Friedberg share vigorous new single “Hardcore Workout Queen“, the title track of their upcoming debut album of the same name’, stream here and pre-order the album here.
The track comes alongside an absurdly fun, stylish 80s-inspired music video, directed by the Nüesch Sisters, where fitness magazine covers spring to life and their stars break free from their glossy pages -watch here. Friedberg will also be performing their first UK headline show to celebrate their album release on 4th November at The 100 Club in London, buy tickets here.
The album’s title track is a thrilling example of the band’s live spark, with it’s driving bass line, dreamy production and Anna’s clear-cut vocals, it’s a track that both evokes festival legends like Wolf Alice or Wet Leg, as well as being classically Friedberg. Written by Annaof Friedberg when she was in“a wake and bake mood”, she says“It’s about being the Champion of the slobs, whilst cheering for the Hardcore Workout Queens, who run past your bedroom window early morning, when you’re just tucking into your second breakfast. It’s kind of you do you and I do me and maybe one day we’ll switch. It’s the perfect song to listen to whether you’ve got a protein shake or a beer in your hand, whether you’ve got a popcorn machine or a rowing machine in your home, whether you’re a wake and baker or a record breaker.”
Following up on their previous work for the band for “My Best Friend”, the Nüesch Sisters have outdone themselves with the new music video for Hardcore Workout Queen. This time, the band takes the spotlight on the covers of fitness and health magazines, but with a twist -they’re showing off workout routines that involve doing absolutely nothing. “The idea was that it’s muscle beach without the muscle. It’s a fitness video for lazy people”, explain Kim and Florine Nüesch.“The only problem? There’s one real Hardcore Workout Queen in the bunch, and as she starts to flex her actual workout skills, the other cover stars get a little… jealous. They start breaking free from their magazine prisons, hopping from one cover to another, causing absolute comedic mayhem.”
The band returned on the scene earlier this yearand have had a jam-packed year already, including a performance at this year’s SXSW, Great Escape Festival, a support slot with German indie rock band Giant Rookson their month-long U.S tour and recently supporting rising Black Country duo Big Specialin May. As well as supporting British alt-rock band Placebo at a handful of their UK shows in June. They finished the summer playing Lost Village Festival in Lincolnshire alongside acts like Royel Otis and Floating Points. The band will also be playing a headline show at London’s 100 Clubon 4th November.
The deluxe version of Sydney Sprague’s magnificent album ‘somebody in hell still loves you’ is out now via Rude Records. The album includes new songs featuring Kississippi, Kevin Devine and Pool Kids. Today, fans can listen and watch the music video for the new version of “smiley face feat. Pool Kids”.
“When I first heard Sydney play this song live on our tour together I was obsessed, and would annoyingly scream-sing harmonies from the crowd every night,” says Christine Goodwyne of Pool Kids. “Several months later we were passing through Phoenix, and they joked that we could only crash on their couch if I recorded a verse for the remix at their home studio during our stay. I was thrilled to oblige, and we banged it out somewhere in the middle of our three-day sleepover.”
“smiley face” follows the previously released songs “i tried my best feat. Kevin Devine” and “tell me” featuring Kississippi,found on the deluxe version out today. The album will be released in vinyl format, in a neon green and light blue variant. Sydney’s beloved debut album “maybe i will see you at the end of the world” is also being reissued in a new white with red splatter variant.
Both vinyl’s are available at this landing page with a 10% discount if purchased in a bundle: https://www.ruderecords.com/pages/sydneysprague
Japan’s HARU NEMURI has teamed up with New York City’s Frost Children for the upcoming collaboration EP titled ‘Soul Kiss’ out October 4. Today, fans can hear the new song and watch the music video for “Daijoubu Desu“. The hybrid-genre song also features cheeky vinyl scratches from A-Trak.
Stream “Daijoubu Desu” here and watch the music video here
“There are times when people reassure me by saying “It’s going to be ok”, when I am overwhelmed, drowning in anxiety and melancholy, when I am stuck in an unforeseeable reality, or when I am at a loss not knowing how to even handle my own soul,” says HARU NEMURI on the lyrics of the song out today. “Though I deeply appreciate the kindness and the reassurance itself, there are still times when I feel like screaming, “What’s going to be okay!!!” (Though in reality, I never actually do that. Instead, I usually suppress all those emotions and with an awkward smile I would just say thank you.) Climate change, inequality, exploitation, discrimination, patriarchy, conspiracy theories, and with all the other various evil constructs created by humanity continue to hold sway in this trash-like world, we are not always ok (Daijoubu).”
HARU NEMURI and Frost Children initially met on tour in 2021 and experienced an instant and surprising musical connection. Subsequently toured together and made plans to reunite in Berlin to record this project. The sessions, initially quite open-ended and experimental, led to internet collaboration/co-writing and then the completion of the tracking in a hyperspeed series of sessions in Tokyo, and ultimately Lulu putting finishing touches in their New York studio (while occasionally testing out works in progress in DJ sets).
The final product has become a five track EP called ‘Soul Kiss’ – a peak moment of both of their efforts. The songs encapsulate hardcore, EDM, pop, post-rock and indie. A really unique and surprising Soul Kiss transcending borders, genres and preconceived notions.
On Friday November 8th, Olivia Belli will be releasing her new EP Intercosmia Vol. 1 via XXIM / Sony, the follow up to Italian composer / pianist’s exploratory Intermundia album from earlier this year.
The intricate new single “Anima III” is out now, which you can check out via YouTube.
Olivia Belli offers up some personal insight on the new follow up:
Intercosmia, which is nothing other than synonymous with Intermundia, is an appendix of my album and continues with greater emphasis a journey in search of essentiality through the rediscovery of one’s spirituality.
I firmly believe that we are first and foremost spiritual beings living a short earthly life and it is essential to look within to find and fulfill our destiny, the mission for which we are here, whatever it may be. The beauty of life lies in the journey we take to rediscover our essence, our unique and original voice that we must take care of and which will cross the threshold of time.
Each of us has always had rites, situations, and places where it is easier to dedicate ourselves to introspection and spirituality: Intercosmia wants to be a source of inspiration to accompany those who are following the same path of spiritual growth and search for the beyond
Anima III: a short prayer, almost an auspicious blessing to receive at the beginning of one’s journey, precisely to enter the state of mind necessary to welcome the mystery that accompanies our life. A very calm melody rises step by step as if yearning for a final celestial and spiritual landing.
With Anima III the investigation into the harmonic structure that informs the previous Anime and Respiri continues. Built on the rhythm of a slow waltz, whose model dates back to the sublime slow tempo of Ravel’s Concerto in G, it is pervaded by an ecstatic atmosphere.
Palomino Blond are an up-and-coming independent rock band that’s both a product of and an alternative to their native Miami locale. The trio of Carli Acosta (guitar/lead vocals – they/them), Emma Arevalo (drums/vocals – she/they) and Peter Allen (guitar – he/him) will release their sophomore album You Feel It Too on October 4, 2024, on Kanine Records (Surfer Blood, Blushing). It’s a dynamic collection heavily influenced by both ‘90s alt-rock and the not-as-obvious sounds of their surroundings.
With a DIY ethos and lots of big guitars, Palomino Blond have gone from heroes of the house-show circuit to darlings of the regional cognoscenti. With a stout, multi-dimensional sound whose prism spans grunge, shoegaze and dream pop, they’ve got all the right influences. But, while Palomino Blond are acolytes of the ‘90s, their music is no basic redux. Instead, they’re part of a surging young class that’s bringing new blood, perspective and verve to give the classic alternative-rock aesthetic a distinctly 21st century resonance.
Their name, adopted from philosopher Terrence McKenna analyzes how scary and intense it can be to expose your personal art to the world. Much like these rational fears, Nature Loves Courage are no strangers to being vulnerable when it comes to the captivating music they craft. Throughout III, we are welcomed into a sonic atmosphere of retro-electro pop doused with the effervescent vocals of lead singer McKenna Rowe. Originally the brainchild of Rowe, the band now operates out of Los Angeles as a four piece consisting of bassist Jacob Bergman, drummer Garrett Smith, and guitarist Joe De Sa.
Globally renowned Danish group WhoMadeWho has returned with their 8th studio LP, the highly emotive and melodic Kiss & Forget, marking their first album release since 2022’s acclaimed UUUU. The ever-evolving outfit step into a new era with a vibrant collection of 13 tracks featuring indie electronic, pop, house, disco, synthwave, and more elements. Boasting an impressive list of album collaborators – RY X, Blue Hawaii, Adriatique, Kölsch, and nour – Kiss & Forget offers a concoction of diverse sounds that evoke the collective’s perpetually youthful spirit. Kiss & Forget is due for release on September 13th via the band’s imprint, The Moment.
Despite their extensive and storied career, WhoMadeWho – comprised of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg – has been having one of their best years yet. Since announcing the album in late 2023, the band has teased fans with a series of singles that highlight the diverse sonic palette of Kiss & Forget. The nostalgic lead single, “Children,” boasting the angelic timbres of the Danish children’s choir Vesterbros Ungdomsgård, became an instant hit, earning Pete Tong’s highly sought-after “Essential New Tune” title on BBC Radio 1. This was followed by the ethereal “Love Will Save Me” featuring GRAMMY-nominated RY X, the dreamy “Kiss Me Hard” with Canadian indie duo Blue Hawaii, and “Heartless” with fellow venerated Danish electronic producer Kölsch.
In addition to their continuous output of music, WhoMadeWho embarked on their cutting-edge global live tour, their most ambitious run of shows yet. With innovative stage design crafted in collaboration with the world-renowned architecture group BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), accompanied by stunning visuals brought to life by flora&faunavisons, EyeMix Studio, and Christopher Mulligan, the band breathed new life into their records, both old and new, in an immersive and multidimensional experience. The show landed in major global hubs, including New York City, Paris, Madrid, Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, Istanbul, London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Zurich, and many more, with the first run concluding in a massive homecoming show at the legendary Forum Arena in Copenhagen. The creative feat culminated in the band being awarded “Best Live Performer” at the 2024 Beatport Awards.
Kiss & Forget explores themes of nostalgia, innocence, eternal youth, love, and the ephemeral nature of human connection. From pulsating rhythms of dancefloor anthems like “Children,” “Miracle,” and “Heartless” to an exploration of indie electronica with a wide range of collaborators including RY X in “Love Will Save Me,” Blue Hawaii on “Kiss Me Hard” and “Sweet Cuddles,” and nour on “A3LA,” the record is a culmination of the fleeting snapshots in life that make it worth living. The LP’s focal track, “You Belong To No One,” is driven by Høffding’s lush vocals, echoing “You belong to no one…” in a continuous loop. The song builds with a dreamy riff and a deep kick, culminating in a synth symphony that bursts with a carousel of emotion. Also nestled amidst the album’s 13 tracks are several stunning ambient cuts, “Saturday Pt. 1 & 2,” “Hummer” and the outro, “Qualia,” that double as moments of introspection. With the band’s perpetual optimism at its core, Kiss & Forget, serves as a window into their inimitably creative minds and insatiable desire to shake things up.
United Grind co-founder, Vice Souletric, is a conscious Hip-Hop artist and producer that rekindles the days of true skool hip hop in a modern-day form.
The Ohio native boasts a four-album discography that features appearances and production from the likes of Talib Kweli, Benny The Butcher, 9th Wonder, Skyzoo, Hi-Tek, Young RJ, Guilty Simpson, REKS and more.
Now, Vice returns with his most powerful and diverse collection of music to date with Vice For President 4, which includes the Ohio emcee’s trademark clever bars, over top-notch production from some of Hip-Hop’s elite beatsmiths; including Pete Rock, Nottz, Apollo Brown, Young RJ, JR Swiftz and Vice himself.
Vice also called on some of the genre’s most respected emcees; including Slum Village, RJ Payne, Elzhi, The Musalini, and his United Grind family.
Vice For President 4 will complete Vice’s VFP series in a rousing fashion and promises to place Vice Souletric in the discussion of top-tier artists carrying the torch for Hip-Hop delivered with a message. Vice For President 4 is now available at all DSP’s.
In addition to releasing VFP4, Vice also released a new visual for “Vice For President,” which features the legendary Pete Rock. You can watch the new “Vice For President” video below.
“As an artist, my goal was to provide a brand of Hip Hop I feel most fans want and need; which is a balance of hard-hitting beats and sharp clever rhymes” Vice Souletric asserts. “My sound is representative of my Midwest roots, taking on influences from multiple regions. This series of albums has been titled Vice For President because I aim to make timeless Hip Hop music that most everyone can enjoy. I came up in the Golden 90s and want my music to have the same lasting impression for future generations.”
Hailing from the sub-zero tundra of Edmonton, Canada, margø developed an early love for rock as she grew enamored with classic anthems by the likes of Joan Jett and Blondie, inspired by their ability to empower millions of fans across all demographics. Through her dark femme aesthetic meant to empower the collective voice of outcasts and underdogs of the world, margø sets the stage for themes of fearlessness and self-worth on her upcoming debut, who are you when you’re alone?
The platinum certified rock band 311 are back with the announcement of their highly anticipated 14th studio album, Full Bloom, out October 25. Pre-save Full Bloom here.
In celebration, the band has released their new track and visualizer for “Need Somebody,” out now. The track speaks to avoiding isolation and staying connected with the people that love you.
Annie J – “Gotta Give It Up”
This is the third single from Annie J’s forthcoming EP, Been Loving You, which drops 10/18. Fusing retro soul + modern pop for a sound that you can’t help but groove to, the Seattle-based songstress will launch the Been Loving You pre-save with the 9/20 release of “Gotta Give It Up.”
Susan O’Neill today releases her solo album ‘Now in a Minute.’ One of the most highly anticipated Irish albums of the year. Vulnerable but strong, dark but hopeful, it confirms Susan O’Neill as a fascinating and gifted new voice in music.
Described already by Clash as “Superb” and the Sunday Times as simply “Exquisite” alongside previous nominations for the RTE Radio 1 ‘Best female folk artist’ and the Choice Music Prize, it’s no surprise that in the early reviews of the album and songs from Now in a Minute describe Susan as a “Artist working at the top of her game..” and “A wondrous showcase of O’Neill’s bubbling creative prowess” (Hotpress)
Known as a songwriter of many depths, with a timeless voice and a growing reputation for standout live performances, recently described in a live review from the Haldern Pop Festival in Germany as creating “a real emotional hinterland” when she took to the main stage with the Stargaze orchestra. In the past 3 years since the release of her duet album In The Game with Mick Flannery, Susan has been invited to share stages across North American, Europe and the UK with Phoebe Bridgers, The Teskey Brothers, Calexico and Valerie June to name a few. Selling out headline tours in her native Ireland, and laying the seeds across all territories for her next chapter which begins today with the release of Now in a Minute
Recorded over the past 18 months between County Clare and Cork, with engineer and producer Christian Best (Mick Flannery, O Emperor). Additional mixing from Irish born, Los Angeles based engineer Cian Riordan (St. Vincent, Lana Del Ray) ) and Canadian engineer Daniel Ledwell (Rachel Sermani, Jenn Grant). The album saw Susan reuniting with Mick Flannery on four co-writes (Tijuana, Lilt, Everyone’s Blind and Too Many Ways) and also collaborating on an array of the songs with musical brothers Cillian and Lorcan Byrne. Joined on several tracks by Killian Browne on Piano and also featuring Alan Comerford on guitar.
On working with the Byrne brothers, Susan said: “It was great to work with them again, they’ve grown so much musically. There’s a moment playing together when you feel like the engine is revving, the telepathy is working, it’s so quick. There are nerves, excitement, and fun. There are infinite possibilities.”
“Writing entails dreaming up songs. There is self-expression and practice but then you have to deliver them to people, and that involves neon lights, hi-res amps, smoke and mirrors, and you have to trust the process, and I trust them, totally.”
Susan goes on to say regarding the actual album making process “It was a dressing up and dressing down of thoughts, moods, lyrics and noises. Working with Christian Best and the band on this was special, cultivating 12 new songs. it’s not like a sound we’ve made before”
From opening song, the ethereal ‘Apparitions’ described by Susan as “Sitting with darkness inside yourself, unafraid to acknowledge the depths, but saluting that thread of hope you find at the bottom” to the driving ‘Lilt’ “a feminine salute to the journey of countless women that had a need to flee”
On ‘Everyone’s Blind’ Susan said that “a melody rose up as easily as breathing” this song casts longing eyes homeward ‘Give You My All’ can’t help but lift the spirit, and the haunting ‘Malachi’ an ode to older times, and young friends lost. It’s a ballad for the ages, a real heart wrench. A song of honesty that’s not afraid to lean in.
The result is an album that brims with darkness and light, passions that burn and consume, chaos and solitude, brave journeys towards freedom, beautiful, crucial connections with others and that thin thread of hope that lifts the heaviness within.
An official video for ‘Everyone’s Blind’ also drops today alongside the album release. Filmed over various shows this past summer, and includes Susan paragliding off a mountain next to Switzerland’s Matterhorn singing – “I am finally here in a moment I’m wading free in the ocean… If I know who I am in the ocean I’ll be alright in the sky”
Rising punk rock act Winona Fighter has today released their new single “Swear To God That I’m (FINE)”, out now via Rise Records. Clocking in at just over 2 minutes, “Swear To God That I’m (FINE)” is a dynamic blend of candid vulnerability and pure punk energy. Fans can listen now here: https://winonafighter.lnk.to/SwearToGodThatImFine and watch the music video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-jsMBDwCUg.
“’Swear To God That I’m (FINE)’ is a song that comes from a place of just pure honesty. When you spend years GRINDING as a musician and it starts to actually work out, you feel so much gratitude you could explode…or at least that’s my experience,” shares frontwoman and multi-instrumentalist Coco Kinnon. “As someone who has always struggled to separate their career and personal life I thought ‘Well if the band is doing good then I personally should be doing good!’. I know now that is just not the case.”
She continues: “For a while if I was struggling with something personally I wrapped it into my career by questioning my gratitude. ‘Well if you’re having a sad day then you’re not grateful enough for all the great things your band is doing.’ I’d hear in my head for example. Absolutely BRUTAL. However I learned I was not alone. My cowriters Austin Luther (WF Bassist/Producer) and Jayden Seeley knew exactly what I was talking about and helped me put it all on paper. I think it’s something most artists struggle with. But to no surprise it’s just artists overthinking and over questioning. I love my band and our amazing team and the insane shows we get to play. I am incredibly unbelievably grateful for all we get to do and everyone we get to work with. Being a human navigating life doesn’t take away from that.
About the music video she adds: “The music video for ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE)’ is an ode to not only my younger self but to all younger versions of artists. Growing up I always felt a sense of ‘I’m not working hard enough at this music thing’ (I was) or ‘I’ve got to figure out a plan B’ (shocker- I never did). The crew at Were All Gonna Die took my younger self monologue and created a flawless representation of it. I hope everyone who chose a career or life off the beaten path can relate to this video.”
Albany-raised pop-punk band State Champs released their new single, “Light Blue,” off their upcoming self-titled record to be released on November 8 via Pure Noise Records. This is the third single off the album, coming just after the band released two others last month, including “Too Late To Say” and “Silver Cloud,” both of which had accompanying music videos.
The band shared their thoughts on the latest track below:
“Have you ever been transported back in time, for better or for worse, simply by the smell of something or someone? Inspired by Dan & Shay’s “Tequila,” we put our energetic spin on this concept with “Light Blue.” It’s a light-hearted track that reminiscences and rollercoasters between airy, bouncy guitars and pop arrangements to a full-blown fuzzed-out chorus that will have you banging your head in between memories you didn’t ask to be dug back up.”
State Champs will be heading out on a tour this fall across North America. Supporting them on this tour are Knuckle Puck, Meet Me at The Altar, and Daisy Grenade. They will be making stops from coast to coast, kicking off on November 8 in Austin, Texas, and visiting major cities, including Phoenix, Anaheim, Salt Lake City, Denver, Cleveland, Nashville, Orlando, Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto, among others. They will wrap up the tour on December 7 in New York City. Tickets are on sale now at: https://statechamps.band/pages/tour.
Grammy-nominated, genre-bending rock outfit FEVER 333 have proven consistently that they are one of the most captivating acts in modern music today. Now, in 2023, FEVER 333 are set to embark on their most exciting chapter yet with a plethora of new music on the way, the band includes drummer Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta, Thundercat, Trash Talk), bassist April Kae, and guitarist Brandon Davis joining frontman Jason Aalon Butler to accentuate the band’s visceral live performances.
FEVER 333 is now breaking new ground with their latest single, “NEW WEST ORDER,” the first single since February’s “READY ROCK”, “NEW WEST ORDER” aims to bring West Coast hip-hop to the hard rock scene.
The release of “NEW WEST ORDER,” “HIGHER POWER”, “NO HOSTAGES” and “DESERT RAP” comes out via Century Media Records under exclusive license from 333 WRECKORDS CREW.
Internet A&R’s, your prayers have been answered! Rome Streetz and Daringer are joining forces for the highly anticipated collaborative project, Hatton Garden Holdup, which will be released on 10.4.24.
The duo announced their alignment with the project’s first single and video “Starbvxkz.” The single, and video shot by Coach Bombay in the White City housing projects of West London made an immediate impact. Billboard stated “Rome raps like a box cutter to grill over Daringer’s production,” and Uproxx added, “you know what you’re getting with Griselda affiliates, gritty; double-entendre riddled street raps over some of the grimiest production you’re likely to hear in modern hip-hop.”
Now, Rome and Darimger are back with the second single from Hatton Garden Holdup, “Sage,” which features Schoolboy Q. This Griselda/TDE connection can also be attributed to the strength of the internet, as Rome confirms “Q is one of my favorite artists. “Sage” came about because I did an interview and mentioned I would love to work with him. Q saw the clip on X, hit me up and we made it happen.” With “Sage,” Rome and Q burn the “Sage” as they try to keep evil away; and continue “turning grief into gold.” “Sage” is now available at all DSP’s.
Hatton Garden Holdup is a project that has been anticipated since Rome and Daringer connected on Rome’s Griselda Records debut album Kiss The Ring. Though they have moved adjacently since the union has finally come to fruition, and Rome & Daringer deliver a project that is both raw and refined and pushes the envelope in terms of both sound and storytelling; blending street tales with production that is always captivating.
Rome Streetz is fresh off his quick-strike project, Buck 50, which he released earlier this year and the final installment of his ambitious Noise KandySeries, Noise Kandy 5 which was released in late 2023.
For the better part of a decade, Daringer has created a distinctive sonic landscape that has become synonymous with the “Griselda Sound.” Known for his ability to craft everything from dark, gritty canvases to more melodic, jazz-infused productions, Daringer’s influence has been felt across nearly every release from the Griselda camp, including Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine. Daringer has also added his unique touch to projects from Action Bronson; Blue Chips, White Bronco, Only For Dolphins, Cocodrillo Turbo, and Johann Sebastian Bachlava The Doctor with Action Bronson, and he recently produced the entirety of Black Vladimir, a collaborative project with another of his “Fu*k That’s Delicious” cohorts Meyhem Lauren.
Rome & Daringer recently performed an exclusive album concert for Hatton Garden Holdup in NYC and will also hold an exclusive album concert event in LA on 9.24.24 at the Teragram Ballroom. Tickets are now on sale for the LA event.
Rome Streetz & Daringer’s Hatton Garden Holdup will be released on 10.4.24 Via Roc Nation Distribution.
With the release of Love (the) Ominous World, Blu & Exile have returned with an album that brilliantly builds on their soulful, reflective foundation with stunning musicality and sharp songwriting. Their shared history as one of hip-hop’s best duos continues to grow, especially as they venture into new territory while embracing and refining what made them special.
Love (the) Ominous World is a defining moment for Blu & Exile. “This album is our most unique work to date,”Blu says. “We took a different approach with the direction, while still staying true to the culture our music has built with our fan base.” That direction is one that finds the two California natives crafting records that would sound right at home on the radio and hip-hop charts. Like “Suga & Butta,” for example, which features recent Def Jam signee Rae Khalil, and rising star Ahmad Anwar. Every element of the track is as sweet and smooth as its namesake, from the lyrics to the production. There’s also the raw G-funk banger “Chucks,” a snarling collaboration with West Coast stalwarts KXNG Crooked and Kurupt.
Love (the) Ominous World is equally as potent when Blu & Exile find their groove venturing into other territory as well. “Suge,” which Ex talked his collaborator into recording, is a thrilling retelling of Blu’s meeting with the infamous co-founder of Death Row Records. On “Undisputed,” the duo showcases their respective talents as Blu blacks out over Ex’s scratches and beat-switching production. And of course, there’s the album’s lead single, the jaw-dropping “Love Is Blu” with longtime collaborator Aloe Blacc. For Blu & Ex, hearing the final version of this was a moment.
“It was the feeling you imagine you’d want to feel after working so hard on something, to make it all worth it, at least for just that moment,” Exile says. “But that’s all we needed to feel, to know we were done.”
Blu & Exile’s Love (the) Ominous World Is produced in its entirety by Exile and features appearances from Aloe Blacc, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kurupt, KXNG Crooked, RBX, Fashawn, Rae Khalil & Ahmad Anwar amongst others.
Blu & Exile’s Love (the) Ominous World is now available at all DSP’s. Love (the) Ominous World can also be purchased on CD, cassette, and vinyl in multiple color configurations, exclusively through DirtyScienceRecords.com, along with various merchandise.
You can now purchase, stream, add and favorite Love (the) Ominous World at your preferred DSP:
tourmates Dashboard Confessional and BOYS LIKE GIRLS team up for the new single “Watch the Fire.” Recorded in Nashville, the track is cinematic and sentimental in a way that perfectly blends the hallmark sound of each band. Weaving in orchestral elements throughout, it’s a healing, cathartic tale of having to tear things down in order to restart — Stream.
Speaking to the natural draw he felt with Martin Johnson of BOYS LIKE GIRLS, Chris Carrabba shared, “Martin and I had bonded over some horrific accidents we’d had and about the recoveries that we had both worked our way through. One of the things you carry heavily when your body is laid up and your spirit is heavy is, inevitably, the past. One thing Martin and I share between us was a desire to put the past down for a while. Maybe for good. I hope so. I guess I do know one sure way of putting the past down, for a little while anyway: pick up a guitar. Reckoning with your past can be painful and ugly. It can also be rejuvenative and beautiful. I don’t know whether you get to decide. I just know that it’s worth it.”
Reflecting on the lifelong influence of Dashboard Confessional, Johnson remembers, “The year is 2002. I’m a sophomore in high school destroying the family PC to illegally download the early Dashboard Confessional EPs off Limewire. I eventually coughed up enough cash to cop the MTV unplugged CD and DVD at Newbury Comics in Boston and spun it into submission. I heard something interesting on those recordings that I had no idea would alter the rest of my career as a songwriter and guitar player — a certain tuning where all the strings were played open and strummed top to bottom. I studied the way Chris played and the interesting voicings I had never heard before and applied them to my playing.”
Australian-born, LA-based producer, DJ and tastemaker Kito has unveiled her stunning solo BIMYOU EP out now via Mad Decent. A collection of bold, vibrant, floor shakers, the four-track EP features like-minded genre-breakers including Kah-Lo, Brazy, Baauer, Wafia, Nonso Amadi, St. Panther, and Beau Nox.
Flirty and fun, BIMYOU flaunts the femme-centric spirit that stretches throughout Kito’s extensive discography and soundtracks her Club Kito party series. From the sultry multi-lingual dual vocals provided by Nigeria’s Kah-Lo and Brazy on ‘take your vibes and go’ to the intoxicating trade-off between Wafia and Nonso Amadi on ‘back 2 love’, the EP is heightened by Kito’s ability to dabble with an array of genres. A fierce foursome set to take over dancefloors around the globe, the companion tracks ‘die 4 you’ and ‘don’t leave’ further display Kito’s experimental tendencies.
Complex yet minimal, the eclectic production showcases Kito at her finest, skewing the curves of genre boundaries and drawing inspiration from the EP’s namesake – “BIMYOU”, a Japanese word (微)妙) that translates to “subtle” but implies that something is a little off. Refined and forward-thinking, BIMYOU is the culmination of Kito’s years as a songwriter and tastemaker.
“I have a tendency to hold on to words and names that inspire me and BIMYOU is probably one I’ve had an infatuation with for the longest. I actually had the cover artwork designed by a friend in 2016 knowing I wanted to do a project called “BIMYOU” one day. It’s a Japanese word that literally translates to “subtle” but implies that “something is a little off, and it might be better to just do without it altogether”. This EP has largely been about subtracting the stuff I felt came from a place of overthinking, and keeping the bits that felt a little “off” – in a good way. I’m really proud of this EP and am so grateful to all the artists that collaborated with me on it – couldn’t have wished for a better lineup!” – Kito
New York City’s very own five-piece DIY ensemble, Monobloc, continues their winning streak today with their latest single “Irish Goodbye.” Adding to their quickly evolving discography, today’s release explores the social stresses of being young in a new city, while embodying post-punk complexity and charisma. Brief but incredibly intricate and complete with a flute solo, “Irish Goodbye” is a driving track that hears the band reaching new sonic heights while maintaining Monobloc’s signature New York charm. The official video for the track also premieres today, which was shot in New York City and self-directed by the band.
Breakthrough pop singer-songwriter Emei returns today with the release of a brand-new single. Fighting off insecurities and embracing confidence, “ALL THESE KIDS” sees the LA artist continuing her sonic evolution with producers Timfromthehouse (Tove Lo, MARINA) and Yung Bae, signaling an exciting future of more to come.
L.S. Dunes is thrilled to share their new single “Fatal Deluxe”, out now via Fantasy Records. “Fatal Deluxe” offers a glimpse of what’s to come from rock’s most exciting and innovative supergroup; it swells in a cathartic crescendo that breaks just before the song’s conclusion. Listen to “Fatal Deluxe” now here: https://found.ee/FatalDeluxe and watch the new music video, directed by Pat and Nick Demarais, here: https://found.ee/FatalDeluxeYouTube.
On the new single, guitarist Frank Iero shares: “In my opinion ‘Fatal Deluxe’ marks the official opening of chapter two for L.S. Dunes. It’s a song that bridges the gap musically between where we were as a band and individually, and catches the listener up to where we are headed. It breaks quite a few conventional rules along the way and wipes clean the preconceptions of what the band is and might be capable of. It is a song I didn’t want to stop listening to after we recorded it, and a song I cannot wait to play for a live audience. Those feelings are quite often the signs of something truly special.”
Fans can catch L.S. Dunes this fall. The band will be performing at Riot Fest, Louder Than Life, Furnace Fest, Aftershock, and When We Were Young Festival, in addition to a full US tour with Rise Against. For a full list of upcoming shows, please see below or visit: https://lsdunes.com.
LA’s Stoke Signals made an explosive debut in January 2024, instantly capturing attention. Emerging from the remnants of Promise Me This and Holy Fangs, the band has quickly garnered attention in the So Cal punk scene and beyond. On September 20, Stoke Signals digitally release their debut album, “Make Dying Fun.” The LP features 12 melodic punk bangers which the band intends to play live at their November 1st record release show at the Cinema Bar in Culver City, CA. Vinyl and cassette copies of the new album will be available for purchase along with new merch items. “The new single “Neon” is about this house show I played in Vegas once followed by being up late drinking and all that, and then had to be up early the next morning to drive home. And like, I’m just not a morning person so that sucked. I’m pretty dramatic about not being a morning person though I guess, since I wrote a song about it,” says front man Giuliano Messina. 
Bert McCracken has released a new single for his solo project, robbietheused. The song, “Terrible” is the third of three singles released by the Used frontman so far, the other two being the successes “Just a Little Bit” and “The Feels.”
Listen to “Terrible” here: https://bignoise.ffm.to/terrible
“Terrible” is a tragic love song about losing the one you love, set to a high-energy anthem that blends infectious melodies with irresistible danceable beats. This track masterfully draws on timeless themes of love and romance, reimagining them in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. With its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo, “Terrible” is poised to become an instant pop favorite, seamlessly combining classic pop elements with a modern, innovative twist.
“Patty Griffin is a lyrical genius,” says SAVNT, the band’s lead singer. “When we were putting together our setlist for a show earlier this year, Thomas Tull (guitarist and lead songwriter), brought in ‘Long Ride Home’ to see how it’d fit the band. There are very few songs that are simple, beautiful, and pull at your heartstrings all at the same time. We all felt that same magic and knew we had to perform it. From the audience’s response, it was clear that it needed to be properly recorded, and when Patty heard it and agreed to grace us with her extraordinary voice, it was one of those moments that we will never forget.”
Ghost Hounds are a country rock band with a heavy blues influence that proves the genre is not only alive but thriving for the next generation of rock fans. Fronted by SAVNT and backed by guitarists Tyler Chiarelli and Thomas Tull, fiddler Kristin Weber, bassist Bennett Miller, and drummer Sydney Driver, the band has made significant statements with their four studio albums.
Ghost Hounds’ debut, Roses Are Black (2019), earned widespread acclaim from Billboard, American Songwriter, and more as well as millions of streams on streaming platforms. Their follow-up, A Little Calamity (2021), impressed with its classic rock sensibilities and the hit single “Good Old Days.” You Broke Me (2022) continued their tradition of blending classic blues rock with a modern flair. Their latest album, First Last Time (2023) via Gibson Records, features hit single “Last Train To Nowhere,” which racked up millions of hits via TikTok and Instagram, and was featured in Taylor Sheridan’s new TV show Special Ops: Lioness.
Ghost Hounds have honed their sound on the road, having supported legendary acts like The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses, and Bob Seger. With their chemistry at an all-time high, the band is set to bring even more blues-rock brilliance in the future.
Charged by forward-thinking energy, anthemic lyrical power, and an acutely personal perspective on queer and diverse identity, Love Bash arrives in grand fashion with their long-awaited full-length debut, Falling Upward. The Philadelphia area-based duo of Adelaide “Adi” Day (she/her) and Brandon Christopher (he/him) – co-founders of both Love Bash and the independent production company, Spruce Alley – joined forces with a singular mission to create an individualistic musical ecosystem embracing their own extraordinary uniqueness to break the toxic expectations and the chains (internal and external) that the world puts upon us all. Taking off from that ambitious goal, Falling Upward sees Love Bash reconfiguring contemporary pop with an exuberant, emotional interplay of deeply felt songcraft, collectivist performance, and limitless invention. Traditional borderlines of sound and selfhood are obliterated as elements of electro, synthwave, house, gospel, soul, indie, world music, and more fuse into a one-of-a-kind musical multiverse where passion and honesty are as essential as melody, chorus, and genre-shattering ingenuity.
Central to Love Bash’s objective is to showcase their songs by platforming a cadre of wholly dissimilar yet equally gifted vocal artists, each of whom adds beguiling shades to Adi and Brandon’s already variegated template. Tracks like the haunting new single, “Nights Crawling,” (with Ruby Dibble) are lithe and inventive, boasting both aesthetic commitment and human heart, as the songs on Falling Upward chart Adi’s journey of self-realization as she came out as trans.
the indie Parisian pop-punk group Two Trains Left have released their long awaited debut LP, Probably for Nothing. The 12 track album produced by Bertrand Poncet, frontman of easycore icons Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, takes audiences on a journey through a blend of everything from high-energy rock tunes to reflective ballads.
Stream Probably For Nothing now here.
Probably for Nothing seamlessly combines infectious melodies with heartfelt lyrics, ultimately telling a coming-of-age story referencing themes of personal growth, resilience and liberation. It encourages listeners to strive for self-evolution, even in the face of adversity or self-doubt, delivering a powerful message through their dynamic and unique sound. Pressed purple splatter and hot pink vinyls are available for purchase for a limited time here.
“Probably For Nothing” captures our evolution and experimentation in a way that feels cohesive and engaging,” shares the band. “We wanted to create an album that resonates deeply with listeners, offering them a mix of powerful anthems and reflective ballads that they can connect with on a personal level. Our hope was to leave a lasting impact and provide a memorable and engaging listening experience from start to finish.”
Lead single “Sail Away” has garnered over 100K streams on Spotify and makes for a powerful listen combining catchy guitar riffs, groovy bass lines and powerful vocals with themes of growth, self discovery and determination. Track “Something New” is a vibrant and high energy song featuring jumpy rhythms and a massive chorus that is sure to get audiences moving and singing along. Encapsulating the excitement of stepping out of your comfort zone in search of change and new adventure, the track ties into the album’s overarching themes of personal growth and evolution.
Reveries is the long-awaited solo album of Philly-based drummer/producer/filmmaker Evan Chapman. Having spent many years studying and absorbing the music he reveres––all while honing his compositional voice through percussion-trio-meets-rock-band Square Peg Round Hole––Chapman’s index of musical influences runs deep. In Reveries, one hears the timbral sophistication of Son Lux, the polyrhythmic density of Floating Points, the atmospheric production of Moderat, and the tactile physicality of claire rousay’s music. With Reveries, however, Chapman offers something unmistakably his own: a fusion of emotive lyricism and glitchy complexity––all while obscuring the lines between acoustic and electronic, the human and the computer–– resulting in a stunning musical statement made from the depths of reverie.
This is an album about dreaming and daydreaming, remembering and forgetting, new blessings and old wounds. Mostly created in an attic studio, often while his newborn daughter napped, Reveries captures the complex feelings of new parenthood: the tenderness and the fragility, but also the gravity and the weight. The opening track “Endings” oscillates wildly between emotional and sonic polarities. Channeling the ecstatic extremes of Rafiq Bhatia’s music, “Endings” moves from soft, intricate textures to absolutely crushing and punishing walls of sound. This prelude quickly moves into “Fractions,” one of the most rhythmically complex yet catchiest songs on the album. The loop-based layers in “Fractions” echo electronic artists like Tycho or Rival Consoles with chopped vocal phrases that create a deeply danceable anthem, set atop layers of polyrhythmic complexity and separated by periodic oases of groove.
No sooner does “Fractions” end––with the entrancing sound of children’s desk bells––that “Bodies” plunges into an off-kilter lullaby. With short, plodding patterns––evoking the early postminimalism of composer David Lang––this haunting scene is set by a small chamber ensemble of piano, vibraphone, and the stylings of virtuoso electric guitarist JIJI. To this mix is added Joshua Stamper on upright bass, which Chapman distorts and transforms into a timbre almost indistinguishable from a sub-bass synthesizer. This minimalist lullaby escalates into something akin to In Rainbows-era Radiohead, with a climax heaving with the kind of rapturous, rhythmically unsettled experimentalism of drummer/producer Body Meat.
Having freshly wrapped up a few shows with Bright Eyes, Omaha legends Neva Dinova return with one last single, “Near Me,” out today ahead of their highly anticipated new album, Canary, dropping this Friday, September 27 via Saddle Creek. An idiot wishes for the most basic and stupid dream. It may be the smartest thought he’s had. He’s so dumb that the sound of his own voice makes him forget what he’s talking about. Good luck. – Jake Bellows 
New York City-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer allie basks in the joy of newfound queer love with “Tiny Colored Pills” and its colorful matching lyric video out now. On the latest iridescent pop tune, allie explores the butterflies and uncertainties within an intoxicating new connection. Plus, Sarah Tudzin (Illuminati Hotties) and allie have launched an all-new podcast, SongDive, which explores all facets of songwriting, music production and audio engineering through a queer, DIY perspective. Listen on all platforms here.
The artist’s immersive, evocative self-produced second studio album Every Dog is due out September 27 and available for pre-order now via Snack Shack Tracks (Sarah Tudzin, Illuminati Hotties) and Anxiety Blanket Records. The forthcoming meditative LP is a vulnerable exploration of queer love and one’s self, carefully crafted by the artist who wrote, produced and mixed it herself.
What started as a bare, slow ballad has evolved into an upbeat tune that tackles some heavy topics with a warm sense of optimism and nostalgia. The artist says now, after its transformation, the track, “seethes and simmers with a brighter, more propulsive energy that has finally surfaced and made itself known to us, emphasizing the urgency of its lyrics that deal with romantic idealization, suicidal thoughts, and recalling teenage years with a propensity for self-abandonment, drenched in a yearning to belong.”
Pop artist Izzy Raye just released her latest single, “Confirm It,” tapping into a shimmering side of hyperpop with bright vocals and hyperactive instrumentals. Now available on all streaming platforms, “Confirm It” dives deep into the complexities of creating music and surviving the modern world, and staying true to her art while contemplating heavier topics like climate change, and humanity itself.
Izzy Raye’s artistry shines in her twisted lyrics that pump over a glittery beat. As the song intensifies, Raye asks, “Can somebody tell me if it’s even fucking worth it? Will there even be an Earth, can someone please confirm it?” Through this, she captures her hopes and fears, questioning if her art will even matter if the Earth may not even exist, “I love when an upbeat, happy-sounding song contrasts with darker, more anxious lyrics,” Raye shares. “We all have such big dreams, but we don’t even know if we’ll have a planet to achieve them on.” “Confirm It” is a vibrant continuation of Raye’s journey and is a testament to her artistic vision. Reflecting on her inspiration, she shares, “I was hitting a point of feeling very crazy about the general state of the world, and I channeled all of those feelings.” “Confirm It” was written by Izzy Raye, co-produced by Raye and Chris Botta, who also mixed the track, and was mastered by Grammy-winner Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus).
Dead Signals, the groundbreaking production company behind critically acclaimed cult-hit podcasts Archive 81 (which had been adapted into a Netflix series) and The Deep Vault, is thrilled to announce the release of their newest audio venture, Generation Crossing. Created by celebrated storytellers Marc Sollinger and Dan Powell, this concept album embarks on an 800-year journey to a distant planet, exploring the evolution of a society formed within the confines of a generation ship. Releasing November 12th, 2024 via Bandcamp, Generation Crossing is a nod to Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Elder Race and Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds, with exceptional and encompassing audio you should listen to with the lights off.
Through a series of monologues, the album traces the arc of a civilization over eight centuries, told from the perspective of a single consistent character: the ship’s AI. Inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the radio narrative, Generation Crossing tells an evocative oral history by Sollinger with original atmospheric electronic music by Powell, inspired by ambient greats Gigi Masin, Brian Eno, William Basinski.
Sollinger explains, “I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of a generation ship. They provide this incredible lens to explore how societies evolve, how myths form and change, and how ordinary lives are shaped by profound cultural shifts. I wanted to create a narrative with only one constant character, the ship’s AI, and see if we could make audiences care deeply for them in just a two-minute monologue.” Sollinger cites the work of Ursula K. Le Guin, particularly her story/song cycle “Always Coming Home,” as a significant inspiration for the project.
Powell elaborates, “We wanted to create an audio experience focused more on music and atmosphere than on physical action. I’m a fan of ambient electronic music, and the idea of scoring these monologues with spacey, moody synth music was really exciting. I’ve always loved dramatic monologues as a narrative format, and I believe Marc is exceptionally skilled at writing them, so this felt like a perfect framework for us.”
https://deadsignalsaudio.bandcamp.com/album/generation-crossing
acclaimed New York City and Madeline Island, WI-based electronic producer/composer Elori Saxl announces her new album, Earth Focus, set for release on November 15 via Western Vinyl. Unveiled on the heels of her recently released EP Drifts & Surfaces, which garnered acclaim from the likes of Bandcamp Daily, The Quietus, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, this full-length follow-up consists of material Elori created to soundtrack the PBS show of the same name.
Earth Focus (the TV series) delves into the intricate connections between Southern California’s natural landscapes and urban development. Each episode explores a specific location, including the Los Angeles River, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave Desert. Saxl’s music underscores the emotional narratives of these places, emphasizing the interplay between humans and nature and the impact of human-constructed environments.
Saxl crafted the music using digitally manipulated recordings of water and wind, analog synthesizers, MIDI samples, and processed woodwinds (clarinet, bass clarinet, flute) performed by Stuart Bogie. The music loosely references the psychedelic and dreamlike sounds often associated with Los Angeles’ past and present but with a twist, blending real and synthetic elements and foregrounding the artificiality of sample sounds as a way of reflecting the palpable sense of the landscape being constructed and increasingly precarious.
Arriving alongside today’s announcement is the lush and dreamy lead preview “Grows Along The River Slow,” a short and sweet track that serves as an unofficial theme song for the series. Reflecting on the specifics of the single, Elori shares: “It was inspired by the languid flow of the LA river and the plants that grow within and alongside it, pushing through cracks in cement and finding ways to flourish despite the human-built landscape. The track features analog synths with synthetic harp and flute samples that eventually give in to real acoustic flute performed by Stuart Bogie. I would say this track is me leaning into the psychedelic and floaty sounds of Californian music a bit beyond my comfort zone as a New Yorker, but it felt right for the series to lean deep and create music evocative of the musical scene past and present in Southern California.”
With a career spanning nearly two decades, two-time JUNO Award winner Diana Panton has established herself as one of the brightest lights on the international jazz scene, praised by listeners, musicians, and critics alike for her ethereal vocals, exceptional song selection and emotive nuance. Diana is pleased to announce the October 25 release of her eleventh album, soft winds and roses.
A departure from Diana Panton’s more recent albums, soft winds and roses features modern classics composed from the 1960s onward, including songs by Lennon and McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean, Ron Sexsmith, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, and more. Diana’s signature sound, which Jazz Times called “arrestingly beautiful,” makes every song her own, and the feather-light intimacy of each track is so direct that the lyrics feel like a secret passed between Diana and her listener. The album’s arc follows a relationship, beginning shyly with hard-to-declare feelings, continuing through a deeply emotional connection, and finally separating, with lingering traces of love.
Why songs from the ‘60s onward? Diana Panton explains, “Through the years, I have recorded several compilations for the Asian market, and I was often asked to include a bonus track that was a bit more contemporary and well-known in that market than some of my more obscure song choices. Fast forward to the present: I decided to assemble a selection of modern standards composed from the 1960s onward. It was a fun challenge to bring our trio’s distinctive sound to these modern classics, mixing well-known songs liker Elton John’s ‘This is Your Song’ alongside some new jazz standards, such as Fred Hersch’s ‘A Wish (Valentine).’”
Suzi Shelton will take kids on a worldwide musical journey in her tenth album Community Through Music (out October 25 on Jalopy Records), a children’s album filled with the rich tapestry of folk songs and world music, designed to captivate young listeners with its diversity and charm. Out today, second single “Under the Big Chestnut Tree (Ooki na Kuri no Ki no Shita de)” is a classic children’s tune from Japan featuring Meitar Forkosh on violin that is well-loved for its simple, catchy melody, themes of nature, and fun partnering game. The single is sung in both English and Japanese.
LA-based post-punk band Agender just want to look good for the apocalypse with their latest cheeky, punk-disco track “Things Things Things” out today. It’s a lighthearted commentary on consumerism and the band invites listeners to join them on a shopping trip with its accompanying self-directed official music video. Plus, the band promises to share their punchy, synth-punk third album, Berserk, which captures the band’s distinctive manic, unhinged energy that matches living in today’s world, early next year.
Over cutting guitars, melodic synths and disco drums, “Things Things Things” is a playful take on the endless quest to buy more to fill a bottomless void that never quite feels fulfilled. With lines like “Things, things, things, a material girl, not a moralist/I know everything is bad, I just wanna look good for the apocalypse,” lead singer/guitarist Romy Hoffman says, “‘Things’ is the dancey disco punk anthem against consumerism we all need right now, in this age of late stage capitalism.” The bassline came first, followed by the disco drum beat and guitars followed. The songs, like most Agender songs, flowed naturally out of Hoffman, who adds, “I didn’t set out to write a song about late stage capitalism, it just wrote itself. I kept hearing ‘Things Things Things’ pop out of the rhythm section pocket.” The track was written by Hoffman, produced by her and David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem), mixed by Spencer Hartling (Self Improvement) and mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac).
The video was self-directed and mirrors the playful energy of the track, aptly set in a Los Angeles mall. On the video, Hoffman says, “You can have inexpensive fun at the mall, and malls are such a big part of the L.A landscape. I thought it’d be fun to cruise around together, go shopping, try on clothes, have a day out as a band. I knew I wanted us to end up at a karaoke lounge.”
Brooklyn-based musical multihyphenate Harrison Lipton releases his smooth, effortlessly sultry single “Synchronized Swimming.” Exploring romance coyly nestled within the metaphor of synchronized swimming, listeners witness Lipton’s proven songwriting and production talent in raw form. Complete with dusty piano, laid-back Khruangbin-like drums, and an underwater guitar solo, the final touch is the perfect pairing of background vocals from MICHELLE’s Layla Kuriloff — Stream.
Lipton’s vivid storytelling crafts a tale of a languid summer romance, while the buttery, self-produced concoction of 70s soft rock, indie, soul and R&B perfectly support his unique vocal dexterity as he sings the track’s hook in his silky, airy falsetto. “It happens when you close your eyes / then you start to recognize / you and I were synchronized swimming.” Joined by close collaborator Ian Bakerman of Phony Ppl, the two engineered the track, and much of the upcoming music, between their two studios.
On the inspiration behind “Synchronized Swimming,” Lipton explains, “This song has been in the works for six years. I’ve tried finishing it so many times, but it was going back to the thesis of the song –– the tenderness of two lovers falling in sync with each other –– that helped me figure out how to make the rest of the song feel like that one indelible moment.”
Per Störby Jutbring is an award-winning Swedish composer, pianist and artist. His music is rooted in the Scandinavian airy sound, blending traditional orchestration with modern electronics and minimalism. Piano, strings, strong melodies and ambient landscapes, organic and electronic. On his upcoming album Tenants Of Misty Mansion (According To The Landlord), Per invites listeners into a whimsical and eclectic musical wonderland, blending lo-fi charm with hi-fi grandeur. The full LP is out October 18th via HOOB Records
Check out new single “That Translucent Swell Of The Attic”via YouTube, out today.
Thematically, Tenants Of Misty Mansion (According To The Landlord) is a concept album about the different occupants in his head (“tenants”) — the Jump synth hangs in the boy’s room on the third floor, while the poodles from the basement mess with a fugue and a Björk song in the corridor. As the landlord, it’s up to Per to reconcile and create harmony between them all. “It’s been tough, but once I got everyone to be seen and equally important, the sounds, the expressions and the different little worlds started to behave,” he describes. “The work became songs that began to fall into place for an album. Straight out of the tenant association of my own brain.” Featured on the album are the Stockholm Studio Strings, conducted by Erik Arvinder, cellists Johanna Dahl (New Tide Orquesta) and Johanna Sjunnesson (Swe Radio Symphony Orchestra), and the aforementioned Grammis-nominated Malva Quartet. He adds: “On some tracks, I’ve reversed the composition process, starting with recording an improvisation on piano, intimate, and somewhat ‘ugly’. This has then served as the foundation for a grander composition, recorded luxuriously with a full string orchestra. I’ve also used four-track cassette recordings, crackling analog synths, field recordings, church organ, celli, and string quartets.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
