For me, music is more than just art. Music is more of a force, able to stir one's emotions, awaken one's senses, and unite people under a common denominator. It is an essential part to my life.
Around this time last year, Big Tree was preparing to release their sophomore LP This New Year complete with the addition of a new vocalist and drummer. Adding the two brought the band count to 5, which made their move out west more of a commitment. Drawn to the allure of northern California, the group ditched their Brooklyn lives believing that the move westward was necessary for the evolution of the band. A year later, and here we sit awaiting the release of their new Little EP (due November 16th), a work Big Tree claims pays homage to how California re-directed and re-inspired their sound. To get into even more detail, the concepts that make up the lead single "Time" are extracted from "the band's altered perception of time on the road", as well as the nostalgia associated with relocating and the excitement of the unknown. Beautifully voiced by Kaila McIntyre-Bader, "Time" is an amiable and breezy indie pop jam with slick guitars and catchy melodies, making Little an EP to get excited about. Check out "Time" below, with a download available at SoundCloud. There is also more to look at in their Facebook and Twitter pages. Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!
Earlier this summer I was introduced to the brothers that comprised the duo Madràs. They had just come out with their debut album Things Can Change, and what impressed me most was what they did with so little. Quiet and fragile, the buoyant guitar licks made you feel as though you were floating. That's why when I heard those same brothers also played in a band called Fou, I was eager to hear what they were all about. Not surprisingly, the product is fantastic and beautiful. The idea is similar, on Fou's 2-song release Boy the group plays with space, manufacturing ethereal dreamscapes that are both calming and engaging. The set up is also minimal, utilizing your basic guitar-bass-drum trio of instruments. Upon first listen, I likened them to the slowcorers Galaxie 500, another group who stripped down to the fundamental arrangement, succeeding wonderfully. The main difference between Boy and Things Can Change is that Boy includes much more texture. Piercing guitar slides tend to break the silence much more so than in their previous work, giving the release a gazey feel. It's great music, and definitely worth a couple of listens. Plus it's a free download, they're basically handing awesome to you on a golden platter. I've placed both songs from Boy, "Colour Me In" and "Don't You Know?", below for your listening pleasure. Afterward, be sure to hit up Bandcamp to snag it.
One of the freshest bands to come to us from Scandinavia is the blossoming Colleagues, who formed earlier this summer. So far we've only been treated to "Parents' House", which is unfortunate, because afterward you'll only be longing for more. The debut single is a wonderfully youthful and energetic electropop jam, synths from all angles are constantly jabbing at you in light-hearted fun. The song really seeks to touch your inner adolescent, just the name "Parents' House" infers an escape to the teenage years. What really makes the song whole, though, is the implied romance embedded within the lyrics. The juvenile, innocent fling between the lead and the girl is perfectly relatable, and as the song continues you almost believe that you're flirting with her too. If not, then at least you want to be. I'm sure she's gorgeous. I've posted "Parents' House" below for you to listen, and if you would like to follow Colleagues as they continue their quest, you can follow them on Facebook or SoundCloud. They also have a homepage you can view. Happy Thursdays!
It's fascinating to see two artists who you respect somehow morph into one singular unit. What's even better is when that end result is awesome. Take for example Joel Hood, whose gentle electronic arrangements would sound pleasing to just about anyone, and match him with Astronauts, etc., who specializes in comfortable and melodic dream pop. All you need to do is look at it on paper to see that the pairing is ideal. Well, around two months ago Astronauts, etc. released "Mystery Colors", his heavenly debut single that seemed to excite the blogosphere. As we fast forward to the present, Joel Hood has remixed his own wonderful rendition of the hit track. Still equally as tranquil, Hood's remix lowers the focus on the original's drifting synths and replaces them with his own delicate electronic accents. You can stream the song below, with a free download as well as other pieces of work available on SoundCloud. You can also visit his Facebook or Twitter. One more thing, keep an eye out on November 8th when Hood will make his own "Teardrops" available for free download on Bad Panda Records. Enjoy!
In early September of this year, the U.K. film student Oliver Gale graced us with the wonderful single "Summer's Down", a song that made the transition from summer to fall much more bearable. Now, Gale has released his newest single entitled "I Am The Only One", a slow-burning ballad bursting with emotion. Whereas previous tracks were more jovial, his new track flexes his songwriting capabilities, putting his melancholy styles on display. In-between his verses, Gale unleashes high-pitched bellows, indicating what seems to be a cry for help. In the forefront the lines "you have done enough" are on repeat, exhibiting a sense of anger and sadness. Yet, towards the end we're treated to an uplifting guitar riff, an infectious rhythm which lifts us from the doldrums and instills hope in the future. All and all it's a wonderful piece of music, and one that should snag the interest of previous Blue Boats fans. You can listen to the new "I Am The Only One" below, then be sure to take a visit to his Facebook and Twitter.
So it has happened, the moment I've been eagerly waiting for has arrived. Ever since I heard their song "Mtn Tune" earlier this summer, the Oakland band Trails and Ways has been one of my favorite emerging acts as of late. I felt this was only proven further when they released their Sure Thing EP, a compilation of wonderfully executed covers. Around this time they promised more material would be on its way soon, a vow which has been fulfilled today. "Border Crosser" is the first original track they've made since "Mtn Tune", and it's pretty significant considering that it represents the leadoff single from their debut full-length album, Trilingual. This is our first glimpse at how Trails and Ways is going to fit their lush dream pop styles into a conglomerate, a consistent and fitting conceptual whole. We won't know the complete details until Trilingual drops early next year (exact date still unknown), but from "Border Crosser" we can gather that the band is in touch with their opinions, utilizing music as a medium to put forth their ideals. Inspired by one member's grandparent's journey to California, we are carried on a melodious voyage that hints at sacrifice and the importance of family. On "Border Crosser" their verdict is clear: love for one another doesn't, and shouldn't, know any boundaries. With such meaning defined in the history it's obvious this song is important to them, and as such it would make sense that a statement piece like this symbolizes the kickstart of their first ever LP, the beginnings of their voyage. I've posted "Border Crosser" below for you to listen to, with a free download available here. All you need to do is like their Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter, with additional streams at SoundCloud.
Today the Brooklyn quartet Lazyeyes played in their first CMJ showcase, an honor that is deserved for the young band and their well-crafted version of indie rock. So far we've only been treated to two tracks off their debut EP (which should be released in a month or so), but I've seen a sizable enough sample to declare my excitement for their future. Lazyeyes sound strangely unique, mixing together elements of fast-paced alternative, guitar-driven punk, and subdued lo-fi. I'm having trouble figuring it out, which could be part of the reason for my interest in them. There is a tinge of beachy infusion, something most notably present in "Nostalgia", a beautiful song that rides the same groove Beach Fossils have been fantastic at producing. The riff that propels the tune is high-pitched and clean while the vocals are blanketed in a film of dreamy fuzz, extending a hand out to those keen on surf rock. Their other track, "Forever", is similar, except appears to be slightly more complex and slightly more inspired by punk rock. Either way, both are intriguing examples of summer rhythms, despite the fact they may not appear as such at first glance. I've posted "Nostalgia" and "Forever" below, so be sure to listen to those. Afterward, feel free to browse their Bandcamp and Facebook.
