New York – After a quick holiday lull, all things music are back with a burst out of the gate, full of renewed energy, but also the need for more quiet moments of reflection. This past week’s coverage and new releases are exactly that. Bridget punked out with Scotland’s PAWS (shown above) at Barboza in Seattle, as part of a small but dedicated crowd moving to the fast paced “pretty aggressive indie-punk). Over in London, James articulated the reason “why Half can sell out venues of this size without dominating charts. The band’s songs connect with their audience in a way that sales data and airplay stats could never represent.” In album reviews, Ruth provides an interesting interpretation of Gap Dream’s Shine Your Light, which I also can’t decide how serious it’s meant to be taken, at face value or deeper, but either way I can relate to needing to find a “Chill Spot just to organize my mind.”
In new release news, Portland’s experimental pop band Aan have announced their debut album, Amor Ad Nauseum, will be out February 4th on Party Damage. They also shared lead single “I Don’t Need Love,” which to me sounds like something between Alt-J and Cap’n Jazz. Yeah I’d say that qualifies as experimental. See our review of the first trip to Los Angeles here.
“The Letterbomb” is the newest groove from Milagres, a track off their forthcoming sophomore LP on Kill Rock Stars. Violent Light already sounds like a perfect title, with the contrasting and tension-filled bounce of this first single.
Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs is back, with more of what fans already love about them in the form of “Red Eyes.” More where that came from too, with a full U.S. tour in the new year, in support of new album Lost In The Dream, out in March.
Ariel Pink has teamed up with Jorge Elbrecht to form Jorge Elbrose, a band that puts a little more shoegaze in their psych pop in the catchy melancholic collaborative track “Called to Ring,” a standout track off the Mexican deluxe hardcover book, coming out in commemoration of five years of great releases from the label.
Daptone soul singer Charles Bradley recently kicked off his winter tour, and offered up new track “Ain’t It A Sin,” from his Record Store Day 7 inch.
Pesaro, Italy’s Be Forest debuted first single “Colours” from their upcoming full-length album, Earthbeat, to be released Feb 4. Their dark and ethereal dream pop is largely inspired by their hometown, which the band describes as “not a city for young people, there are less and less venues to play at, especially during the winter. Perhaps this lack is exactly what motivates kids to embrace music so passionately.”
The Lowest Pair is a duo of banjos, formed by two musicians who already have decent cult following on their own, to make what could turn into the most fruitful of their labors yet.
Tracklist
Aan – “I Don’t Need Love”
PAWS – “Bloodline”
Milagres – “The Letterbomb”
The War on Drugs – “Red Eyes”
Jorge Elbrose – “Called To Ring”
Gap Dream – “Chill Spot”
Charles Bradley – “Ain’t It A Sin”
Be Forest – “Colours”
The Lowest Pair – “Living is Dying”
Half Moon Run – “21 Gun Salute”
