Double Echo: La Danza

 

Swedish label Peter Out Records brings us the sophomore album, La Danza,  from darkwave group Double Echo. The eight tracks continue the band's dreamy, atmospheric approach with a sound that draws heavily from 80's new wave. Sullen, melodic and sad, Double Echo have a refined sound that draws the listener in with nostalgic joy. Stream and buy La Danza at the link below.



Luka Fisher: Sleep Gallery

 

The 5in5 series, from Silber Records, has been one of our favorite musical adventures this year. With the series, Silber artists record an EP of 5 tracks that total about 5 minutes in length. The latest installment is the EP, Sleep Gallery, ambient goodness from Luka Fisher. Fisher is generally known for his visual art & music videos, so it's pretty cool to hear what he releases himself - a mix of ambient, experimental & primitive dance reminiscent of Psychic TV & Pigface.  Stream and buy Sleep Gallery at the link below.

 



Liskka: Liskka

 

Liskka is the S/T debut EP from the UK synthpop group. The five tracks take cues from glitch, electro pop and Modern R'n'B, whilst managing to sound absolutely nothing like any of them. Warm organic sounds of horn and piano litter the track, adding a beautiful respite to a fairly restless scene. Meanwhile, self-referential stop-start samples emphasise the glassy alien tone, all combined, it amounts to an interesting journey. Bright, fresh and imaginative, the Liskka EP is a must have. Stream and buy Liskka at the link below.

 

Hemgraven: Saudade

 

Saudade is the new two song EP from Swedish darkwave group Hemgraven. In a short period of time, Hemgraven has proved to be one of Sweden's most interesting and energetic bands of recent years, both live and on record, with their feet firmly rooted in the country's history of dark 80’s new wave, while at the same time constantly looking forward. Think an updated Flock of Seagulls or Depeche Mode. Stream and buy Saudade at the link below.

 



Reno McCarthy: Man of the City

Canadian dance-rock artist Reno McCarthy has a new video out for his single Man of the City. The video directed by Émile Vallée takes place in McCarthy’s hometown of Montreal and focuses on a simple concept of an everyday man in a city, hustling to work while making time for his life passion. Watch it below.

Ummagma: Frequency

 

Multi-cultural duo Ummagma are back with a stunning new album, Frequency. Drifting effortlessly through synthpop and dreampop, with shoegazey elements for depth, the eight tracks transport one into a sonic spectrum where musicianship and vocal prowess take center stage with crystalline  production. Fullfilling the ambitions of the anticipation and hype, the duo of Shauna McLarnon and Alexander Kretov have delivered a special album that is a must have. Stream and buy Frequency at the link below.

 

Andrew Johnston: Take The Highway

 

Canadian singer/songwriter Andrew Johnston is back with a new single, Take The Highway. Inspired by his impending tour, the track takes a straight forward rock approach to a troubadour story, with a powerful hook. Good production and a nice arrangement pull it all together on this piece. Stream and download Take The Highway at the link below.

 

Velcro Mary: Leave A Light On

 

After a four year wait, North Carolina artist Velcro Mary, aka Jason Erb, is back with Leave A Light On, his sophomore album. The ten tracks, stitch together shades of indie rock, post-punk and grunge to deliver an album with depth and authenticity. Erb's vocals draw a stark picture with the lyrics, all backed by heavy guitars, with melodic interludes and compelling arrangements. This album is strong from start to finish and is a must have. Stream and buy Leave A Light On at the link below.

 



The Obleeks: One In A Million

 

Chicago band, The Obleeks, have released a new EP, One In A Million. The four tracks are simple, straight forward pop-punk. The tracks all have a nice live, made at home feel, keeping the music lo-fi and immediate. No pretense here, just a power trio play rock music in its barest form. Lots of twang, lots of fuzz and lots of fun. Stream and download One In A Million at the link below.

 

Outdoor Velour: Face The Strange

 

After a three year wait we have, Face The Strange, a proper new album from husband and wife duo Outdoor Velour. The pair are masters at genre interpretation across styles and epochs. Quirky, original and unmistakably poppy, Outdoor Velour blend, pop-punk, rock and everything else you can think of, to twang, harmonize and have fun through all eleven tracks. Long an FZB favorite, the new album is a must have. Stream and buy Face The Strange at the link below.

 

The Burning Leaves: Sandbird

 

After a three year wait, FZB favorites The Burning Leaves are back with a stunning new EP, Sandbird. The UK based duo of Indie Mae and Craig Lee-Williams grace us with five tracks of beautifully melodic dream pop. Smooth as silk and as pleasurable as a warm embrace, the tracks envelop you with songs of love and longing. This is a must have. Stream and buy Sandbird at the link below.

 



Lazy Legs: Lipstick Prick

 

Wild Patterns Records brings us Lipstick Prick the debut shoegaze single from Lazy Legs. The track has all the reverb and soaring guitars that one would expect from the genre. What is missing is a track with anything to hold on to. Why this was released as essentially an instrumental, with only reverby vocalizations is beyond us. There is just nothing in the track to draw one in. At best the track feels unfinished; at worst it's just pretentious. Give it a listen and see what you think. Stream and download Lipstick Prick at the link below.

 



Cat Daiquiri: Cat Daiquiri

 

Chicago band Cat Daiquiri have released their S/T debut EP. The three tracks are enjoyable indie rock, with good depth and pacing, tight harmonies and nice melodies. All together a fine debut that could have been much better with better production and mastering, which unfortunately as is, leaves us with a shadow of what could have been. Stream and download Cat Daiquiri at the link below.

 



Goodman: Goodman

 

Brooklyn collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen are back with a new S/T EP release from Goodman. Taking in a kaleidoscopic vision of guitar pop music that incorporates elements of the baroque, the brash, and the blissfully bonkers, there's a huge amount packed into these 4 tracks. From the twisted Zombies-esque Lessons Learned in Love to the vintage garage snot of Telegram Girl to the tranced out glam stomp of Movies, it's all good stuff. Not only that, but Goodman is the sister EP to a new full length LP coming 2016. Stream and buy Goodman at the link below.
 

DB Cooper: The Road Video

FZB favorites, DB Cooper, are back with a new video for their sharp track, The Road, title track off their album from last spring. Watch it below.

The Dictaphone: Hazmat

 

Totally Wired Records brings us the new album Hazmat, from French psych garage experimental punk phenomenon Jérémie Morin, aka The Dictaphone. With his usual aplomb Morin succeeds in keeping the listeners fully engaged - this time by dragging them on board of his timeless rocket-ship for an imposing and unpredictable trip across highly toxicoid, reverb-soaked rock'n'roll territory. Manic drum thrash mixing with huskily distant, yet penetrating vocals, prancing guitars spitting venom over sizzling analog synths, all of it competing for space in between oscillating reverb spirals. Stream and buy Hazmat at the link below.

 



Kirchenkampf: Swimming Towards The Light

 

North Carolina label Silber Records, continual purveyors of inspired experimental music, bring us Swimming Towards The Light, the new release from Kirchenkampf, aka John Gore. On this release, full of dark ambient textures, sinister space and industrial grimaces, Gore explores the fear of drowning, with a tonal poem that is ripe for the season, and manifest with inventive sonic emotions. This is a must have. Stream and buy Swimming Towards The Light at the link below.

  



Eternals: Out Of Context

 

Massachusetts band, Eternals, give us an advance look at their next album, Isn't That Anyone, due in the spring of 2016, with their stunning new track Out Of Context. Drawing equally from contemporary greats such as Wilco, Spoon and Sparklehorse, and classic pop and rock experimentalists like Brian Eno and John Cale, the track is the perfect collusion of timeless sounds with an ambitious sonic language. Stream and download Out Of Context at the link below.