M.O.O.N.: Particles

 

Tomorrow marks the release of Particles, the new EP from Boston electronic musician M.O.O.N.This is an artist that just gets better with every release. Particles is a masterful work that grabs hold of you from the first note. The four tracks show a penchant for deep, imaginative synth pads and compelling melodies. M.O.O.N. shows a musical maturity on this EP which should propel him to a much wider audience. Stream and download Particles at the link below.



Ne & Erthal: When You Were Here Before

 

 

When You Were Here Before is a two song EP from Denmark artist Ne & Erthal, aka Tales of Murder and Dust stalwart Simon Toftdahl. Beautiful, haunting and intimate, both the title track and the B-side, Temper Tantrum,  are wonderfully personal glimpses into the artist's world. It is amazing how much emotion can be conveyed with just an acoustic guitar and vocal. Powerful and evocative, these songs are a must have for your collection. Stream and download When You Were Here Before at the link below.

 



Doctrines: ZE

 

ZE is the sophomore EP from Manchester, UK post-punk band Doctrines. The four tracks are raw, in your face works reminiscent of Fucked Up. ZE blends elements of hardcore with power pop and alt rock to deliver an EP worthy of anyone's collection.  Doctrines are bound for a wider audience, so get in on the ground floor. Stream and buy ZE at the link below.

 



Outdoor Velour: Portrait

 

  

After an 18 month wait, Bloomington, IN duo Outdoor Velour today release their sophomore EP, Portrait. Cara Kinnally and  Greg Simpson make happy pop music, with retro touches and a post-punk sensibility. The four tracks are at once, familiar and unique, with a varied musical identity. Not your everyday shoegaze. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 18 months for more from this duo. Stream and buy Portrait at the link below.

 



Press The Page: Press The Page

 

 

Press The Page is the self-titled debut album  and side project from artist/producer and Race of Robots mainstay Coby Nida III. Built from finely woven layers of lush synths and samples, the ten tracks may be a foreshadowing of what can be expected from the next RoR album. Nida has his craft down  and Press The Page abounds with tight production, ever changing sonic landscapes and a penchant for fine songwriting. Stream and download Press The Page at the link below.

 



Clones of the Queen: Braided

 

 

Braided is the lastest album from Honolulu dreampop trio, Clones of the Queen. The seven tracks regale us with soulful vocals, clitchy synths and beats, and reverb heavy, dreamy guitar lines. Musically, the album is very comparable to Beach House and similar dreampop offerings. What really stands out are the vocals by Ara Laylo, which transform the music into a compelling statement of beauty. Stream and download Braided at the link below.

 



Glowbug: Suit Of Swords

 

 

Suit Of Swords is the latest album from L.A. artist Glowbug, aka Daniel Anderson. The fourteen tracks are a heady blend of darkish synths, 8-bit sounds and classic heavy synth bass, with some dance electro thrown in. Anderson's vocals propel this mix into a compelling vision that spans sounds as diverse as Neon Indian to NIN. Suit of Swords is a masterful work that serves up new elements with each listen. This album should be in everyone's electronic music collection. Stream and download for free at the link below.

 



L'Astronaut: Conversations In Frequency

 

 

Reading, PA post-rock band L'Astronaut have released their debut album, Conversations In Frequency. The 8 tracks take instrumental rock to new heights, blending orchestral constructs with ambient textures that range from dream pop to alt rock. Choosing mainly longer song formats, L'Astronaut provide time for their musical ideas to be fully presented. Melodic and deep, the eight tracks fulfill the promise of a debut album showing the band as significant players on the progressive stage. Stream and buy Conversations In Frequency at the link below.

 



Twin Cabins: I'm Sure

 

San Diego shoegazer Twin Cabins, aka Nacho Cano, has turned his previously reviewed EP around with more tracks and released it as his debut full length album, I'm Sure. The nine tracks are full of fresh dreampop goodness. I'm Sure rollicks through lo-fi tinged upbeat tunes and haunting ballads. The California vibe is unmistakable and reminds one that summer may be winding down, but that it is never farther away than the sounds on this record. Stream and download I'm Sure at the link below.



Arbor Lights: Arbor Lights

 

Birmingham, UK based post-rock band Arbor Lights have released their self-titled debut EP.  Unlike  electronic music genres, doing instrumental rock music has always been a challanging task as the medium is dominated by vocals. Arbor Lights steps up to this challenge with a wonderful EP that blends elements of dreampop, ambient and noise rock into a well produced, melodic delight. The five tracks abound with superlative songwriting and musicianship. Stream and buy the Arbor Lights EP at the link below.