BEN LEECE RELEASES THE HIGH VELOCITY, MELODIC POST-HARDOCRE SOUND OF ‘SWASTIKA KIDS’
Ben Leece & Left of the Dial‘s new single ‘Swastika Kids‘, out now on Stanley Records, is only 2:24 mins long but it’s a vibrant, high-velocity dispatch from the songwriter who sounds fully unshackled from any genre restraints as he releases the follow-up single to ‘Big Red Black’. Melodies tumble and bristle as he mixes references to The Hard Ons, Public Enemy, Guns N Roses … Continue reading BEN LEECE RELEASES THE HIGH VELOCITY, MELODIC POST-HARDOCRE SOUND OF ‘SWASTIKA KIDS’
BARONESS RETURN WITH GALLOPING NEW SINGLE ‘LAST WORD’ AND ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
On September 15th, Baroness will release their sixth album STONE, via Abraxan Hymns. First single ‘Last Word‘ is out now and it features that trademark, intoxicating Baroness blend of thunderous riffing and euphoric, anthemic choruses and a gravity-defying solo. “An important through line in Baroness is we don’t like to repeat ourselves,” John Baizley explains. “It’s all about the willingness to take risks. When I … Continue reading BARONESS RETURN WITH GALLOPING NEW SINGLE ‘LAST WORD’ AND ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
NEW SPARKLEHORSE ALBUM COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
Anti- have announced they’ll be releasing a new posthumous Sparklehorse album called Bird Machine on September 9th. The record was being worked on by Mark Linkous when he committed suicide in 2010 and has been completed by his brother Matt and sister-in-law Melissa. As Mark began work on what he planned to be the fifth Sparklehorse album in 2009, he and Matt would talk through … Continue reading NEW SPARKLEHORSE ALBUM COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
MARGARET GLASPY LETS THE GUITARS CHIME ON NEW SINGLE
Margaret Glaspy‘s Emotions and Math album from 2016 was one of my favourite albums of that year. Great guitars, heady melodies and fine songwriting right across it. 2020’s Devotion didn’t quite hit the spot in the same way as her debut but I’m really digging the sound of this new single ‘Act Natural‘. The song is the first single from her forthcoming LP Echo The … Continue reading MARGARET GLASPY LETS THE GUITARS CHIME ON NEW SINGLE
The Antipodean Aesthetic of The Chills and The Go-Betweens
Two of my favourite songs from this part of the world, both possessing a dreamy moodiness and exemplary rhythm sections that underpin the intangible magic that both of them have. They evoke similar feelings when I hear them and interestingly they were recorded less than six months apart in 1982. Martin Phillips wrote ‘Pink Frost’ in Dunedin, Grant McLennan wrote ‘Cattle & Cane’ in Nick … Continue reading The Antipodean Aesthetic of The Chills and The Go-Betweens
VIDEO PREMIERE: Sean McMahon – Good Morning Tomorrow
Sean McMahon recently released his new album Victoria, a majestic yet understated collection of intimate and poetic songs. At various times across its nine songs you’ll be reminded of the poetic sway and strum of Jeff Tweedy and Wilco, the dreamy and surreal jangly rock of David Kilgour (The Clean) and The Byrds, the loose ramble of The Grateful Dead and the melancholic croon of … Continue reading VIDEO PREMIERE: Sean McMahon – Good Morning Tomorrow
WADE JACKSON CROONS A DREAMY LOVE SONG DEDICATION
NSW artist Wade Jackson‘s voice always conjures so many wonderful reference points every time I hear it. Following his album Sensationalized, ‘The Sweetheart‘ (Broken Stone Records) is the next opening chapter of his always fascinating musical journey. Rich and evocative, the song possesses a sublime sense of restrained grandeur. Swelling synthetic strings, melodic bell-like intonations and a wide open stereoscope provide the perfect backdrop for … Continue reading WADE JACKSON CROONS A DREAMY LOVE SONG DEDICATION
NEW MUSIC: ANOHNI & The Johnsons – It Must Change
I’m loving the sound of this new ANOHNI & The Johnsons single ‘It Must Change‘. Out today via Rough Trade / Remote Control, it has the hallmarks of an ANOHNI classic – that inimitable soulful croon, some deep soul and a killer drum sound. The song comes from the new album My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross out July 7th. The first new album … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: ANOHNI & The Johnsons – It Must Change
Sonic Kicks: Damien Binder
Perth-based New Zealand songwriter Damien Binder has just released his fifth solo album Bright Side. It’s a widescreen indie pop-rock vista populated by sparkling guitar lines, the warm glow of synths and Binder’s astute take on the world around him. Damien first came to fame in the late 80s and through the 90s on the alternative rock scene in Auckland, NZ, as frontman for the … Continue reading Sonic Kicks: Damien Binder
CABLE TIES DIAL UP THE DECIBELS ON BRILLIANT NEW SINGLE ‘CHANGE’
Ahead of their new album All Her Friends (Friday 23 June via Poison City / Merge Records), here’s single number three for strident Naarm/Melbourne post-punk rock trio Cable Ties, who have just been announced as international tour supports for Superchunk and Amyl and the Sniffers. ‘Change’ is relentless, a churning mix of pounding drums and bass, and guitars that careen between the speakers like incessant sirens. Over the top … Continue reading CABLE TIES DIAL UP THE DECIBELS ON BRILLIANT NEW SINGLE ‘CHANGE’
RVG RELEASE NEW SINGLE, ALBUM OUT JUNE 2ND
RVG continue their stellar run of new singles as we hurtle towards the release date of their new album Brain Worms (June 2nd). ‘Midnight Sun‘ is a tumbling rush of clanging, chiming distorted guitars with a heady and gloriously anthemic rock chorus. It’s another sonic gem to whet the appetite for what is shaping up to be another superb long player from the band. ‘Midnight … Continue reading RVG RELEASE NEW SINGLE, ALBUM OUT JUNE 2ND
HARD-ONS RELEASE BRILLIANTLY DISCONCERTING NEW VIDEO FOR ‘APARTMENT FOR TWO’
No sooner did punk legends Hard-Ons announce that Tim Rogers (You Am I) was joining the band, they released the excellent LP I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken and played a heap of shows. Now 18 months later they back with their second album with Rogers in the fold. Ripper ’23 will be released on June 2nd via Cheersquad Records and today they’ve released … Continue reading HARD-ONS RELEASE BRILLIANTLY DISCONCERTING NEW VIDEO FOR ‘APARTMENT FOR TWO’
Doubtful Sounds 