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.