Swimming Tapes released on Friday their debut “Souvenirs” EP on Hand in Hive. The dreamy final reveal from the EP is “Cameos”, a slightly beachside-flavored diversion in the ST sound built around a very strong (and quite catchy) main chorus hook (quite truthfully much of the track feels like one chorus after another chorus after another, it’s that anthemic!). “Souvenirs” is out now on Hand in Hive.
We quite like the Bunnymen-inspired (maybe a bit of Foals too) Dan Carey-produced “Everything (Deathless)” from London-based Jack Ridley a/k/a JW Ridley. “Everything (Deathless)” operates on an engine of Cure “A Forest”-esque segmented rhythms set with dynamics-driving synth sweeps and the odd bit or bob of electronic noise. “Everything (Deathless)” is out via a limited 7″ on Speed Wunderground on February 10th.
Angeleno transplants (via Philadelphia) Mt. Joy turn in currents events-conscious (a bit of empathy set off into Trumpland) new one “Sheep”. Soulful in a sound palette way that suggests the track could’ve been released at any anytime in the last 40 years or so, that universality/timelessness adds a significant bit more punch/support to the track’s weightier lyrical content. We dig.
We’re into the melodic and quieting sound of Welsh newcomers Kidsmoke and new track “Waves”. The song marks on a great nexus of immediate melodies, a restrained but potent instrumental setting, and an overall big-sounding accessibility that stands out to us. Get introduced to Kidsmoke and “Waves” below.
UK psych crew Temples share second stream from forthcoming sophomore album Volcano. “Strange Or Be Forgotten” catches the Midlands band in stride with the track a strong example of the band’s hooky big-sounding psych-pop dashed with a tiny bit of crossover/dance-y rhythm to keep things moving. Volcano is out on March 3rd on Heavenly.
Jon Spencer’s (Blues Explosion) Boss Hog project with wife Cristina Martinez will release its first LP in 17 years in March. Brood X which is out March 24 on In the Red Records features the broody creeper blues of track “17” (broody creeper blues pretty much sums up 2017 thusfar) which is available to meet your streaming needs below.
Danish band Lowly preview skittering new track “Prepare the Lake” from forthcoming debut LP. “Prepare the Lake” is cast around a shell of subtle tremolo guitar and synth washes to a cool juxtaposition of a flowing main vocal melody from singer Soffie Viemose and motion-filled rhythm track. Lowly’s LP Heba is out February 10th on Bella Union.
Leeds upstarts Team Picture slug out hulking excellent new exercise in far-off guitar music on “Potpourri Headache”. Set on a circadian groove of considerable punch, “PH” is a multi-layered psych-ish experience on to itself anchored by a great recording and some inventive instrumentation ideas. Well done.
Dreamy Geordie crew Seeing Hands follow-up “I Knew You” from back in August with equally strong (and dreamy), “It’s True”.
