Galaa: The Speech

Toronto based Galaa have released their debut album, The Speech. The band is comprised of Adam Hogan and Josh Ward of acclaimed Canadian band Hey Rosetta and Aley Waterman and Ashley Chalmers. The ten tracks are thoroughly engaging dream pop, with a lush atmospheric sound, pristine production and smart arrangements. The band carves out an original niche of intimate compelling music in a crowded synthpop field, where glitz often overpowers songcraft. This is a strong release that will stay on repeat. Stream and buy The Speech at the link below.

Fred Abong: Pulsing

Pulsing is the sophomore EP from Rhode Island singer/songwriter Fred Abong onetime bass player of  seminal band Throwing Muses and Grammy nominated Belly. The six tracks are darkish, minimalist prog folk, with a bit of a lofi vibe and some unexpected very heavy guitars. Interesting guitar sounds and noisy ambience give a nice edgy framework to showcase Abong's vocals. Rather than the self-absorbed, pretentious route taken by many singer/songwriters today, Abong delivers a raw, intimate look into his songwriter psyche. This is an EP that is unique stylistically, original and compelling. Stream and buy Pulsing at the link below.

Action Camp: Death Discs

Pittsburgh based punk band Action Camp bring us a dark imaginative concept album, Death Discs. The ten tracks are live recorded covers of some of the best teenage angst death sagas ever written. Action Camp bring their own punk aesthetic take to such unforgettable classics as Leader Of The Pack, Laurie (Strange Things Happen), The End Of The World and Last Kiss. This album is one of those rare times when a band has an idea that is so cool, it transcends mere music and becomes a cultural phenomenon. This is a band of imagination, talent and vision. Make the scene, or be as dead inside as the protagonists of these songs. Steam and buy Death Discs at the link below.

Spiryt: Spiryt

French artist Spiryt has released his S/T debut album on Italian indie label Seahorse Recordings. The 14 tracks are guitar based ambient, electronica, with a dark sheen and atmospheric textures. The tracks employ repetitive instrumental phrases to build pieces that at times play out as spatial imagery and at other times as dense foreboding landscapes. With a distinct orchestral vibe and complex musical stylings, the tracks are engaging beyond mere ambient aspects. Stream and buy Spiryt at the link below.

Nonconnah: Path Of Totality/Rapture Drugs

Path Of Totality/Rapture Drugs is the first advance track from the upcoming album Dead Roses, Digged UP Zombies, Broken Pieces Of Diamonds, Live Cats, by Memphis based electronic/noise collective Nonconnah. The track has a dark sinister sheen, with omnipresent heavy drones. Laced with noisey appendages and a siren like scream, it tempts the listener to be impaled on the sonic rocks hidden in the aural spectre. The music is deep and complex adding to its devilishly dark sonic imagery. This is very cool stuff as we have come to expect from this accomplished group. Stream the track and buy the album at the link below.

Llarks: Tremolo Charm Forever

Tremolo Charm Forever is the latest release from Alabama based, FZB favorite, Llarks. The fourteen minute extended track is a sublime passage through ambient forests of spritely pitches, droning textures and overlapping lines of melody. The work has a decidedly otherworldly vibe, invoking visions of pan flute playing specters, complete with dancing elves, hovering creatures of light and an all encompassing scene of aural imagery. This is a musical excursion that engages the senses and imagination. Stream and buy Tremolo Charm Forever at the link below.

Antilophobia: Archive

Archive is the debut album from Berlin based composer Antilophobia on Chez Kito Kat Records. The eight tracks encompass a dense set of darkish drone and ambient textures. Deep, with an atmospheric vibe and subliminal passages, the album plays out as an immersive sonic experience sharing the kind of mental engagement one finds in abstract expressionist painting. Stream and buy Archive at the link below.

S.H.I.Z.U.K.A.: Infinite Eyes

French producer S.H.I.Z.U.K.A. has released his sixth album Infinite Eyes on Chez Kito Kat Records. The nineteen tracks, presented as a series of short aural Haikus, are a journey through a wide ranging landscape of electronica. Employing ingenious synth pads and textures, the tracks exist in a space between ambient soundscapes and fully formed songs, with aspects of both present. What one finds is a highly original and unique listening experience that challenges the listener with its length and depth. This is very cool stuff that any electronic music aficionado will relish. Stream and buy Infinite Eyes at the link below.

Broads: A Small Box Over A Global Goal

A Small Box Over A Global Goal is the new album from UK electronic auters Broads. A longtime FZB favorite, Broads' new album serves up 11 tracks of inspired synth programming and orchestration. The duo of James Ferguson and Mark Jennings have always taken a melodic approach to their music, never satisfied to grasp quick cliched sounds or simplistic stylings, they continue to deliver music that engages the imagination with a varied palette of aural imagery. This is an album of depth, musicianship and beauty. A definite must have. Watch the video for album track, A Safe Space In Us, then stream and buy A Small Box Over A Global Goal at the link below.

Annie Taylor: Under Your Spell

Under Your Spell is the new single from Zurich based band Annie Taylor. The track is a nice romp through retro psychedelic forests of fuzz, reverb and jangle. Atmospheric vocals and a good beat are enjoyable, but the song lacks that spark either musically or lyrically to engage with the listener strongly. A good listen, but not something likely to find it's way onto repeat. Watch the video for the track, then stream and buy Under Your Spell at the link below.

Derek Schmidt: Major Arcana

San Francisco based artist Derek Schmidt has released his new album Major Arcana. The album is a major work of 22 songs which encompass Schmidt's interpretation of the 22 trump cards of the Tarot. The sheer breadth of a work comprising a 22 song cycle is daunting and one could expect that the songwriting might suffer or there would be shortcuts taken. Nothing could be further from the truth as respects this album. The songs have a wonderful prog folk character reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, melded together with imaginative synth pads, enticing stylistic qualities and engaging lyrical depth. Schmidt has risen to the occasion to deliver an album of sublime beauty and accomplishment, yielding an absolute must have. Stream and buy Major Arcana at the link below. 

Evi Vine: Black//Light//White//Dark

London based artist Evi Vine has followed up her single, Sabbath, with the release of her new album Black//Light//White//Dark. The six tracks are dark, deep and haunting ballads, blending sensual vocals with heavy, metal based instruments and orchestral elements. Taken together, Vine weaves and intense, edgy vibe of moody and highly original music that defines her as an artist of stylistic intensity, unafraid to deliver music that is both engaging and challenging. Eschewing formula and sameness, Vine entices with a musical liturgy destined to build a fiercely loyal following ready to embrace her raw rock alter. A definite must have. Stream and buy Black//Light//White//Dark at the link below.

Applescal: Atlantis B/W Saints

Atlantis B/W Saints is the new single from Applescal on Amsterdam indie label Atomnation. The two tracks are inventive and engaging electronica, with the new lower BPM that is becoming more prevalent in the clubs. The tracks are sonically compelling, with a simple complexity that is intoxicating. The production is flawless and delivers an aural palette of intertwining melodic lines and inventive synth pads. This single is a must have. Stream and buy Atlantis B/W Saints at the link below.

You Should Get To Know Us: Hole In Whatever

Hole in Whatever is the debut album from You Should Get To Know Us. This Dutch band give us twelve tracks that are a little bit The Searchers, a little bit Freddie and the Dreamers and a little bit every Mersey beat band that ever existed. All of it wrapped into a thoroughly modern take and redefinition of everything that made the 60s UK scene great. This could possibly be the most brilliant interpretation of the 60s ever recorded. At once familiar, but not derivative, with great songs, a truck full of musicianship and as much enjoyment as can be packed into one album. This is a great band performing great music and is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Hole In Whatever at the link below.

SPC ECO: Fifteen

Fifteen is the newest album from FZB favorites SPC ECO. The UK based project of father/daughter team Dean Garcia ( Curve, Eurythmics) and Rose Berlin, with contributions from Jarek Leskiewicz (Opollo) have delivered fifteen tracks of superbly crafted and stunningly compelling synthpop. Forget all you believe and have heard in this genre, with every release SPC ECO transcend all that has come before, even their own recordings, redefining the heights their music and art can reach. They are quite simply the best the genre has ever produced and are likely to hold that position for a long time to come. Needless to say Fifteen is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Fifteen at the link below.

Lomb: Cuts

Cuts is the debut album from Italian duo Lomb. The nine tracks are dark, noisy and edgy, while still being hooky and commercial. This is a very fine line to tread for both an artist and a songwriter. Nine Inch Nails have always excelled at this and from this debut Lomb also seem to have this rare skill. The songs have that kind of sinister vibe musically, like dating someone dangerous, with all sensual excitement that entails. This is an expertly crafted record, that pushes boundaries, displays plenty of chops and is instantly engaging. A definite must have. Stream and buy Cuts at the link below.

Ernest Moon: Ba-jesus

Ba-jesus is the new EP from Liverpool band Ernest Moon. The four tracks are a melding of The Clash with Pulp. OMG we could just stop there, how good must that be. Well even better than you would expect. This is a band that has so much style, they make both the mods and the rockers look like so much Beverly Hillbillies. This EP is a perfectly played hand of bridge, an expertly shaken vodka martini (dirty of course) and a violently fast drive in an Aston Martin on the M1. Buy this record or cower in the corner where you belong. Stream and buy Ba-jesus at the link below.

Johanna Chase: Gone

Gone is the stylish new single from L.A. singer/songwriter Johanna Chase. The track showcases her totally compelling voice, that is both subtle in it's complexity and powerful in its depth. The song itself is so damn good we could see it on repeat till we collapse from exhaustion. It's rare to have such a completely perfect sound embodied in only one track. Please, please get your arse in the studio and give us an album. We'll beg if we have too. Watch the video for the track, then stream and buy Gone at the link below.

Skyscraper Stan: On Your Corner

On Your Corner is the new single from Melbourne singer/songwriter Skyscraper Stan. The track has a Nick Cave meets Chris Isaak vibe. It has a soulful swagger and a twangy rock personna blended together to deliver a dark saga of a ballad, with rich imagery and engaging lyric. If cool could be personified in song, this is it, with the mock indifference of Arthur Fonzarelli packaged along side the endearing concern of Morticia Adams. This track has it all, angst, the blues and a troubadour's tale. Stream and buy On Your Corner at the link below.

Matt Pless : Tumbleweed

Tumbleweed is the new album from Maryland singer/songwriter matt Pless. The twelve tracks are a rousing romp through a stylistic range that melds together Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes days, with doses of the Violent Femmes. Now that ought to wet your appetite for a listen and rightfully so. This is an inspired work that is as broad as it is deep. Clever lyrics and true folk instrumentation is delivered with vocals that are original and engaging. This is an album that one will come back to over and over, and is a definite must have. Stream and buy Tumbleweed at the link below.

Abigail Lapell: Getaway

Getaway is the new album from Toronto singer/songwriter Abigail Lapell. Right off the, one will be struck with a vocal and stylistic similarity to Cat Power. Now those are big shoes to fill and Lapell steps up big time. This is an album that is completely compelling from the first note. The songs are stylistically catchy, with lyrical depth and are the perfect vehicle for Lapell's sumptuous voice. The album is folky, in the truest sense of that word. You'll get a broad range of feeling and texture that will absolutely keep one engaged until you're calling in sick to work the next day because you stayed up all night listening to it. This is an absolute must have. Watch the video for album track, Down By The Water, then stream and buy Getaway at the link below.