LAKE R▲DIO: Nostradamus

 

FZB favorite LAKE R▲DIO, aka Caden Moore, has released his latest EP, Nostradamus. The six tracks find Moore once again showering our ears with his own unique brand of synthpop. Weaving together influences from ambient, lo-fi and dark electronic, LAKE R▲DIO has crafted an album that continues to redefine the genre. Lush and intimate, the tracks build like a seductive message intended to arouse. At a time when chillwave has lost it's base, Moore shows that, like Washed Out and Neon Indian, his music can be transcendent as a more meaningful artistic expression. Stream and download Nostradamus at the link below.



Sun Stone Revolvers: Spaceship X

 

Spaceship X is the new album from Toronto indie rock band Sun Stone Revolvers. The trio of Sebastian Diaz-Molaro, Lavien Lee and John McKinnon craft music that has a dark sexy edge to it. The ten tracks exude a compelling vibe that takes the retro sound into a lo-fi realm of intimate listening. The album channels a myriad of influences, from psychedelic to blues, into a unique and original take on indie rock. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Spaceship X at the link below.

 

Beach Arabs: Wild Movement

 

Wild Movement is the new album by Brooklyn band Beach Arabs. Released by our friends at Mouca Records, the ten tracks are wonderfully imprecise, with a live feel and a clean rawness. If you've ever been asked by someone uninitiated what post-punk is, then point them to this record. To me this is textbook. Melodic, quirky and wonderful, Beach Arabs, aka Liz Hogg, Nathaniel Sabat and Wyatt Harte, have found the mark and hit it square on. Stream and buy Wild Movement at the link below.

 



Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen: Section 4

 

To regular readers of this blog, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen will be a familiar name. For those that don't know it, MCFK is a DIY recording studio, record label, musician's collective and brain hive located in Brooklyn, NY. In the past we have reviewed several artists from the label, as well as featuring MCFK as one of our occasional Friday label days. MCFK have just released their fourth compilation showcasing their artists. Section 4 is chock full of the kind of style and variety we have come to expect from the collective. The 23 tracks are tight, well produced and showcase some great talent coming down the pike...all for free. Stream and download Section 4 at the link below.

 



Crystal Shipsss: Dirty Dancer

 

Today marks the US release of Dirty Dancer, the new album from FZB most favorite Crystal Shipsss. Led by the immensely talented singer/songwriter/producer Jacob Faurholt, with Daniel Crowell
Soren Little Brothers and Jens Christian Madsen, Crystal Shipsss plies their wares with a lo-fi aesthetic. Built on superlative songwriting and a depth of emotion, Crystal Shipsss continues to make compelling music that raises the bar for all in their wake. Released on Faurholt's own Raw Onion Records in Europe and Three Ring Records in the US, The album is available in a limited edition vinyl and well as a download. Stream and buy Dirty Dancer at the link below.

 



Slow Coda: Night Window

 

Night Window is the debut EP from L.A. dreampop band Slow Coda. The EP is a DIY project of Tavis Balkin, Nicholas Morford and Johnny Skwirut. The trio deliver six tracks that are a novella of night time activities. To quote the band, Night Window is a "soundtrack for dead-end jobs, ambiguous relationships, staying up late, and wasting valuable time."  The EP though, is far from a waste of time. It perfectly encapsulates all the best qualities of dreampop and is a definite must have. Stream and  download Night Window at the link below.
 

Jesus: Stop Eating Animals

 

Jesus Christ is the unlikely moniker of Sebadoh co-founder Eric Jaffney. Jesus could make music that one would expect, well crafted, radio ready, indie rock. Jesus, though can do whatever he wants, so he also makes music that is dark, minimal, a tad sing songy and non-commercial. We will contend with sitting back and letting his wisdom wash over us. Stream and heed Don't Eat Animals at the link below.

 

 



Jarrod Sterling: Affection

 

Affection is the latest album by electronic stylist Jarrod Sterling. The music is chill and dreamy, with an appeal to the inner peace and tranquility hiding in us all. This is an album to put on and loose oneself to. Close the door, turn down the lights and let the stress of the day wash from you. That's it, soul cleansing and it's available for stream and free download at the link below.

 



Tommy Ghost: The Girl from Roslindale and Other Stories

 

The Girl from Roslindale and Other Stories is the debut EP from New England  mystery group Tommy Ghost. All we know about this artist is that they were recommended by FZB favorites Mod Gun.  The music is an homage to the likes of Tom Petty and the Traveling Wilburys. Read, good time rock and roll. Retro and twangy, this album is everything that makes Weezer so enjoyable. Just warm retro pop songs, no fluff, no muss, no bother. Stream and buy The Girl from Roslindale and Other Stories at the link below.

 



WIK▲N: Blackout EP

 

The Blackout EP is the latest work from U.K. witch house band WIK▲N. Dark and sinister, the four tracks wash over you like a cold shroud on a foggy morning. The synths are stark and minimal, with pads that shake the sameness and distort conventional sonic wisdom. WIK▲N make music that is a soundtrack to the dark reaches of ones mind. Stream and buy the Blackout EP at the link below.

 



Belgrado: Siglo XXI

 

 

Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, post-punk band Belgrado has delivered their sophomore album, Siglo XXI. The eleven tracks occupy a singular space as FZB's pick for the best post-punk album of the year so far. The punk ethos has yielded great music from eastern Europe and now we see Barcelona giving up a band so good, it hard to place them appropriately in mix. This is a definite must have. Stream Siglo XXI at the link below.

 



Family Vacation: Trails

 

September 6th saw the release of Trails, the debut album from Philadelphia indie rockers, Family Vacation. The thirteen tracks are packed with big harmonies, catchy hook laden tunes and tons of good indie energy. Reminiscent of Weezer or Jimmy Eat World, Family Vacation turn out music that is easy on the ears and just fun to listen to. The band of Matthew Kerr, Luke Harsel, Cody Bluett and Adam Shumski deliver a record of tried an true indie music stylings. Stream and buy Trails at the link below.

 



Starcleaner: Housework

 

Housework is the debut EP from Perth, Australia rockers Starcleaner. The band of  Jade Nobbs, Brent Hewer and Troy De'Souza, blend elements of 80's and 90's shoegaze and alt rock into a dense muted sound that redefines the stylistic boundaries. The EP is dreamy, with a lo-fi vibe that carries a psychedelic sheen across the songs. Starcleaner having a winning touch with this debut. Stream and buy Housework at the link below.

 



The Aquadolls: Stoked On You

 

Stoked On You is the latest EP from SoCal psychedelic band The Aquadolls. Even though it's September, we're having the hottest days of the summer here, so what better excuse for California psychedelic music. The Aquadolls are cut from the Same cloth as Vivian Girls and Dum Dum Girls, except with guys too. The eight tracks are poppy, hooky, beachy and about every other y you can think of. This is an album of music that will always be enjoyable. Good psychedelic music just always works. Stream and buy Stoked On you at the link below.

 



How Sad: Indian Summer EP

 

Indian Summer is the debut EP from Montreal indie pop band How Sad. There's nothing sad about these five tracks. The EP is light, airy and fun, with a darkish undertone to the lyrics. The band serves up unpretentious pop music that is just the right vibe for remembering the summer that was. The song stylings are radio ready and made for the dance floor. Stream and buy the Indian Summer EP at the link below.

 



Coming: Lonely EP

 

The Lonely EP is the latest recording from L.A. punk band Coming. The trio of Dustin Hollenbeck, AJ English and Billy Hedgecock  have released four tracks that instantly hark back to the days of The Damned and Richard Hell and the Voidoids. This EP takes no prisoners with its stark, defiant sound. Most of the really compelling punk lately has come from eastern Europe. Coming shows that the aesthetic is still alive and well in the U.S. This is a must have. Stream and buy the Lonely EP at the link below.



Candy Colors: Casus Belli

 

Casus Belli is the debut album from Mexican dreampop band Candy Colors. The best part of operating a music blog is discovering great music in unlikely places. Mexico is not a place usually associated with dream pop bands, but Candy Colors deliver eight tracks that are a demonstration of everything good in the genre. Think of the best parts of Beach House and Real Estate and you have a good description of the sound on Casus Belli. The album is light and poppy, with jangly guitars and melodic lines. The vocals are stand out and unique, making a perfect focus for the music. This is simply a great debut album. Stream and buy Casus Belli at the link below.



Kigo: Chance

 

Chance is the latest EP from Australian synthpop artist/producer Kigo, aka D.P.Pearce. The four tracks are dense, exciting works, with elements of noise embellishing the wondrous shoegaze arrangements. This EP is brimming with unique takes on a genre that, at times, seems stuck in a post-chillwave boredom. Chance is heavy, dark and perfect. This is a definite must have. Stream and download Chance at the link below.

 



Week of Wonders: All You Can't Express With Words EP & Video

 

Week of Wonders is the Seattle trio of Tim McClanahan, David Dempsey, and Leif Anders. The band has risen from the likes of ORCA TEAM, The Torn ACLs and The Intelligence and Health Problems, to resurrect the Abe Vigoda coined genre of Tropical Punk. With island rythms, dreampop vibes and a lurking punk aesthetic, Week of Wonders have hit upon a sound that is just too good to ignore. This two song EP has a feel that will instantly draw the listener in and is a must have. Check out the video for the title track and then download All You Can't Express With Words at the links below.

 



Yeesh: Yeesh EP

 

Chicago based post-punk band Yeesh have release their third EP appropriately titled... Yeesh. The trio of Alex Doyle, Peter Reale and Greg Obis have crafted an EP of subtle influences and in your face energy. The five tracks burn through the ether with anthemic  vibes and a darkish aesthetic. The Yeesh EP takes the best pieces of bands like The Used and Screaming Females and channels them into an original sound that is both compelling and engaging. Stream and buy the Yeesh EP at the link below.

 

Sunday Guts: Leave It Go

 

September 17th marks the release of Leave It Go, the sophomore EP from Bethlehem, PA power pop band Sunday Guts. The four tracks are simple, hook laden affairs, with riffy guitars and no pretense. Cut from the same mold as Jimmy Eats World and Weezer, the duo of Billy Kilgannon and Victor Berger IV  deliver an EP of radio ready commercial rock. The tracks are tight, polished and flawlessly produced. Stream and download Leave It Go at the link below.