Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen: Section VI Respawn Dub

 

After their studio being devastated by flood in the spring of 2014, music collective and FZB favorites Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen are back with a compilation release of the first projects to emerge from the rebuilt studio and the reborn collective. Section VI Respawn Dub is full of all the musical goodness and spirit we have come to know from MCFK. Stream and download Respawn Dub for free at the link below.

 



Iglomat: King Of The Sun Video

Here's a new video from Iglomat for their track King Of The Sun. Scroll down our reviews to find our review of their album III from back in June.

Natalie Myre: Breaking Forward

 

Breaking Forward is the debut album from Chicago singer-songwriter Natalie Myre. Clean, unpretentious and authentic are all apt description of Myre's music. The eleven tracks are marked by strong vocals, tight arrangements and quality songwriting. In the same vain as Sara Bareilles, but with her own unique bluesy style Myre delivers on every note. Stream and buy Breaking Forward at the link below.

 

Son of The Wind: Son Of The Wind

 

Son Of The Wind is the S/T debut album from Icelandic guitarist Smári Tarfur, who is most notable for his work in Quarashi. Having relocated from Reykjavik to the quieter region surrounding the now infamous Eyjafjallajökull Glacier, Smári spent the summer of 2014 writing and performing new material in the shadows of Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, where he was greeted by the immediate warmth of the daily tourists. From the generous contributions, he set about recording his album live in the magical surroundings. A year later, and just before he heads back to the same spot to compose more material, he releases his the fruit of his labor. Stream and buy Son Of The Wind at the link below.

 



Rodney Cromwell: Age of Anxiety

 

Rodney Cromwell recently released his debut LP 'Age of Anxiety on Happy Robot Records, introducing modern electronic lovers to some epic retro future synth music. Strongly influenced by artists such as OMD, New Order, and Kraftwerk, this music equally embraces synthpop and indiepop. It's no wonder he has gained solid support from the likes of Malcolm Holmes (OMD),  Rusty Egan (Visage, Rich Kids) on this release. Made almost entirely on vintage gear, ‘Age of Anxiety’ is an album that evokes the synthpop sound of the 70’s and 80’s while still being forward looking and sounding fresh. Krautrock rhythms combine with melodic bass lines, the chimes of toy instruments, the bleeps of antique moogs, ARPs and vintage synths, while the songs still maintain a classic pop format. Stream and buy Age of Anxiety at the link below.



Ric Gordon: Busking Out

 

Russian Winter Records head, Ric Gordon, is back with an homage to a summer spent busking with his new EP, Busking Out. The six tacks see three new recordings, paired with three songs from his previous albums under his Prevrat moniker.The tracks are stripped down to capture the spirit of busking, while leaving enough in the arrangements for them to work as recorded pieces. Standouts include an arrangement of traditional English folk song, The Death of Queen Jane and You Always Stayed, an intimate upbeat ballad. Stream, download and buy Busking Out at the link below.

 

Ophelia Syndrome: Foolish Video

FZB favorites Ophelia Syndrome has released a lyric video for their track Foolish. Watch it below.

Afternoon In Stereo: Retrospective

 

Retrospective compiles 10 years of the funkier, club-driven side of the work, by Canadian producer Greg Vickers featuring two new tracks. This new collection is the perfect bookend to last year's A Jazz Odyssey, which assembled the more jazz-oriented side of  his output. While aspects of the jazz- influence on the producer are never far away, we hear a harder edge to the productions collected here, work more inline with the nightclub than the lounge. RETROSPECTIVE presents an opportunity to hear work by the producer that, when collected side-by-side, reflects a very specific aspect of his musical intent. Stream and buy Retrospective at the link below.



Nanaki: Dandelion Radio Session

 

Dandelion Radio Session is the latest EP from Nanaki, a solo moniker of continually prolific Postcode guitarist Mikie Daugherty. Released on Small Bear Records, the EP revisits material from the early days of the band, consisting mainly of tracks originally found on the now unavailable debut album Fashion Is The Enemy Of All Art. The five tracks are less post-rock, being closer in some ways to post-punk. As well as being an opportunity to present improved versions of older material and to introduce it to a new audience, the session was intended to provide something of an insight into the Nanaki live experience of days-gone-by. Stream and download the Dandelion Radio Session at the link below.

 



Various Artists: Rock Back For Nepal Volume Three

 

Rock Back for Nepal is a 3-part series of disaster relief compilations being released by U.S. indie label Patetico Recordings. The label is partnering with nearly 60 independent artists and several small indie labels around the globe to make this happen. They have all come together in order to raise funds for victims of the recent catastrophic earthquakes in Nepal. All money raised will go directly to the relief efforts. Stream and buy Rock Back For Nepal at the link below.

 



The Foreign Films: Side 3

 

FZB favorite The Foreign Films, solo project of Canadian artist/producer Bill Majoros, has just released Side 3, six more tracks from his pending 2016 double album, The Records Collector. Magoros' ambitious recording project sees each of the sides representing a 3 month junk of a year long songwriting and recording marathon. Side 3 is a juxtaposition of influences from Magoros' formative years as a musician that include 60's pop, 70's singer-songwriter, vintage soul, progressive and new wave. All this is melded together into The Foreign Films own unique sound. Stream and download Side 3 at the link below.
 

Philip Polk Palmer: Here In The Deadlights

 

Here In The Deadlights is the new album from Philip Polk Palmer on North Carolina imprint Silber Records. The 10 tracks are dark and murky, with a wonderful Chis Isaak and Nice Cave feel. Palmer has a sound that is compelling, with back alley guitars whose twang raises the hair on the back of your neck like hearing footsteps in the dark. The album is a sonic tribute to Savannah, Georgia, Palmer's home town. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Here In The Deadlights below.

 

Lights That Change: Voices

 

Voices is the latest track from UK band Lights That Change, on Ear to Ear Records. The track features Mal Holmes of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and is a brooding, darkish affair with an intimate feel and atmospheric aesthetic. With sonic similarities to Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins, Lights That Change are illuminating the way to shoegaze goodness. Watch the video for the track below and then stream and buy voices at the link below.



Dog Paper Submarine, Signal From Kepler-22b

 

Signal From Kepler-22b is the new full length album from Dog Paper Submarine on Swedish label Small Bear Records. The follow-up to their debut EP from last year, this new album comes hot on the heels of two solo releases from DPS frontman Martin Månsson Sjöstrand under the 'This Heel' banner earlier in 2015. Dog, Paper, Submarine deal in fuzzy, lo-fi, melodic indie-rock comparable to the likes of Guided By Voices, Pavement, Lilys and Neutral Milk Hotel, but with an identity all their own. Signal From Kepler-22b retains the charm, energy and joy of their EP, whilst in places veering off into spikier, more angular and discordant post-punk territory. Stream, download and buy Signal From Kepler-22b at the link below.



Remora: Swash

 

Dark post-punk band Remora are back with a new EP, Swash. The band is fronted by Silber Records head Brian John Mitchell, along with Peter Westcott Aldrich and Brian Lea McKenzie. The seven tracks are live recordings made during a rehearsal, but this is not betrayed by the production quality. With influences from Joy Division, Swans and Television, the EP finds Remora honing their aggressive, post-apocalyptic sound to a hard edge. Dense, heavy and  atmospheric are all apt descriptors of one of the best live albums we've heard. Watch the video for EP track The Doctors Wife and then download Swash at the link below.

 

Oh Geronimo: The Flood

 

Ontario band, Oh Geronimo have released a two track single The Flood b/w Waves. The release was drawn from one member's experience of a flooded basement bedroom and the lasting effects left on his psyche. The tracks themselves are wonderfully melodic affairs, with strong vocals, instrumentals and production. Comparisons can be made to great artists like Hey Rosetta, City and Colour and Great Lake Swimmers. This is a must have. Stream and download The Flood for free at the link below.

  

Kristy and the Kranks: Smile

 

FZB favorites Kristy and the Kranks are back with their debut full length album, Smile, on Totally Wired Records. The release builds on their penchant for simple, retro and lo-fi garage rock. The duo of Kate Kristal and Ana Threat make music that shows inspiration from Kathleen Hanna to Lydia Lunch, while stamping their own distinct personalities on to it. Play it loud and offend the neighbors. Stream and download Smile at the link below.

 



Forevr: Demonstration

 

Demonstration is the debut EP from Australian shoegaze artists Forevr. The music is dense, low-fi and atmospheric. Laden with layers of noise and ambient textures, the 4 tracks are none the less heavy, while retaining an intimate feel. The EP is available as a limited edition gold cassette and as a limited edition black face CD. Stream and download Demonstration at the link below.
 

The Sunbathers: Dreamin' of You

 

Dreamin' of You is the debut album from The Sunbathers, the solo effort of Connecticut singer songwriter Chris Butler. With unmistakable 60s and 70s pop influences and a modern melancholic twist, the 11 tracks are mostly unremarkable formula pieces. Simple themes and melodies both vocally and musically, that are enjoyable enough, while at the same time not making a musical statement that lasts past a first listen. An album that deserves to be heard, some will really like it, but most will say, nice record, and move on. Stream and download Dreamin' of You at the link below.

 



Vukovar: Emperor

 

Emperor is the debut album from Vukovar, on Small Bear Records. The band was formed by Rick Clarke and Dan Shea (also of The Bordellos and Neurotic Wreck) following the disintegration of their former group The Longdrone Flowers. In their own words “Vukovar hails from the Brutalist wastelands in the North of England. Ultra-Realism. Depravity. Monotony. Concrete. Hedonism. Silence. Vukovar are idealists, voyeurs and totalitarians. Formed in 2014”. 'Emperor' was recorded one weekend in the summer of 2014 at Red Lyon Studios on the Isle of Man, home of Small Bear Records. Produced by Dan Ankers and Phil Reynolds, the album sessions became almost a Small Bear supergroup, with contributions from Mikie Daugherty (Postcode, Nanaki, etc), Jonny Peacock (Postcode), Marie Reynolds (Postcode, Stoliday, etc) and Mark Sayle (Circus worlD). Vukovar consider 'Emperor' to be their 'pop' album (albeit a vision of pop that contains influences from no wave, industrial, garage rock and punk), something that Ankers and Reynolds aimed to accentuate when mixing the record, whilst retaining the unique personality of the band and their sound. Stream, download and buy Emperor at the link below.



Anda Volley: Are You Armed?

 

FZB favorite Anda Volley is back with her stunning sophomore album, Are You Armed? In many ways, Volley is a perfectly formed artist to us. She has an impeccable stylistic sense, coupled with  hopelessly Bohemian predilections and a wonderfully unique musical vision. So she comes with the 10 tracks on Are You Armed? and what does she give us...growth! Where her last album, Inside The Ghost Machine, was a more intimate post-punk portrait, her new album show's us an artist fully formed, wandering lush fields of genre and nuance, while staying true to her sound and not surprising too much. This album is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Are You Armed? at the link below.