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DOWNLOAD: The Tallest Man On Earth - 1904
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How can Swedish-born singer-songwriter The Tallest Man On Earth capture Americana so well? Don’t know, and it don’t much matter. “1904” gives us a glimpse into the wonder that will be June 12’s There's No Leaving Now; intimate strumming, feather-weight backing and a wonderfully pitched yelp spinning a reminiscent tale so lovely you could pull it around your bony shoulders and walk bravely into the sun.
The Tallest Man On Earth - 1904 [Rolling Stone]
DOWNLOAD: Family Band - Night Song
(Photo: Tom Hines)
Desolate, foggy and filled with mystery, Family Band's "Night Song" conjures that anything-could-happen feeling that occurs when all the lights are out and you're still awake. There's an emotional directness from vocalist Kim Krans that mixes well with the menace produced by her husband (and bandmate) Jonny Ollsin. The band's second album, Grace & Lies, is out July 24 on No Quarter.
DOWNLOAD: MV & EE - Sweet Sure Gone
MV & EE practices space-folk that feels raw, natural and old while still thoroughly new and fried. "Sweet Sure Gone," a cut from their Space Homestead, which is out now on Woodsist, is a loose, echoey, slacked jam that splits the carefree porch theatrics of the Grateful Dead with the forward-thinking rock of their labelmates like Woods.
STREAM: Iron & Wine - One More Try (George Michael Cover)
This one gets my full support as whispery beardo songwriter Iron & Wine jams one straight through the heart with a cover of George Michael's "One More Try." Subtle orchestration and organ lay a bed for some beautiful vocals to lead the way. Your memories will take care of the rest. Hear more on a limited 7-inch that comes June 18 as part of Suicide Squeeze's singles collection.
DOWNLOAD: Jonathan Boulet - This Song Is Called Ragged
Full disclosure: I have a huge affinity for jangly Australian folk-dance. It’s because my grandpa is Australian and a total loon, always wearing shorts and drinking scotch and cursing at everyone (love you, Digger! That’s what we call him and he prefers it). So it’s no surprise that I’m about to fawn over this one from rising Sydney star Jonathan Boulet. Not just because of my predilection, but because the dude is a star with range: “This Song Is Called Ragged” is like if The Cure had been presented with a bag full Zoloft, an army of rainsticks and xylophones and a legal decree to spend ten months lazing in the azure-blue waters of the Whitsundays. Keep those good feelings coming: Boulet’s release is finally arriving on Modular this June.
STREAM: Mount Eerie - Lone Bell
Mount Eerie (aka Phil Elverum) always comes strong on his official full-lengths, and the upcoming Clear Moon is shaping up to be no exception. After the initial salvo of "House Shape," we now get the emotionally intense, reedy wallop, rolling drums and massive production of "Lone Bell." It seems to merge his recent obsession with black metal with the overblown ecstatic sonics (hear those droney horns!) of his earlier work on albums like The Glow Pt. 2. The album drops May 22 on P.W. Elverum And Sun.
STREAM: Fiona Apple - Every Single Night
Fiona Apple is most certainly back, and "Every Single Night" is her first official recording since Extraordinary Machine came out seven years ago. An ornate, orchestrated, jazzy number, Apple's vocals are stronger than ever with a new gravelly depth that hints at her deep experience and veteran status. Her new full-length, The Idler Wheel, is coming June 19 on Epic.
STREAM: Dirty Projectors - You Against The Larger World
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"I wrote a ton of songs when we were upstate last year. Here's one that didn't go further than the demo but is pretty anyway," writes Dirty Projectors leader Dave Longstreth about this new Record Store Day single from the band. It features Spanish guitar, a steady strum and a pretty lil melody framed by a strong, loose vocal performance. This one is available through your favorite indie retailer as a flexidisc within a new zine called Smuggler's Way.
