independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
With husband-wife duo JOHNNYSWIM’s new album, Georgica Pond, Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano invite us to join them on an intensely intimate and contemplative sonic journey. Present are the lush anthems to which fans have grown accustomed, yet there is an even deeper element of lyrical tenderness that is heart-wrenching and utterly refreshing at once. Named... Continue Reading →
Martin and Lewis, Byrne and Eno, peanut butter and jelly,—there are some unions that were destined to for greatness, partnerships that make the world a more enjoyable place to be. Alt-rocker Hamilton Leithauser’s collaboration with Rostam Batmanglij (formerly of Vampire Weekend), prove with their new album, I Had A Dream That You Were Mine, set... Continue Reading →
Renowned violinist and purveyor of orchestral pop Kaoru Ishibashi, a.k.a. Kishi Bashi, has finally invited us to the party. This writer was first introduced to the brilliance of his musical prowess in his 2012 full length debut 151a, a glimpse into boundless creativity that was a “sight” for these ears to behold. With 151a, we... Continue Reading →
Few artists have emerged since the golden era of soul and R&B in the 60’s and 70’s that can even come close to comparison--but in the last few years, one Birmingham, Alabama outfit has established itself as a powerhouse of soul. That band is St. Paul & The Broken Bones, who will release their highly-anticipated... Continue Reading →
“It’s not gonna break you, it’s just gonna shake you”, sings Angel Olsen, whose new album, MY WOMAN, out September 2nd via Jagjaguwar does exactly that; each of its ten tracks are multifaceted gems that brilliantly and individually reflect the creativity of their creator. From the first notes of its dream-like Lynchian opener, “Intern”, Olsen... Continue Reading →
Los Angeles-based pop rock trio DREAMERS released their long-awaited debut LP today, This Album Does Not Exist, via Fairfax Recordings. I myself was beginning to wonder if the album really did not exist, but DREAMERS comes in clutch with twelve tasty rock-tastic morsels. This Album Does Not Exist is not a collection of sentimental love... Continue Reading →
I’ll be honest; whenever I hear the word “psych” in front of a band’s description of itself or its music, I tend to roll my eyes. Why? Because nothing I’ve heard described as “psych” really ever wows me. As I reluctantly peeled the proverbial wrapper off of my download of The Sides And In Between... Continue Reading →
At the young age of 25, Lydia Loveless has been a professional musician for over decade; hailed by music media outlets as a rising new artist in the early 2010’s, it is astounding that she is not a yet household name. With the release of her newest album, Real, that anonymity may soon become a thing... Continue Reading →
Progressive folk duo Tall Heights will release their brilliant new album, Neptune, on August 19th via Sony Music Masterworks. The pair have certainly come a long way since their early days busking in the streets of Boston. While they have stayed connected to their roots in their songwriting process, they’ve pushed beyond the acoustic boundaries of folk... Continue Reading →
There’s so much music constantly swirling about nowadays, it’s rare at times to run across a band who makes you sit up and take notice, whose innovative sound has the ability to cut through all the noise and stand firmly and noticeably on its own. That band is Ohio synth-pop outfit Kid Runner, and that... Continue Reading →
