If It's Too Loud...

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 : ...

We've been rightfully enamored with Pony Hunt ever since we first started hearing songs from their 2016 album Heart Creek. I grew up on oldies and my favorite music tends to be indie rock and modern folk, so their blend of doo wop meets indie folk and rock is a sweet spot for me. With that, the New Orleans based band's latest single might be the perfect song for me. "That Feelin'" is an impossibly laid back folk song based squarely in doo wop with some indie rock tuned guitars. It's the kind of tune that shouldn't work this well, but Pony Hunt have crafted a virtually perfect song out of these elements. It's gorgeous, and cool, and impossible not to adore. In a press release, Jessie Antonick of Pony Hunt says of the new song: "There’s a space between denial and acceptance that feels like a dream world reality. It has a certain kind of feeling—a haze of loss and self induced confusion. Sometimes I just have to jump out of my fantasy and write a son...

When we first heard "Stardust," the first new song from Pony Hunt in five years, we noticed that their doo wop meets Americana sound had an extra added oomph of indie rock. We expected more of the same from their second single, but "Who Are You" goes into completely new territory. The new song is far more orchestral than anything we've heard from Pony Hunt in the past. There is still the slightest shred of doo wop, but that's mostly just in Jessie Antonick's vocals. Upon reading the press release and learning that the song was inspired by Roy Orbison, the new sound makes perfect sense. It's from that time period bridging crooners and early rock 'n' roll, but with Pony Hunt's folk sensibilities. You can listen to "Who Are You" below. VAR! is due out July 23 on Wing and Wing. You can pre-order a copy over at Bandcamp . For more on Pony Hunt, check out the artist's website . VAR! by PONY HUNT

Aaaaaaaaaand we're back! Artist : Julia Jacklin Album : Don't Let the Kids Win Quick Description : Debut album from a favorite here. Why You Should Listen : She's a modern throwback in all the best ways. Overall Thoughts : We've spilled a lot of digital ink on Jacklin over the last year, so to finally have a solo album is great, and the fact that it's meeting and exceeding expectations is just icing on the cake. This was very nearly my album of the week, and the promise that came with "Pool Party" and "Leadlight" was fulfilled, plain and simple. Recommendation : Listen to this album. It's a must. Artist : Springtime Carnivore Album : Midnight Room Quick Description : Second album from another retro-styled duo. Why You Should Listen : When the melodies are on, they are on . Overall Thoughts : I fell in love with this act with "Name in the Matchbook" from their debut, so seeing a new album was exciting. This continu...

Folk has been around pretty much forever. There's really not a whole lot that can be done with it to make it sound familiar. Even "progressive" folk seems to be spinning its wheels lately. The best thing an artist can do to make unique folk is to just tweak it slightly. That's exactly what Pony Hunt have done on their new single, "Over You." "Over You" starts really traditionally, as far as folk songs go. Just a strummed acoustic guitar and fairly standard vocals. But then the doo-wop backing vocals come in. Not being a music historian, I'm sure someone has combined this in the past, but as far as modern folk goes, it's pure bliss. Bringing such classic American sounds such as sun drenched 60s California country folk and the groove of 50s and 60s doo-wop is being done to perfection by Pony Hunt. And that's even before the horns kick in way in the background.  Pony Hunt's new album, Heart Creek , will be released on October 7. ...