The Missing Season: To The Fire

Rennes, France is the home to an indie music scene that is producing some very fine music. FZB has recently reviewed Trunks and We Only Said, and now has the pleasure of introducing you to the latest album from The Missing Season. To The Fire is a beautiful work featuring 13 tracks of freak folk standouts. If you like Mumford and Sons or Fleet Foxes, than To The Fire will be a treat to your ears. Ranging from lush and melodic to heavy and driving, this folk inspired quintet delivers on every track. The Missing Season miss nothing in producing excellent music. Stream and download To The Fire at the link below.

New Video: Idaho Impaler

Jeffrey Martin, otherwise known as Idaho, released a new video of the Idaho track Impaler.

Live Video: Peter Kernel Mind Your Head #6

Recently reviewed band Peter Kernel look and sound great in this video of them live in Paris.

We Only Said: We Only Said

The self-titled album, We Only Said, is the work of artist/producer Florian Marzano, who also plays with the recently reviewed French band Trunks. Marzano makes post-punk music that ranges stylistically from alt rock, to indie rock, to freak folk. Like Trunks, We Only Said features a high level of musicianship, excellent production and fine songwriting. Marzano is an artist that has a lot to offer musically. Stream and download We Only Said at the link below.

Pinemarten: If You Thought There Was Any Doubt


UK dreamwave artist/producer Pinemarten just released his latest album, If You Thought There Was Any Doubt. Those into Washed Out, Neon Indian and Toro y Moi need to listen to Pinemarten. The album has Pinemarten's signature lush sound. The nine tracks are huge in their scope, the music perfectly compliments the vocals, the production is flawless and the whole package is a superlative synthpop record. Pinemarten just gets better with every release. Stream and buy If You Thought There Was Any Doubt at the link below.

Anna Aaron: A Sun Shines on Aimee Video

In this video Anna Aaron performs a simply staged and extremely beautiful acoustic version of her track A Sun Shines on Aimee. Let some light into your Saturday with this.

Trunks Video: Screaming Idiots

Here's a video for the Trunks track Screaming Idiots. Check out the review of their latest album On The Roof just below.

Trunks: On The Roof



Rennes, France is the home to  post-punk band Trunks. Their latest album, On The Roof, is a hard edged blend of noise, experimental and in your face rock. Jagged sax lines and driving guitars abound. When the band turns downtempo the music is as beautiful and lush as smooth satin sheets. On The Roof brims with superlative musicianship and imaginative songs. Stream and buy On The Roof at the link below.

New Snowmine Video: Curfews

Here's a cool video of Snowmine doing an acousatic version of their track Curfews. Set in a chuech with stunning video quality.

Grandpa Was A Lion: Video For The Light

The Light is a great new song from Grandpa Was A Lion. Check out the NYC live shot video below.

New Dog Day Video: Part Girl

New video from FZB favorite Dog Day, for the track Part Girl. This is one of the best tracks from the duo and the video pairs home style shots with live footage. Check it out at the link below.

Through a Glass, Darkly: Be My Guest EP

Through a Glass, Darkly is the Sydney, Australia trio of Dave Low, Lachie Street,and Amelia Sim. On their debut EP, Be My Guest, they deliver a powerful blend of indie and alternative rock, laced with blues and progressive influences. What emerges is a unique sound that has a compelling feel and edgyness. High musicianship, abundant hooks and crisp production make this a debut EP not to be missed. Stream and download Be My Guest at the link below.

Blaine L. Reininger: Music for Dance and Theater

Music for Dance and Theater is the latest album from legendary American artist/composer Blaine L. Reininger. best know for his work with the seminal cult band Tuxedomoon in the late 1970's. Music for Dance and Theater is a collection of works recorded by Reininger in 2010 and 2011 for stage productions from 5 different Greek directors and choreographers. Music for Dance and Theater is an epic work melding classical influences with post-punk, minimalist and electronic textures. Dark and brooding, the 14 tracks are transformative in their depth. Rock has yielded a scant few composers that can stand with the greats of classical music. Reininger is one of them. Stream and buy Music For Dance and Theater at the link below.

New Pinemarten Video: Change Your Mind

Here's a nice video treatment for the Pinemarten track, Change Your Mind, from his new album being released November 28th.

Yawn: Open Season

Open Season is the new album from Chicago pop band Yawn. The band has grown with this album and are gaining much wider recognition. Yawn is currently on tour with the Kooks. The 11 tracks on Open Season range in texture from indie, to electropop, to an industrial feel. Yawn delivers on every track. Stream and buy Open Season at the link below.

New Yawn Video - Acid

Psychedelic video for the chicago band Yawn track Acid. Watch for a review of their new album open season tomorrow.

Ric Gordon Video Premier: Enceladus

Here is the new video for my dark ambient track Enceladus, from The Paradox Illusion album. Please like me on Facebook by using the link in the column on the right.

Giraffage: Comfort

FZB favorite Giraffage has released his debut full length album Comfort. The work of San Francisco producer/artist Charlie Yin, Giraffage impressed with his Pretty Things EP back in May. Giraffage fulfills the promise of that EP with a sterling album full of synthpop goodness. This chillwave/dreampop artist continues to evolve the genre with excellent songs, production and musicianship. Giraffage is an artist we pick to become a leader in synthpop for years to come. Get with him. Stream and download Comfort at the link below.

Dress Rehearsal: The Lazy River Road Single

Toronto band Dress Rehearsal just released a new single that is the harbinger of the band's trancendence to the status of major players. The tracks River Blue and Morning Grey are some of the best new freak folk I've heard in a long while. Fans of Mumford and Sons and Fleet Foxes will find the best elements of both in Dress Rehearsal's music. The two tracks on The Lazy River Road are more melodic than the former and heavier than the latter.The songs are beautiful, driving and delicately intricate.  This single is great and one can only hope that a full length is to follow not to far behind. Stream and download The Lazy River Road for free at the link below.

Desert Family: Desert Family

Desert Family is the self-titled debut album from this California band. The ten tracks of power pop feature catchy riffs, powerful vocals, abundent hooks and distinct blues roots. Rather than catching the trend of making heavy garage band blues, Desert Familly go the pop route sharing influences from Philly soul to Memphis blues. Desert Family deliver some welcome variety from the usual in indie music. Stream and download Desert Family for free at the link below.

Eworks: Radio Filth EP

The Radio Filth EP is the latest work from French electronic artist Eworks. The EP includes three original tracks and two remixes of the title track. Energetic and at times darkly ambient, Eworks conjures up a broad electronic palette to create tracks that are deceptive in their complexity, while remaining simple in sound. Minimalist beats complete the picture, giving the listener a sonic experience that will remain interesting over repeated plays. Stream and buy the Radio Filth EP at the link below.

New Video From My First Earthquake, We Float

Here's a trippy new video from My First Earthquake for their track We Float.

Behavior: New York Times

New York Times is the latest EP from NYC dream pop trio Behavior. The five tracks have a lo-fi production texture, heavy reverb on out back vocals and up front synths. The guitars supply wondeful accents and harmonies with interesting phrasing. While the drums are prominent, the bass is, unfortunately, largely lost in the mix. There is a distinct post-punk influence on New York Times and a generally edgier feel than one would find from California dream pop bands. Given the dirth of beach music this year, Behavior are a welcome change that shows the genre has more legs to it. Stream and download New York Times at the link below.

Dempsey: Dempsey

Dempsey is the self-titled debut EP from this San Francisco synthpop duo. The six tracks have a bolder production quality than the usual run of chillwave artists. The beats are heavier, the synths are heavier, there is the occational lo-fi-aesthetic and twangy, reverby guitars, while the vocals are strong, not pushed back. Dempsey gives us an evolution of synthpop, where the genre moves closer to both electronica and indie rock. The whole package is a welcome blend of the best of these influences. Dempsey do it right and the result is a sterling debut EP. Stream and download Dempsey at the link below.

Flatsound: Cassette Recordings

Cassette Recordings is the latest album from California artist Flatsound. Cassette Recordings is a lo-fi album that, rather than having that noisy lo-fi genre sound, is actually recorded as lo-fi as it gets. The nine tracks were recorded on a RadioShack VOX voice activated cassette recorder. This production aesthetic gives the tracks a legitimate feel that enhances the forlorn themes of the lyrics. The album ranges from haunting folk textures to dark garage ambience and serves as a tonal poem illustrating Flatsound's morose journey. Stream and buy Cassette Recordings at the link below.

Peter Kernel: White Death & Black Heart

White Death & Black Heart is the latest album from Swiss post punk band Peter Kernel. Hard and very edgy, White Death & Black Heart is a record that belongs in everyone's collection. Peter Kernel deliver a post punk aesthetic that harkens back to Gang of Four or the Stranglers. While many influences come to mind in listening to this record, the major impression is that this is a highly original work. One that melds all that went before into a truly unique sound and take on songwriting. Stream three tracks and buy White Death & Black Heart at the link below.

Guards: Guards EP

The New York powerhouse known as Guards impress with their self-titled debuit EP. Fresh from shredding the Stride Soundstage in their TV debut on Fuel's Daily Habit, Guards is poised to become a major force in indie rock. The seven tracks range from lo-fi retro influenced power pop to balls out garage rock. Guards even get help on the track Sail It Slow from indie darlings Cults. Bands this good rarely come around. The best part is that the Guards EP is still available for free download. Get it at their Bandcamp page at the link below.

The Rest: John Huston Video

Here's a new live video from The Rest for their track John Huston.

Blackbird Blackbird: Tear

San Francisco shoegazer and FZB favorite Blackbird Blackbird, aka Mikey Maramag, teases us with the new track Tear. The track is a lush blend of lo-fi guitars and haunting, almost not there vocal wisps, with minmalist beats and synths that create an other worldly shoegaze anthem. Since FZB reviewed the Halo album back in March, Blackbird Blackbird has released three individual tracks. Hopefully signs that a new album is near. Much, much more music is desired from Maramag. Stream and download Tear for free at the link below.

New Wails Video: War on War

Here's a new video of Wails covering the Wilco track War On War. Very artfully done in black and white.

Lullatone: Growing Up Video

Here's a video for the Lullatone track, Growing Up, to go with the review of their album below. Talk about a group of me, myself and I, this is what multi-tasking is all about.

Lullatone: Soundtracks For Everyday Adventures

Japanese duo Lullatone gives us a new album that is composed of 15 tracks recorded to be a soundtrack for ones daily life events. With a combination of poppy guitars, minmalist beats and other light instrumentation, Lullatone take us through anime like tonal poems where one skips and giggles through all of the mundane daily chores. This is a fun, uplifting record that should be played when one is overtaken by seriousness in their daily pusuits. Soundtracks For Everyday Adventures is imaginative, catchy and should be on a CD in your car and office for easy access when the day seems dark. Stream and buy Soundtracks For Everyday Adventures at the link below.

Rivka: Kid Animal Video

Here's a video for the first track on the Rivka album, Kid Animal, to go with the review of the album below.

Rivka: Rivka

Rivka is the self-titled debut album from the Pittsburgh duo of Rivka Rose and Reggie Wilkins. Rivka serves up nine tracks of dreamy synth pop that shows influences from dubstep and psychedelic. Minimalist beats propel the listener through layers of synths, noise and vocals to create an overall sound that draws the listener into it's airy complexity. The vocals of Rose and Wilkins mesh effortlessly creating an album of depth and style. Stream and buy Rivka (and two newer individual tracks) at the link below.

Slow Magic Video: Feel Flows

Here's a new video for the Slow Magic track Feel Flows. Skateboards galore...ollie up and grind that coping.

Sun Glitters Fan Video: "there"

Here's a fan made video for the Sun Glitters track "there". Very nicely done.

Neon Cloud: Knit

Knit is the debut EP from Tokyo based Neon Cloud. The four tracks, with symbols for titles, include three originals and a remix of the first track by FZB favorite Sun Glitters. Neon Cloud makes ambient based dream pop, with minimalist beats and layers of synths to build a musical bed for other worldly vocal phrasings. With minimal lyrics, the vocals become sounds and musical gestures as another instrument. Knit draws influences from dubstep, but has a dreamier ambient esthetic. Stream and download Knit for free at the link below.

Another Cool Video from Oh NO It's POk: Wa Ki So

Love this band and they are even better on video. Here's another clip from Italy's, Oh NO It's POk for the track Wa Ki So.

Tim Fitz: Beforetime EP

Beforetime is the sophomore EP from Sydney, AU artist Tim Fitz. Fitz makes amazing pop with looping instrumental parts and vocals that are a crtoss betweem James Murphy and Justin Vernon (ok so now you have to listen to the EP to see how that would work). Ranging from heavy and fuzzy to ambient in texture, Fitz spices up the mix with some mashed up jazz stylings. Beforetime is eight tracks that call out to be listened to. This is an artist with a unique identity. Get in on the ground floor. Stream and download the Beforetime EP for free at the link below.