Tag Archives: indie

[Indie] Cheers Elephant – Airliner

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 26, 2015

Cheers Elephant
Airliner

The Philly-bred now California-based Cheers Elephant has delivered another gem. “Airliner” comes to us just a month after the band released “Speak Think”. Both singles play to a jangly power pop hunger, but where “Speak Think” airs on the safe side, “Airliner” caters to a more psychedelic world. Crafty guitar licks combed over with 60s-esque vocal harmonies and tasteful claps, this tune is destined to be the opening credits of a happy-go-lucky summer flick. Warning, it will be stuck in your head for days.

[Indie] Vundabar – Chop

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 15, 2015

Vundabar
Chop

Soundcloud

Boston’s Vundabar has nailed the mid-60s garage pop charm with their new single “Chop”. They bring the fuzzy guitars and psychedelic vocals, but with high production quality and precise arrangements. While you might expect to find a group like Vundabar on labels like Fat Possum, Autumn Tone, or Third Man, the forthcoming sophomore release (out 7/21, preorder) is set to come our way via the band’s own label, Gawk Records.

The trio has announced an ambitious two-month tour, find your show here.

[Indie] Max and the Moon – Actor

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 13, 2015

Max and the Moon
Actor

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The new pop-centric clapalong from California’s Max and the Moon has many components. It’s one part soul-searching, one part sarcasm. It’s a lyrical dash of reality with a jaded outlook. It’s a pleasant struggle between forward-facing vocals and relentless guitar undertones. It’s multiple vocal effects layered over precise and unassuming percussion elements. Mostly, it’s just fun.

MatM are in a great position for endless bloglove/radio play. Word on the street is that they have an EP slated for a June release. On that note, how fun would it be if these guys went on tour with Prides?

[Indie] Albert Hammond Jr. – Born Slippy

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 13, 2015

Albert Hammond Jr.
Born Slippy

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Albert Hammond Jr. is back! Well, he never actually left, but The Strokes’ guitarist has announced his third solo album, Momentary Masters (out 7/31 on Vagrant/BMG). “Born Slippy” is just about everything you crave from AHJ—snappy guitar licks and charming vocal melodies your brain will have a hard time shaking. It’s the kind of tune strangers will catch you doing a maniacal dance to while sitting at a stoplight.

AHJ will kick off a two month North American tour in September. Find your show here.

[Indie/Pop] Peter Bjorn and John – High Up (Take Me To The Top)

Posted by Weston Pagano - April 26, 2015

Peter Bjorn and John
High Up (Take Me To The Top)

Soundcloud

“Over the moon” is how indie pop masters Peter Bjorn and John said they felt releasing their first new original material since Gimme Some came out four long years ago, and that’s exactly where ‘High Up (Take Me To The Top)’ will bring you as well.

This soaring tune is propelled by off-kilter percussion reminiscent of their 2009 LP Living Thing, but is perhaps a sign of things to come as it stemmed from “forthcoming album-sessions” co-written with Patrick Berger, who is best known for producing artists including Robyn and Icona Pop.

‘High Up’ has been released on the Stockholm-based artist collective and record label INGRID, which Peter Bjorn and John co-founded along with fellow Swedes Lykke Li and Miike Snow, among others, and the track is featured on INGRID Volym 2, a Record Store Day exclusive double-LP of which there are only 500 copies.

[Indie/Rock] Wild Beasts – Woebegone Wanderers II

Posted by Weston Pagano - April 26, 2015

Wild Beasts
Woebegone Wanderers II

Soundcloud

Contrary to what their name evokes, Wild Beasts continue to be some of the smoothest and softest songsmiths around with unreleased track ‘Woebegone Wanderers II,’ which was premiered on Jon Hopkins Radio 1 this week.

Recorded around the time of their last release, Present Tense, which was quietly one of the best albums of 2014, the song is a continuation of ‘Woebegone Wanderers’ which appeared on the British group’s debut Limbo, Panto way back in 2008.

After gently swirling around the space in your head in that signature brooding Wild Beasts style for around two minutes, ‘Woebegone Wanderers II’ dissolves into echoing glitter for the final third, floating off until you inevitably drag it back down for yet another listen.

[Indie/Rock] Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Can’t Keep Checking My Phone

Posted by Weston Pagano - April 26, 2015

Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Can't Keep Checking My Phone

Stream Only

If you’re reading this on a mobile device we apologize for the irony.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra have revealed ‘Can’t Keep Checking My Phone’ to be their second single ahead of their third LP Multi-Love which is due out May 26th, and it’s a hand-clapping psych-soul groove.

In a newsletter sent to fans, frontman and multi-instrumentalist Ruban Nielson explains it’s about “missing somebody and that point where you refuse to accept online ‘connectivity’ as a substitute for being with someone IRL.”

Opening with a bit of meandering horns and classical guitar, ‘Can’t Keep Checking My Phone’ bounces around lyrical topics that include eating crickets, the aurora borealis, and wondering if the universe is really a hologram, all before putting the phone down and regrettably picking it up once again.

“Do you fall in love with the idea of someone? Or the chemicals they give off in person? Either way, I’ve got to get off my phone,” Nielson concludes.

TOUR DATES:
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