E&M: We Wander

 

We Wander is the sophomore EP from the San Francisco indie pop duo E&M, aka  Elysha Rom-Povolo and  Mary P. Hansell. Rather than being another Tennis or Beach House, E&M are harder edged, with a post-punk sensibility that is missed by most of the others in this genre. Laced with a slight lo-fi production vibe, E&M deliver an EP that is strong from start to finish. This is definately a pick to garner a wider audience. Stream and download We Wander at the link below.

 



mnttaB: mainsHum EP

 

mainsHum is the new EP from Melbourne noise-rock band mnttaB, pronounced "meant-to-be." The five tracks are a dense, fuzzy and intense morass of noise-rock that is at once disturbing and enjoyable. Filled with edge of your seat tension that is never quite resolved, mnttaB comes at you like an unseen figure on a dark street. This is music that is not easily classified, but that definately needs to be experienced. Stream and download mainsHum at the link below.

 



Dérive: All My Demons Are Coming Loose

 

All My Demons Are Coming Loose is the stunning debut full length from Massachusets band Dérive. Done as a two act concept album, the thirteen tracks are a heady mix of styles ranging from Cloud Nothings to Animal Collective to Fucked Up. Heavy and in your face, yet also sporting subtle musicality and depth, the album is a theatrical journey into a world tinged with angst and longing. Stream and buy All My Demons Are Coming Loose at the link below.

 



Huntronik: Huntronik

 

Huntronik is the debut album from the Brooklyn psych-rock band of the same name. Blending elements of Krautrock, synthpop and post-punk, the 9 tracks strike one as a modern day chanelling of Joy Division. The trio of Greg Hunt - guitars, samplers, synths, vocals,  Stephen Harms - bass and  Ray Mysterio - drums, makes music that is both heavy and poppy, with a driving beat and a sound that is compelling. Stream and download Huntronik at the link below.

 

Peter Kernel: He's A Heartattack Video

FZB favorites Peter Kernel have released a very cool video, shot live at a swimming pool in Rennes, France. Watch it below.

Summer Heart: Hit Me Up Again Single

 

Swedish dreampop artist and FZB favorite Summer Heart, aka David Alexander,  is back with a new single Hit Me Up Again b/w Stockholm. He also has a cool video to go with theA-side. Alexander scores again with a catchy pop vibe, shimmering instrumentals and ethereal vocals. Hopefully a new album will be along song. Stream and buy Hit Me Up Again and watch the video at the links below.

 



Mark Martyre: Down,Record

 

Down,Record is the debut album from Canadian singer/songwriter Mark Martyre. The ten tracks harken back to the glory days of the genre and performers like Tom Waits and Phil Ochs. Contemplative, soul searching and introspective, Martyre sings about the struggles in life and the beauty in the search for inner peace. This is a debut that heralds the emergence of a troubador for a new age. Stream and buy Down, Record at the link below.

 



Synthetic Epiphany: The Archives

 

The Archives is the new album from FZB favorite, UK electronic musician Synthetic Epiphany, aka artist/producer Marcus Levy-Chance. The 16 tracks encompass chill dubstep, with dark overtones and a liquid shimmer. The album is ethereal and contemplative, with a moody sheen that feels like the end of a long night just before the sunrise. This is electronic music at its best. Stream and buy The Archives at the link below.

 



Old English: Prose & Kahns

 

February 5th marks the release of Prose & Kahns, the debut full length from Ontario band Old English. The album is a masterful work, signalling the emergence of a band with rare talent and vision. Drawing from influences including brit-rock, shoegaze, electro-pop, and folk, Prose & Kahns delivers eleven tracks that work together rather than the the usual individual track mentality. This is an album best experienced as a whole artistic work. The recording spanned three years, six cities, three countries, and over twenty collaborators. This album is a must have. Stream Prose & Kahns at the link below. You'll also find a link to download a free three song sampler on the band's Bandcamp page.

 



Plankton Waves: New EP Trailer

FZB favorites Plankton Waves will release an new EP, Songs of Endings, on February 22nd. Watch the trailer for the EP below.

Love and Radiation: Three Kingdoms Single

 

FZB #5 Artist of 2012, Love and Radiation are back with another new single, Three Kingdoms. The Chicago based duo, of Lakshmi Ramgopal and Adele Nicholas, will release their debut full length in April and this track is the second glimpse of the album's sonic drive. Three Kingdoms is a lively synthpop track with a danceble beat, stunning vocals and a cool instrumental hook. Love and Radiation are a pick to achieve wide success and we can't wait to hear the whole album. Stream and download Three Kindoms for free at the the link below.

 

 

Dress Rehearsal: Somewhere Under The Weather

 

FZB #2 band for 2011 Dress Rehearsal are back for 2K13 with a new album, Somewhere under The Weather. Laced with their trademark blend of of indie rock, alternative and neo-folk, Dress rehearsal continue to be one of the best bands we know of. The 13 tracks cycle through heavy rock and jangly dreampop with superb songwriting and musicianship. If somehow you've managed to miss Dress Rehearsal, here's your chance for redemption. Stream and buy Somewhere Under The Weather at the link below.

 



These Seeds: The Isle of Mare

 

The Isle of Mare is the new album from FZB favorites These Seeds, aka Bobby Yagodich and  Dustin Nispel. The nine tracks continue the duo's impressive run of fusing classical elements with post-rock sensibilities to create truly unique ambient music. Penetrating and emotional, The Isle of Mare is more a musical novel than a collection of individual tracks. Check out the video for the title track and then stream and buy The Isle of Mare at the link below.

 



Atra Aeterna: Standalone Complex

 

Standalone Complex is the latest EP from Ontario ambient artist/producer Atra Aeterna, aka Zack Mitchell. Blending industrial, IDM and electronic elements with piano and lush synths, the six tracks form a dark and haunting musical vision of beauty. Compelling and engaging, Standalone Complex is music that envelopes one's consciousness. Stream and buy Standalone Complex at the link below.

 



Two Humans: Best Folks

Best Folks is the new album from garage rockers Two Humans. The album offers nine tracks of quirky rock, that has shades of Modest Mouse combined with a distinct punk persona. Raw and edgy, Best Folks is a what you see, is what you get look at the band. Intimate, with a live yet polished feel, this record captures the best of the band's energy and musicality. Stream and buy Best Folks at the link below.

 



Hey Anna: Hey Anna

 

Sisters Erin Rauch-Sasseen, Anna Rauch-Sasseen and Katie Rauch-Sasseen, along with  Andrew Smolin and Matthew Langner make up the NYC band Hey Anna. Their self-titled debut EP sees the band making unpretenscious indie pop that's sole job is to entertain. Sharing lead voclas and weaving beautiful harmonies, the sisters blend with expertly performed and produced music to make superlative pop music. Hey Anna also surprises with some heavy flourishes that add to the EP's mistique. Stream and download Hey Anna for free at the link below.

 

 

Protodome: Blueshift

 

Blueshift is the latest album from UK artist/producer Protodome, aka Blake Troise. The thirteen tracks are a glitchy romp through the fusion of jazz stylings with 8-bit game music. Protodome blends in heavy influences from funk and big band generations to deliver a truly unique and original take on chiptune music. This album is all about musicianship. No gimicks here, just great chops. Stream and buy Blueshift at the link below.

 



The Arctic Flow: Dreams You'll Never Find

 

Dreams You'll Never Find is the sophomore EP from South Carolina dreampop artist The Arctic Flow, aka  Brian Hancheck. The four tracks are atmospheric affairs with a darkish feel, that is born out of deep personal turmoil for the artist. Above this rises some truly beautiful songs, with swirling melodic passages and haunting huhsed vocals. The EP has a compelling vibe that will draw you into its world. Stream and buy Dreams You'll Never Find at the link below.

 



Emily & the Complexes: Styrofoam Plate Blues

 

Columbus, Ohio's Emily & the Complexes are an enigmatic band. No one named Emily, no female members at all for that matter and a sound that is born of  frontman Tyler Verhagen spending several years hitch-hiking around the U.S.playing songs on street corners. Their new album, Styrofoam Plate Blues, shows the seasoning one only acquires through experience. The band is super tight, the songs are accessible, yet with with deep messages. This is an indie rock album that belongs in everyone's collection. Stream and buy Styrofoam Plate Blues at the link below.

 



These Seeds: Vivid Recollection of Loss Video

Saturday, January 12 marks the release date for the new album from FZB favorites, These Seeds. We'll be reviewing the album next week. In the mean time, here's the video for a track from the new album, Vivid Recollection of Loss.

The Dirty Nil/Northern Primitive: Split 7"

 

Today we have a split 7" from Ontario punkers and FZB favorites The Dirty Nil, with fellow Canadians, Northern Primitive. The Dirty Nil track Zombie Eyed is a racous affair in a similar vein with Off! or Jay Reatard. The track shakes one's senses, in your face and loud, like good punk rock should. Northern Primitive's track Positive Bondar takes a different approach, starting out with a subdued garage vibe and building to an all out cacophonous bashing similar to newer Cloud Nothings.  All in all a wonderful split to start the new year with. Stream the split and download it for free for one month at the link below.

 

 

Camilla Sparksss: I'll Teach You To Hunt, Single and Video

Camilla Sparksss is the alter ego of FZB favorite Peter Kernel songstress Barbara Lehnhoff.  She has just released her first single as Camilla Sparksss titled I'll teach You To Hunt b/w For You The Wild. Both tracks are sassy, synth driven, noisey pieces featuring Lehnhoff's distinctive vocals. Stream and buy the single at the link below and watch the video at the link following.

White Blush: White Blush

 

White Blush is the self-titled debut EP from the L.A. dreampop artist, aka Carol Rhyu. The six tracks are lush atmospheric works, with vocals that are softer and darker textured than a lot of the contemporaries in this genre. White Blush is less glitzy, with a deeper vibe and a hypnotic quality to the tracks. This EP is a sterling debut and a must have for everyone's collection. This is an artist to watch for the future. Stream and buy White Blush at the link below.

 



The Kingston Springs: Lowest Of Animals Video

Here's a great new video from FZB favorites The Kingston Springs, which features the band doing a live bluegrass version of the track Lowest of Animals. Very creatively performed at the Colorado National Monument. This is just way cool.

Consciousness Removal Project: Tacit

 

Tacit is the new album from Finland based post-metal artist Consciousness Removal Project, aka Antti Loponen. When listening to the eight tracks, the first word that comes to mind is stunning. Now that's not a term one would usually attach to anything metal, but Tacit is simply a stunningly beautiful album. Heavy, melodic and orchestral, Loponen takes post-metal instrumental music to a new level with virtuoustic performances, dark ambient overtones and compositions that are musically compelling. This may well be the best album of the genre we've ever heard. Stream and download Tacit at the link below.

 



It's Crystal Shipsss Day on FZB

 

As any regular FZB reader knows, we love lo-fi records and also the music of Berlin based artist/producer Jacob Faurholt, both his solo stuf and his stuff with the band Crystal Shipsss. So to welcome the New Year in just the right way, we celebrate all that is lo-fi with Crystal Shipsss Day on FZB. Here is a new studio track, Crushing Like a Skull and two new live videos from the band featuring I Haven't Seen Him Since/Solar People and Geyser. Partake of much enjoyment at the links below. 

 

 

The Jean Jackets: Jean Jacques

 

Jean Jacques is the debut album from New Jersey indie pop band The Jean Jackets. The twelve tracks are a heady look into the world of the band's two singer songwriters, Jackson Phinney and Christine Spilka. This album stands out for the dark melodic nature of the songs, the lead vocals of Spilka and Phinney, and some soaring harmonies. Where a band like Best Coast can come off as trivial, The Jean Jackets by comparison seam to have something deeper to say and make an engaging work of saying it. Stream and download Jean Jacques for free at the link below.