Fatal Casualties: Psalm

 

Psalm is the latest album from Swedish electronic duo Fatal Casualties, aka Stefan Ljungdahl & Ivan Hirvonen. The nine tracks are dark affairs, with pronounced beats and atmospheric vocals. Glitchy synths give an otherworldly sheen to steamy back alley sonic imagery. Rather than follow the super poppy direction of most Swedish music, Fatal Casualties show us that there is a dark side, where winter lingers and desperation is just a beat away. This is a very cool record that everyone should give a listen to. Watch the video for album track Somewhere In The Middle, then stream and buy Psalm at the link below.

 



Joan of Arse: I'm Fucked

 

I'm Fucked is the debut EP from Isle of Man noisecore band Joan of Arse, on Small Bear Records. The four tracks are experimental excursions into dense noise and also sublime melody. These two seemingly disparate elements best describe what one can expect on this EP. It is experimental to the point of lacking any real focus musically. The EP is better described as a sonic brain dump, where the ideas stream at you with little regard for form, aesthetics or any semblance of a conceptual musical experience. Definitely not for everyone. Watch a video for the title track and then stream and download I'm Fucked at the link below.

 

Ephemeral Decay: Worth

 

Worth is the dark debut album from experimental electronic artist/producer Ephemeral Decay, aka Cody Lobbestael. Unleashing healthy doses of noise, intertwined with stark synth pads and ambient swaths, the nice tracks abandon conventional melodic constructs in favor of stark, riveting soundscapes. This is an album for focused listening as it is to harsh for an ambient background and to intense for idle entertainment. This is one to crank up in headphones and just let it liquefy your brains. Stream and buy Worth at the link below.

 



The Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 5 of the Week

Here we are again with our newish Friday feature...The FFZB Top 5 of the Week. The most popular artists on the blog each week based on our readers individual artist pageviews. We'll put this up every Friday as a new way to track the cool emerging bands we introduce you to on FZB.

#5 Postcode



#4 Saigon Blue Rain




#3 Cross Wires



#2 Totally Wired Records



#1 Wanka (Schapka)/Just Friends and Lovers

 

Postcode: Year Of The Zebra - part One

 

Isle of Man indie rockers Postcode return with their second release of 2014, an EP titled Year Of The Zebra - Part One. The six tracks see the band exploring new territory whilst utilising, and sometimes expanding upon, the instrumental blueprint laid down on previous releases. On this new EP, the band experimenting as much as ever and utilizing sounds and techniques they have not explored before. Crisp and melodic, this is our favorite by the band yet. Watch a video for the opening track Yggdrasil and then stream, download or buy a limited edition CD-R at the link below.

 



Cross Wires: Your History Defaced

 

UK post-punk band Cross Wires have released their sophomore EP, Your History Defaced. Right off the music jumps out at you with impressive guitar riffs and some great vocals. With influences of Joy Division and Buzzcocks, Jonathan Chapman, Peter Muller, Pete Letch  and Ian Clarke serve up a record of power, depth and quality. This is a band that can easily become one of your favorites, they are the epitome of everything that is good about post-punk music. Get this one or just be left behind. Stream and download, Your History Defaced, for free at the link below.

 



Totally Wired Records: Sampler 018-2014

 

Australian indie label, Totally Wired Records, has celebrated its second birthday and to mark the event, have released a sampler compilation titled simply 018-2014 its TWR catalog designation. Featuring fourteen tracks by different bands including FZB favorites Crystal Soda Cream and Kristy and the Kraks, the compilation spans the full range of the punk and post-punk genres. Jangly, heavy and dynamic, with intimate touches and no lack of edge, this compilation delivers an immense amount of great music. Stream, download or buy on CD at the link below.

 



Wanka (Schapka)/Just Friends and Lovers: Split EP

 

Austrian indie label, Wilhelm show me the Major Label, has released a split EP featuring all female post-punk bands Wanka (Schapka) and Just Friends and Lovers. The eight tracks represent the more melodic side of the genre and have a dark punk ethos running through them. While the Wanka (Schapka) tracks are in German, Just Friends and Lovers stay mainly with English for their tracks. The EP is a good look at cutting edge music being turned out by some talented women. Stream and buy the split EP at the link below.

 



Suren Unka: Flee Video

Suren Unka is a talented New Zealand synthpop artist, with a striking sound. Today we have a nice video from him for the track Flee. Check it out below.

The Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 5 of the Week

This week we start a new Friday feature...The FFZB Top 5 of the Week. The most popular artists on the blog each week based on our readers individual artist pageviews. We'll put this up every Friday as a new way to track the cool emerging bands we introduce you to on FZB.

#5: Impossible Colors Club



#4: Isvisible



#3: Newmanov Transmission:



#2: Night Windows




#1 The Foreign Flims

Saigon Blue Rain: What I Don't See

 

Once upon a time, we featured a fabulous synthpop/post-punk duo from France named Stupid Bitch Reject. The duo then went away and we heard nothing. Now they are back, with a new name, Saigon Blue Rain, and an exceptional "debut" album What I Don't See. The album is dark, heavy and ethereal. With soaring vocals, virtuoso guitar and synths and songs that stand as post-punk anthems. In a year that has seen an abundance of fine emerging music, Saigon Blue Rain stand out as hands above the rest. Similar in vein to bands like Phantogram, but will an intensity that the former lacks. Stream and buy What I Don't See at the link below.

 



Night Windows: Musicassette​/​Magnetic Memory

 

Musicassette​/​Magnetic Memory is the debut album from Philadelphia artist Night Windows, aka Benjamin Hughes. First off, this has to be one of the best produced bedroom records ever. Hughes relied on his acoustic guitar, a hand-me-down drum kit, and an array of gritty lo-fi instruments and effects to give us an album of 12 superlative tracks. Catchy songs, excellent performances, strong vocals describe an album that has it all together. As debuts go, this one is memorable. Stream and download Musicassette​/​Magnetic Memory at the link below.

 



Inner Outlaws: I/O

 

I/O is the latest album from NYC band Inner Outlaws. The album is a strong collection of songs with crisp, flawless production. This highlights a unique aspect of the band's recording process, which  utilizes a DIY approach where every song on the album was tracked live and certain tracks (“Get Lost”, “Rich City 2”) are essentially live performances. To track live and emerge with such sterling tracks is a testament to the band's musicianship and recording prowess. Ian Dudley, Emily Fehler, Duke Ahrens, Michael Cacciatore and Jake Beal have a true winner in this record. Watch a really cool time lapse video of the band's recording process and then stream and download I/O at the link below.

 

The Foreign Films: The Record Collector (side 2)

 

 

Hamilton Ontario psychedelic artist The Foreign Films, aka Bill Majoros, has released 5 advance tracks for an upcoming double album to be titled The Record Collector. Dubbed "side 2," the tracks are boisterous and varied affairs, with soaring rock soundscapes, reverby Dick Dale guitars, haunting Chris Isaak influences and superb Broken Social Scene/New Pornographers reminiscent  vocals. If these five tracks are any indication, this is going to be a super strong album. With stunning production and enough energy to float a city, this album is a true must have. Watch a video for standout track Teardrop Town, then stream and download The Record Collector (side 2) at the link below and watch for the release of the entire 18 song set early next year.

 

Newmanov Transmission: The Smaller Deaths

 

The Smaller Deaths is the first song from an upcoming EP by art collective Newmanov Transmission. Based in Brooklyn, Newmanov Transmission is an art collaborative creating cross-media work relating to human rights and social justice. Harry Newman (words) is a poet and photographer. Jason Paul (music and performance) is an artist and vocalist of the art funk band Japan Soul. This track explores endless state violence and its moral consequences. It’s for the invisible and nameless, the true losers of every conflict, and for those of us at a distance (for now) standing at our windows, watching on our screens, not knowing what to do. Watch the simply poignant video and then stream and download The Smaller Deaths at the link below.

 



Isvisible: Retrospective 0413 - 0714

 

UK indie label Small Bear Records has released the  masterful electronic album, Retrospective 0413 - 0714, by artist/producer Isvisible. The ten tracks were recorded in one take on a modular synthesiser with no overdubs or additional effects, just some editing and eq-ing. That is a feat in itself, but what the sessions yielded is even more admirable. The album is dark, dense, foreboding, melodic, noisy and wonderful. This is easily our favorite electronic album of the year so far. It is just perfection. Stream, download or better yet, buy a limited edition hand made CD of Retrospective 0413 - 0714 at the link below.



Cloud Seeding: Mirage

 

Brooklyn based indie label Bleek Records have released the new single, Mirage, from Cloud Seeding, the collaborative project of guitarist Kevin Serra, which sees him releasing singles featuring vocalists he admires. The project has featured the likes of Marissa Nadler, Greg Hatem, Nadine Carina, Sara Syms, Kris English and for this release, Alexa Wilding. Besides being a great concept, Sera also delivers great music.  Discover something wonderful. Watch the video, then stream and buy Mirage at the link below.

 



H.A.A.S.: Sense

 

Sense is the debut release from Bogota, Columbia progressive rock band H.A.A.S. The album is the work of John Haas, Wainer Haas, Andy Haas and  J.F. Haas, though we have no idea whether they are actually related or have taken on the collective persona ala The Ramones. The ten tracks are heavy and dense, incorporating elements of classic rock, alt rock and metal into a meaty hard rock stew. Strong vocals and instrumental performances abound. Stream and buy Sense at the link below.

 



Impossible Colors Club Cassingle: Videotape "Salty" B/W Impulsive Hearts "MDB"



 



Impossible Colors is a new Chicago based tape label that is run by FZB favorite Adele Nicholas (Love & Radiation, Axons and Puritan Pine). The label has just announced their  Impossible Colors Club monthly cassingle subscription program, with the first release featuring Chicago dreampop artists Videotape and Impulsive Hearts, with the tracks Salty and MDB respectively. Both tracks are wonderful pop affairs with plenty of body. The best part is that each cassingle is available for only $2 or you can get a whole year subscription for $20. This is a great way to support a small label and get a load of fine music. Stream and buy the cassingle at the link below.

 



Blackburn Hall: Blackburn Hall

Hamilton, Ontario indie rockers Blackburn Hall have released their debut S/T album. Pete Hall, Adam Melnick and Dan Empringham entice us with a huge sound, flawless production and terrific songs. This is that rare first album that has every piece in place and gives a first glimpse of a band that has the rare combination of musical maturity paired with intense, edgy performance, while at the same time delivering radio ready, polished tracks. This is a great debut and a definite must have. Stream and buy Blackburn Hall at the link below.

 

Anda Volley: If I Turn Into A Black Rose Video

FZB favorite Anda Volley has released a cool video for her stand out track If I Turn Into A Black Rose. Watch it below.

Tyson: Casio Fiasco

 

Casio Fiasco is the debut solo album from Guelph, Ontario artist Tyson. The ten tracks are a genre defying collection that show a songwriter unafraid to merge disparate styles and influences. Tyson gives us tracks that loosely range in sound from Broken Social Scene to Gogol Bordello and sites influences from  Harry Nilson and Timber Timbre to Matmos and Philip Glass. While the album is a good showcase of the artist's depth and musicianship, that is also its weakness. It lacks a contemporary feel and the tracks don't seem to stay with you when they're finished. This record stands more as an artistic statement, rather than something one will find themselves picking to listen to for entertainment. Stream and download Casio Fiasco at the link below.

 

Hanetration: Murmurist EP

 

The Murmurist EP is the latest work from UK producer and FZB favorite Hanetration. The five tracks are a drone fest of ambient textures, noise and oscillator explorations. With some glitchy elements and the most minimal semblance of a beat, Hanetration again gives us an immersive series of works that fit well together and create an atmospheric soundscape that is solemn in its feel, but yet not dark or foreboding in its effect. This is one of Hanetrations best efforts yet. Stream and download the Murmurist EP for free at the link below.

 

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Of All Time: #10 - #1

Today we present the top 10 of our FZB Top 20 Of All Time. As is standard practice, our best of list is based on individual artist pageviews by our readers. So here is #10 - #1 with the dates they were featured.

#10 Swahili Blond: 8/11/11



#9 Cosmonauts: 10/14/13, 3/18/13, 10/9/12 & 9/8/11



#8 Love and Radiation: 4/9/13, 1/21/13 & 11/7/12



#7 Beaver: 7/18/13



#6 Can Can: 9/26/11



#5 Hang In Balance: 6/5/14 & 12/20/11



#4 Foxygen: 7/18/12



#3 The Lovely Bad Things: 10/14/11 & 8/31/11



#2 Mrs. Magician: 5/16/13, 6/12/12 & 6/3/11



#1 The KVB: 1/18/12

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Of All Time: #20 - #11

FZB was started in March of 2011. In that time we have now published 1020 features on emerging artists. To mark Labor Day and the end of summer here in the states, we give you the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Of All Time. As is standard practice, our best of list is based on individual artist pageviews by our readers. Today we present #20 - #11, with the dates they were featured on FZB and tomorrow we will give you #10 - #1.

#20 Fenster: 10/3/11



#19 Dress Rehearsal: 1/18/13 & 11/17/11




#18 Plastic Inevitable: 7/14/14



#17 Surf Curse: 12/4/13



#16 Young Jesus: 2/7/12



#15 Belgrado: 9/6/13



#14 Ritualz: 5/15/12 & 8/4/11



#13 Candy Colors: 9/6/13



12 Lake Radio: 9/30/13, 10/1/12 & 4/12/12



#11 Soft Kill: 2/28/13