First Listen: New Releases for 23 July

By -
Another slow week, so adding a few we missed, too.

Artist: Pony Hunt
Album: VAR!
Quick Thoughts: We loved Pony Hunt's debut when it came out almost five years ago. The follow-up gives me a lot of Lady Lamb vibes, but it's really a nice logical extension of a sound we love here. I found so much to enjoy about this one, and I probably could have added every song to the weekly playlist if I were so inclined. It's a little bit folk, a little bit country, and a more than a little awesome.
Songs of Note: "Pulse," "Stardust," "Who Are You," "Rising Sun," "Last Alive"

Artist: Molly Burch
Album: Romantic Images
Quick Thoughts: Molly Burch is back with another winner. We both really liked First Flower, and this new one continues the trajectory of a multi-genre artist with a lot of positives going for her. This was super enjoyable on a whole, and should solidif Burch as a voice worth hearing.
Songs of Note: "Games," "Took a Minute"

Artist: Piroshka
Album: Love Drips and Gathers
Quick Thoughts: If Arcade Fire and Sleeper had a baby and raised it on indie psych pop, you might end up with Piroshka. It's got a lot of dreamy, hazy elements with many songs that stand out. This is one of the first ones I went back to this week, and it's great. If you're into the more shoegazey elements of indie rock, give this a listen.
Songs of Note:

Artist: Roan Yellowthorn
Album: Another Life
Quick Thoughts: Roan Yellowthorn was recently featured in a collaborative effort with Alex Cameron covering "Islands in the Stream," and the duo's sophomore effort is a nice slice of roots-tinged poppy music. Jackie McLean's voice is the perfect companion to many of these songs, all of which run the gamut from alt-country to folk rock. It's a solid listen, and I'm glad I tripped up on it.
Songs of Note: "Stranger," "Little Love," "Neon Sign"

Artist: Glüme
Album: The Internet
Quick Thoughts: This is truly wonderful. It has a nice retro synthy disco feel and a really strong aesthetic, and the songs are excellent, too. If you're a fan of Chromatics or any of the music from Twin Peaks, this is surely going to be something you love, but I do hope to hear more from Glüme soon.
Songs of Note: "What a Feeling," "Body," "Get Low"

Of note:

* Shungudzo - I'm not a mother, but I have children (Solid genre-hopping album with lots of great moments.)
* The Peppermint Kicks - The Peppermint Kicks (Power poppish fun.)
* Fruit Bats - Siamese Dream (An interesting take on the Smashing Pumpkins breakthrough.)
* Descendents - 9th and Walnut (Album of unreleased recordings.)
* Tjo - Dispatches from the Drift
* Rodney Crowell - Triage
* Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
* Emma-Jean Thackray - Yellow
* Christone "Kingfish" Ingram - 662

EPs:

* Washington - Switches
* Samia - Scout
* Jamie Drake - Here Comes the Light (The B-Sides)
* Claire Rousay and More Eaze - An Afternoon Whine
* Future Islands - ALAYA Remixes EP 2
* The Jacklights - Drift
* Izzy Heltai - Day Plan (5 Songs Written 4 the End of the World)

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Clem Snide - Beyond Forever Just Beyond
* Brittany Howard - Jaime (Reimagined)

Also out:

* Mega Bog - Life, and Another

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

By -
Image
Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
Read more

Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

By -
Image
How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
Read more

The Freqs - "Witch"

By -
Image
Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
Read more