DOWNLOAD: Grimes - Oblivion
Halloween pop. It could be a genre? And if it was, this new Grimes track "Oblivion" would be a primary track. With its girl-pop bass, spooky synth presets and sing-song vocals caked in sonic cobwebs, the song practically begs you to dance around in a stupid costume and get way more into bobbing for apples than any reasonable adult should. The next Grimes album, Visions, is out January 31 on Arbutus.
DOWNLOAD: Rangers - Conversations On The Jet Stream
Fidelity. It's a funny thing. "Conversations On The Jet Stream," an instrumental from Rangers, could fall somewhere between The Who, Rolling Stones and Thin Lizzy if it weren't for the wobbled hiss destroying all semblance of crispness. It also makes for a hypnotic journey of smeared rock 'n' roll garbage. Feel free to get weird with this and more on Rangers' new LP, Pan Am Stories, which is available now on Not Not Fun.
PREMIERE: Brilliant Colors - Value Lines
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The latest track from Brilliant Colors continues in the same direction as previous single "How Much Younger," slightly polishing singer Jess Scott's melodic mumble into charming pop. "Value Lines" follows the formula of short-and-sweet lo-fi that the San Fran trio has seemed to perfect, keeping things tight while managing to test the range of those parameters. Layers of guitar flirt with noise and punk roots to add a satisfying anchor, negating any claims of bubblegum. Catch the rest on Again and Again, out next week on Slumberland.
Brilliant Colors - Value Lines
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DOWNLOAD: Tomorrows Tulips - Casual Hopelessness
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Tomorrows Tulips guitarist Alex Knost lists Calvin Johnson as the inspiration for upcoming album title Eternally Teenage, and the lo-fi legend is a fitting reference for the band's sound as well. The Costa Mesa boyfriend-girlfriend duo combines SoCal scuzz with songs alternating from punk to shoegaze to psych-pop vibes and always under a nice, thick layer of reverb. "Casual Hopelessness" lays bare the surf sensibility with duel vocals dotting the fuzz-laden terrain. Eternally Teenage is out July 19 on Galaxia.
Tomorrows Tulips - Casual Hopelessness
PREMIERE: Nucular Animals - Gay & Gay
Nucular Animals is three Portlanders by way of San Francisco and a native son on the drums. I mention this move because it also seems relevant to the sound of the band, neatly wrapped indie with a lo-fi feel and freewheeling finish. Think The Doors' finer points with that signature K recs rub. "Gay & Gay" is a spirited psych-jaunt from the group's self-titled LP, which drops today.
PREMIERE: Bobby Birdman - Don't Walk Away
(Photo: Sarah Meadows)
Bobby Birdman is busy. Former Portland resident, frequent K-conspirator, YACHT backing band member and current LA man about town, Rob Kieswetter has spread his wings in a big way. Tomorrow sees the release of a 7-inch of his own, and A-side "Don't Walk Away" proves why the singer is so in-demand. With a voice as at home doing folk songs as surf rock gems, this track seems to nicely blend the two, showcasing Birdman's signature croon over an upbeat bass. The B-side features a remix by Selector Dub Narcotic himself, one Calvin Johnson, and you can grab the disc tomorrow from K.
Bobby Birdman - Don't Walk Away
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PREMIERE: Making Friendz - Reject Me
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It is summer, and I would like to drink on a roof and listen to dance music. Thank you, Tami Hart, for making these things possible for me, or at least accomplishing one that allows for the other. "Reject Me" is the second single from Making Friendz, Hart's solo outfit when not logging hours on bass in MEN. Equal parts lo-fi, synth, garage pop and R&B, such crafty mixing of genres was right at home on Hart's former label, the venerable Mr. Lady Records. A longtime player in riot grrrl alum projects, Hart is keeping the catchy, independent flavor of these releases going strong. Check out the fetish-friendly video for "Situation," and grab Social Life June 21 on Last Bummer.
DOWNLOAD: Brilliant Colors - How Much Younger
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The Bay Area seems to be a hotbed of impressive shoegaze at the moment, and Brilliant Colors is no exception. This trio of San Francisco ladies is preparing for its second full length on Slumberland after releasing a number of excellent 7-inches since its 2009 debut LP. "How Much Younger" is our first sampling of the new fare, and as before, the group has fleshed out punk roots with layers of scuzzy guitars and Jess Scott's cheeky mix of mouth musing and no bull lyrics. Recorded with Alex Yusimov, who also took the reigns for fellow SF-favorite Grass Widow, Again and Again comes out July 19.
Brilliant Colors - How Much Younger
