Sillyboy: Stalker

 

Greek band Sillyboy have released their new album Stalker. The ten tracks are a blend of retro pop and modern electronica. The sound is close to Ariel Pink with a bit of Weeknd thrown in for good measure. This genre mix works and while not a great record, the album is enjoyable throughout. Stream and buy Stalker at the link below.

 



The Switch: Don't Go to Revlover Video

Today we have a catchy new video from Norwegian indie sextet The Switch. Their music is a bit retro with a solo heavy 70's vibe and strong harmonies. Check out the video for their track Don't Go To Revolver below.

Bad Blocks: Circulate Video

New Zealand's Bad Blocks are two of FZB's favorite electronic producers. Daniel Neeve and Hamish Lang push, file, and rewrite accessible electronic music with the study of an anthropologist and the soul of TS Eliot. Their music is a subtle and ingenious mix of electronic dream pop, ambient, and EDM, ala SBTRKT and The Weeknd combined with William Basinski and Jon Hopkins. FZB reviewed their new EP Circulate back in October. Now we have a new video for the EP's title track, directed by 19-year old Josh Prendeville. Watch it at the link below.

Missiles Of October: Don't Panic

 

Don't Panic is the new album from Belgian hardcore contingent Missiles Of October. The eleven tracks are screamo affairs that harken back to the days of Circle Jerks and Dead Kennedy's. Unfortunately this release misses the mark. The music is subdued and predictable, with muddled production. What one is left with is a screamo album with all the rawness and edge gone. Stream and buy Don't Panic at the link below.

 



Braggers: Virtual 7" Better Life B/W Other Side

Tomorrow marks the release of the debut single by garage-punk artist Braggers. The solo project of Kansas City punk musician Esteban Leon, the two tracks are edgy affairs with compelling guitar parts, Strummer-esque vocals and enough jangle to shake down a building. Leon, best known for his work with seminal 90's punk band The Dukes of Kansas City, has crafted two classic punk tracks that are tantalizing advance look at his debut album, scheduled for a June release on Russian Winter Records. Stream and buy the Virtual 7" at the link below.

Venus + Mars: Stay Romantic

 

Stay Romantic is the new album from San Francisco experimental pop group Venus + Mars. The seven tracks are an imaginative blend of dream pop and shoegaze influences to create an album that slides effortlessly along a melodic instrumental path. Incorporating danceable elements along with more pure listening experiences, this album glistens with fine production and gives the listener a tranquil unencumbered experience. No pretense, no high art,  just nice music to have on while one goes about their daily tasks. Stream and download Stay Romantic at the link below.

Brooklyn Doran: There's A Light On

 

There's A Light On is the new EP from Ontario singer/songwriter Brooklyn Doran. Weaving catchy folk-rock tales with emotion filled ballads, the five tracks are the perfect showcase for Doran's expressive voice. Crisp musicianship and flawless production make for a beautifully framed vehicle to discover this sublime artist. Peace, love and mindfulness are what you can expect on this exceptional EP. Watch the video for the title track and then stream and download There's A Light On at the link below.

 



Monokens: Underdog Wins

 

It's not uncommon to hear punk and metal coming from Russian bands. What is uncommon is to find a wonderful Russian  indie pop band. Combining elements of dream pop and indie rock, Underdog Wins, the new album from Moscow based trio Monokens, is a complete winner. Melodic, sensual and compelling, the ten tracks are a simply perfect aural experience. This album is a definite must have. Expand your horizons, stream and download Underdog Wins at the link below.

 



Peter Kernel: Thrill Addict

 

Today sees the release of Thrill Addict, the new album from FZB favorites, Peter Kernel. The duo of  Aris Bassette and Barbara Lehnhoff (aka Camilla Sparksss) based in Switzerland and Canada respectively. The new album features twelve tracks of Peter Kernel's signature post punk wonderfulness, with tracks ranging from melodic dream pop anthems to rollicking Kathleen Hanna inspired explorations. Peter Kernel continue to deliver great music on every release and are one of our favorite bands. Stream and buy Thrill Addict at the link below.



Robert Loveless and The Loveland Band: S/T

 

Robert Loveless and The Loveland Band have released their self-titled debut album on Atlanta indie label Human Sounds. The Canadian band delivers ten tracks of garage rock, with the vibe of a 60's soul review. Energetic and dynamic, with a powerful live feel, this album will appeal to those that like a bit of groove in their indie rock. Stream and buy Robert Loveless and The Loveland Band at the link below.

 



Dave Rave & The Governors: Sweet American Music

 

January 27th marks the release of Sweet American Music, the new album from Dave Rave & The Governors. The title is very revealing, as this album is chock full of straight forward, good time indie rock, with a decidedly retro feel. The eleven tracks make no pretense about being higher art, they just take the best elements of 60's, 70' and 80's radio rock and blend them together into catchy tunes with an enjoyable vibe. Stream and buy Sweet American Music at the link below.

 



Chris Koza: In Real Time

 

Minneapolis singer/songwriter Chris Koza, has released his fifth album, In Real Time. The twelve tracks are an exploration in the melding of folk and pop, with just a touch of alt country influences. What results are exceptional songs, flawlessly performed, produced and delivered, with Koza's wonderfully delicate vocals. This album is one of indie's simple pleasures and will bring a sense of peace and joy to anyone's day. Stream and buy In Real Time at the link below.

 



Damian Anache: Capturas Del Unico Camino

Buenos Aires artist/producer Damian Anache has released his debut album, Capturas Del Unico Camino. The four tracks, spanning an hour of music, represent what the future of classical music might look like, if one embraces ambient textures, minimalist soundscapes and sprawling, adventurous pieces of music. As a composer, Anache shows that, even on his debut release, there lurks a gifted and unique talent, unbound by conventional genres and striving to make music that challenges one's everyday conception of indie. This album is a definite must have. Stream and download Capturas Del Unico Camino at the link below.

 



Mary Caroline: Life On Earth

 

A remote trapper's cabin, 600km from the community of Yellowknife, just below the Arctic circle is not the usual place for artists to prepare new music. Indie folk artist Mary Caroline doers just that, and her new single Life On Earth, is a testament to great music being made in the unlikeliest of places. In the north, Caroline works on the Animal Planet/Discovery Channel show, Ice Lake Rebels, as it follows the trials and tribulations of a group of Yellowknife house boaters living off grid, frozen in place on Yellowknife Bay. Her production job also gives Caroline the opportunity to also live "off the grid", focusing on songwriting, while recharging the batteries between tours and recordings. Stream and download her delightful single Life On Earth at the link below.

 



Honey & the 45s: Mad EP

 

Chicago's Honey & the 45s have come with their sophomore release, the Mad EP. The band of Kristina Cottone, Jon Gould, Jarad Kleinstein, Kim Kozel and Sean Tatum, take a foundation of blues, add some Philly soul and mix that all together for a fresh radio ready take on soulful alt rock. Lead by powerful vocals, with some nice raw backing instrumentals, the band delivers a compelling record that is great from start to finish. Stream and buy the Mad EP at the link below.

 



Ophelia Syndrome: North Sea

 

FZB favorites Ophelia Syndrome are back with a stunning new album, North Sea. The band bring a unique and original vision to indie music, with their own brand of rollicking rock, featuring strong vocals, lots of melodic inventiveness and sterling musicianship. Fine songwriting and flawless production cap the 10 tracks to make an absolute must have album. Stream and buy North Sea at the link below.

 



This Heel: e.p

 

Small Bear Records brings us e.p., the debut solo project from Dog, Paper, Submarine frontman Martin Mansson Sjostrand. The four tracks are lo-fi, noisey affairs with one foot in post-punk and the other in alt rock. Fuzzed out, melodic and compelling, e.p. feels bigger than the tracks themselves, taking the listener through influences ranging from the Beatles to Public Imager Ltd. This is truly a must have. Stream and download e.p. at the Link below.

 

Hanetration: Acid Reflux EP

 

UK producer and FZB favorite, Hanetration, has released his latest recording, the Acid Reflux EP. Featuring seven tracks of his signature electronic soundscapes, that see a melding of ambient, experimental, drone and IDM, Hanetration has delivered an EP with a depth of sonic structure and breadth of cerebral imagery. More than just the sum of the textural pieces, Hanetration paints with a melodic palette of tones and feelings. This is another fine work by a gifted artist. Stream and download the Acid Reflux EP for free at the link below.

 

Nanaki: The Dying Light

 

FZB favorite Postcode's guitarist Mikie Daughterty has released The Dying Light, the first full length under his Nanaki moniker since 2003. The album features twelve tracks of soaring post-rock instrumentals, with the expected brilliant guitar passages and more. Inspired by writers such as Kafka and Sartre and the darker side of life in general, the album presents a more cohesive and coherent collection of music than perhaps did previous Nanaki releases, whilst continuing to explore new musical avenues, including heavier use of keyboards, with more piano and orchestral sounds than before.  Stream and buy The Dying Light at the link below.