Glo-Fidelity
With indie music bloggers living by the semi-ironic phrase “chillwave is dead” or “glo-fi is dead,” the genre has only given birth to more ambient, over-reverberated pop. The resurgence of shoegaze and dream pop has also revived those interested in textural, ethereal music. Limits of Desire is Small Black’s contribution to a genre still headed by the likes of Toro Y Moi and Washed Out. Let’s be glad they’re brave enough to do so.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Small Black
Funk You Can Funk To
Summer seems to be the time when records with good and enjoyable production pop up, with dance hits ablaze. With Daft Punk’s album on the verge of possibly ruling EDM for the rest of the year, there’s still some funky, danceable grooves making their way to your awkward solo bedroom dance-offs. AM & Shawn Lee’s second effort, La Musique Numerique, is a hot, punchy mix of disco-pop and pink lemonade.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews AM & Shawn Lee
You’ll Most Likely Love This
If you made your first foray into the world of indie rock, maybe as a young adult in the late ’90s and early 2000s, you were probably treated to echos of Belle and Sebastian-like melodies, Ben Gibbard’s brand of sad Seattle rock or clapped along to Rilo Kiley during your freshman year of college. The Boy Least Likely To has been there all along. This twee-ish duo has graced popular TV commercials and movie soundtracks without getting the proper recognition (most likely since they weren’t in some big Zach Braff-directed rom com). This English outfit drops The Great Perhaps, a cute and quirky piece of nostalgia that makes you do stupid things like wear scarves in the summer and buy a headphone splitter to listen to said album with that girl that probably hates you.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews The Boy Least Likely To
Float On
Really, what an appropriate band to come out of San Francisco. Lasting for almost 2 decades, John Dwyer and Thee Oh Sees have been, in factory-style quantities, pumping out garage-y, psychedelic punk reminiscent of what the Fuzztones and other weirdo garage acts were doing in the ’80s. Floating Coffin is just another title to throw up on the shelf with the rest. That’s not to say it’s just another notch on Thee Oh Sees’ belts. Or is it?
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Thee Oh Sees
The Spirit of ‘13
It looks like a bright Spring for fun-loving Brookyln bands this year. With hyper-punk chiptune band, Anamanaguchi, releasing their latest full-length, Endless Fantasy, next month, something needed to round that out. Team Spirit’s fast, loud take on teenage rock n’ roll is making its self-titled debut on Vice Records. Grab your shades and skateboard, kids; this is going to rule.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Team Spirit
After the War
Downtown Fullerton heroes and Long Beach residents, Cold War Kids, is THE band that “made it” outside of the L.A./Silverlake circuit in Southern California. Their past releases have spawned many copycats and inspired other great artists in the past five years, but their sound is a unique blend of bluesy pop and catchy, thoughtful So Cal indie. Dear Miss Lonelyhearts is a faithful reprisal of their signature sound with some surprises along the way.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Cold War Kids
Hissing Loudly
The latest fascination with ’90s trends, including fashion, art and music, has been steady and true. 2013 saw a new release by My Bloody Valentine and Boy Meets World is getting a spin-off series. Might as well bust out your flannel shirts. Purling Hiss is the type of band that dishes out loud, noisy rock n’ roll that, despite obvious influences, isn’t filtered through a calculated, modern lens. Water On Mars is a refreshing take on something that isn’t necessarily fresh.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Purling Hiss
Cold Cuts
Loud, fast rock n’ roll has been making a slow but steady comeback in the past couple of years, outside of the whole EDM craze. California, specifically Los Angeles, has been pumping out loud, fast and fun acts like Fidlar and Joyce Manor. The bay now has a vicious response with Hot Lunch: one part garage, two parts punk and infinite amounts of face-melting rock n’ roll. Their self-titled debut is like watching a condensed version of Dazed and Confused eight times in a row.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Hot Lunch
Not So Invisible
Helado Negro, translated from Spanish as Black Ice, is more than just electronic music sung in another language; it’s culture, history and passion all rolled into one sonic package. Roberto Lange, the man behind Helado Negro, infuses his Ecuadorian heritage into chilled out, vibe-y synths and beats. Invisible Life is his latest effort in the world of endless artists vying for attention in the electronic world, albeit sounding effortless and as easy as possible. Read more…
By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews Helado Negro
(Girls)
Since 2010, Parenthetical Girls have been releasing a series of EP’s titled Privilege. The band then decided to compile all of the EPs into an abridged album, simply called Privilege (Abridged). For fans who weren’t able to find those limited and/or vinyl-only gems, releasing box sets is a brilliant idea– especially since there are still many who refuse to give in to digital media.
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By Terence Calacsan Posted in Reviews parenthetical girls
