Reptillians From Andromeda: Sonic Rabbit Hole

Small Bear Records is releassing Sonic Rabbit Hole, the debut EP from Istanbul post-punk band Reptillians From Andromeda. The five tracks are edgy, noise laced affairs that will appeal to listeners of bands like Vivian Girls, Wild Flag and Sleater-Kinney. This is a band best heard at 2:00am in a dark, smokey room, where the vibe is real and the volume is loud. This EP is a must have. Stream and buy Sonic Rabbit Hole at the link below.

Younolovebunny: Younolovebunny

The Copenhagen based indie label, Raw Onion Records, headed by FZB favorite Jacob Faurholt, is releasing the new S/T EP from Younolovebunny, aka singer/songwriter Claus Frohlich. The five tracks are fuzzy, twangy post punk, with a decidedly lo-fi vibe and new wave aesthetic. After over a decade of music making, Frohlich still walks the raw edge with style and a retro swagger. Watch the video for EP track Only Love, then stream and buy Younolovebunny at the link below.

A Tree Grows: A Tree Grows

A Tree Grows is the S/T debut album from this Brooklyn based jazz ensemble. The twelve tracks are an impressive mix of instrumental styles and vibes. Inspired solos, and tight group explorations. Superlative improvisation is the hallmarks of this collaboration of talented and experienced jazz purveyors. An especially interesting feature is the interplay between saxophonist Tivon Pennicot and trumpeter Duane Eubanks. This album is an absolute must have. Watch the videos for album tracks Wau Wau Water and Future Calculations then stream and buy A Tree Grows at the link below.

Black Fjords: Black Fjords

Black Fjords is the S/T debut album from the Vienna based band, on Austrian indie label Wilhelm Show Me The Major Label. The seven tracks are post-punk in the vein of Kathleen Hanna, with sonic elements from bands like The Jam and more recently Bleaches thrown in for good measure. A solid debut that keeps you bopping from start to finish. Stream and download Black Fjords at the link below.

Electric Floor: Fader

Fader is the debut EP from Italian band Electric Floor, on Naples based label Vipchoyo Sound Factory. The five tracks are firmly rooted in 80's new wave, channeling influences from Psychedelic Furs and Echo & The Bunnymen. The EP is dark and atmospheric, with a  pureness of authenticity to the retro vibe. Watch the video for EP track Bluedive and then stream and buy Fader at the link below.

Human Colonies: Big Domino Vortex

Big Domino Vortex is the debut EP from Human Colonies on Italian label MiaCameretta Records. The six tracks are dense, heavy affairs, with an intense post-punk vibe and ample noise. A dark vibe pervades and descends on the listener making for a listening experience that matches the intensity of the music. Watch the video for EP track Sirio, then stream and buy Big Domino Vortex at the link below.

Divisionists: Daybreak

Daybreak is the debut full length from London based Divisionists. The 12 tracks are a blend of psychedelia, with a post-punk sheen. Twangy, melodic and interesting, the band manages to simultaneously sound retro and completely modern. The album has a nice slightly lo-fi vibe and will appeal to a wide variety of listening preferences from Big Star, to Teenage Fanclub, to Bob Mould. Watch an imaginative animated video for album track Say Can You and then stream and buy Daybreak at the link below.

Kristina Cottone: Bow

Bow is the debut solo EP from Honey & the 45's frontwoman Kristina Cottone. The five tracks are a lustrous blend of soulful, bluesy vocals, varied instrumental vibes, stunning songs and crisp production. Cottone has a voice that is compelling on every level. As debuts go, this one is as perfect as they get. This is an artist everyone needs to know and the EP is a must have. Stream and buy Bow at the link below.

Anda Volley: Trickling Light

We are very excited to have Trickling Light, the new album from FZB favorite Anda Volley on the blog today. Volley is no stranger to regulars readers here and her new album continues to show her growth and evolution as an artist. The two tracks have her branching out into more defined ambient, new age terrain. Devoid of her usual vocal and guitar driven experimental indie, these tracks showcase Volley as the accomplished producer that she has developed into through her myriad of works. This album is a must have. Stream and download Trickling Light at the link below.

The Variety Hour: Motivacancy

Motivacancy is the fourth EP from Tacoma indie band The Variety Hour. Released on Swoon Records, the six tracks are firmly in the alt rock vein, but yet are not mere formula music. The EP showcases a band that has done the impossible, and found a unique and original sound in that otherwise worn genre. Fresh, dynamic and heavy, this EP has everything one could ever want, including an imaginative title. Stream and buy Motivacancy at the link below.

Various Artists: One String Inspiration

One String Inspiration is the new benefit compilation album dedicated to Syrian Relief. featuring 28 artists, spanning different genres, the album delivers two hours of sublime goodness. As a driving feature on the album, each artist was challenged to incorporate a homemade instrument or found object, that could be processed in any way, but had to be prominently featured in the mix. What results is an album that is compelling musically, crafted for an equally compelling cause. This is a must have. Stream and buy One String Inspiration at the link below.

Giganto: Latigo Canta

Latigo Canta is the new album from Madrid based instrumental group Giganto, on indie label BCore Disc. Whenever we review an instrumental rock record, it's relevant to discuss the obscurity that such releases are consigned to. While instrumental releases flourish in electronic music, rock releases suffer in anonymity. There is a reason for this. Rock, as a purely instrumental exercise, comes off sounding unfinished and this album shares that fate. While heavy and driving, it lacks any compelling melodic features to hold on to and tie it together as a cohesive work. Give it a listen and see how you feel about it. Stream and buy Latigo Canta at the link below.

Sinners & Saints: On The Other Side

On The Other Side is the latest album from North Carolina based Sinners & Saints, the duo of Perry Fowler and Mark Baran. Cheesy band name aside, the ten tracks are roots based Americana with one foot in Appalachian style folk and the other in traditional country. Simple and inspired, the harmonies recall best of traditional music from the Folkways days, with some lush acoustic guitar parts thrown in for depth. A fine album that will appeal to any traditional folk music fan. Stream and buy On The Other Side at the link below.

Phil Reynolds and the Uncertain Futures: White Claw

The White Claw EP is the third release from Phil Reynolds and the Uncertain Futures. The EP is the solo project of indie label Small Bear Records' head honcho, Phil Reynolds. The tracks use ancient Casio keyboards and drum machines found in junk shops, to create an imaginative four part concept about a lonely crayfish searching for love. This EP is stunning musically and vocally, weaving melodic passages together into a beautiful sonic tapestry. This is one of our favorite releases of the year and is an absolute must have. Stream and buy White Claw, with all proceeds going to Refugee Action, at the link below.

Drive The Ghost: Mystique

Mystique is the debut album from Atlanta based artist Drive The Ghost. The six tracks are based mostly on formulaic metal that is too derivative, as is the case with most metal records nowadays. Where this album finds some legs is in the imaginative, if under performed, vocals, and unique melodic structure, both vocal and instrumental. The songs are the most original part of the record and deliver interesting arrangements and textures. Overall this is an uneven album, with good points and bad points pretty much balancing out. Give it a try and see what you think. Stream and download Mystique for free at the link below.

Hotel Hotel: Cactus Hands, d'Animal: d'Animal l'Ogic, Moon Gravity Antarctica

      

Regular readers of this blog know that one of our favorite indie labels is North Carolina's Silber Records. Today, we are very happy to bring you three new releases from this fine label. The albums represent the breadth and depth of the label, and deliver unique original music that ranges from Cactus Hands, the unreleased 2009 recordings from shoegazey post-punk outfit Hotel Hotel, to l'Ogic, the experimental pop psychedelia of d'Animal, and finally Antarctica, the droney shogaze laden debut from Moon Gravity. Individually or together, these releases continue the fine legacy of Silber Records' curation of great experimental music. Stream and buy these releases at the links below.

Laura & Greg: Forever For Sure

After self releasing their debut album, Forever For Sure, last year, Brooklyn duo Laura & Greg have signed with indie label Paper Garden records and we have the proper re-release of that debut album. The eleven tracks see the duo deliver catchy pop songs, with influences from 60's pop, garage and folk, all paired with close harmonies and introspective lyrics. This is a simple, enjoyable album, that will draw one back to the days when indie was about strong performances vs production  pretentiousness. Stream and buy Forever For Sure at the link below.

Mama K & The Shades: Honey Made

Austin based Mama K & The Shades have released Honey Made, their sultry debut album. Featuring the vocals of frontwoman Kelsey Garcia, backed with an absolutely killer 11-piece band, this is no mere R&B rehash. What one discovers is a super strong group of musicians that move effortlessly through blues, jazz and rock, with virtuostic lines, superlative rhythmic sense and tight performance all around. The male singer leaves a bit to be desired, but that one point aside, this is a band that deserves attention. Stream and buy Honey made at the link below.

Natural Causes: Natural Causes

North Carolina indie label Sorry State Records brings us the new S/T album by Natural Causes. The eleven tracks are edgy, in your face punk, with the feel of a dank club at 2 am with everyone strung out. The album is hard and dark, with a snotty twang that embraces a dangerous sonic vibe, This is punk at it's best, right up there with Buzzcocks and The Damned, raw and unapologetic. Stream and buy Natural Causes at the link below.

Plum Tree: 3 Album Box Set

In the 90's, the three albums by Halifax band Plumtree were gems of high repute in the indie underground. In more recent years their music has lived on in films and TV, such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Hanging Garden, Life With Derek, Numb3rs, 24 and a graphic novel by a band fan that was the inspiration for the movie Scott Pilgrim. Now, indie vinyl label, Label Obscura, has released a massive vinyl box set, as well as making all three album available for download. This is an indie rock bonanza that cannot be passed up. An absolute must have. Stream and buy Plumtree at the link below.

Go Fever: Go Fever

Austin indie rock outfit, Go Fever, have released their debut S/T album. The ten tracks are twangy, melodic and energetic affairs that feature the strong vocals of frontwoman Acey Monaro. With a sound similar to bands like Dum Dum Girls, Bleached and La Sera, Go Fever break no new ground, but do serve up a solid indie album with a  definite California style surf/psych bent. Stream and buy Go Fever at the link below.

Swamp Sounds/Uncle Pops & The Dumbloods: Split Album

New from Scotish label, Bearsuit Records is a split LP from Swamp Sounds and Uncle Pop & The Dumbloods. Swamp Sounds is the moniker of Japanese experimental electronic musician Yuuya Kuna, while Uncle Pop & The Dumbloods is the work of artist/producer Douglas Wallace. The ten tracks offer a diverse take on electronic music ranging from glitchy sci-fi vibes, to sublime orchestral leaning pieces. This is a great split album and is a must have for all experimental music aficionados. Stream and buy the split album and the link below.

Circus worlD: The Burning Well EP

The Burning Well EP is the first release in 12 years from Isle of Man band Circus worlD. The five tracks are polished, hooky alt rock. Featuring an edgy sheen, heavy foundation and a bit of post-punk texture, this is an EP that should garner attention and a wide base of listeners. The whole EP is a bit too formula alt rock for our tastes, but if that's your thing, this will be a strong part of your listening collection. Stream and buy The Burning Well EP at the link below.