New York-based indie pop trio VHS Collection – expertly comprised of long-time friends James Bohannon, Conor Cook, and Nils Vanderlip – released their new 12-track stunner, Retrofuturism, on Friday. With vocals reminiscent of The Kooks, first track “One” explodes into an interesting cacophony of sound effects and percussion that will get your head spinning, yet better prepared for what’s to come. “I Can’t Stand It” deconstructs the album a bit, keeping a good dance pace loaded with a little more attitude, while “Take My Money” makes you feel like you should be donning clothing of yesteryear, putting on your favorite pair of shades in slow motion.
“Sign” modernizes the sound even more, though keeping it glittering and 80s-inspired, magnetic in its disposition. “Blame It On A Dream” bounces into a layered version of what you might hear in a hip hotel lobby, “American Cynic” bounces back into intense, late 80s MTV vibes, though “The Otherside” slows it all down for us, the instrumentals harnessing energy from late 90s love songs as we head into the intense, hard-hitting sounds of “Animal”. While ninth track “What Does It Mean” takes on an “80s slow dance at prom” vibe, tenth track “Break” is a track music supervisors should keep their ears on for any upcoming coming-of-age projects, if we’re being completely honest.
“Feel It Boy” is energetic, fun, and something we can get on board with lyrically and sonically. “Fade Out” takes on a more contemporary pop sound that slightly overshadows the 80s vibes, with quirky percussion and beautiful, entrancing lyrics. It rounds the album out quite nicely, and gets us in the mood for a dance party like no other.
Today, Berlin-based alternative indie pop quartet The Flavians – comprised of Liam Blomqvist, Anna Vaverková, Tom Wills, and Joakim Jägerhult – releases their latest single “Non Stop Fun (All I Wanted)” along with an entertaining throwback of a music video. The song itself has vocal parts reminiscent of 60’s folk/pop stars, the tongue-in-cheek video comprised of scenes of a man’s life that one might find particularly dull – traveling on public transit, getting yelled at at the office, getting a drink in a dark bar – that, when etched together, tell a story most anyone can relate to.
Indie pop musician Paul Jacks is ready to share his latest single “Laid to Rest” with the world, and we’ve got your first listen! With glittering vocals laid over 80s pop perfect synthesizers and a lighthearted disposition, “Laid to Rest” provides us that warmth that only a John Hughes movie could do adequately, as we melt into our own teen flick dreams.
Indie pop-rock collective Roaming Herds of Buffalo releases their new album Mountain Rabbit today, and we’re blown away by the way the entire collection induces an energy field no matter what setting you listen to it in. Beginning with the fast paced “Does NOT Exist”, second track “Judgment Day” brings the pace down, but not the crashing of cymbals nor the hard guitar chords that we’ve come to know and love of this band. By “Into The Void”, we’re pleased to realize the vocal nods to the 60s and 70s will be a mainstay, indulging in the soft and glittering instrumentals of the third track.
This album truly leads you on an audible journey, a storyline attached at every turn. It’s colorful and interesting, bouncing from topic to topic while treating its listener to a soundscape unlike most others. The change of tempo after the intro in “Ray Gun” is sublime, the throwback punk feels of “Brain Stem!” really rev you up, and the title track feels like its from another world. “Dressed Like Sheep” brings it to a simpler acoustic sound, allowing the album to round out in a more delicate and light-hearted way. But the subject matter is another thing altogether…
New York-based indie pop collective Big Spirit has a little treat up their sleeve for us. The music video for their track “Spanish Avenue” – off their Get This album – is ready for your curious eyes, and we have the exclusive premiere! The steady beat – provided by fast percussion – sets the tone, the video dark and brooding. The song itself is reminiscent of an 80’s dream, the visual something that fits in quite well, displaying singer Sed Pepper’s performance tactics… and, of course, his dance skills. The video seems intimate, focusing on Pepper as he sings directly into your soul.
Los Angeles-based indie pop duo slenderbodies keeps stocking us with amazing new tracks to enjoy, this time with new single “The One”. Slow, textured guitar chords own the soundscape as instrumentals and light as a feather vocals intricately layer over it. It’s one of our favorites of the season so far, make it yours too!
San Jose-based indie pop/electronica singer/songwriter Anja Kotar has a new music video for her enticing single “Coltrane”, and we’re lucky enough to be hosting the exclusive premiere. Her soulful, robust vocals dance effortlessly across a soundscape you can’t help but move to when you hear it. Kotar displays her playful side while she sings into the mirror while applying makeup. She also splashes around in a tub, dances in sandals, and hangs out around her home, seen through rose-colored glasses.
Alternative indie rock music project The March Divide – from brainchild Jared Putnam – has a million tour dates ahead of him, but that didn’t stop him from releasing the brand new animated music video for the single “To All My Friends”. The song itself feels like a feel-good 90s indie pop track-meets-alt-rock/pop track from the oughts, and the visuals are brilliant and eye opening, to say the least. Explains Jared of the work:
I reached out to director and animator, Harold Loeffler-Bell, to do some videos for songs from my new album ‘Anticipation Pops.’ Harry really has a way of communicating the songs, in a simple and completely accurate way. Being shielded, while everything is falling down around you, perfectly explains the attitude and emotion of the trilogy of animated videos he created for the songs ‘I Don’t Care,’‘Overexposure,’ and now, ‘To All My Friends.’ Sometimes we need some help from our friends, to make it through.
We are lucky enough to be hosting the exclusive premiere of the video, so get your peepers on the work below!
Tour Dates:
09/26/2018: St. Louis, MO @ Heavy Anchor
09/27/2018: Kansas City, MO @ Davey’s Uptown
10/05/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Fralo’s
10/06/2018: Houston, TX @ House Show (w/Brightwire)
10/15/2018: Norman, OK @ Red Brick Bar
10/16/2018: Tulsa, OK @ The Hunt Club
10/17/2018: Oklahoma City, OK @ The Root
10/18/2018: Wichita, KS @ Kirby’s Beer Store
10/19/2018: Colorado Springs, CO @ TBA
10/20/2018: Denver, CO @ Monkey Barrel
10/21/2018: Boulder, CO @ Laughing Goat
10/23/2018: Taos, NM @ Adobe Bar
10/24/2018: Albuquerque, NM @ Red Door Brewing Company
10/25/2018: Montrose, CO @ Intrinzik
10/26/2018: Steamboat Springs, CO @ Auram
10/27/2018: Fallon, NV @ Telegraph
10/28/2018: Reno, NV @ Foxy Olive
10/29/2018: Sedona, AZ @ Vino Di Sedona
10/30/2018: Bisbee, AZ @ The Quarry
10/31/2018: El Paso, TX @ House Show (w/Sleepspent)
11/01/2018: Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroot
11/02/2018: Amarillo, TX @ The 806
11/03/2018: Wichita Falls, TX @ Gypsy Uncorked
11/08/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Limelight (Full Band)
11/09/2018: Lubbock, TX @ Downtown Social Club (Full Band)
11/15/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Joe Blues
11/16/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Southtown 101
11/17/2018: San Antonio, TX @ The Point
12/02/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Fralo’s
12/07/2018: Ocean Springs, MS @ Greenhouse on Porter
12/06/2018: Butte La Rose, LA @ Willow Atchafalaya
12/13/2018: Ashville, NC @ French Broad Brewing
12/15/2018: Kansas City, MO @ The KC House
12/16/2018: Oklahoma City, OK @ Sauced
12/18/2018: Tulsa, OK @ The Hunt Club
12/19/2018: Oklahoma City, OK @ The Root
12/20/2018: Dallas, TX @ Adair’s Saloon
12/21/2018: Norman, OK @ Red Brick Bar
12/22/2018: Wichita Falls, TX @ Gypsy Uncorked
12/29/2018: San Antonio, TX @ Fralo’s
San Luis Obispo-based indie pop duo Soft People – comprised of married couple Caleb Nichols and John Metz – are following up their 2017 debut American Man with quirky, upbeat new track “I Saw the Moon!” Soaked in reverb that makes the song feel a bit more ethereal than its pop sound would otherwise express, we’re in love with the energy “I Saw The Moon!” provides. Check it out below!
