Summerays

The last time that I checked in with Summerays, the solo man Luke Teeters' newly released single had me feeling nostalgic about my college life and the graduation of some of my good buddies. But that's what beach rock tends to do to me, instill some nostalgia, and Teeters is wonderful within this style of music.  In preparation for the release of his debut album, Summer Daze, Summerays has premiered yet another winner through the blog Start-track.  The leading single is called "Ahoy There!", and it's what you'd expect from an idea born in the sandy coasts by the water.  The short, sun-filled, feel good ditty is accompanied with another new song, "Sunshine", which has been released via a music video.  Have a listen to both below, and then visit Facebook for more information.  Bandcamp and SoundCloud also have some additional tracks from previous releases.  And remember!  Keep an eye out for Summer Daze, which will be released Bandcamp style on January 1, 2013 on a pay as you want basis.  Get ready!

CIRC

Ahhhh yes, the last Friday before the Christmas holiday week kicks in to full gear.  Well as the stress builds leading up the 25th and shopping crowds pack into malls like sardines, here's a little gem to help you take your mind off things.  "Fairy Flash", the new song from the French producer CIRC, is a hypnotic lullaby of sorts, attacking the seratonin receptors of the brain.  As the busy shopping times are upon us, let this cradle you in a blanket of warmth.  Head over to SoundCloud for some more tracks.

EIMIC

EIMIC is a little tough to figure out; the band is currently located in Moscow, and as such a majority of their information is in Russian.  I can't speak the language, and I sure can't read it, so finding out about them is a little more difficult than usual.  With this in mind, here's what I am able to tell you: the group contains three members, they've released two LPs in the past (4 and Automatic Movements), and they've recently released a new song called "Illusion". Judging from their photos, it also seems like they've been around the block a few times, having already garnered a pretty steady following.  Their pictures display large, elaborate light shows complete with backdrops dedicated to their name, and seem to show that they've played in festivals that have attracted nice volumes of people.  I could see "Illusion" fitting that mold very well, for the sound is massive and ambitious.  Using some electronics to help their point, EIMIC (which stands for Everything Is Made In China) is able to create an arena-filling, atmospheric rock ballad that is driven home with distorted, fuzzy guitar licks.  Put on some nice headphones and you're in for an experience!  I've posted "Illusion" below, including the psychedelic music video if you're interested.  Afterward, check out more of their stuff on SoundCloud, with more info coming at you from Twitter, Facebook, and their homepage.  Happy deciphering!

Work Drugs

The Philly glo-fi group Work Drugs has begun prepping music fans for their 2nd album, so consider yourselves lucky, because that means new songs.  Arriving in time before the apocalypse, the band has put out a new single in celebration of their two year anniversary, "Young Lungs".  At least now we have two days to enjoy it before the world ends.  "Young Lungs" contains a lot of what you would expect from Work Drugs; it's a smooth, synth-filled jam complete with their newfound tool, the sax.  The difference is that "Young Lungs" is one of their noisier, more complex tracks to date.  Here, you won't find much empty space, and it's nice to see that extra capacity being used.  As mentioned before, "Young Lungs" will appear on their sophomore album, which is slated for a 2013 release.  Have a listen to it below to get a first taste.  For more, you can visit their respective Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud pages.

THAT WORK

Over the past couple of the weeks I've begun to realize that New York City's disco-infused group THAT WORK is one of the metro's best kept secrets.  Having only released three songs without an EP or album to their name, the band appears to be hidden with only 228 followers on SoundCloud and 390 likes of Facebook.  I am sure those numbers are going to skyrocket in the upcoming months, for these guys are just too good for them not to.  Their most recent song, "Act Like You Know", carries a synthy flare much in the same light as Holy Ghost!  When stripped to the bone, THAT WORK's material is indebted to older disco influences yet also finds ways to incorporate sounds that are much more relatable to the modern era.  "Act Like You Know" continues this pattern, coming across as an edgy, cutting jam that leaves the perfect amount of room for a dancing option. I've posted their new song "Act Like You Know" below, along with an older track entitled "Secret Lover".  Check out their SoundCloud for other songs and remixes, and then hit up Facebook for any extra info.  Enjoy!

Hints

Drawing inspiration from bands like Tears For Fears, The Church, and Orange Juice, it didn't take much for me to imagine what kind of sound the Brooklyn band Hints were trying to go for. What I wasn't expecting was how well they were going to go about it.  Hints, a four-man group, is pretty new to the scene, having just released their first single Vol. 1 on November 20th. Despite this, the band has already displayed a wonderful sense of craftsmanship; they sound confident and self-assured about the style they're trying to achieve, putting out two songs that are consistent in the jangly, bass-heavy, upbeat new wave genre that dominated the '80s.  The first track on the single, "Ritual", even includes a wonderfully constructed guitar solo that sets up "Built a Church" quite fashionably.  The great thing about Vol. 1, though, is that it's not a exact replica of what you would expect from the era they're indebted to.  Hints are not about the overdone synths, the cheesy dream effects, or the corny lyrics, for at the base of it all they're a fantastic rock band as well, extending a welcoming hand even to those who may be turned off from the '80s no matter what the cost.  Check out "Ritual" and "Built a Church" below, and then head over to their Bandcamp to snag a free download.  For more info you can jump on over to Twitter or have a visit to their homepage.  Enjoy!

Potpourri of Pearls

Philadelphia's dance pop band Potpourri of Pearls writes the kind of music that makes your ears perk up.  Soaked with influences of disco and '80s-era synth pop, Potpourri of Pearls has a quirky style that is unusual in just about every aspect. Their debut album Why does Coco cry?, which came out in late November, will keep you guessing around every track.  Part of the reason for this is that their music contains dozens of elements and goes through a multitude of changes.  Just listen to "Shadow on My Shoulder"; at times the song seems void of sound, almost coming across as no-wave, while at other moments it's entrapped in a haze of atmospheric synths.  Sometimes it's a mix of both. At the very least I've got to give credit to them for experimenting, they've certainly created a unique, and oddly catchy, world within their album.  To get a hold of Why does Coco cry? you can head over to their Bandcamp.  You can also take a visit to their SoundCloud, Twitter, Facebook for more.  While you're doing that, take a listen to "Diamond Harbor" and "Shadow on My Shoulder" below.