Malka: The Constant State

 

NYC shoegazers Malka have released their debut album, The Constant State. The seven tracks take listeners on a genre-melding journey, ebbing and flowing through the realms of dreampop, post-rock, nugaze, and psychedelic rock. The songs are evocative both musically and lyrically, touching on metaphysical, existential and interpersonal subject matter with an honesty that resonates to an emotional core. Their music is a reflection of the triumph and tragedy of the world, compelling us to look deeper into the realms of our consciousness. Malka is trying to stretch the concept of songs to make them sound more like emotional lapses of time. Stream and buy The Constant State at the link below.

 

The Still Tide: Half Empty Rooms

 

Half Empty Rooms is the new EP from Denver dreampop outfit The Still Tide. The four tracks are immersive exercises with an impressive melodic persona, featuring strong vocals and instrumentals. The band of Anna Morsett, Jake Miller, Aaron Latos and Natalie Tate blend elements of folk, blues and indie rock to deliver an EP that works from start to finish. This is a band to be aware of, as we'll surely being hearing more from them. Stream and buy Half Empty Rooms at the link below.

 



Diamondwolf: Your Time Has Come

 

Seattle-based duo Diamondwolf (featuring Alicia Dara of The Volcano Diary) have just released their debut album, Your Time Has Come. The ten tracks are marked by stunning vocals, crisp instrumentation and flawless production. With a strong folk rock base and some nice Americana touches, this is one of the best albums of the year so far. Stream and buy Your Time Has Come at the link below.

 

Chez.Kito.Kat Records: Kito Sounds #7

 

France/Louisiana based experimental electronic label Chez.Kito.Kat Records has released a new compilation of the label's artists, Kito Sounds #7. The nineteen tracks make a wonderful showcase of the innovative, immersive and varied music put out by this label. This compilation is full of fantastic music and is a great way to discover new artists. Stream and download Kito Sounds #7 for free at the link below.

 

Decorum: Centre

 

Decorum is a new post-punk band out of Brooklyn, that has just released the two track debut, Centre. The songs are darkish, post-punk affairs with a driving beat, understated guitars and atmospheric vocals. We don't have any other info on the band, but these two tracks certainly wet the appetite. We hope more is on the way in the near future. Stream and download Centre at the link below.

 



Broken Player: Misanthropocentric, A.K.A. Droid's Blood

 

North Carolina indie label Sorry State Records has released the new album from Broken Player titled, Misanthropocentric, A.K.A. Droid's Blood. The Chicago based, genre bending punk band's latest combines full-bore hardcore, jittery synth-punk, and a dark pop sensibility into a blend that, while not exactly seamless, is nothing if not distinctive. Stylistically, Misanthropocentric continues along the lines of the band's first LP but pushes at the boundaries of the band’s sound, making the hard parts harder, the noisy parts noisier, and the catchy parts even catchier. Through the din Scott Plant’s brilliant lyrics remain the centerpiece. Stream and buy Misanthropocentric, A.K.A. Droid's Blood at the link below.



Big Lonely: Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking

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Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking is the latest album from Ontario alt rockers, Big Lonely. The ten tracks have a Weezerish feel and stick pretty close to the tried and true alt rock music formula. Dynamic and pleasing, but at the same time, offering nothing new as this album sees no risks taken. This album is one of the countless alt rock albums that essentially sound the same, with promising musicians, that are to content to do more of what has already been overdone. Watch a video for the track You Want It All and then stream and buy Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking at the link below.

 

J. Francis: To Adore

 

To Adore is the new album from Brisbane based dreampop artist J. Francis. The 9 tracks are smooth musings of the genre, ala Real Estate and Beach House. With atmospheric vocals, melodic guitars and plenty of reverb, Francis delivers an album that pleases.  While there are no boundaries pushed or new avenues explored, the album never the less works on all levels as a sterling pop ensemble. Stream and download To Adore at the link below.

 



The Nursery: She Speaks The Wave b/w Hexes and O's

 

Toronto based indie band The Nursery have released a new single She Speaks The Wave b/w Hexes and O's. The tracks are rocking affairs with an early 80's feel of driving guitars, creative synths and inspired vocals. The band has released a video for the first track which uses a unique combination of stop-motion, time-lapse and live-action to explore notions of temporarily and ephemerality. Images of degradation and destruction are juxtaposed with rebirth and reconstruction in tranquil colour palettes create the uncanny aesthetic that challenges perceptions of time and time-based mediums. These disparate sequences fluidly merge into one another; exposing a liquid narrative that echoes both the musical and lyrical content.  Watch the video and then stream and download She Speaks The Wave b/w Hexes and O's at the link below.

 

Club K: Let M Shake

 

UK label Small Bear Records, brings us the new album, Let M Shake, from Swedish indie outfit Club K. Club K started out in 2011 in the small town of Kristianstad, in the south of Sweden as a school project. After some time the band recorded the album "Det er ikke din skyld", probably the best/worst debut in the history of music. In March 2013 the band released the "I'm a whale EP". After some records and several tours around Europe Club K´s new album "Let M Shake" is finally out. The eight tracks are varied indie rock affairs that showcase a band with promise. Stream and buy Let M Shake at the link below.

 

Crystal Shipsss: Metal b/w Tooth

 

It's been a while since we've had any new music from Crystal Shipsss, the lo-fi alter ego of artist/producer Jacob Faurholt. We now have the two track single Metal b/w Tooth as an advance look at Crystal Shipsss' next album  "I Will See No Moon No Sky," which is due out later this year. The tracks range from noise rock to atmospheric dream pop, with intriguing melodies and a glimpse at what will surely be a stellar and varied album. Stream and download Metal b/w Tooth for free at the link below.

 

Σtella: Σtella

 

Greek label Inner Ear Records has released another stunning album, the self-titled debut from Athenian artist Σtella. Coming from the fertile Athens indie electronic scene that spawned Kid Moxie and Keep Shelly in Athens, Σtella has been a part of several Greece-based outfits including avant-pop group My Wet Calvin, art-rock band Expert Medicine, retro-pop singer Sillyboy and was one half of the pop duo, Fever Kids, with Keep Shelly in Athens' touring guitarist Alex Zabaras. The album was recorded in 2014, produced by Σtella & NTEIBINT and recorded at King Elephant's Basement. Stream and buy Σtella at the link below.



Cassio Figueiredo: Diario

 

Diario, is the latest release from 18 year old artist/producer Cassio Figueiredo. Diário (Diary) is an EP that includes 5 tracks: "Dia 1-5", that in portuguese means "Day." The tracks offer the artists vision of the changing perspective of days in a tonal poem form of ambient landscapes, noise flourishes and recurring patterns. Stream and download Diario for free at the link below.

 



Big Cheese: Watch TV

 

Ten months after the release of their debut album, NYC punks Big Cheese are back with a new single, Watch TV. The track is raw and explosive, with a nice hardcore edge. Recorded at superlative Brooklyn collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, this is one to turn up and let your ears bleed. Stream and download Watch TV at the link below.

 



Brooklyn Doran: The Villain Video

FZB favorite Brooklyn Doran is back with a new song and video. The Villain” is being released for the first time as a session video with Toronto-based “Current Sessions” as part of their "In From the Cold" series.  This is a new project where local musicians play live and unplugged in some of the greatest shops and storefronts the city of Toronto has to offer. Doran's video was shot in a jewelry and vintage clothing store in Kensington Market called One Heart. Watch the video below.

Lady: Washer EP

 

Lady is a punked-up post-shoegaze four piece hailing from Long Island, NY and their debut EP “Washer” churns and moans with the kind of howling landlocked loneliness that could only have originated outside of the big city. While the rough, squalling brutality of these 6 live-tracked cuts betrays Lady’s beginnings as a knockabout Misfits cover band, there is a core of lonesome, interstellar country soul at the center of singer Steven Joyce’s atmospheric vocals. Stream and download the Washer EP at the link below.

 



Babbling April: Babbling April EP

 

From Dayton, Ohio we have the self-titled debut EP from indie rock band Babbling April. The six tracks showcase a superlative debut, with noisy indie pop rock featuring boy/girl vocals in the vein of Yo La Tengo, with influences of post rock instrumentation scattered throughout. With indie being so over commercialized, it is refreshing to see a band make a great record without relying on easy musical clichés. This is a must have. Stream and buy the Babbling April EP at the link below.

 

Dazed Pilots: Drummers & Codies

 

After have previewed the video for their single Sinner on FZB, we now have Drummers & Codies, the intriguing debut album from Dazed Pilots on Totally Wired Records. Blending post-punk and glam rock, the twelve track are as raw as an open wound and as dynamic as a car wreck. Rock was meant to push boundaries, to be uncomfortable, to say no while everyone else says yes. This album is rock at it most basic, stripped of pretense. What else is needed. Stream and buy Drummers & Codies at the link below.

 



Andy Ketch: Scamperhouse

 

Scamperhouse is the debut album from Chicago singer/songwriter Andy Ketch. The music press has continued to call 2015 the year of the singer/songwriter and this seems to be true on some level. We've all been privileged to hear superlative works from Josh Tillman, Jessica Pratt, Jose Gonzalez and Justin Townes Earl to name a few. This debut by Ketch is like none of those. It is the punk equivalent of the genre. Underproduced, underperformed, and totally authentic, in a way that hasn't been seen since Bob Dylan first showed up in NYC, telling everyone he knew Woody Guthrie (he didn't). Just check this album out, you'll be glad you did. Stream and download Scamperhouse at the link below.