DOWNLOAD: Gold Fields - Treehouse
Gold Fields hail from Ballarat, Australia – a place you’ve likely never heard of. But since SXSW, you may have heard the group’s invigorated dance-rock, which, so far, has only appeared on small releases. The band, which is finishing its debut album for Astralwerks, recently offered up a new track, “Treehouse,” which is a sparkling post-punk number reminiscent of Bloc Party and The Futureheads. Its ability to get you dancing is nothing compared to the group’s live show, which is an impassioned explosion of sound.
STREAM: Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built
This strong, resurgent indie week continues with "The House That Heaven Built" – a beer swilling, scream-worthy monster from Japandroids. The guitars are wall-to-wall red, while drums provide an emotional stomp that could shatter a mirror. Celebration Rock is the name of their new LP, which comes June 5 on Polyvinyl.
Stream: Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built [SoundCloud]
STREAM: Mission Of Burma - Dust Devil
Mission Of Burma simply aren't going to settle down. No slide guitar, no reflection on marriage and children, no playing drums with brushes or duets. Mission Of Burma will always do pummeling post-punk with a relentless ferocity, and this new one, "Dust Devil," is certainly up to snuff. Their upcoming album, Unsound, is their first in three years and will be released by Fire Records on July 9.
STREAM: Gemini Club - By Surprise + Can't Believe You Said That
According to the zodiac and people like Ms. Cleo, Aquarians and Gemini are a good match. Well, the cards don't lie, because I'm definitely crushing on Gemini Club. The Chicago electro trio's latest proves it can deliver much more than great remixes. "By Surprise," the first single from the upcoming Here We Sit EP, is a tender spacewalk through a twinkling soft-dance. And as if we're on the same wavelength (love is in the air), today GC released "Can't Believe You Said That," which feels like a poppy synth-punk trip through a pinball machine. You can cop a free download of "By Surprise" at the Gemini Club website and grab Here We Sit on April 17.
PREMIERE: Turing Machine - Slave To The Algorithm
(Photo: Michael Vadino)
It's a numbers game. That's what they say about life, at least – no more rhythm, all algorithm. Turing Machine waited eight years to build on their acclaimed 2004 release Zwei, and now the trio is back with What Is The Meaning Of What, which is set for a May 8 release on Temporary Residence. Here's a premiere of album track "Slave To The Algorithm" – a heavy, punky, club-ready punch to the gut with ear-splitting bass, ringing harmonies and the sort of organic drums that made you fall in love with DFA way back when. That association makes a lot of sense. LCD Soundsystem's Pat Mahoney along with a slew of DFA mainstays appear across the record. Get psyched!
DOWNLOAD: Tindersticks - Frozen
(Photo: Christophe Agou)
"Frozen" starts like a barge sailing into ominous fog. Tindersticks prove that they still know how to create a mood, and here it's reedy drones, driving drums and the deep, subterranean voice of Stuart Staples yearning to hold you . Choral post-punk. It's real, and you can hear more on The Something Rain, which is out now on Constellation.
DOWNLOAD: K-Holes - Rats
I strongly considered trying to punch through a wall the first time I heard "Rats" by Brooklyn punk bludgeoners K-Holes. It's just so amped and raw as a mess of propulsive guitar noise, blaring saxophone and sneering vocals ooze filthy attitude. Dismania, their upcoming album, comes May 1 via Hardly Art.
DOWNLOAD: Freshkills - Positive Vibes
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I, for lack of a better term, greatly dislike hippies, and when I see that a song is called "Positive Vibes," I have to stare it down. Freshkills avoids the '60s altogether, though. Here, it's anthemic post-punk with lyrics about bougie sex that make you smile and a steady handclap-led stomp. Hear more on the upcoming LP Raise Up The Sheets, which is set for March 13 on Bat Rabies Alert / The End Records.
