For Denver-based garage rockers Danny (vocals, guitar), David (bass, vocals), Chris (drums), and Zach (keys, vocals), running a punk-tinged collective named …And The Black Feathers seems strangely easy. Their new song “Scandalous” brings the kind of high octane energy that this autumn so desperately craved, and the soulful, edgy guitar drives us right into a new troublemaker mindset.
Try to stop us.
Keep up with …And The Black Feathers here.
Do you appreciate music videos packed to the brim with humor? How about smooth vocals, eighties vibes, and soft lighting? If you checked all of the “LOVE LOVE THIS THING” boxes next to those items, then go ahead and take Minneapolis musician Lady Lark‘s “Bad Thoughts” video for a spin. Actually, since we have the exclusive premiere and we’re totally into showering this hilarity and musical genius in views and shares, why don’t you go ahead and watch it several times? We are anyway, because the song is so damn catchy. While you’re at it, why not show all of your coworkers?
Thanks!
Keep up with Lady Lark here.
Memphis-based psych rock outfit Spaceface — comprised of Peter Armstrong, Jake Ingalls, Eric Martin, Matt Strong, Daniel Quinlan, and Miles Young — has produced an intricate and whirring track that we could easily see being played both in a slow motion montage of a romance film, as well as for nostalgic ambiance in shows such as This Is Us. (But we aren’t here for music supervision YET, now, are we?)
We’re big fans of the relaxed vibe that accompanies this track, the high pitched melodies and reverb that makes you feel like you’re melting into the night sky. It’s time to pull those high waisted pants out of hiding and give yourself a chance to let the past inspire you, too.
Keep your eyes peeled for the video premiere this week! Keep up with Spaceface here.
Toronto-based indie synth rock outfit Zinnia may be comprised of Rachael Cardiello, James Burrows, Chris Pruden, Connor Walsh and Mackenzie Longpre, but it feels as though their new track “Requiem” is made up of stardust. With that classic ethereal, synth-infused soundscape that we have come to expect from this act, Cardiello’s vocals serve as an anthemic reminder to the song’s listener. Add this one for a fun, psychedelic boost at your next autumn party, or sink deep into it surrounded by candles as Halloween approaches!
Keep up with Zinnia here.
California indie-pop duo Ruby Red have dropped a sultry smooth single that can be described as deeeply vibey. New track “Superbloom” is boiling over with chunky beats and thick bass, suavely melded with nostalgic synth that invites a contemporary indie spin.
Like waking up to an electro-pop disco dream, the first few seconds of “Superbloom” are washed out, before bursting forth into stunning clarity. Wavy, texturizing synths envelop echoing vocals into a hazy vacuum, their syncopation weaving as glittery guitar riffs pepper the remaining space. For all its pleasantries, the song is also lyrically hyperconscious, featuring lines like “I can’t help but feel the heat of the moment controls me / I can’t help but feel like my shoulders are weighed down by truth.”
Not to submit to cliché, but “Superbloom” truly does deftly blend many current musical styles; including chillwave, electro-pop, indie rock, hip hop, and disco. This track is what happens when Toro Y Moi meets Tame Impala – with just a dash of Post Malone-reminiscent vocals – yet it still feels innovative and brand new.
Multi-instrumentalists Daniel Laner and Fernando Fine of Ruby Red have been longtime friends since elementary school, officially forming the band in early 2018. The group released a 5-track EP in 2018 titled “LOVELOCK”, with “Superbloom” as their second single of 2019 following previous release “How It Should Feel”.
Keep up with Ruby Red here.
Alright, we are way overdue for stepping back in time with a killer soundscape to aid us. Packed to the brim with disco-era synth flare, Delores Galore‘s new album New Growth sounds a little more old school than one might assume when dissecting the album title, though it has a fresh spin with relatable lyrics and a fun, carefree feeling. (Truly, this is exactly what we needed to help us along through these slightly-more-serious months as we all meet year-end goals and continue to kick ass to end this decade right.)
“One Touch” gets us in the mood with husky vocals, glittering reverb and a vocal spoken breakdown that is equal parts honest and soulful. “Corpse Inside” has more of a psychedelic tone to it, a track that brings the tempo down, and the feelings out. “Still We Stay” follows it, much more 80s in nature, and just as magical as its predecessors. This one has an instrumental tempo that is slightly off-kilter when lined up with the vocals. This slight difference creates an otherworldly atmosphere for the duration of this dance track.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” has a very techy opening, with a soundscape that makes us feel as though we have been dropped inside an original Nintendo console to fend for our lives. The frantic feeling the instrumentals create is only slightly offset by the smoothness of the vocals, creating a balance similar to the song before it. Delores Galore rounds out the release well, with the slower tempo’d “Circles”. It feels epic, and should we find it placed in a Stranger Things-esque period piece, we wouldn’t think it out of place.
Get a sneak peek of New Growth below with “One Touch”, and keep your eyes peeled for more!
Keep up with Delores Galore here.
Rock collective Teleportal – comprised of Johnny Rossa (Vocals), Beth Liebling (Vocals and Bass), James Bourland (Guitar), and Ric Peterson (Drums) – just released a theatrical, 11-track album titled Devour that does – if not specifically that – really provide an attitude all its own. While the instrumentals of “Space Bone” introduce the collection with a dark soundscape, it lightens with the layering of new instrumentals and lighter vocals. Eventually a wailing note makes this song into what it is, and we’re transported back in time while also being pushed significantly into the future. “The Plague” has an undeniably frantic feel to its sound, energizing in its disposition, while “Disaster” evens out the tempo a bit for a more traditional rock sound. “Mansions” slows it down to that psych rock soundscape, giving us whirring guitar parts we didn’t even realize we were craving until now.
“The Organizer” dips back into classic rock, a little more of a ballad. We’re pleased with the way it pulls Rossa’s vocals to the forefront, providing this heartbreaking feeling we wouldn’t otherwise get from a different set of pipes. “Slither on the Ceiling” brings with it a funky feeling, the vocals rough and enticing. “Velvet Math” definitely feels more technical, with computerized sounds throughout and an otherworldly vocal presentation. While “Pull the Trigger” has a title that might feel a little more morbid than its predecessors, the crashing cymbals and punk rock feel make it fit right on in with several genres, including garage, punk, and classic rock.
“Ruins” slows everything down as an instrumental track driven by a classic drumbeat, while “Eel” does seem to exist in a watery, psychedelic soundscape. (The intentionality behind the undertones of the songs and their title pairings is almost poetic in itself, don’t get us started here.) “Gamma Dust” is quite possibly the perfect ending to this collection, as from beginning to end you feel an eery connectedness to the scattered percussion, haunting vocals, and layers of sound. Soothing, chaotic, intense.
Keep up with Teleportal here.
On September 27th, Ashe performed at Encore at the Uptown Theater. Our photographer caught some moody shots for us to swoon over, highlights below!
Keep up with Ashe here.
Keep up with MUNA here.
