Seattle – Sleigh Bells has always toyed with the line between loud noise-rock and jangle-pop, a combination that’s somehow seems to work. The Brooklyn duo released its third album, “Bitter Rivals”, October 8th and with it, has proven that the combination alone isn’t a recipe for success. Bitter Rivals is not the most listenable album from the
Chicago – From afar, Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein, the brains behind the Detroit dreamy pop duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. could be mistaken for more novelty act than noble musicians. There’s the peculiar band name, outlandish sport coats, and collection of catchy EPs that while cute and quaint, are hard to distinguish amongst the
Chicago – Experimental ambient electronic artist Daniel Lopatin, better known as his recording name Oneohtrix Point Never, is back with his Warp Records debut, “R Plus Seven”, an album of instrumental atmospheres that would go great with its own computer screensaver visualizations. Two years removed after his album “Replica”, an excellent ode to early 90’s
London – As most 16 year olds have been returning to school over the past few weeks, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, better known as Lorde, has been preparing for the launch of her highly anticipated debut album “Pure Heroine”. Since being signed to Universal Music in her native New Zealand at the age of 13, Lorde
Seattle – The ironic thing about Ty Sygall’s latest album, Sleeper was that no one could imagine a time between touring, festivals and writing new albums for countless side projects when Segall and his crew actually find time to sleep. Just over a month after the August release of Sleeper, Segall and his latest project Fuzz
Los Angeles – It’s that quickening, climactic moment in every action adventure movie ever made. When the hero of the story is about to enter the arena of whatever he’s trying to accomplish, and everything hangs in the balance. And then—a sweeping, epic song comes on. A lofty, aspirational, drum beat to push him to
Los Angeles – The ‘90s are back. If a trip to Urban Outfitters doesn’t convince you, this album will. Haim (pronounced High-im) is comprised of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, 27, 24 and 21 respectively, and drummer Dash Hutton, and you’ve probably heard whisperings of them for at least a few months now. Already well-known
London – In the recent folk revival coming out of Southern England (think Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, Noah and the Whale) one artist has somewhat slipped under the radar. Originally born in South Africa, Johnny Flynn moved over to Hampshire early in life and announced himself onto the UK music scene along with his
The natural habitat of the Night Beats is in a cold, rainy alleyway in hometown Seattle or riding an ominously dark tour van or on a dark club’s stage. The natural habitat of the Night Beats is not in a recording studio; it’s been two years since we’ve gotten to hear new music from Seattle
While listening to “Possibilities”, the latest EP from the up and coming Austin, TX outfit Saints of Valory, there’s sort of a parallel to watching a movie like “October Sky” or perhaps even “Cool Runnings.” First is the overwhelmingly optimistic aesthetic that no matter where you are bound to geographically, barriers and obstacles can