New York – Montreal four-piece Heat, comprised of Susil Sharma (vocals, guitar), Matthew Fiorentino (guitar), Raphael Bussieres (bass) and Alex Crow (guitar) have been a band for the past few years, but have only recently settled into their current four-piece lineup. Currently reissuing 2014’s self-titled EP under new title Rooms, which includes the two new
Chicago – U.K. duo Nai Harvest is back with LP number two, or what guitarist Ben Thompson calls their “proper” debut. Hairball (Top Shelf Records) is a change of pace for Nai Harvest, previously known for making emo girls swoon with 2013’s Whatever (Dog Knights Productions). Thompson and drummer Lew Currie held on to that
Los Angeles - There is a specific calmness beneath the atmospheric Deep In The Iris (on Arbutus Records), the third LP from the Montreal trio, Braids. The electronic art-rock act brings an accessible melodic charm to the new record, which serves as their follow-up to 2013’s Flourish // Perish. Singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston and her partners Taylor
Nashville - Brooklyn-based San Fermin have just released Jackrabbit, their sophomore album (on Downtown Records) that follows their 2013 self-titled debut. Two years after San Fermin, the band has moved into a more grounded sound, though it’s just as spontaneous and investigational as their very first release. However, there’s an earthiness to Jackrabbit that doesn’t exist within
Los Angeles – Just in time for summer, Peach Kelli Pop is back with a third full length release, aptly titled III. Bursting at the seams with over-caffeinated punk tempos and sugar sweet pop melodies and harmonies, on the surface it would seem these 10 songs deal with nothing more than hair care products, clothing
Los Angeles – Speedy Ortiz’s Foil Deer kicks off with a measured, angular guitar riff that descends into discordant noise and then suddenly halts, allowing Sadie Dupuis’ attention-getting vocal work to take center stage for a few seconds. While the song, “Good Neck,” never makes it to the two-minute mark, serves as the perfect encapsulation
Chicago – Every so often you discover a band in its infancy and enjoy the pleasures of watching it grow into something even more magical than ever imagined. The Ballroom Thieves are one such band for me. I first discovered the Boston trio of guitarist Martin Earley, percussionist Devin Mauch, and cellist Calin “Callie” Peters
Los Angeles – Valerie Teicher, the mastermind producer behind Tei Shi, would certainly be considered a citizen of the world if there ever was one. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Teicher also called the Colombian capital of Bogata home, as well as the Canadian cities of Quebec and Vancouver – all while she was still
Portland – Dublin’s five-piece indie folk outfit Villagers, headed by mastermind Conor O’Brien, have succeeded in producing an album full of beauty and sincerity, a serene interlude to the madness of the outside world. Villagers’ exquisite Darling Arithmetic is the band’s third album of beautifully crafted new-wave indie folk. Its predecessors, 2010’s Becoming A Jackal
Los Angeles – The elusive Australian rock act Gang of Youths have been releasing incredible singles over the past few years. Their brooding, anthem-driven melodies are irresistibly captivating to say the very least. After honing their craft during this stretch of time, the quintet has finally assembled enough tunes for a full-length release. The Positions