Porteau: Water's Gate

Vancouver duo Porteau have released their debut album Water's Gate. The ten tracks have the enviable qualities of being both highly original, yet familiar sounding. This is an album that delivers highly stylish and smartly arranged compositions, with Victoria Williams' vocals transcending all to become a musical focal point so compelling as to draw one into the rocks like mythical Sirens.  Rarely does a debut album come along with such maturity of chops and accomplishment on display. Flawless production and stylistic taste are displayed throughout an album that is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Water's Gate at the link below.

Kate Schell: Past Present Future

Chicago artist Kate Schell has released her debut album Past Present Future. The ten tracks are very stylish indie pop, with elements of Bjork and Lana Del Rey, melded to an original synthpop vibe. Schells voice is alluring and the arrangements give it an intimate edginess that is compelling and engaging. This is an album that starts good and then delivers all the way through. The more one gets into it, the more it impresses. An absolute must have. Stream and buy Past Present Future at the link below.

Hush Pup: Panacea

Toronto's Hush Pup have released their new album Panacea. The eleven tracks are reverb drenched dream pop that manages not to sound like the multitudes of bands that have gone before them. The vocals are spritely and atmospheric, while the crisp clean guitar keeps things moving along coupled with minimalist bass and a nice set of beats. The album is equal parts Beach House, Mazzy Star and Lush. For us there's not quite enough stylistic diversity as the songs tend to run together with a bit of an unwelcome sameness. A good enjoyable album, that would have benefited from more outside producer input and a bit of stylistic adventurousness. Watch the video for album track Oasis, then stream and buy Panacea at the link below.

  

Jasmine Minks: Step By Step b/w/ Gravity

Seminal Scottish band Jasmine Minks are back with a new single Step By Step b/w Gravity. The two tracks recall the early 80's comeback of The Searchers, but also bands from a wide range of the 80s new wave seen. The two songs are retro gems that have that Rickenbacker guitar sound down perfectly with wonderful melodic lines and low fuzz. For those that look at this period as some of the best music to come out of the UK, these two songs will stand as testaments and will stay on repeat until our new fangled listening devices have long since been replaced by the next  new medium. This is a definite must have. Watch the video for lead track Step By Step, then stream and buy the single at the link below.

Dragon Welding: Dragon Welding

Dragon Welding is the S/T album and moniker of UK based Andrew Golding, multi-instrumentalist for Wolfhounds. The eleven tracks are an original take on the aural space occupied at the fusion of post-punk and progressive folk. The songs are darkish and compelling, with a sound that instantly engages and pulls the listener deep into the mist. This is an album that entices with simple complexity, original sounds and accomplished musicianship. No shortcuts here, the songs challenge and engulf ones senses in an aural orgasm of sonic goodness. This is a great record and an absolute must have. Watch the video for album track The Builders, then stream and buy Dragon Welding at the link below.

Academie: Monochrome

Monochrome is the new single from Johannesburg based husband and wife duo Academie. The tracks is stylistically varied, recalling much of indie music, but yet exuding its own unique identity. Vocals summon aural images of Bjork and Polica, while synths and guitars play out a counterpoint of melodic passages that transport and transcend, with the whole track instantly engaging the listener. It's all propelled forward by a minimalist beat which leads one through a track destined to stay on repeat for a long time. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Monochrome at the link below.

Beverly Kills: Revellers

Gothenburg based band Beverly Kills have released their latest single track Revellers. The song is a jangly uptempo piece that shares the sonic space with artists like Vivian Girls, The Raveonettes and Best Coast. Lite, fun and fast, with plenty of reverb, the song will easily find its way onto repeat. At the same time though, it's a bit more of the same without any distinguishing characteristics to set it apart from the pack. Stream and buy Revellers at the link below.

The Man From Managra: King Time

King Time is the third album from Athens (Greece not Georgia) artist The Man From Managra. The ten tracks have an instant familiarity, but yet are totally original and unique. This is singer/songwriter music that touches the soul with style, depth and a bit of swagger. The arrangements are instantly engaging and allow the songs to transcend genre. While firmly adult contemporary in sonic vibe, there is a stylistic drama that will draw the listener in depp and keep the album on repeat for a long time. Stream and buy King Time at the link below.

Rob Snarski: Sparrow & Swan

Sparrow & Swan is the new album from Melbourne based singer/songwriter Rob Snarski. The nine tracks redefine adult contemporary music, with a stylish blend of Americana styles that recall the best eras of folk, lounge and smooth jazz. This is an album that defies both categorization and expectations as one gets farther into it and finds a totally compelling aural experience that refuses to let them go. Everything about the music seems to creep into your very being, holding you like a lost love rediscovered anew. This is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Sparrow & Swan at the link below.

She Made Me Do It: Drenched

Drenched is the new EP from London duo She Made Me Do It. The four tracks are a cross between the old of bands like X and the new on the order of Sleighbells, but not as punk as the former or as metal as the latter. As you might expect, you'll get pop female vocals paired heavy guitars, a smattering of synths and a solid drum track. This EP seems to have found the perfect in between ground and comes across as a thoroughly engaging romp through rock theatrics. A definite must have. Stream and buy Drenched at the link below.

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.