Tokyo Gore Police: River Diagrams

River Diagrams is the new EP from Australian shoegaze artists Tokyo Gore Police, aka Daniel Linke and Navar Tainton. The 4 tracks are an atmospheric ride through reverb laden valleys, twangy meadows and ambient cityscapes. If you like bands like Real Estate then you'll like Tokyo Gore Police. Melodic and engaging, the EP is definite ear candy. Stream and download River Diagrams at the link below.





Alert New London: Gold EP

Columbus, Ohio dreampop band Alert New London have released their debut, Gold EP. The band of Cory Nicol, Dave Woodrow, Jim Fowler, Sawyer Shepard and Gavin McKenzie serve up six tracks of radio ready indie pop music. The sound is precisely polished with every note and beat designed to delivery the totality of the songs perfectly. There is a fine art to creating flawless radio rock and Alert New London are masters. Stream and download the Gold EP at the link below.





Savage Sister: Savage Sister

 

Savage Sister is the self-titled new album from the Chicago shoegaze band of Michael Tenzer, Chloe Lundgren and Caitlin Klask. Dark and atmospheric, with healthy doses of reverb, Savage Sister is a record that has all the expected elements for the genre. What springs forth though, is far from ordinary and expected. Intricate melodies overlap, while being played out in an orchestra of voices, guitars and synths, all accented by confident counterpoint in the beats. Savage Sister is a must have. Stream and buy Savage Sister at the link below.

 



White Poppy: Drifters Gold

 

Drifters Gold is the new album from Vancouver dreampop artist White Poppy, aka Crystal Dorval. The seven tracks take an ambient sonic palette and pairs that with melodic acoustic passages and atmospheric vocals  to produce an album of superlative serenity. Layers of reverb drenched voices and instruments swirl around the listener, lifting one into the artists immersive cosmic experience. Beauty and grace abound. Stream and buy Drifters Gold at the link below.



The Burning Leaves: Sisterblood Video

FZB favorites The Burning Leaves have just put out a live video for their track Sisterblood from their FZB reviewed album of the same name. A simply beautiful video for a simply beautiful song.

Dustin and the Explosions: Off-White Noise

 

Burbank garage rockers Dustin and the Explosions have released their debut full length, Off-White Noise. The trio of Evan Piehler, Mike Trejo and Cindy Sukrattonawong make music that is energetic, with a distinct punk ardor. The eleven tracks range from good time Weezer type vibes to sinister punk stylings. Imaginative riff driven tunes and minimalist production showcase the band with a live feel, rather than building dynamics with multiple layers of overdubs. This album is just good unpretentious rock and roll. What more could one want. Stream and download Off-White Noise for free at the link below.



Pity Sex: Feast of Love

 

Feast of Love is the new Run For Cover Records album from Ann Arbor rockers Pity Sex. The band of Sean St. Charles,  Brennan Greaves,  Britty Drake and  Brandan Pierce meld together influences from alt rock, post-punk and shoegaze to deliver a darkish album with a mild lo-fi aesthetic. The ten tracks have a compelling sound with a distinctive muffled vibe, present yet removed. The songs are radio ready alt rock affairs, but with an edge and desperation that is often missing from radio ready type tracks. This is an album of layers and one needs to sit down and listen closely to start peeling them back. Stream and buy Feast of Love at the link below.

 



Washing Machines: Washing Machines EP

 

Washing Machines is the self-titled debut EP from the FZB favorites and LA based garage band. The quartet of Lucas Parvaz, Le'lani Lan'caster, Trevor Doss and Nick Stratton expand on the rich post-punk tradition in SoCal music and deliver a debut EP of singular style. Edgy, sensual and raw, the seven tracks are a good fit for those that like Times New Vikings and Cloud Nothings. Heavy, minimal, atmospheric and down to earth are all contradictions that can be found in this EP. The range of track vibes make this album a personal experience for the listener. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy the Washing Machines EP at the link below.
 



Slowdim: Slowdim

 

Slowdim is the self-titled debut album from the Boston band. The foursome of Paul Sentz-vocals, guitar,  Karina DaCosta- bass, vocals,  James Zaner- drums and Eric Ryrie- guitar, vocals, deliver a record of tight and polished indie rock. The sound, production and songwriting all mark the album as radio ready, but yet the twelve tracks are not overtly commercial in their vibe. This album has depth in both style and content. This is a solid band with a genuine sound and the confidence to deliver it full on. Stream and buy Slowdim at the link below.

 



Floorshime Zipper Boots Hall of Fame

Since this blog was started, the goal has been to find and support artists making great emerging music. In over 700 features, FZB has tried to be an "early adopter," with  emerging bands and artists. Today we induct the first five members into the Floorshime Zipper Boots Hall of Fame, of artists that appeared on the blog before receiving wider recognition. Artists will be added to the Hall of Fame from time to time.

Youth Lagoon
First featured on FZB: May 9, 2011
July + Cannons, Debut Single

Slow Magic
First featured on FZB: August 29, 2011
▲ Debut EP

Guards
First featured on FZB: Nov. 8, 2011
Self-Titled Debut EP

Speedy Ortiz
First featured on FZB: June 6, 2012
The Sports EP

Foxygen
First featured on FZB: July 18, 2012
Take The Kids Off Broadway, Jagjaguar debut.

So there you are, the first five inductees into the Floorshime Zipper Boots Hall of Fame. There are also some artists that are currently candidates for future entry, but the "record" is still being written: White Lung, Mrs. Magician, Silver Swans, Arrange, Work Drugs, Beat Culture and those yet to emerge.

Beaver: EP 2013

 

EP 2013 is the debut from Krakow, Poland based band Beaver. The three tracks take influences from hardcore, alt rock and metal, to make an in your face EP that is everything good eastern European punk should be. Angry, raw and tight is what you expect and what you get from Beaver. Stream and download EP 2013 at the link below.

 



Stripmall Architecture: Suburban Reverb

 

Suburban Reverb is the new album from San Francisco synthpop group Stripmall Architecture. The eight tracks take the current synth based dreampop trend and turn it on its head, with a heavier sonic vibe, darker sheen of synths and powerful standout vocals. Stripmall Architecture don't deliver just another glitchy dreampop fodder album. Rather, the band brings a polished and developed songwriting sense and pair it with large production to deliver a truly worthy album of electronic pop music. Stream and buy Suburban Reverb at the link below.

 



Germany Germany: Star System

 

Star System is the new album from Victoria, BC futurepop savant and FZB favorite Germany Germany. With abundant European influences and boundless imagination, the nine tracks unfold like vignettes on separate stages. Melodic, grand, minimal, danceable and aloof passages are all brought forth in another singular work of beauty. Stream and download Star System at the link below.

 



Warm Speakers: Ambient Tape 1

 

Ambient Tape 1 is the new EP from New York artist/producer and FZB favorite Warm Speakers, aka Patrick Berlinquette. 2013 is the third year of this blog and the third year we have reviewed artistry by Warm Speakers. The 6 tracks on Berlinquette's new record continue his fine offerings of melodic guitars, atmospheric production and haunting textures. Warm Speakers continues to deliver beautiful music that should be in everyone's collection. Stream and download Ambient Tape 1 for free at the link below.

 



The Watermark High: Murmurs EP

 

Murmurs is the new EP from South African electronic artist and FZB favorite The Watermark High, aka Paul van der Walt. With this third EP, van der Walt continues his unique blending of electronic and acoustic instruments with field recordings, to delver finely crafted instrumental chill music. The five tracks glisten in the sun as their beats move one on a sonic trek through glitchy electronic dreamscapes. We have now reviewed all three of this artist's releases and the music continues to impress. Stream and download Murmurs at the link below.

 



Lockets: Surrender

 

Surrender is the new EP from Philadelphia Dreampop artists Lockets. The duo of Todd Mendelsohn - music  and Dani Mari - Vocals, deliver four tracks of polished and flawlessly produced pop music. Danceable, with glistening synths and shimmering guitars wrapping Mari's Didoesque vocals stylings. This is music that is radio ready and a great addition to anyone's collection. Stream and buy Surrender at the link below.



My Sleeping Doll: Exhale

 

Exhale is the sophomore EP from French dreampop artist My Sleeping Doll. The five tracks move surreptitiously through a dark landscape of bohemian folk-rock, pop influenced lilting melodies and edgy post-punk. This EP is a sonically compelling look at the artist's world of songs filled with angst and hope. Stream and buy Exhale at the link below.

 

We Are Temporary: Afterthoughts EP

 

Afterthoughts is the new EP from Brooklyn synthpop artist We Are Temporary, aka Mark Roberts. The six tracks are a cerebral blend of dark pop, atmospheric synths and intimate vocals. Roberts takes us on a personal journey through longing, despair, hope and love. We have had a couple of advance singles from We Are Temporary to listen to for a while now and listening to the whole EP, one is struck by a masterful work of art that should be in everyone's collection. Stream and download the Afterthoughts EP at the link below.

 



Terror Bird: All This Time

 

All This Time is the latest album by Terror Bird, released June 6th on Night School Records. A semi-solo project of Nikki Nevver, Terror Birds serves up a shimmering synthpop palette coupled to dark new wave songs and the haunting vocals of Nevver. With an 80's stylistic nod, however darker and less plastic, Terror Birds create a pop album of superlative music. Stream and buy All This Time at the link below.



Beach Vacation: Maritime EP

The Maritime EP is the debut release from Washington State band Beach Vacation. First off, must say that bands named Beach "something" is getting pretty old. Pretty soon it will be a web meme, you know, Beach plus what you had for dinner, or the car you drive is you band name. OK, got that off my chest. Regardless of the foregoing, Beach Vacation deliver a strong debut effort with catchy pop songs full of vocal and instrumental hooks. This is the kind of jangly dreampop that, when done right like this EP, you never get tired of. The quartet of Tabor Rupp (Rhythm guitar), Justyn Newman (Lead vocals/guitar), John DeAvilla (Drums), Tyler Burnett (Bass) have delivered a real winner. Stream and buy the Maritime EP at the link below.



Nada Brahma: Music For Meditation

 

Music for Meditation is the debut album from Indian music ensemble Nada Brahma. The duo of Brian Frantz on Sitar and Ron McCorkle on flute make music to enlighten the mind. Classical Indian music has been largely overlooked in today's indie music world. Nada Brahma remind us of just how beautiful this music can be. With an original take by combining sitar and flute, the four tracks, covering over an hour of music, take one on a journey into ambient vibes, melodic passages and the atmospheric drones that can only be found in eastern music. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Music for Meditation at the link below.

 

Black City Lights: Offering Video

Black City Lights upcoming debut album, Another Life is due out on Stars & Letters, August 6th. Today marks the release of Black City Lights video for the track  "Offering" from that released album. Funded with the help of NZ on Air, the video was directed by Alexander Hoyles and explores themes of ritual and belonging.

David Downing: Cosmic Conspiracy

 

Today marks the release of Cosmic Conspiracy, the debut album from post-rock cellist David Downing. Originality can be in short supply on the indie scene. The five tracks Downing serves up bring originality to the fore. Combining elements from ambient, noise, rock and classical music, with enough pedals to make any shoegazer envious, Downing delivers an album with a large sonic spectrum. Powerful and intimate, with a slightly lo-fi production aesthetic, this debut is a must have. Stream and buy Cosmic Conspiracy at the link below.

 



Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 Videos of 2013... So Far

FZB has streamed some truly imaginative and fun videos from our featured artists thus far in 2013. As determined by readers pageviews, here are the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 Videos of 2013 So Far.

 

#10 Summer Heart: Hit Me Up Again

 

 

 

#9 Travel Check: Tripping Waves

 

 

 

#8 Los Dos Hermanos - The Buster

 

 

 

#7 These Seeds: The Isle of Mare

 

 

 

#6 Bogan Via: Kanye

 

 

 

#5 The Wooden Wolf: Your Drinking Shoulder

 

 

 

#4 Crystal Soda Cream: Shot By Both Sides

 

 

 

#3 Misfit Mod: Queen Love Zero

 

 

 

#2 Garland: A Sneak Peek

 

 

 

#1 Mirror Kisses: Kameron