After a short hiatus, we’re back with a new mix, summing up our best new coverage, plus the new tunes that really struck me during the week of May 19-25. Kristen hung out at Hangout Festival in Alabama, citing The Kingston Springs as the band that topped the Saturday lineup. She also noted that “Their crowd, a new generation of young people, got lost in the perpetual groove of the spectacle.” Daniel caught synth pop Detroit duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. in Los Angeles, and was most intrigued by the previously unheard tracks the band played, in support of their Record Store EP release. Brigit reviewed Just Handshakes’s debut full-length, Say It, declaring “Whether seeking a summer-ready single or a song for thought, Say It delivers.” Our Artist of the Week was Santa Monica surf pop band Cayucas, who caught our attention (and not just our attention) with their “elements of bright, sunny indie pop with modern rock sensibilities.”
I’ve been all up in AM & Shawn Lee’s album La Musique Numerique this past week, especially new single “All The Love.” This one is a dance JAM. Get on up, get down to this.
The story of Pure Bathing Culture: Former members of Vetiver, Daniel Hindman and Sarah Versprille form their own dreamy soul band, make people smile every town they play.
Dream pop band Jesse Ruins released their debut album, A Film, on May 21. They also seem to have a penchant for girl names in their songs, and sound romantic and sparkly.
Pity Sex is a band from Ann Arbor that really reminds me of Yuck. “Yuck” was also my initial reaction at their name, but I’m still such a sucker for this sound that I won’t hold it against them.
I’m also a sucker for themes of unity, which Tying Tiffany pulls off in their new video for “One Place,” made up of fan-submitted clips from all over the world.
Seattle’s Rose Windows unleashed a second single from their Sub Pop debut, “Wartime Lovers,” a sultry one that shows them digging deep in to musical history to bring out the best of themselves.
Tessa Rose Jackson describes her own sound as a “more accessible Feist and a slightly poppier Fleet Foxes, with a nod to Ray Lamontagne and a bit of Edward Sharpe.” It’s quirky, kooky, and definitely catchy.
Baby Alpaca also released another official single, “Wild Child.” Interestingly, it’s kept at a midtempo pace, but the message is a clear one of being true to yourself and directed at anyone who is inclined to pass judgement on what they don’t understand. I gotta say though, I think they’re preachin’ to the choir on this one.
Tracklist:
Cayucas – “High School Lover”
AM & Shawn Lee – “All The Love”
Tessa Rose Jackson “Stepping Stone”
Rose Windows – “Wartime Lovers”
The Kingston Springs – “Weight of the World”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)”
Pure Bathing Culture – “Ivory Coast”
Pity Sex – “Wind-Up”
Just Handshakes – “London Bound”
Jesse Ruins – “Laura is Fading”
Tying Tiffany – “One Place”
Baby Alpaca – “Wild Child”
BONUS Video: Scout Niblett, who’s new track “Gun” is her at maybe her most badass yet, also now has a video to go along with it. Watch her dress up as Snow White, go to an amusement, ride the rides, oblige some photo ops, and play a blow up guitar.
Pure Bathing Culture photo by Parker Fitzgerald
