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DOWNLOAD: Bowerbirds - In The Yard
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(Photo: D.L. Anderson)
Bowerbirds: Is there nothing that their sweet, earthy folk-pop can’t remedy? Case in point, second single “In The Yard” feels like being enveloped in Grandma’s quilt. There’s something so familial and comforting in this pretty campfire duet; the soft plonking of keys, low-country strum and chorus of gentle “ohs” are woven into a patchwork of pure, woodsy warmth. This and more lovely stuff resides on The Clearing, out through Dead Oceans come March.
PREMIERE: Damien Jurado - Museum Of Flight
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"Don't let go," sings Damien Jurado on his new one "Museum Of Flight." "I need you to hang around. I'm so broke and foolishly in love." I've felt this and wanted to curl into a ball forever, but Jurado, as usual, has a better perspective on life than me. The track turns desperation into something quite beautiful with patient strumming, elegant piano stabs, strong melody and a wash of expert guitar lead. Hear more when his new album, Maraqopa, hits February 21 via Secretly Canadian.
DOWNLOAD: The Babies - Trouble
Even within their well-honed indie ethos, there's something of a back-porch feel to The Babies – just some friends drinking some beers and kicking around some songs. The group's new EP, Cry Along With The Babies, which appears on Matt Mondanile's (Real Estate, Ducktails) New Images label is certainly a holdover until we get some glossier songs, but the loose demo quality of the recording and atmosphere on a track like "Trouble" shows the joy of creation without too much pressure.
DOWNLOAD: Avalanche City - Love Love Love
Folk rockers Avalanche City began as the solo project of musician Dave Baxter. Baxter expanded to a full band after the release of his first effort, Our New Live Above The Ground, last year. “Love Love Love” is a jaunty folk ballad that recalls The Decemberists and The Shins with its thoughtful lyrics and hooky pop chorus.
DOWNLOAD: Brooke Fraser - Something In The Water
In many ways, Brooke Fraser feels like New Zealand’s version of Feist. The Wellington artist has made genuine, accessible folk-pop since signing with Sony at age 17 (she’s now 28), and Fraser’s third album, Flags, has been popular since its release in late 2010. “Something In The Water” is the effort’s hit single – a exuberant, peppy pop number that went No. 1 in her homeland.
DOWNLOAD: Caitlin Rose With Keegan DeWitt - You Never Come Home For Christmas
(Photo: Josh Anderson)
Holiday cheer, sure, it's all well and good, but I love a depressing Christmas song and Caitlin Rose comes through on the countrified "You Never Come Home For Christmas." With a light guitar strum and Zooey-meets-Patsy vocals, she sings, "You never come home for Christmas, and maybe it's better that way." Dang.
DOWNLOAD: J Mascis - I've Been Thinking
(Photo: Timothy Herzog)
For many years before this one, J Mascis was an iconic stoner guitar god to the indie set with enough distortion and shredding to keep him separate from the genre's softer tendencies. That all changed with the lovely, acoustic-driven Several Shades Of Why. On "I've Been Thinking," which follows in that album's lineage, the six-string journeys are still there, winding and beautiful, and Mascis' vocals have a folky, knowing tone. He's been there before. Learn something on his new 7-inch, which has this one as a B-side and is led by a cover of Edie Brickell's "Circle." It's out now on Sub Pop.
DOWNLOAD: Keaton Henson - You Don't Know How Lucky You Are
"You Don't Know How Lucky You Are" could easily be one of those drunken songs played with a hush as to not wake the neighbors or admit to the world it's actually happening. It's really good, though. Keaton Henson has a voice that quivers in the right way as it interacts with the bare bones electric guitar that bends just right to subvert fake perfection. This is bedroom recording that's clear and pure with a refusal to hide behind its lack of flash.
