Sharing the sharing.
Marissa Nadler just dropped “Hatchet Man,” her second single from her new album, New Radiations, out on August 5 via Sacred Bones. “Hatchet Man” is a lush and haunting murder ballad “…about a sinister character bringing a woman home—not for romance, but to murder her—while the narrator, his partner, is made to witness it unfold.”
New Radiations is Nadler’s tenth full length album, and sixth with Sacred Bones. Enjoy the single below.
Massachusetts’ Jeanines are back with their latest (and greatest) album, How Long Can It Last. This album is a true pop gem. The songs explore heavy themes, yet they’re delivered with such charming and “heavenly” melodies that they trick the brain. And with all the turmoil that surrounds all of us, whose brain doesn’t need to be tricked?
In a short exchange between myself and Slumberland’s Mike Schulman, he wrote (about the new Jeanines LP), “…things are so crap right now, I need some beauty and light!” That sentence could have just been my review.
How Long Can It Last is out on Friday (06/27) via Slumberland and Skep Wax Records. You can stream the fantastic singles below. This album belongs in any pop music fan’s collection.
We all need some beauty and light! Enjoy.
Cincinnati trio Artificial Go are back with 10 new tracks of razor-sharp, jangly post-punk with their latest and greatest LP, Musical Chairs.
Musical Chairs’ songs are masterfully written and arranged, with Angie Willcut’s—mostly—deadpan vocal delivery tying it all together. Check out “Circles,” “Red Convertible,” and the incredible—mostly instrumental—”Sky Burial” (below) for a taste
Musical Chairs is out today via Feel It Records; I highly recommend it. I highly, highly recommend it for fans of bands like Suburban Lawns, Lithics, ESG, and the like. Enjoy.
Hailing from bands like Smokers, Nuisance, The Peechees, The Pattern, Papercuts, and Jim Yoshii Pile Up, Bay Area band Grey Causeway are a supergroup of sorts or at least super experienced at their craft. The new single, “I-580,” is a jangly, post-punk number that begs to be played on repeat. You can check it out below.
They are releasing their debut self-titled LP at the end of May via Dandy Boy Records.
The latest single from Los Angeles band GMO, “Double Headed Gemini,” is a dingy, electro-pop gem that is sure to delight any fans of Broadcast. Hopefully there will be more from these guys, including a full-length LP, which would be rad! Check it out below.
Alex MacKay, the bassist for Nation of Language, has released a new album under his solo project, Cutouts. The album, titled Snakeskin, is a captivating blend of shimmering synths and vocals layered over pulsating beats and bass lines. It defies easy categorization, occupying a space between synth-pop and darkwave with its unique fusion of dark and heavy elements. From the opening track “Narc” with its growling bass and driving beat, Snakeskin immediately commands attention and refuses to let go. I highly recommend it.
Check out “Narc” and “Paw of the Monkey” below for a taste.
Snakeskin is self-released and out now. It’s available digitally via Cutouts’ Bandcamp and on vinyl from Cutouts’ website. Alex only pressed 500 so don’t sleep! Enjoy.
These are certainly challenging times, and it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. I’ve been struggling with this myself, constantly dwelling on everything from political turmoil to personal uncertainties.
However, I had a surprisingly uplifting experience this morning. While driving to work, I listened to the new album, How Lucky To Be Somebody, by Portland, Maine’s little oso, and it was truly transformative. For 36 glorious minutes, the jangly guitars, dreamy vocals, and driving rhythm section swept away all my anxieties. Thank goodness for music!
little oso’s How Lucky To Be Somebody is out now via Repeating Cloud. It’s a charming* record that reminds me of bands like Camera Obscura and The Umbrellas, to name a couple. Check out one of their standout tracks, “Other People’s Lives” (below), and get your hands on this record. Enjoy.
*©samaman inc.
I’ve been listening to Smalltalk’s new EP as if on repeat the past few days, and it’s a nostalgic trip for me. The entire EP takes me back to the early ’90s when bands like Veruca Salt, Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, and Velocity Girl were making waves. The Savannah, GA band calls their sound “griddy gaze,” which hits the nail right on the head.
Please check out “snaggletooth” below. You’ll be glad you did.
as if is out now on Candlepin Records. If you’re into physical media, Candlepin has a few cassettes left—don’t sleep! I highly recommend this EP. Enjoy.
Mark my words, Montreal’s Prism Shores are going to take the indie-pop world by storm with ten new tracks of jangly, power-pop-leaning tunes that are mingled with just enough gaze to put smirks on the faces of even the saddest of indie rockers.
Check out “Overplayed My Hand” and “Holding Pattern” below for a taste.
Their new album is called Out From Underneath and it drops on Friday 01/17/2025 via Meritorio Records. DO NOT SLEEP!
Humdrum’s (a new project from Chicago’s Loren Vanderbilt III) debut LP, Every Heaven, is ten perfectly crafted pop songs that are full of meaning and instantly transport listeners back to a time when bands like The Cure, (IRS-era) R.E.M., New Order, and Modern English (that’s right! tell me you don’t hear a little “I Melt With You” in Humdrum’s “Eternal Blue”) were ruling the (good) airwaves. Check out “Superbloom” and “Eternal Blue” (below) to hear for yourself.
Every Heaven is out today on Slumberland Records. You can get it from us at 3hive Record Lounge as well. I cannot recommend this album highly enough. Enjoy.