First Listen: New Releases for 2 August

Still a slow summer, but some real gems here...

Artist: Tyler Childers
Album: Country Squire
Quick Description: Great modernist classic country.
Why You Should Listen: He's in a segment all his own.
Overall Thoughts: It’s really stunning how truly pure and unfiltered the brand of country Tyler Childers puts together is. I almost want to call him the male Margo Price in some ways, because it nearly perfectly straddles the line between authentic and precious, but it equally does it a disservice – by doing something that no one else is really doing, Childers sets himself apart by doing what so many before have done. I can’t imagine enjoying traditional country music and not finding something to love about this record.
Recommendation: Do not miss out on this.

Artist: Ty Segall
Album: First Taste
Quick Description: Latest release from the garage-ish indie singer.
Why You Should Listen: Ty Segall does a lot of work and it shows.
Overall Thoughts: Ty Segall is extremely prolific, and does a lot of stuff a lot of people love. For me, he is hit or miss, but I will say that this effort really worked for me. A good merge of pop and garage rock styles, the result here is a fuzzy and ambitious listen that, especially in a slow week, is worth the time.
Recommendation: Give it a shot.

Artist: GRLwood
Album: I Sold My Soul to the Devil When I Was 12
Quick Description: Gritty punk at its finest.
Why You Should Listen: If you like punk, this is why.
Overall Thoughts: Every so often a good old fashioned gritty punk record comes across our radar, and this was one that definitely got my attention. It’s the right mix of brash and fun, and while it clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously, it is an album that wants you to take notice. It's a step ahead of Daddy from last year, and sort of how you ultimately want punk to be in 2019.
Recommendation: Definitely give this a whirl.

Artist: The Harmaleighs
Album: She Won't Make Sense
Quick Description: Awesome indie pop.
Why You Should Listen: You want some bright stuff to go along with the summer heat.
Overall Thoughts: This album was a revelation for me in many ways. It made me feel the way Eisley’s early Eps did back in the day, it sometimes feels like a modern rock record and other times an early Belle & Sebastian or even a Camera Obscura effort… everything about this feels right. It’s easily my favorite recent listen and I feel like it might have some pretty broad appeal.
Recommendation: Plenty of room on this bandwagon…

Artist: Bikini Sleepover
Album: Bikini Sleepover's First Sleepover
Quick Description: Super fun indie pop punk.
Why You Should Listen: This is the most fun record I've heard lately.
Overall Thoughts: This is sort of an odd mix between Illuminati Hotties and The Exbats in its approach, and it's just too much fun to ignore. This is a great album that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is still a really solid listen from start to finish. Worth checking out.
Recommendation: A solid listen this week.

Of note:

* Sarah Haras - Metal East (Really solid and engaging ambient stuff.)
* Cross Record - Cross Record
* Karma Fields - BODY RUSH(A fairly solid modern electronica record.)
* The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters, Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen
* Avrex - Growth
* Davina and the Vagabonds - Sugar Drops
* Cherie Curie and Brie Darling - The Motivator
* So Sensitive - Bedroom Drama
* The Vaughns - F.O.M.O.

7 Song Album:

* Poppy - I C U (Music to Read To)

EPs:

* Allison Sudol - Moonlight
* Little Boots - Jump

Also out:

* SHADI - You Can't Hear Me
* The Ritualists - Painted People
* Clairo - Immunity

Parsnip - "Rip It Off"

Photo by Charlotte Tobin

Melbourne's Parsnip is going to be one those really divisive bands. Some of you are going to love this and become completely obsessed, while others are going to despise this so feverishly that it may destroy friendships. But that's ok. Their latest single, "Rip It Off," almost comes across as a psychedelic children's song but with a punk attitude to it. In other words, it would exist in some demonic version of a kids' TV show. That doesn't make it evil sounding. It's mostly cheery, with a hypnotic sound to it. The closest artists to compare "Rip It Off" to are Jonathan Richman and Beat Happening.

Stella Rennix of Parsnip explains the song: "To me ‘Rip It Off’ came from a feeling of being hung up on what the future holds, living in a haze of concern, and so missing out on your life as it’s happening. I suppose it is a song about worrying...the fruitlessness of incessant worry." 

You can watch the video for "Rip It Off" below. When the Tree Bears Fruit, the debut album from Parsnip, will be out August 30 on Trouble in Mind. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Parsnip, check them out on Twitter and Facebook.

Dori Freeman - "That's How I Feel"

Photo by Kristina Leblanc

I tend to prefer music that leans away from the mainstream. Even if it's from a genre like Americana/roots/folk, I prefer some experimentation. This new song from Dori Freeman is completely in the mainstream of the singer/songwriter genre, but she just nails it so perfectly that even elitists like myself won't be able to resist it.

"That's How I Feel" is simply a great song. Freeman's voice is exquisite, to the point that she could be singing lawn care commercial jingles and you'd be mesmerized. Luckily for us all, she's also just happens to be a great songwriter. "That's How I Feel" is Americana/roots/folk done so perfectly that you'll find it virtually impossible not to be smitten with it.

You can listen to "That's How I Feel" below. Every Single Star, the upcoming album from Dori Freeman, will be out September 27 on Blue Hen Music. For more on Dori Freeman, check out her website.

Noël Wells - "Played for Keeps"

Picture via Twitter

Why are we so surprised when an actor releases a musical project and it's actually good? The terrible vanity project trend seems to be long over, and instead we're getting music from people we don't necessarily view as musicians that is quite good! The latest is  Noël Wells. The actor/comedian/director is set to release her debut album this month, and judging from "Played for Keeps," we're going to be into it. "Played for Keeps" is this enjoyable blend of Americana and pop, leaning just slightly more heavily on the Americana side of things. Wells has the slightest 60's girl group sound to her voice, so this could remind you a little of Molly Burch (which makes this right up our alley!)

You can watch the video for "Played for Keeps" below. It's So Nice!, Noël Wells's debut album, will be out on August 30. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Noël Wells, check her out on Twitter and her website. Also, be sure to watch her directorial debut Mr. Roosevelt. Once you get past the dying/dead cat plotline, you'll enjoy it!

The Wolff Sisters - "Drive"

The Wolff Sisters just do the Americana/folk think perfectly. Their latest single, "Drive," hits in that perfect spot you want from a song from them: It's equal parts down home twang, modern more mainstream folk, and just good old rock music. "Drive" takes the best parts of all three of those styles (the roots of Americana, the pleasant, familiar feel of mainstream country, and the killer guitars of rock) and combines them all into a sound that may not break down walls, but it is all theirs. If this sounds like anything you might like, you'll probably end up loving it.

You can listen to "Drive" below. Queendom of Nothing, the upcoming album from The Wolff Sisters, will be out "soon." For more on The Wolff Sisters, check out their website. If you happen to be in New England, they have a trio of shows this weekend: August 2 at Riverwalk Cafe and Music Bar in Nashua, NH (with Julie Rhodes!), August 3 Live at the Barn in Chaplin, CT, and August 4 at The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint in Medford, MA.

Oh, Rose - "Baby"

Photo by Saskia Baden

"25, Alive," the previous single from Olympia, WA's Oh, Rose is a fairly straightforward indie rock song with loud/quiet/loud parts and lots of fuzzy guitars. The follow up, "Baby," is a completely different type of song. It's still an indie rock song, but it's almost an indie rock meets jazz standard song. The focus is completely on singer Olivia Rose's vocals, which are powerful in their own way. At least, that's how the song goes for the first half. After that, the rock breaks in and turns this into an almost grunge power ballad. Rose's vocals are still the focus, even with the louder instrumentation. This upcoming album could be a sleeper album of the year contender.

You can listen to "Baby" below. While My Father Sleeps, the upcoming album from Oh, Rose, will be out on August 23 via Park the Van. You can pre-order the album here. For more on Oh, Rose, check out their Facebook and Twitter.

The Astronots - "Wandering Eye"

We're pretty much guaranteed to write about any band that is described as "... an American rock 'n' roll outfit." The Astronots are from Los Angeles, and have this bizarre 60's meets modern sound. It's a high energy, incredibly fun dance/rock song that reminds me of being a throwback to music that was made in the 90's as a throwback to the 60's. And I mean that as a compliment. The song is inspired by a couple the band grew up with. As singer/guitarist Niko Giaimo explains:

"They had an insanely beautiful Cinderella wedding, but not long after that the wife started cheating, and the husband was secretly gay and going out with his friends in women's clothes. They were both cheating on each other in different ways, and somehow, everyone knew about the cheating except for the couple themselves!!! They ended up splitting up and are now both happily married in new relationships!"

You can watch the video for "Wandering Eyes" below. The song will be included on Cotati, the upcoming EP from The Astronots. For more on The Astronots, check out their website.

Oompa featuring Anjimile - "By You"

Photo by Ally Schmaling

We keep getting more and more into Boston's own Oompa, and "By You" is sucking us in even more. "By You" might just be the first hip hop song about visiting a therapist. It's the very rare mellow hip hop song that works for me. It could be because it features Anjimile on guitar, giving it a feel kind of like MTV Unplugged's hip hop edition, which will always be a favorite of mine. You don't get to call too much hip hop groovy, but "By You" edges just barely into that description. Oompa's quick flow is a brilliant counterpoint to this guitar, and makes "By You" such a brilliant song.

You can listen to "By You" below. Cleo, the upcoming album from Oompa, will be out August 10. For more on Oompa, check out her website.

These Wild Plains - "Stick Around"

Photo via Facebook

Boston's These Wild Plains do a virtually perfect rendition of alt-country along the lines of Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown. Their latest single, "Stick Around," continues that sound. "Stick Around" is laid back, but not hanging-out-on-the-porch laid back. It stops just short of power ballad territory and is the kind of love song rare in country and Americana. According to the band:

"Stick Around is a love letter to my wife, or maybe more accurately, a tribute to her extreme patience. Being married to someone who is addicted to the masochistic nature of being a 'working musician' is a hard row to hoe, for sure. I don't know how she does it, but lord knows I would be lost without her. Besides, you don't hear a ton of songs about things going well these days. Everyone's always leaving. I figure it can't hurt to have one about shit working out for once."

You can listen to "Stick Around" below. Thrilled to Be Here, the new album from These Wild Plains, will be out September 6. For more on These Wild Plains, check out their website.

First Listen: New Releases for 27 July

Another slow week, so a little catch up to go along with your new releases...

Artist: Dude York
Album: Falling
Quick Description: Second proper album from the rock act.
Why You Should Listen: Dude York is fairly underrated, and this is a step forward for them.
Overall Thoughts: One of the more anticipated follow-ups of the summer, Dude York has been doing their best to evolve a bit while keeping their straightforward alt-rock approach intact. The new album is less Cheap Trick than their debut, and it might be of benefit on a whole – where we lose out on true killer tracks like “Tonight” from their first album, we make up for in the sheer volume of great songs in a cohesive album. Would be worth the time on a busy week, but especially during the lighter summer music load, this should find some time in your rotation.
Recommendation: A must-listen.

Artist: Martha
Album: Love Keeps Kicking
Quick Description: Power pop still lives!
Why You Should Listen: Has a great pun/DIY aesthetic to go along with some great melodic tunes.
Overall Thoughts: This is a delightful little indie power pop piece. This grabbed me at “Into This,” but the whole thing is just a fun, upbeat record with hooks littered throughout. It slipped under my radar and I have no clue how, but this is just such a joyful find that I look forward to jumping back in soon.
Recommendation: Really great find.

Artist: Erin Durant
Album: Islands
Quick Description: Solid, often-understated folky record.
Why You Should Listen: This slid under a lot of radars and probably shouldn't have.
Overall Thoughts: An enigmatic roots/folk record that has a fairly great approach that builds upon itself over and over again. A song like “Highway Blue” demonstrates this really well, where it just starts out in a pleasant way and, before you know it, you’re bopping along with the song and trying to figure out where the shift snuck up on you. Definitely an artist to look out for if you’re a longtime reader.
Recommendation: A great effort.

Of note:

* Caamp - By and By
* Jess Clinton - Real Glass Heart
* Luray - Dig
* Kaiser Chiefs - Duck
* Lisel - Angels on the Slope
* Angie McMahon - Salt
* The Low Cards - Pilgrims Wake

7 Song albums:

* Gurr - She Says
* Rayland Baxter - Good Mmornin

EPs:

* Spritzer - Madonna (Odd lounge covers of Madonna tracks, and I'm not sure if this is serious or not.)
* Lauren Faith - Cosmic EP
* Sabine McCalla - Folk
* Lykke Li - Still Sad Still Sexy

Also out:

* Of Monsters and Men - Fever Dream
* Freddie Gibbs and Madlib - Bandana
* The Side Project - Everything We Do
* Ummagma - Compass