The awesome “Other Voices”, the title track from Chicago kids The Orwells upcoming EP, is the sound of a band not only rounding into form but operating with a confidence and self-belief that, as much as it is an anachronism in the year 2013, is really very refreshing. Look out for “Other Voices” to drop on June 25th via East End/Canvasback.
The Orwells 
(Facebook)
Rating 9
Death, taxes, American Idol & The National. What do our Ohio-born friends have in common these other three entities? CONSISTENCY. But in contrast to those lame to not so awesome things, The National are consistently great. “Sea of Love”, The Big N’s latest single from the forthcoming sixth LP Trouble Will Find Me, is just the most recent in a decade-plus collection of really fine classic music. Sample the new single below.
The National 
(Official)
Rating 8.7
Rapidly working their way through a host of un-google-able band names such as “Youth” and “Books” Bella Unions latest signing seem to have finally settled on “Money”, and this is their new video for future album track “Bluebell Fields”. Comparisons are being made to the likes of early Verve records and with the elusive nature of this Manchester outfit so far, the late summer release date for their debut record is already a highly anticipated one. It’s also worth taking a listen to their recent session with Amazing Radio to further appreciate the emotional capacity of their beautiful reverbs and heart-wrenching songwriting. By Nathan Hetherington
MONEY 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Brooklyn duo Steel Phantoms (ex-Islands) have a new S/T EP in the works (their second) of which the catchy indie rock and roll of “Curtain Call” is the lead single. Reminiscent a bit of a heavier (instrumentally) yet less Rod Stewart-y (vocals) Walkmen, “Curtain Call” brings the pace, energy and joyousness as well as sound songwriting execution to its genre that in 2013, etc that has been all and too well missed/missing.
Steel Phantoms (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
“Calm Now” from London collective Low Moon Low is RnR that makes you feel alive. The band’s unique concoction of rock is both abrasive and soothing, making for a mix that has found its way into heavy rotation at b3sci hq this morning. Sample “Calm Now” below and keep Low Moon Low on your radar.
Low Moon Low – Calm NowLow Moon Low (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Check out the new EP, Watching Every Channel At Once, from “ultimate parlor room name game” winner Slonk Donkerson. It approaches that Foo territory without ever getting too Foo. The title track could be a lost Slothbear cut, as they’re both very much of that same slacker vein and NYC sound. Slonk tags Dylan, Husker Du and The Replacements on their Soundcloud, and indeed there’s something Midwestern about them, an ethos borne from the garages of middle-America. I’d be hard pressed to find a band of this particular breed in LA, but the fact is that any coast, whether it be best or not, would greatly benefit from a band with such a clear sense of what they want to accomplish. By Chris Gedos
Slonk Donkerson – Watching Every Channel At OnceSlonk Donkerson (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Just signed to Stones’ Throw, Boardwalk are the L.A. duo of singer Amber Quintero and Mike Edge. First single “I’m To Blame” is like something so beautiful in it’s space and element, like a rose at its peak bloom or a very pretty music box that to touch it or to engage with it would somehow sully it/interrupt it as it is. The dusty perfectly reverbed guitars, the tin-toned organ drones & Quintero’s warm & easy vocal are just a few of the track’s highlights. Sample “I’m To Blame” below.
Boardwalk 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
“Billy In The Lowground” is previewed here from the anticipated sophomore release from Goldheart Assembly, aptly titled Long Distance Song Effects. The timeless sounding orchestration and harmonies in “Billy” have that classic British pop allure that you could almost expect from a lost Beatles track, like a song that The Neighbourhood, or maybe even the late Elliot Smith, had been holding on lock-down in their own record collections for __ long. Check out the equally bold video for “Billy In The Lowground” below as well.
Goldheart Assembly (Official)
Rating 8.4
Thee Oh Sees haven’t wasted any creative time with a quick return for their latest Floating Coffin album. “Toe Cutter-Thumb Buster” works as a fuzzy mid-tempo tune with melodic hooks all over, including the bass line and guitar work. Over sixteen years, this is the twelfth full-length for the various incarnations of this band (not including various EPs). Thee Of Sees retain a youthful vibe that is obviously serving them well. By Bruce Rave
Thee Oh Sees – Toe Cutter Thumb Buster (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Their Thr!!!er album dropped on Tuesday of this week, and this track shows a new side of the !!! guys. It’s got another fine !!! groove but is less-funky and more melodic than most of their work. See Chk Chik Chick live if you can this year. Their shows definitely bring the goods. By Bruce Rave
!!! – Thr!!!er (Official)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
