a massive vocal range captured during this effort, one that is highlighted through intelligent instrumentation. The vocal delivery of Amanda Grace here is dusky, intricate, and ultimately familiar.
For years, TW Walsh was a member of Pedro The Lion alongside his collaborator, David Bazan. With Songs of Pain and Leisure (2011) and now this, his latest upcoming record, Walsh proves to be a singer/songwriter of equally talented proportions who for reasons unknown, seemed to take a back seat to Bazan.
Trance-inducing quasi disco beats; cold, monochromatic vocals and “drippy” synthesized bleeps and dots characterize “You Are Mine,” the first single from Daddy’s upcoming record “Let Me Get What I Want.” The spring 2016 release is a part of a multi-media project consisting of a record, poems, individual music videos and an hour-long film with no beginning or end.
Brandon James is gaining a head of steam before his new EP is released on February 1st. This Chicago-born, bred, and based performer builds on a tremendously deep R&B tradition while establishing his own unique take on the art form. On tracks like “How Does It Feel”, James is able to create a sultry and soulful sound that will shake listeners to their very core. Perhaps most alluring about James’…
Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz – My Old Stompin’ Ground is a track that possesses a timeless quality. The ability of the act to create such a sweet and soulful song with their latest sound is amazing; while there are 7 distinct forces here, the music that they create is unified and with a singular goal. The passion and care taken in creating this effort means that anyone that fancies…
WhiTeNoySe begins his Jumped on a Plane with Alice, a trippy bit of rap music that expands upon what listeners will experience with the style. The richness of the backing instrumentation here will ensure that listeners are firmly on the edges of their seats. No Dreams has a more sinister, brooding sound that continues to allow WhiTeNoySe with ample opportunity to tell a story. Hints of The Streets and Eyedea can be discerned…
Apollo LTD’s obvious understanding of what makes a good “pop” song is highlighted in “What Are You Waiting For.” All elements are present from bouncy dance beats to hook-laden vocals (which include falsettos) that will make this song fit in at parties as well as on mainstream radio.