Cut Surface Records: Compilation B

One of our favorite indie labels is Vienna's Cut Surface, who have just released another great compilation, aptly titled Compilation B, to celebrate the label's second birthday. The album features tracks by 20 different artists spanning the label's broad and imaginative takes on genres from electronica to post-punk. Compilations are a great way to sample a label's creative output and this one has great music that will have you delving deeper into Cut Surface's releases. Stream and buy Compilation B at the link below.

Benjamin Shaw: Megadead

Megadead is the first new album from Melbourne based Benjamin Shaw since 2014, released on Audi Antihero Records. The nine tracks showcase an artist that is a bit of a rarity these days, one with a completely original sound. While there are influences there to be found, Sparklehorse, Casiotone For The Painfully Alone and Four Tet to name a few, Shaw has integrated these into a sound uniquely his own.  His music spans many indie sub genres from electro to post-punk. Shaw is glitchy, twangy, dark, heavy, ethereal and eclectic, and decidedly not commercial. Do something nice for yourself and listen to this album, you'll be very glad you did. Stream and by Megadead at the link below.

Mark Sultan: Coffin Nails

Coffin Nails is the first single from Let Me Out, the new album from NYC artist Mark Sultan, releasing October 12th on Dirty Water Records. The track has a nice retro vibe with guitar and organ parts right out of bands like The Standells, Question Mark and The Mysterians and The Seeds. The track will draw you in deep and then twang your brain into oblivion. In other words, a perfect flashback to an era of rock that has unfortunately been largely ignored. This is a great single and if the album is as good, this will be an absolute must have. Stream and buy Coffin Nails at the link below.

Lonely Me: Twisted Sad Machines

Rio De Janeiro based Lonely Me, aka Val Waxman, has released his debut album, Twisted Sad Machines. The eight tracks present a mixed bag to the listener. We can tell that the songs and performances are good, nice shoegazey stuff, with a lofi vibe and a bit of a raw edge. However, the whole package is spoiled by terrible production. The tracks are muddy with obviously no EQ notching to separate the different instruments and voice. The mix is uneven, parts that should be up in the mix aren't and parts that should be down in the mix are up and at times painfully loud. What results is an album that has obvious goodness, sounding like a lost amateurish mess. We  would love to hear a future release with good production to be able to enjoy the obvious talent of this artist. Stream and buy Twisted Sad Machines at the link below.

Sum: It's Alright To Be Me Video

We recently reviewed the excellent new album, It's Alright To Be Me, by Sum. Now we have a new video for the title track. Watch it below and look in the August archives for our album review.

The Hannah Barberas: GoGo Hannah Barberas!

GoGo Hannah Barberas! is the sophomore EP from UK based The Hannah Barberas. The three tracks are spirited indie pop, with a California feel and a UK vibe. Catchy tunes, witty lyrics and sterling production flows from the band's DIY ethos and the resultant three tracks are gems of twangy pop goodness. The perfect fit for summer ending, when a spritely pick me up is needed as the realities of the coming gloom sink in. This is a must have and we can't wait for a full length from this band. Stream and buy GoGo Hannah Barberas! at the link below.

Meresha: Game Of Video

Game Of Video is the new track from Florida based artist/producer Meresha. The track is a smart, catchy pop tune with all the radio ready sheen to take it mainstream. This is top 40 fare with all the requisite cliches in ample supply. Nothing adventurous or original here; this is tried and true formula music for the masses. With a strong hook and engaging beat, this is destined to find a wide audience. Watch the lyric video, then stream and buy Game Of Video at the link below.

Mary-Elaine Jenkins: Iggy

Iggy is the fourth single from, Hold Still, the soon to be released debut album from Mary-Elaine Jenkins. The song tells the story of Jenkins' crush on none other than punk provocateur Iggy Pop. The track has a nice country rock vibe and a great lyrical lament for the iconoclastic Mr. Pop. This is probably the perfect artist to sing about longing for Iggy, with her smooth twang and yearning desire for the man who will surely be bare six pack till he's 100 years old. This is a song that is just fun, pure and simple. We can't wait for the album. Stream and buy Iggy at the link below.

AlterRed: Trauma; Trauma Reinforcement

Trauma; Trauma Reinforcement is the new album from AlterRed on Louisville based indie WTII Records. The eleven tracks have a decidedly industrial feel, with heavy fuzzed guitar lines and plenty of imaginative synthpads. With a dark, foreboding vibe, sinister lyrics and a driving beat, the album comes at you like a heroine tied to railroad tracks. There's plenty of originality to satiate jaded musical palettes and enough raw edge to stay engaged for the long term. Stream and buy Trauma; Trauma Reinforcement at the link below.

Girl Friday: Decoration/Currency

Decoration/Currency is the new single from L.A. based band Girl Friday. With a sound that crosses sub-genres from surfpop to Riot Grrrl, the single plays out as an edgy, raucous, punk inclined epic that sounds huge and has the drive to match. This is a track that will empower the faint, mock the powerful, entice the lost and loose the entitled. L.A. has always been a breeding ground for the more pop adventurous side of the punk genres and this is a band that delivers a pop aesthetic, while remaining true to the punk ethos. A must have for your collection. Stream and buy Decoration/Currency at the link below.

Swoone: Handcuffed Heart

Handcuffed Heart is the debut album from London duo Swoone, on Saint Marie Records. The eleven tracks are dark and sensual, with a stylish sheen that moves from dreampop to post-punk. Siobhan  Demare pairs her sultry, alluring vocals, with the stunning compositions of Gary Bruce to craft an album of pure emotion and musical depth. This album plays out as a musical journey through stylistic variety, pristinely crafted arrangements and a totally immersive sonic vibe. This is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Handcuffed Heart at the link below.

Seasurfer: Vampires

Texas indie Saint Marie Records brings us, Vampires, the new EP from German band Seasurfer. The four tracks are classy postpunk that are the brainchild of songwriter Dirk Knight, who employs a collective of singers and musicians to deliver an EP of depth and beauty. With a sound recalling Cocteau Twins, MBV and Slowdive, the sonic diversity is amplified by singers Apolonia and Anni Bird whos voices glisten in the ether of majestic music. This EP is a definite must have. Stream and buy Vampires at the link below

The Death Notes: The Black EP

The Black EP is the latest release from UK based The Death Notes. The five tracks are dark and engaging, with a stylistic range from Sonic You to Public Image Ltd. With an experimental aesthetic and decidedly refined production for a DIY project, this EP delivers depth, lyrical and musical strength and an overall compelling vibe. This is one of those records you just want to take into your room, close the door and lock the world out while you dissect every nuance. This is a great EP from a band that should be on everyone's radar...an absolute must have. Stream and buy The Black EP at the link below.

Sam Tudor: Quotidian Dream

Quotidian Dream is the sophomore album from Vancouver band Sam Tudor. The ten tracks are highly expressive art-folk, progfolk reminiscent of bands like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. this is an album long on style, virtuosic musical lines and lush harmonies. The arrangements are complex yet seem simple, the lyrics are smart and there is a high degree of originality throughout, with the end product being an album that is strong from start to finish. This album is as pleasing as a deep dive into a sinful desert. Watch the video for album track New Apartment, then stream and buy Quotidian Dream at the link below.

Red Spot Rhythm Section: Win For Losing

Win For Losing is the sophomore release for Chicago based Red Spot Rhythm Section, The track is delivered as a three song EP with the original track an urban tinged reggae piece, with all the smoothness and beat one would expect. featuring an engaging theme and some tasty brass flourishes. the track is strong and could well carry the release on its own. The second version is a dub, which only differs from the original in being overly reverby and echoey. This version is basically a throw away. The final version is a straight up remix by Nya and  differs from the original by making the percusion front and center. The two alternate versions only serve to lessen the impact of what is a highly enjoyable and accomplished track on its own. Stream and buy Win For Losing at the link below.

Sophia Danai: Guns and Gold

Guns and Gold is the new single from Vancouver chanteuse Sophia Danai. The track is a heavy combination of electropop and hard edged rock. With a sound that recalls a range from Solange to  Bjork, the track plays out as a catchy and unique rock gem with depth and style, the rather cliched title notwithstanding. Danai's voice is powerful and engaging, with sophisticated phrasing and  an edgy raw sheen. This is a track that will engage and exist on repeat. It comes with a nice bonus of an instrumental version also. Stream and buy Guns and Gold at the link below.

PoP: 3

New Jersey based power pop band PoP, began as a quartet 20 years ago, and as is the case with so many bands, success eluded them and the members moved on to career and family. With the recent passing of one of the founding members, the remaining three reformed to record an album in tribute to their fallen colleague. The resultant EP, 3, contains five tracks of classic power pop in the vein of Weezer, Pixies and The Rentals. The EP has a smooth edge the belies the depth and rawness of the record. This is great power pop with all nuance and range one would expect from the genre and a great cover shot. This EP is a must have. Stream and buy 3 at the link below.

Abstract Kultur: How Many?

Polish indie label Nasiono Records brings us, How Many?, the debut album from experimental auteurs Abstract Kultur. The three tracks, totalling over a half hour of music, are deep, avant garde explorations of sonic poetry. More tonal poem artform, than traditional pieces, the tracks are immersive in their sonic landscape and unique and innovative in their musical interpretations. This is an album for those seeking originality and artfulness, rather than the mainstream sameness of radio fare. Stream and buy How many?

The Legendary Tigerman: Misfit

From Lisbon, Portugal we get Misfit, the new album by The Legendary Tigerman on UK label Dirty Water Records. The eleven tracks (plus four bonus tracks for those buying the CD) are postpunk gems with wide influences from Nick Cave to Chris Isaak. The album is hard edged and raw, with enough swagger to shove your weak arse to the curb. This is an album with adventurous takes on traditional blues and rock licks, that come together for a thoroughly modern sound, that is engaging and compelling. This is a great record and a must have. Stream and buy Misfit at the link below.

No Love: Choke On It

North Carolina label Sorry State Records, accomplished purveyors of punk, hardcore and garage, bring us Choke On It, the debut album from No Love. The thirteen tracks are brash and exciting. This album will leave snot on your dowdy lapel and spring forth from your dull workplace cubicle like a festering stench. This is punk music in the grandest of tradition, hardcore, deafening and authentic. Don't be a work week pussy. Take out your earbuds, turn this album up on your computer speakers to liquify and teach your coworkers the meaning of life. Stream and buy Choke On It at the link below.

Ezza Rose: Baby, Come Down

Baby, Come Down is the second single from the upcoming fourth album by Portland's Ezza Rose. The track is stylish, haunting and intimate. The music hits a rich intersection between dreampop and classic rock and roll. Lead singer and band namesake, Ezza has a voice that is alluring, with delicate structure and powerful delivery.  Her voice is perfectly framed by the song's imaginative arrangement and some especially edgy and tasty guitar licks. With the strength of the first two singles, the album will surely be a must have. Stream and buy Baby, Come down at the link below.