Australasia: Notturno

 

Australasia is an evolutionary musical project led by multi-instrumentalist Gian Spalluto. Its music evokes emotion and paints vivid pictures for the mind's eye, transporting the listener far beyond where his physical being is left standing.Australasia's music reflects a childhood spent listening to Ennio Morricone's soundtracks, followed by a youth in extreme metal and heavy psych bands that led to a passion for shoegaze, post-rock and Blade Runner-era synthesizers.
 

Mouca Records: The Lithuanian Mixtape

 

Independent label Mouca Records have expanded their dual base of Porto, Portugal and Berlin, Germany to a triumvirate, which now includes Vilnius, Lithuania. The Lithuanian Mixtape is the first of a trilogy of tapes that will highlight emerging artists in Mouca's three base cities. The sixteen tracks showcase a breadth of imaginative music coming from a country little thought about in western music circles. This album is a must have. Stream and download The Lithuanian Mixtape at the link below.

 

Hanetration: Waldsterben EP

 

FZB favorite Hanetration is back with his 7th EP, Waldsterben. The UK based producer takes a less crafted approach with this release, instead going for more edgy patchworks of synths and noise. The effect is an EP that has a depth of personality, showcasing the idiosyncratic musings of an artist unafraid to take chances and unbound by genre preconceptions. Hanetration continues to push the creative envelope and we like the result. Stream and download the Waldsterben EP for free at the link below.

 

Joseph Giant: Break It Together

 

Break It Together is the sophomore full length from Seattle rockers Joseph Giant. The album is a personal scrapbook of events that frontman Joe Syverson experienced over the past 5 years. During the recording of the album Syverson and his family became homeless and had to find temporary place to live causing him to come up with the title Break It Together. Putting everything he had in the making of the album pushed the process into a surge of creativity and urgency. With scrappier songs, like debut single “On The Run”  & flushed out acoustic songs like “Blink Of An Eye”. Break It Together will draw you in! Stream and buy Break It Together at the link below.



Them Vibes: TV

 

After a couple advance singles, Nashville's Them Vibes have released their debut EP, TV. Blending elements of rockabilly, alt-country and indie rock, the five tracks are a rollicking introduction to a band that shows an abundance of musical and lyrical depth. Tight harmonies, compelling rhythms and tons of melodic twangy guitars mark a debut that's as strong as they get. This is a band that bears watching as bigger things are surely yet to come. Stream and buy TV at the link below.

 



The Virgance: Paradigm 3

 

Paradigm 3 is the new album from UK shoegaze artist The Virgance, aka Nathan Smith. Paradigm 3 builds on the momentum gained from Smith's first two releases, serving up a fresh cerebral road trip for shoegaze and post-rock fans to absorb. Smith demonstrates the strength of the album format as an art form and reminds us of the rewards of patient listening in this modern, digital age of instant gratification and short attention spans. This is perhaps the most balanced Virgance release so far, embracing the more emotional aspects of shoegaze while retaining some experimental rock attributes, as well as the aesthetics of both beautiful noise and ambient music. Stream and download Paradigm 3 at the link below.



OH.: Love Will Heal

 

Love Will Heal is the epic new single from NYC artist, OH. Built from a singular studio session that led to self analysis and discovery, this track is a moving, soul touching work from a masterful artist. Deep, dark and compelling, This is another must have from a superlative talent. Stream and buy Love Will Heal at the link below.

 



Century Thief: Reverie

 

Toronto band Century Thief have released their debut full length, Reverie. The thirteen track album is about fighting stagnation. It’s an honest attempt to understand the boredom and comfort of unhealthy situations, poisonous loves, cruel social structures, doubt and dead end routines. Featuring sterling vocals, musical framing worthy of a masterpiece and crisp production, Reverie is as good as they come. This is a must have. Stream and buy Reverie at the link below.



Remora: Almost Live Series

 

Another gem from our friends at Silber Records are some lost recordings from Remora. Recently uncovered are live practice space recordings for Ambient Ping Radio's Almost Live Series. This album is a typical 45 minute ambient guitar drone set from 2007 including several pieces not available on any studio albums and some pieces drastically reworked. Remora will be familiar to regular visitors to this blog and this album marks that rare find that serves to expand the sonic landscape for an important ambient artist. Stream and download the Almost Live Series for free at the link below.



Cold Country: The Fall EP

 

The Fall EP, by Chicago folk-rock band Cold Country, is a collection of B-sides left from their full length release last April, Willow. The seven tracks channel similarities with Justin Vernon's projects as well as with Sufjan Stevens, without mimicking either. For an EP of "B-sides", what one discovers is an inspired EP that stands on its own as a strong artistic work. This is a must have. Watch the video for EP track Siamese, then stream and buy The Fall EP (when it is formally released in November) at the link below.

 



Yellow6: No Memories, Only Photographs

 

Our friends at North Carolina label Silber Records, bring us the stunning new album from ambient shoegaze artist Yellow6, the project of British guitarist Jon Attwood. The album concept is about the inpersistent nature of memory. Featuring melodic layers that carry the listener deep into Attwood's fertile creative fields, the ten tracks invoke one's own imagery to leave a deep impact on the psyche. Watch the video for Seal Beach, then stream and buy No Memories, Just Photographs at the link below.

  



Black Is Bright: Clueless

 

Portland shoegazers Black Is Bright have set out to release a track per week over the next five weeks. Their first is the dynamic, atmospheric piece Clueless. Ripped with layers of guitars, noise and reverb, the track soars through the din, with heavy melodic lines and Joy Divisionesque vocals. A seething mass for your Friday enjoyment. Stream and buy Clueless at the link below.

 



Tender Age: Get High b/w Always

 

Pacific Northwest band Tender Age have released a vinyl 7" of their new tracks, Get High b/w Always. The tracks are a collage of reverb, where the effect takes precedence over the music and vocals. This is unfortunate as the music and vocals that can be heard seem interesting and could be really gripping. That's is if you could hear it. Instead what we have is a fine record ruined by terrible production. Where reverb is applied in huge quantities for its own sake and to the detriment of the music. You can watch a video for the track Get High and then stream and buy the 7" at the link below.

 

James Chatburn: The Singles

 

Berlin based, Australian artist James Chatburn has released a four track EP, aptly titled The Singles. The electronic R&B, written last year, is released as a series of four singles, starting with Holiday Love (another collaboration with Jordan Rakei) in February, and then We Drink (featuring Frank Nitt and produced with Dizz1) released back in June. The final track, Cracks and Breaks, will be released in November, and will complete the compilation.  All the tracks collectively show James dexterity with genre, production and songwriting, and he has some exciting upcoming collaborations. Stream and download the first three tracks of The Singles at the link below.

 



Mouca Records: MN 10 Vol. II

 

Today we have Volume II of the fine Mouca Records Mixtape, I Dream A Dream. The thirteen tracks are chock full of post-punk gems, with vibes that range from riot girl to surf to punk. Berlin and Porto based Mouca Records always delivers quality music for the head and the heart. Stream and download MN 10 Vol. II at the link below.

 



Terrorista - Outer Rooms: Split

 

Toronto post-punk duo Terrorista, have teamed with their Toronto mates Outer Rooms, to release a driving split cassette single. The two tracks are edgy, lo-fi and wonderful. The production is raw and authentic, while each track is instrumentally and vocally dynamic. This cassette is a great way to start the week. Compelling punk music for your Monday. Stream and buy the split at the link below.

 

Whatever Brains: An Object b/w/ My Autumn's Done Come

 

Sorry State Records continues with their North Carolina singles series with An Object b/w/ My Autumn's Done Come by Whatever Brains. The two tracks are punky, with unique melody structures and dissonant over tones. darkish chord progressions and shading highlight an original sound that draws one into the listening experience. Stream and buy An Object b/w My Autumn's Done Come at the link below.

 



Gurguburek: Old Postcards

 

Italian label DOF Records brings us a unique listening experience by way of Old Postcards, the new album from avant-garde duo Gurguburek. The 6 tracks are an extreme and cacophonous tonal poem. The noise enters, bullies together with free improvisation, creating an apocalyptic music. The melodic moments alternate with ones of primordial chaos where the saxophone, completely unstructured, shows unusual, but highly suggestive, sounds. Stream and buy Old Postcards at the link below.

 

The Foreign Films: Girl By The River Video

We have featured Foreign Films, aka Bill Majoros, several times here on FZB, most recently for Side 3 of his ongoing double album project. Today we have the poignant video for the Side 3 track, Girl By The River. Enjoy.