Dust Covered Carpet: Drown in Gentle Sea

KIM Records is releasing Drown in Gentle Sea, the final EP from Austrian indie rock band Dust Covered Carpet. After nine years, the band has called it quits. They leave us with five tracks of dark, powerful music, with their signature orchestral touches. To listen to the EP, is to embrace a conceptual piece that mirrors the band's existence, which flows from a strong opening statement to an emotional finale. This is a must have. Stream and buy Drown in Gentle Sea at the link below.

Manon Meurt: Manon Meurt

Toronto's Label Obscura is reissuing the S/T debut EP from Czech Republic based shoegaze band Manon Meurt. This marks the band's first North American release. The six tracks are a heady collection that shows influences from My Bloody Valentine to Lush. Dark, atmospheric and edgy, the EP showcases one of the best bands to come out of Eastern Europe. This EP is an important must have for any aficionado of shoegaze. Stream and buy Manon Meurt at the link below.

Gioumourtzina: Blakk Metall

Greek label Inner Ear Records brings us Blakk Metall, the debut album by Gioumourtzina. The eight tracks are totally unique in their sound. With influences from the Mediterranean and Middle East, blended with shoegaze and synthpop, what one gets is a totally compelling and original music experience. Dark, glitchy and atmospheric, this album is a must have. Stream and buy Blakk Metall at the link below.

Wood Lake: Hell

FZB favorites Wood Lake have released their new album, Hell. The Ottawa, Ontario based band deliver nine tracks of dense and edgy shoegaze. Blending in elements of emo and hardcore, there are times that recall The Used, and give Wood Lake a unique sound, with copious synths, and noise to broaden the spectrum. This album is a definite must have. Stream and buy Hell at the link below.

Crystal Soda Cream: Work & Velocity

FZB favorites Crystal Soda Cream, have graced this blog many times with their signature brand of post-punk. Now they're back with Work & Velocity, the superb new album on Austrian label Totally Wired Records. Channeling Joy Division and New Order, with an edge that would shame a sword, and a dark vision that sets the music apart as intense and meaningful. This album is a must have. Watch the video for album track Rationale Arbeitsschritte, then stream and buy Work & Velocity at the link below.

Decorum: Vail

Brooklyn trio Decorum have released their debut EP, Vail, on indie label Mirror Universe Tapes. The seven tracks showcase the band's experimental post-punk approach, featuring two basses, drums and vocals. This gives Decorum a dark vibe and a totally unique sound. Atmospheric vocals drive an ethereal sonic landscape of competing melodies and reverb drenched spirits. This is definitely a must have. Stream and buy Vail at the link below.

The Bordellos: Grin - New Free Music Day

Back in March we reviewed the fine new album by The Bordellos. Now we find the band at it again, eschewing what has become the major label fiasco of Record Store Day, to release Grin - New Free Music Day. As always, taking their own direction, The Bordellos once again regale us with their glitchy brand of post-punk; to raise our spirits with new music that shows no devotion to the commercial creations of a recording industry that has lost its way. Stream and download Grin - New Free Music Day for free at the link below.

Duke Chevalier: Ace of Swords

Ace of Swords is the new EP from Sacramento artist Duke Chevalier, aka Sam Eliot Stern. The 5 tracks are polished and catchy pop songs, with a strong influence of what has become a "mainstream" indie sound. Reverby, and commercial, this is a record made for indie radio, with tight arrangements, and cliched instrumentals.This will appeal to fans of dream pop and folk rock, but don't expect any edge pushing or original touches. This is the indie equivalent of Top 40. Stream and buy Ace of Swords at the link below.

Jon Kohen: Curse the Darkness, or Create a Light

Curse the Darkness, or Create a Light is the new EP from Boston based singer/songwriter Jon Kohen. The three tracks were recorded with a string ensemble, yielding an EP that is lush and engaging. Blending beautiful melodies and counterpoint with Kohen's wonderful songs, the EP is a testament to to folk's ability to be continually reborn in ever more creative ways. We only wish there were more tracks here, as three makes for a disappointingly short experience. Stream and download Curse the Darkness, or Create a Light at the link below.

Clara Engel: Visitors Are Allowed One Kiss

Toronto singer/songwriter Clara Engel has released her stunning new album Visitors Are Allowed One Kiss. The five deep, intimate tracks, expertly blend together a folk aesthetic with post-punk stylistic elements. Featuring a host of outstanding guest performances including Theremin virtuoso Armen Ra, Thor Harris (Swans, Shearwater) and ambient auteur Aiden Baker, Engel creates a sonic experience that engulfs the listener in a sensory and emotional musical ocean. One of our favorite albums of the year so far. Stream and buy Visitors Are Allowed One Kiss at the link below.

The All-About: Be Safe Goodbye

Be Safe Goodbye is the first new album in 3 years from NYC group The All-About. Led by prolific frontman Zac Coe, the nine tracks explore dreampop and indie folk in ways that marries the genres into a cohesive and inspired album. With superlative production by Oliver Ignatius at Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, this album glistens in pop goodness, strong songwriting and sterling performances. Stream and download Be Safe Goodbye at the link below.

The Veldt: The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur: The Drake Equation

New York shoegazers The Veldt have released their new EP, The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur: The Drake Equation. The five tracks blend together ethereal indie rock tracks with vocals that drip Philly soul. With influences from Motown to Jesus and Mary Chain, the EP is strong on originality and full of lofi noise and edgy vibes. A stunning work from a band that is used to pushing boundaries. Stream and buy The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur: The Drake Equation, at the link below.

Fog Lake: Rattlesnake B/W Strung Back Around

Canadian artist Fog Lag, aka Aaron Powell, has released a new single, Rattlesnake B/W Strung Back Around, in advance of his new album due in the fall on Orchid Tapes. The two tracks are jangly folk-rock pieces that share similarity to Youth Lagoon. Light and airy, the tracks blend dream pop instrumentals with intimate atmospheric vocals. These two songs are thoroughly enjoyable and work at every level. Just the thing to make us shudder with anticipation for the coming album. Stream and download Rattlesnake B/W Strung Back Around at the link below.

Scott Yoder: Looking Back In Blue

Seattle singer/songwriter Scott Yoder has released his debut album Looking Back In Blue on Italian label Annibale Records. Produced by Brandon Eggleston (Modest Mouse, Tune-Yards, Moutain Goats, Swans), the nine tracks show a wide range of influences from The Beatles, to Ray Davies, to 60's Greenwich Village. With an overall folk rock vibe, the former frontman for The Pharmacy, eschews more contemporary cliches, for a classic sound that yields a very strong debut effort. Stream and buy Looking Back In Blue at the link below.

Toot Sweet: Dilettante

NYC based band Toot Sweet have released their sophomore album Dilettane. The thirteen tracks have a theatrical feel to them, that unfortunately comes across as over produced lounge music. The band calls itself cabaret soul and while this is an apt description, the tracks have little for the listener to connect with. There will certainly be those that are drawn to this album, but we find it to be pretentious and lacking of direction. Stream and buy Dilettante at the link below.

Helalyn Flowers: Sonic Foundation

Italian synthpop duo Helalyn Flowers have released Sonic Foundation, a massive 23 track album on Belgium label Alfa Matrix Records. The tracks are dense electronic affairs, with vocals that share similarity to such diverse artists as Madonna, St. Vincent and  Amy Lee. With an ever present dance beat, the synths create heavy bass vibes and provide counterpoint melodies in concert with metal guitar stylings. Taken together, this is an album of huge breadth and great depth. A definite must have. Stream and buy Sonic Foundation at the link below.

UnderThe Skin: UnderTheSkin

Polish artist/producer UnderTheSkin, aka Void, has released his S/T debut EP. The six tracks have a dark 80's new wave vibe and feel like a cross between Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnyman. The music is intense, atmospheric and totally cool. Everything about this EP fits perfectly with the vibe it's trying to create. A definite must have. Stream and buy UnderTheSkin in a variety of limited edition formats below.