Spirits of Leo: Anastasia

 

Anastasia is the new album from Northern California dreampop artist Spirits of Leo, aka Ryan Santos Phillips. Reverby and atmospheric, the ten tracks come at you like a hazy dream on a rainy night. Crisp production and melodic guitar parts sweep through laid back vocals, expanses of ambient fills and driving beats. A sensual vibe made for intimate listening. Stream and download Anastasia at the link below.

 



Principe Valiente: Take Me With You Video

FZB favorites Principe Valiente have released a stunning video for their track Take Me With You. Watch it below.

Stereostar Sixty Nine: A...way Video

French rockers Stereostar Sixty Nine have a cool new video for their track A..way. Check it out below.

Heartbeat: Perfect Fit EP

 

Perfect Fit is the debut EP from Cologne, Germany based duo Heartbeat, aka Kati Camara and  Ray Novacane. The six tracks are intimate, dreamy pop songs with crisp production, danceable beats and chill instrumentals. The real standout here though are the soulful vocals of Camara. Her stunning voice and complete grasp of Philly soul styling makes this EP a must have. Stream and download Perfect Fit at the link below.

 

Mrs. Magician: B-Sides

 

FZB favorites Mrs. Magician are releasing an album of B-Sides and rarities on July 30, but you can hear them now on the group's Bandcamp page. The San Diego garage rockers are one of the best bands around at present, both on record and live. From raw lo-fi to melodic power pop Mrs. Magician perform at a high level. The 17 tracks on this album give a great view into the musical evolution of a band that will be a major force going forward. Stream B-Sides at the link below.

 



The Illegal Wiretaps: Yay Commie! :D

 

Yay Commie! :D is the latest album from Houston experimental duo The Illegal Wiretaps. The nine tracks are darkish affairs with lots of imaginative synth sounds and vocals that go from baritone crooning to lo-fi treatises.  This album blends elements of noise with synthpop to build a dense yet accessible sonic barrage of unique post-punk music. Stream and download Yay Commie! :D at the link below.

 



Mirror Kisses: Heartbeats

 

Synthpop maestro and FZB favorite Mirror Kisses, aka George Clanton, is back with a new album, Heartbeats. The eight tracks are the embodiment of 80's R&B infused synthpop. Intimate, with crisp retro production and chill beats, Mirror Kisses continues to release nothing but winners. Like a fine wine, Clanton's music just get better with age. Stream and buy Heartbeats at the link below.

 





The Sorry Shop: Mnemonic Syncretism

 

Mnemonic Syncretism is the sophomore album from Brazilian artists The Sorry Shop.  The 10 tracks are a journey down a lo-fi highway that goes from dense pop to heavy shoegaze. Dark and atmospheric, with pushed back vocals and a vibe that pulls the listener into the depths of the music. This is an interesting and original album, whose aesthetic is compelling. Stream Mnemonic Syncretism at the link below.

 



Disco Teen '66: Disco Teen '66

 

Connecticut garage rockers Disco Teen '66 will release their debut album on May 25th. This is a raw, lo-fi affair with 8 tracks of pure power. A pronounced punk aesthetic, blends with some alt rock touches to make for fine debut effort. The music is fun and the production gives the whole album the feel of a live set. You can stream the album at the link below.

 

Hey Anna: Pompette

 

So here's one we have really been waiting for. NYC band Hey Anna have released their new EP Pompette. Hey Anna are big favorites at FZB and this new EP is a testament to why. The four tracks are some of the best and most engaging pop music we've heard in a long time. Beautiful vocals, with towering harmonies, all wrapped in great instrumentals. That pretty much says it all. This EP is a must have. Stream and down Pompette at the link below.



Nom Bizarre: Vertigo Cap

 

Vertigo Cap is the debut album from Chicago artist Nom Bizarre, aka Darryl Pierson. The thirteen tracks are a genre bending journey through indietronic, funk, art-rock, glo-fi and about any other indie associated genre one would care to name.  The best way to describe this record is theatrical, in the sense of an early Bowie or David Byrne, but with glitchy synths and a thoroughly modern approach to musicality. Highly original and unique, Pierson delivers music that will challenge the listener, but for those up to it, the rewards will be great. Stream and buy Vertigo Cap at the link below.

 



Doctrines: ANX

 

ANX is the new album from UK rockers and FZB favorites, Doctrines. The nine tracks are a dynamic blend of alt rock and punk. Heavy, in your face and raw, ANX will wake you up better than your morning coffee and won't stain your teeth. We love Doctrines' edgy brand of rock and think you will too. Steam and buy the digital release, or better yet, the limited edition translucent purple vinyl at the link below.

 



Crystal Shipsss: Crystal Shipsss

 

Today marks the release of the new self-titled EP by Berlin based band Crystal Shipsss. Regular readers of this blog will recognize the band as one of our very favorite, period. Led by Jacob Faurholt, Crystal Ships deliver a stirring mix of lo-fi, post-punk and just effing wonderful music. This EP is available as a limited edition cassette from our friends at Mouca in Europe and also from Three Rings Records in the U.S. The digital version is available for streaming and to buy at the link below, on Faurholt's own Raw Onion Records. Grab this one now. You'll be glad you did.

 



Carroll: Needs

 

Needs is the debut EP from Minneapolis psychedelic band Carroll. A soulful feeling is the first thing that grabs you about this record. The five tracks wander through melodic dreampop instrumental passages and pouty vocals. Laced with glitchy synths, the tracks are intimate musings about life. Crisp production finishes off the EP, with the whole package being pleasing from start to finish. Stream and download Needs at the link below.

 



Ketch Harbour Wolves: Queen City Vol. 1

 

Queen City Vol. 1 is the new album from Toronto indie rock band Ketch Harbour Wolves.  This is the first of an unspecified number of concept albums from the band reflecting the historic and  contemporary urban experience of Toronto. The eight tracks create a sonic map of specific sites within the city (Leslie Spit, Prince Edward Viaduct, Toronto Dominion Centre), with the lyrical content weaving together  the history, mythology, and personal reflections on the city. This is a beautiful and compelling album that should be part of everyone's collection. Stream Queen City Vol. 1 at the link below.

 

Dead Leaf Echo: Thought & Language

 

Thought & Language is the debut full length album from Brooklyn shoegazers Dead Leaf Echo. The eleven tracks are what the band calls Nouveau Wave and there is a retro new wave feel to the record. The record has a strong dreampop sensibility with melodic guitars and reverb laden vocals. A powerful rock aesthetic also shines through on the tracks. Dead Leaf Echo have a powerful unique sound. This is a must have for everyone's collection. Stream and buy Thought & Language at the link below.

 



The Rest Say Goodbye

 

After a decade, FZB favorites The Rest are calling it a day. The Hamilton, Ontario band of Adam Bentley, Blake Bowman, Dwayne Brydon, Matty Buzanko, Anna Jarvis, Steve T. Jones and Jordan Mitchell have been featured on this blog many times with their music and videos. Even though the band is ending its tenure, we are sure the fine music they made will live on. Stream and buy their records at the links below.

 



Yourself In Peace: Infrarealist EP

 

The Infrarealist EP is the sophomore release from L.A. based shoegaze artists Yourself In Peace. Blending elements of synthpop, noise, hip-hop and garage, the duo of Justin Corrál and Westley Ulit deliver five tracks of lo-fi rock. The vocals have a muffled, understated quality to them, while the instrumentals lead out front with fuzzy guitars, minimalist beats and imaginative synths. Stream and buy Infrarealist EP at the link below.

 



Restorations: LP2

 

LP2 is the new album from Philadelphia indie rock band Restorations. Starting with a hard rock core, the nine tracks blend a post-punk intensity, with radio ready alt rock production that never seems to loose the feeling of a live performance. Jon Loudon's vocals growl and strain with a rawness that gives a compelling edge to the music. Interspersed with melodic guitar parts, the intensity keeps coming at you with each track. Turn this one up. Stream and buy LP2 at the link below.

 

Dreamgrl: Heavy Sin

 

Heavy Sin is the debut album from Vancouver synthpop duo Dreamgrl. The seven tracks are glitchy combinations of darkish synths and unique vocals, mated to well placed samples and hip-hop influences. Dreamgrl take their highly original sound into radio ready tracks that push genre boundries, but with a cohesive feel that holds the album together. Slick production with plenty of space finish off this record in fine style. Stream and Heavy Sin at the link below.