Colornoise: Amalie

 

After a two year wait, Costa Rican band Colornoise is back with a new track, Amalie. The track is an advance look at their new EP, which will be out toward the end of the year. Amalie sees the band back with their sterling brand of infectious indie rock. If this track is any indication, the new EP will be tremendous and well worth the wait. Stream Amalie at the link below.

 



Red Cosmos: Dreaming In Unison

 

Dreaming In Unison is the sophomore album from UK synthpop artist Red Cosmos, aka Kim Tortoise. The twelve tracks have an unmistakable 80's feel, but are far from retro pieces. The album is a thoroughly modern take on retro themes, with fresh synth sounds, tasteful production and songs that are stylish and interesting, like a personal invitation to explore the artist's life. This is a record everyone should give a listen to. Stream, download for free, or better yet buy the limited edition CD at the link below.

 



Ruth & Trudy: Still Pond Songs

 

Today we have our second installment from Slovakian label Z Tapes. Still Pond Songs is the new album from Texas artist Ruth & Trudy, aka Mitchell Young. Again we find an artist steeped in lo-fi bedroom music. Quirky, intimate and unpolished are the best way to describe Young's music. Not everyone's cup of tea and although rare, the album does have some fleeting inspired moments. Stream, download and buy the limited edition cassette at the link below.

 



The Washboard Abs: Whateverland

 

The combination of a band in Anchorage, Alaska teaming up with a cassette label in Slovakia for a release is a pretty good example of how the net has changed the face of music. Today and tomorrow we are featuring releases from US bands on the Slovakian label Z Tapes. The Washboards Abs are a bedroom pop band whose latest album, Whateverland,  has a sound somewhere between Moldy Peaches and Beat Happening. The eight tracks are lo-fi, eclectic and imaginative. Stream, download or buy the limited edition cassette at the link below.

 



Anda Volley: My Flawless Computerized Mind

 

FZB favorite Anda Volley is back with a new EP, My Flawless Computerized Mind. The five tracks see Volley exploring new musical ground, with deep industrial and noise passages, inlaid with processed vocals and synth pads. This EP is a placeholder experiment while Volley readies her next full album of indie rock. This new EP shows us an artist unafraid to push genre boundaries and to challenge listeners to unexpected sounds. Just more reason to listen to Volley and wonder what she will gift us with next Watch the video for the track Butterfly Melt, then stream and download My Flawless Computerized Mind at the link below.

 



Gladiators Eat Fire: Avant Garage

 

Seattle’s heavy post-­hardcore rockers Gladiators Eat Fire release their new record, A​vant Garage,​April 25th via Alive & Breathing Records. Recorded and mixed by renowned engineer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, The Sword, Botch) and mastered by the great Ed Brooks (Pearl Jam, The Fall of Troy, Portugal. The Man), A​vant Garage​ is the band’s most ambitious material to date, a ferociously unique blend of massive riffs, heavy grooves, and stoney psychedelia. Stream and buy Avant Garage at the link below.

 



Love Cop : Dark Ones

 

Portland, Oregon's Love Cop have released their new album Dark Ones on Gnar Tapes. Using lo-fi recording equipment to capture its guitar, keyboard and electronic drumpad-centric creations, Love Cop's ballads sound as if they’re originating from a David Lynch movie or an exceptionally bizarre '80s public access show. On the duos 5th release, they stray further away from garage rock and breezy pop lablemates, infusing the album with the sounds of early industrial, noise, and electro music, as well as a blissfully warped take on R&B. Somber and sullen within its hopelessly romantic aesthetic, even when the duo chooses major chords and uplifting tones, its eerie vision creeps through.  Stream and buy Dark Ones at the link below.



New Politicians: Remission

 

Remission is the latest album from New Jersey post-punk band New Politicians. With an, at times overly, obvious influence from Interpol, the seven tracks are darkish and wonderful. The album is marked by strong vocals, expertly crafted songs and intimate production. The album has a nice anthemic feel and has a depth missing in much of today's indie rock. This is a band to get with. Stream, download and  buy Remission at the link below.

 

Phil Yates & The Affiliates: No Need To Beg

 

No Need To Beg is the new album from Vermont indie band Phil Yates & The Affiliates. Yates has a sound that is reminiscent of The Mountain Goats, Buffalo Tom, The Replacements, and The Lemonheads. The ten tracks are tight, spirited and catchy. Nothing adventurous here, but a good album for those that are into indie in the genre sense. Stream and buy No Need To Beg at the link below.

 



The Cave Children: Quasiland

 

Greek indie rock band The Cave Children have released their debut album, Quasiland, on Inner Ear Records. The ten tracks hold the tension between late 60's  psychedelic rock, British pop and Mediterranean music. Shimmery psychedelic melodies, cinematic themes and raw garage rock outbursts are blended to accompany the existential and sarcastic lyrics of 'Quasiland'. The title of the album with the synthetic word 'quasi' comments on political, social and professional uncertainty in which the album was completed and the lyrics of the 10 tracks suggest 10 different  approaches to the meaning of Quasiland. Stream and buy Quasiland at the link below.

 



Blimp Rock: Sophomore Slump

 

Toronto indie meisters Blimp Rock are back with their second album, Sophomore Slump. The ten tracks are quirky and original. with imaginative lyrics, catchy melodies and flawless performances. This is a band unafraid to explore new neighborhoods and bend genres with their minds. Truly original music is a rare gem in today's indie world and this album is a definite must have. Stream and buy Sophomore Slump at the link below.

 

The Color Exchange: Cubed

 

North Carolina's The Color Exchange have released a new album, Cubed. Their first release since changing their name from Clockwork Kids, finds the band taking us on a masterfully produced journey through thought provoking lyrics, stunning instrumental work and songs that tower above. This is a band that continues to grow and expand, with this album being a fitting departure for a new moniker. This is an absolute must have. Stream, download and buy Cubed at the link below.

 



Johnathan Boulet: Gubba

 

Gubba is the debut album from psychedelic rocker Jonathan Boulet, sounding as far as can be from the images his name might conjour. Entirely self-produced, this direct & uncompromising record bludgeons like a doom record sped up to garage-punk tempos. For fans of The Melvins, Les Savy Fav, Jesus Lizard and anyone who likes their music riffy, catchy and with a  thick, scummy outer layer. Gubba is fast, heavy & direct. Gubba is not angry, but likes to have fun. This is a must have. Stream and buy Gubba at the link below.





Bleed American: Figure It Out

Figure It Out is the new album from Winnipeg indie rockers Bleed American. The nine tracks are radio ready pop punk in the vein of Panic At The Disco and My Chemical Romance. Nothing new here, the formula is tried and true. No experimentalism or stretching of boundaries, just commercial rock with the obligatory acoustic ballad, though Bleed American pull it off well. Stream and buy Figure It Out at the link below.

Omar: I Am Heavy Metal, Who Are You

 

 I Am Heavy Metal, Who Are You is the debut album from Danish alt-rock band Omar. This is a bit of a lost project the was recorded back in 2006 and 2007, but not released. Accelerator Records revived the tracks and are giving them a proper release in both digital and 180 gram vinyl. The album is a powerful mix of metal leaning alt-rock with driving guitars and plenty of stoner head banging. Stream and buy I Am Heavy Metal, Who Are You at the link below.

 

Skyline Advantage: The Songs About Stuff EP

 

The Songs About Stuff EP is debut release from Isle of Man artist Skyline Advantage on Small Bear Records. Postcode guitarist Kieran Ball's new solo project is a collection of songs written over the past two years which were either intended for other projects that never saw fruition or that were too personal for anyone else to sing. Recorded in 2014 at Oatsey's Peg Too the EP was produced by Phil Reynolds, although all tracks were written, arranged and performed solely by Kieran. It also saw him experimenting with alternate tunings and effects and techniques like the 'ray-gun' for the first time. Watch a live acoustic performance of the track Perfect and then stream and buy The Songs About Stuff EP at the link below.

 

Plastic Man: Don't Look At The Moon

 

Don't Look At The Moon is the debut album from psychedelic rockers, Plastic Man. Hailing from Florence Italy, the band formed in 2012 and finds influences from beat, psychedelic, nuggets compilations and late 60's music in general. The trio mixes retrò and modern styles producing songs with a neo-psychedelic flavour. Their music involves elements like acid rock, rockabilly, surf, progressive, garage punk and stoner, with effects on voice and guitar reproducing a fresh and natural garage psych sound. Stream and buy Don't Look At The Moon at the link below.

 



The Bandicoots: Mind Your Manors Video

Ahead of the April 14th release of their debut EP, Ontario based The Bandicoots have released a video for their single Mind Your Manors. The video finds the band on the prowl for Waldo, the elusive man in the striped shirt, through the barrage of a spaghetti western showdowns (that would make Clint Eastwood proud), and heated chase scenes (only slightly less exciting than an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter). Watch the video below and keep an eye here at FZB for a review of the EP when it's released.

Eyes Behind The Veil: Folding Chair

 

Folding Chair is the debut track from Eyes Behind The Veil, the solo ambient project of Michael Tenzer. Most known as a member of shoegaze/dreampop band Savage Sister, this solo effort explores sonic textures and structured ambient soundscapes that bathe in pitch bent, washed out guitar loops with reverb-laden vocal loops interwoven throughout. The track owes influences to akin to the ambient textures of Grouper, White Poppy, Lovesliescrushing, Benoit Pioulard. My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins and Slowdive! Stream and download Folding Chair at the link below.



Firetail: So Far

 

Italian ambient artist/producer Firetail has released a full length of all his work titled So Far. Firetail is the one man project of Andrea Vascellari, who more known for his slowcore project Lullabier. With Firetail he abandons the subdued, austere singer-songwriter concept, instead using guitars and effect processors to build soundscapes. So Far is the complete collection of Firetail singles, EPs and compilation tracks. It compiles every song released by Firetail since his birth, and includes the previously unreleased track Narcolepsy. Stream and buy So Far at the link below.

 



Spaces of Disapperance: Passionate Electronics

 

Passionate Electronics is the new album from Chicago's Spaces of Disappearance. The band of Elaine Davis, Zach Smith and Drew Balicki serve up seven tracks of dance-punk  influenced synth pop with a dark edge. The album perfectly showcases the band's beautiful melodic vocals, syncopated beats, and trippy synth lines. Think LCD  Soundsystem meets Portishead and you’re on the right track. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Passionate Electronics at the link below.



Natural Magic: Natural Majic

 

Natural Magic is the self-titled debut album from these Portland based balearic/psychedelic artists. Released on experimental indie label Boomarm Nation, the duo of Michael McKinnon and  Matthew Quiet have culled music from 2 years of live sessions, and mixed this into a seamless 40 minutes of cosmic ruff and ready hardware jams. Available as a limited edition chrome cassette, you can stream, download and buy Natural Magic at the link below.