If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Partner Album : Never Give Up Quick Description : Second album from a favorite here. Why You Should Listen : You don't take yourself too seriously, or you get high a lot. Overall Thoughts : We unironically love Partner here, and for good reason: they're a ton of fun and have the musical chops to back it up. There's no "Everybody Knows" here, but that's okay - the adventure into odd proggy territory at times feels natural and this listen, overall, feels like one that's likely to stick with me for a while. Recommendation : Definitely a good time. Artist : Sara Noelle Album : Cover the Blue Quick Description : Gorgeous folky tunes. Why You Should Listen : You already love this type of music. Overall Thoughts : We missed this one earlier this year, and with an EP out this week, it was worth highlighting this listen as a pretty, intricate piece of singer-songwriter folk. In a week that doesn't have a lot like this for once, it's w...

Photo by Jccwa Faya Anna McClellan is set to release her new album next week, and we have a new track to preview today. "Feel You" follows the indie rock/pop template that has been all the rage lately, except it does veer off in its own direction. While most singer/songwriters doing the indie rock/pop thing have more of a smooth sound, "Feel You" has a more raw, gritty feel to it than most. It's a very 90's indie rock sound. It's not quite lo-fi, but it sounds like a smoother version of early Sebadoh or a less quirky Pavement. Anna McClellan explains the new song:  "' Feel You'’s original working title was 'The Opposite of Intellectualizing' .  I’ve been working for the last years to exist less in my head and more in my body. This song is an ode to that work and all the results it manifests ." You can listen to "Feel You" below. I saw first light , the upcoming album from Anna McClellan, will be out November 20 on Fath...

Photo by Jccwa Faya The latest single from Anna McClellan is hardly your typical singer/songwriter fare. "Raisin" is a little song just shy of two minutes that is led by an organ. McClellan's vocals pair with the instrumentation in a slightly odd, ramblin' kinda way that is folk adjacent but decidedly not folk. I hate using the description quirky, since that usually implies cutesy, and "Raisin" doesn't feel cutesy at all.  Maybe Anna McClellan can explain the song better than me: " I have long romanticized the idea of jumping off a cliff, and categorized it as the perfect metaphor for letting go .  If I could only take that leap of faith, I’d awaken. I’d been wanting to capture the idea in song for awhile and thought it would be a much longer/more epic endeavor. And I’m sure there is still much more to say about it. In 'Raisin' though, upon jumping, the subject appears to float and become weightless. Never actually landing at all. " You...

And the rest! Co-Album of the Week : Artist : Screaming Females Album : All At Once Quick Description : The latest from a band poised to break out Why You Should Listen : They're one of the best indie acts going right now. Overall Thoughts : Co-album of the week comes from one of indie rock’s most steady acts as of late, Screaming Females. If there’s a downside to this album, it’s that the act is almost too tight. Everything feels crisp and deliberate, and your expectation for an act like this is some grit or grunge, but instead the polish allows everything involved with this to be highlighted. I can’t speak highly enough about this, and it’s definitely one of the top musical efforts of the year so far. Recommendation : A must-listen. Artist : Anna McClellan Album : Yes and No Quick Description : Folkish listen. Why You Should Listen : You're looking for something off the beaten path. Overall Thoughts : This was a weird one, and I’m not sure how I feel about ...