Catalina BellizziL Corra

 

Corra is the debut EP from Chicago singer/songwriter Catalina Bellizzi. The six tracks have a sublime quality drawn from Bellizzi's expressive vocals, which are sonically reminiscent of Lykke Li. It is those vocals that take center stage on this release. Bellizzi uses tone and texture to weave intricate harmonies and stylings, that are backed perfectly by the sparse instrumentation. Above all, this EP is about beauty, simple stunning beauty. Turn the lights down, put on the headphones and let the beauty wash over you. Stream and buy Corra at the link below.

 



Marcel Kassiel: Footlights EP

 

Italian singer/songwriter/actor Marcel Kassiel has released his debut EP, Footlights. We have commented before how rare true originality is these days. Kassiel is the manifestation of all that is unique and original. The four tracks enlighten with a theatrical, European flair and mark the emergence of a singular talent. Quirky, engaging and enjoyable, Kassiel reminds us that indie music does not have to be based on some tired pop formula. This EP is a must have. Watch the imaginative videos for the tracks Brazilian Gasoline and A Waltz For My Bones at the links below and then follow the Bandcamp link to stream and by Footlights.

 



Crying: Get Olde

 

Get Olde is the debut album from New York band Crying. The trio of Elaiza Santos, Ryan Galloway and Nick Corbo have one of the freshest and most innovative sounds we have heard in a long time. The seven tracks are a combination of synthpop and punk, with some chiptune glitchyness thrown in for good measure. Everything about this album is cool. Bands with this level or originality are a very rare occurrence. You just need to hear this one or be lost in a world of lameness. Stream and download Get Olde at the link below.

 



Big Bill & Basketball Shorts: Split Album (Double EP's)

 

Music city Austin, TX marks a triple debut on Oct. 29th. The debut of a new label, Fleeting Youth Records, and the debut EP's of two bands, Big Bill and Basketball Shorts, with the two EP's delivered as a split full length. Both bands deliver a nice take on semi-traditional punk, reminiscent of The Undertones or Sex Pistols. The album has all the recorded live feel, raw edge and quirky songwriting one would expect. Good straight ahead punk always works and these two bands have it down pat. Stream and buy the Big Bill Basketball Shorts split album at the link below.

 

Slow Bird: Chrysalis

 

Seattle indie rock band Slow Bird have released their debut album, Chrysalis. The trio of Matt Street,

Jennae Quisenberry and  Joshua Dore have crafted eight tracks of superlative quality. Featuring dynamic vocals that are perfectly framed by the powerful music, the album also shows a songwriting strength that is quite uncommon. Few bands can deliver a debut of such undeniable beauty and emotion. In a year where there have been so many fine releases, Slow Bird stands out from the crowd. Stream and buy Chrysalis at the link below.

 



Ex Wife: New Colors

 

New Colors is the latest album from New Jersey based post-punk band Ex Wife. The trio of Nick Bolton, Phil Connor and Matt Harvey have released ten tracks that are heavy and sonically dense, with influences ranging from Joy Division to Cloud Nothings to Grizzly Bear. Making expert use of dynamic range and instrumental shading, Ex Wife have a sound that engages one's senses and doesn't let go. We liked this album from the first listen and it just keeps getting better. Stream and buy New Colors at the link below.

 

Soft Shadows: Reverb Is For Lovers

 

Reverb Is For Lovers is the debut album from Portland, OR psych rockers Soft Shadows. The trio deliver nine powerful, lo-fi tinged tracks that blend elements of surf, psychedelic and dreampop. Tightly performed, strikingly produced and expertly written, the album shows the emergence of a band that is destined to make their mark on indie music. This debut is a must have. Stream and buy Reverb Is For Lovers at the link below.

 



Clues + Codes: Kin

 

Kin is the debut album from Los Angeles dreampop group Clues + Codes. The duo of Alex Aleco and Natalie White break out with eight tracks of intimate goodness. Featuring shimmering, corporeal vocals melded to minimalist instrumentation, that serves as the perfect bed for the union. Clues + Codes give us a debut album of singular beauty with an understated edginess, like a late night walk through an empty urban landscape. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Kin at the link below.

 

Hermetic Delight: To The Grave To The Rave!!!

 

French post-punk band Hermetic Delight have released a new three track EP, To The Grave To The Rave!!! The EP is a raucous affair that has a totally compelling vibe. Lo-fi, dynamic and edgy, with sensuous vocals that pull one to the rocks like a Siren's song. This EP works in every way a record should and definitely leaves the listener wanting much more. Hermetic Delight have crafted one of our favorite releases so far this year. Stream and download To The Grave To The Rave!!! at the link below.

 



Similarobjects: Beginner's Dose

 

Beginner's Dose is the latest album from longtime FZB favorite Similarobjects, aka Philippines based producer Jorge Juan B. Wieneke V. The ten tracks are a collection of beats influenced by the music of old videogame consoles. Don't be deceived by this though. This is no mere collection of 8-bit glitches. Similarobjects has served up his typically masterful collection of synths, samples and drum machines, emulating chiptune but at the same time making a thoroughly modern collection of electronica. Wieneke is a producer of superlative skill and this album is another must have to add to his discography. Stream and download Beginner's Dose at the link below.

 

Feels: Our Ghost Collection EP

 

Chicago based Feels has released his debut EP, Our Ghost Collection. A project of artist/producer Brett Haynes, the five tracks encompass minimalist beats and synths. The EP is packaged with some nice 8-bit touches and dreampop vocals that exist in a space between Youth Lagoon and the Antlers. A pervasive shoegaze vibe and chill aesthetic permeate the ether and add an echoing sheen to the record. Stream and download Our Ghost Collection at the link below.

 

Kismet: Spring Video

FZB favorites Kismet have released a simple and evocative video for their poignant ballad Spring. Start your day with a memorable experience. Watch  Spring below.

Oval: VOA

Few electronic artists have had the longevity of Oval, aka producer Markus Popp. Since the 90's, Popp has been stretching the limits of electronic genres with imaginative and complex yet accessible stylings that have paved the way for artists like Caribou and Toro y Moi. His influence is far reaching and his new album, VOA, is set to expand that vision. Teaming with singers and musicians from South America, Oval has engineered a masterful 18 track work of  lush, haunting post-rock music. This album is a must have. Watch the video for the track Dandara  and the stream and buy VOA at the link below.
 



The Lifeforms: Troublemaker

 

  

Troublemaker is the sophomore EP from Jacksonville, Florida punkers The Lifeforms.  The five tracks are straight up garage rock in the vein of Fidlar, Thee Oh Sees and Cloud Nothings. The EP is no frills, edgy and raw record, with a recorded live vibe. The trio of Jeff Flores, Steven Marshek, and Daniel Ring, draw heavily from 50's & 60's song stylings to deliver a retro feel to their thoroughly modern fuzzed out sound. This is a record that is short on pretense and long on essential energy. Stream and download Troublemaker at the link below.

 



Cosmonauts: Persona Non Gata

 

FZB favorites Cosmonauts have a new album out, Persona Non Grata. Readers of this blog should be well aware of this band, as we have reviewed them three times before. Persona Non Grata continues the SoCal band's penchant for edgy post-punk dirges. Featuring drone-like melodies, jangly guitars and a lo-fi aesthetic, the ten tracks remind us why we like this band so much. Catch them as the openers on the Growlers U.S. tour. Stream and buy Persona Non Grata at the link below.

 



 

 

Nervous Trend: Demo 2013

 

Demo 2013 is the self released Bandcamp debut from Australian post-punk band Nervous Trend. No info could be found on the band online. The five track EP is led by powerful female vocals and breakneck guitar, with heavy bass and drums. This is no frills punk in the vein of original Patty Smith blended with some Kathleen Hanna vocal phrasing. This demo show a band ready to break out into the void. Stream and download Demo 2013 at the link below.

 



Anata Wa Sukkari Tsukarete Shimai (AWSTS): The Lost Charles Underscore

 

The Lost Charles Underscore is the debut full length album from Anata Wa Sukkari Tsukarete Shimai (AWSTS) on Bearsuit Records. The trio of  _ (underscore), Gnomefoam and Bunny are a retro psychedelic bunch relying on internet file sharing  to bridge their respective locations of Japan, England and Scotland. That is until Japanese collaborator _ underscore went missing. What results is an imaginative album of electronic glitches, sparse melodies and an acid trip of sonic themes. This is an album of strong originality, which spans lo-fi garage to retro psych. Stream and buy The Lost Charles Underscore at the link below.

 



Xylen Roberts: Neuron Observer

 

Neuron Observer is the latest album from artist/producer Xylen Roberts. It is a rare occurrence these days, for one to actually stumble across something completely original. Xylen Roberts is a completely original artist. Performing the perfect marriage of power rock and roll, with soaring electronic and wrapping it all in a lo-fi industrial dance glaze. Imagine Peter Townshend grew up listening to House music. The eight tracks are gripping, pulsating sonic experiences that become mini universes at high volume. Stream and buy Neuron Observer at the link below.

 

 



Aviators: Mirrors

 

Today marks the release of Mirrors, the new album from Florida based artist/producer Aviators, aka Tyler Shaw. The sixteen tracks are a testament to an artist that makes pop music seem so much more. Mirrors has an epic quality to it, like Keane at his best. The songs are classy, polished affairs that are not afraid to get heavy. The album is radio ready but not compromised to be commercial. Rather the tracks are compelling in a way that makes the listener feel they are witnessing something emergent...and they are, the emergence of an artist who returns pop to the idea of an art form. Stream and buy Mirrors at the link below.

 



Colorado Youth: Only Instinct

 

Only Instinct is the new album from Philadelphia indie pop band Colorado Youth. The band of Jacob Folk, Sam Popkin, Dana Falsetti and Beau Gordon make music of superlative beauty. Blending elements of pop and folk with immaculate songwriting, the ten tracks tell the story of an album that transcends mere pop platitudes. Only Instinct is a masterful work from a band that deserves wider recognition of their art. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Only Instinct at the link below.

 



Colornoise: Polychronic

 

Costa Rican post punk outfit Colornoise have released their sophomore album, Polychronic. The duo of Sonya Carmona and Alison Alvarado have made an album of singular greatness. This is easily the best release we have heard this year. Powerful and engaging, the album showcases superlative songwriting and musicianship, as well as stunning vocals. They just don't get much better than this. Watch the hypnotic video for the track Button and then stream and buy Polychronic at the link below.

 





The Wild Young Hearts: Pretty Girls EP

 

Pretty Girls is the debut EP from L.A. based The Wild Young Hearts. The six tracks are a songwriting tour de force, with each track seemingly able to stand on its own. The tracks show influences from The Strokes to Weezer. The band of Robert Laffoon, Justin David, Norman Hagen, Garrett Warren and Kevin Pintado have a sound that is at once refined, yet edgy. Thesetracks are hook laden and catchy. This one is a must have. Stream and buy the Pretty Girls EP at the link below.

 



Zeit: Life Is Just A Blur

 

Life Is Just A Blur is the new EP from Swedish shoegaze band Zeit. The quartet of Erik Engblom,  Cecilia Nord, Erik Jonsson and Björn Alm serve up four tracks of superlative post-punk music. The EP is dark and ethereal, with a lo-fi aesthetic and an intimate vibe. Zeit have a unique and original take on their music, which is fresh and compelling. Do something nice for yourself and give this one a listen. Stream and buy Life Is Just A Blur at the link below.

 



The Finer Points Of Sadism: Banned Standards

 

FZB favorites The Finer Points of Sadism are back with their seventh album, Banned Standards, the follow-up to 2012's Full of Hooks. The husband and wife duo of Jacobb and Ashley Sackett deliver 17 tracks of their own brand of dark industrial music. Noise laden and sinister, the tracks are full of sonic gems from vintage synths, gritty guitars and field recordings. The overall vibe is decidedly lo-fi, but not to be trendy. Rather, the lo-fi production is an integral part of delivering the aesthetic of the tracks. The Finer Points of Sadism push the experimental envelope in a way few bands dare to. This album is a must have. Stream and download Banned Standards for free at the link below.