Braggers: Braggers

 

Braggers is the S/T debut album on Russian Winter Records from seminal Kansas City punk artist Este Leon. The eight tracks are sterling affairs which have Leon making garage punk ala The Orwells, Wavves and Cloud Nothings, with Strummer-esque vocals and compelling guitar sounds.. The lead off track, Brighter Day, is sure to become a punk classic with its heavy vibe and anthemic chorus. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Braggers at the link below.

 



The Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 Of 2015 So Far

 

The end of June marks the mid-point of the year, which means it's time for the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 of 2015 So Far. As always, the releases on this list are determined by our readers page views.

 

#10 New Politicians

 

#9 Natural Magic

 

#8 This Heel

 

#7 Chris Koza

 

#6 Malka

 

#5 Brooklyn Doran

 

#4 Damian Anache

 

#3 The Color Exchange

 

#2 Diamondwolf

 

#1 Honey & The 45s

 

The Dregs: People Never Notice Anything

 

The Dregs are a willfully lo-fi, party punk quartet, slinging songs of teenage and post-teenage alienation. Their new EP, People Never Notice Anything, on Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, is their first release as a true band, having begun as the recording project of lead guitarist and songwriter Mark Laura. The four tracks are, on the surface, party-pop-punk-slop-fun, but there is an undercurrent of creeping maturity, of wispy melancholy as teens turn into twenties and dreams turn into responsibilities. Stream and buy People Never Notice Anything at the link below.

 

Maff: Maff

 

Maff is the S/T debut album from the Santiago, Chile based band. Featuring 8 tracks that delightfully whisp you in a whirlwind through such genres as shoegaze, alternative rock, noise pop and indie verging on grunge, but with a dose of electronica thrown in the blend. It's no wonder how this has happened, considering the bands they cite as their main influences - The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pixies, Ride, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine. Maff is clearly having a beautifully combined love affair with guitar pedals and synth, bringing the listener into a cosmic zone, with feelings ranging from revolution-bent to melancholic and even romantic at times. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Maff at the link below.



Iglomat: III

 

Electronic artist Iglomat is back with a new album, III. Iglomat thrives in the transitional realm. The cross-continental recording project operates across landlines, highways, and hard drives – chronicling tales of distance and time. Such efforts would normally lose some spontaneity and urgency in the transfers. But consider Iglomat’s pedigree: producer David Jack, a beat chemist praised by no less authority than John Peel (just check his Peel Session) long-time collaborator and another Peel session veteran Scott MacDonald ; and acclaimed photographer Sandy Carson, whose narrative focus comes through as much on record as it does in print. Stream and buy III at the link below.

 



Nignt Windows/Pilkington: Split EP

 

Today we have a new split EP from Night Windows and Pilkington on Black Rd Records. On the EP we get two new songs from each band. Recorded live in the studio with minimal overdubs, the tracks capture the pure spirit of the bands' live performance. Unfortunately, this also limits the sound with a thin production aesthetic and a less than crisp overall sound. Stream and buy the split at the link below.

 



The Graveyard Kids: It's Been A Wonderful Evening

 

It's Been A Wonderful Year is the new  and unfortunately, the last EP by The Graveyard Kids on indie collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen. The six tracks are undoubtedly the best record they ever made and one of the best releases to come out of Mama Coco’s. It’s at once a vividly impressionistic masterstroke of production, and a humble document of a killer band that was at its best simply playing together. Take time to appreciate a great band with their last work. Stream and download It's Been A Wonderful Evening at the link below.

 



Blood Drugs: Blood Drugs

 

Seattle punk band Blood Drugs have released their S/T debut album on Good To Die Records. Dark and heavy, the 10 tracks are marked by lo-fi production that gives them a muddled midrange sheen. The album is a journeyman effort that, while good throughout, has no real distinguishing qualities to set it apart from the masses. A good debut, but not a great one. Stream and buy Blood Drugs at the link below.

 



Σtella: Picking Words Video

Three months after the release of his s/t debut album, via Inner Ear Records (reviewed on FZB), Athenian electro-pop singer Σtella (pronounced Stella) has released the video for album track Picking Words. The video is edited by Christos Massalas. Watch it below.

 

Wild Raccoon: Mount Break

 

Mount Break is the new album from Wild Raccoon, on Paris indie label Howlin Banana Records. Mount Break is a garage pop one-man band from Lille, France who delivers 10 tracks with catchy melodies, a lot of fuzz, stupid lyrics and a bit of a surf vibe. Think King Khan & BBQ show, early Ty Segall and Magnetix. This album has the perfect summer vibe for your beach parties by the inflatable pool in the back yard. Stream and buy Mount Break at the link below.
 

Wizardlizard: Souls

 

Souls is the new track from Canadian artist Wizardlizard, aka Maddi Keiver. Her music is marked by sparse arrangements, where instrumentation is used for effect, rather than necessity. On Souls, we find her going back to basics on a mainly acoustic track, that serves up her stunning vocals as the main course. Minimal and intimate, the track pulls in one's attention with clarity and presence, like tasting a fine wine. Have a taste, stream and buy Souls at the link below.

 



Slum Of Legs: Doll Like

 

UK label Tuff Enuff Records brings us another rollicking punk single, Doll Like, from all girl band Slum Of Legs. With homage to Kathleen Hannah and Lydia Lunch, the two tracks are a call to action, for gender equality and the end of oppression. With full on DIY production and an aesthetic that harkens back to the best of the riot girl releases, Slum Of Legs strive to be the voice than banishes the mundane. Stream and buy Doll Like at the link below.

 



Side-Line Magazine: Face The Beat Session 2 Compilation

 

Today we have a new compilation album from Brussels based Side-Line Magazine. This massive release spans 52 tracks of electro, wave and industrial music. The release is curated Side-Line chief editor Bernard Van Isacker and delivers an electronic music experience that will leave any synth enthusiast in delight. The best part is that the whole 52 track compilation is free. Stream and download Face The Beat Session 2 at the link below.

 

Crystal Shipsss: I Will See No Moon No Sky

 

FZB favorites Crystal Shipsss are back with a new album, I Will See No Moon No Sky. The band of Jacob Faurholt, William Kudahl Sørensen, Jens Christian Madsen and Aidan Baker, continue their journey through sonic realms of experimental lo-fi pop, with ethereal vocals and gripping synths, laced with ambient textures. This band continues to be explorers pushing back the boundaries with stirring music. Stream , download for free, or better yet buy I Will See No Moon No Sky in limited edition red vinyl at the link below.



Burnside & Hooker: All The Way To The Devil

 

Chicago’s Burnside & Hooker have dropped their sophomore full-length, All the Way to the Devil, an album that channels barroom blues, baroque pop, roots rock, punk and gospel. The 14 tracks feature strong vocals with an unmistakable blues sound, that carries through the instrumentals as well. The production lacks crispness, clarity and power, which is disappointing for such a strong artistic offering. Stream and buy All the Way to the Devil at gthe link below.

 



Totally Wired: 023 - 2015

 

Austrian label Totally Wired Records has released their fourth compilation, 023-2015. Like their previous offerings, this album is a mix of post-punk and electronic, all on the edgy side of the indie scene. No formula music here. The sixteen artists serve up an eclectic mix that is raw, original and exciting. This album has a ton of great music for the taking. Stream and download Totally Wired 023 - 2015 at the link below.

 



Dan Latner: No Fun Intended

 

Here's something a bit different for FZB. Today we have the rollicking Americana album from Dan Latner, No Fun Intended. In deference to the title, fun is all you'll find, with a folk album as crisp as a funnel cake. Stylings range from carnival to melancholy. Just a damn good album. Get it and listen over and over. Stream and download No Fun Intended at the link below.

 



Tamara Williamson: Sister Mother Daughter Wife

 

Ontario singer/songwriter Tamara Williamson's stunning new album, "Sister Daughter Mother Wife," is a testament to lyrical depth, musical power and the intimacy of compelling vocals. Williamson states "The importance of this album is paramount for me as it helped me work through some of the tougher ideas I've faced and helped me start living outside of the bubble I had created for myself. Every song on the album explores a different women's story that I felt needed to be heard." This is the best album of the year so far for us. An absolute must have. Stream and buy Sister Mother Daughter Wife at the link below.

 

WindfallFound: Pulling For The Heavens

 

Ontario based WindfallFound have a new album, Pulling For The Heavens. The seven tracks blend the atmospheric experimental of Animal Collective, with the raw post-punk of The Coldwar Kids to deliver an infectious and powerful originality, which is compelling only the way true innovation can be. This is a must have. Watch the video for album track, Views, then stream and download at the link below.

 



Various Artists: Revolution - The Shoegaze Revival

 

Revolution - The Shoegaze Revival is an epic, truly international 30-track compilation, involving underground artists from all over the world, who are virtually united under one revolutionary flag – that of a shoegaze revival. Welcome to the broad and often misunderstood world of shoegaze.  Curated by UK label Ear to Ear Records and Indonesian label Gerpfast Kolektif, this compilation features 30 bands from 16 countries, covering 5 of the 6 inhabited continents. This is a must have. Stream and download Revolution - The Shoegaze Revival at the link below.

 



Winter: Supreme Blue Dream

 

Supreme Blue Dream is the debut full length from Los Angeles band Winter on Lollipop Records. Fronted by Samira Winter, the album floats on with a youthful sense of nostalgia and romanticized segues into adulthood. Touching on not one, but two languages (English and Portuguese) with the song “Expectations/Exigências,” this bi-lingual group of dreamers do their part to lay us down softly while keeping their listeners eager for each tune. Watch a video for the track, Crazy, then stream and buy Supreme Blue Dream at the link below.