Author: Faronheit Page 48 of 192

Torch songs are typically at their best when paired with a compelling voice. Jesse Jo Stark has that type of voice, and her “Deadly Doll” is all the better because of it. If you like Lana Del Rey and Lykke Li, don’t miss this one. Similarly, Kristin Kontrol is back with another strong synth pop single. “Concrete Love” might not be the best thing she’s ever done, but her vocals and lyrics get very high marks. Then there’s Stone Temple Pilots, reaching back into the archives as they prepare to re-release their debut album Core for a special 25th anniversary edition. You can hear a demo cut “Only Dying” in remembrance of Scott Weiland. Cross over the jump and discover more new music from the likes of Emancipator, John Marera & Will Martin, LEViTATE & Macntaj, OMD, Pale Grey, Rina Sawayama, Shannon Lay, The She’s, and Trevor Hall.

Jesse Jo Stark – Deadly Doll

Kristin Kontrol – Concrete Love

Stone Temple Pilots – Only Dying (Demo)

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Jessica Boudreaux of the garage rock band Summer Cannibals will be putting out her solo debut this November, and you can get a taste of what it sounds like below. She worked on some of the tracks with Hutch Harris of The Thermals, and I’d like to think that it’s helped. Meanwhile, I also can’t seem to resist the tracks being put out by Novo Amor & Ed Tullett. “Silvery” continues to harness some powerful folk and falsetto pairings. This is a must for any fans of Bon Iver. Similarly, fans of Washed Out and Jamie xx might really latch onto Superheart’s “Count On Me”, which is the perfect soundtrack for wandering around a glowing city in the middle of the night. If you’ll be so kind as to join me past the jump, you’ll be able to hear additional tracks in this set from Cosmos & Creature, Falcons (ft. KingJet), Herobust, I’m Not A Band, KRANE, The Man Who, Max Styler (ft. CXLOE), Noah Kahan, and TACHES.

Jessica Boudreaux – Ask Me to Stay

Novo Amor & Ed Tullett – Silvery

Superheart – Count On Me

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There’s a very ’80s vibe to Now, Now’s new single “Yours,” though it also feels like the sort of song that’d be right at home on the latest Haim record. In other words, it’s pretty good and quite catchy, so give it a shot. Speaking of the ’80s, Ski Lodge’s latest track has a similar synth-heavy vibe, but with reflections of The Psychedelic Furs and The Cars echoing throughout. The synths continue on Slow Magic’s “Drum”, but the sound is far more modern, with intense beats and samples cycling through most of it at the frenetic pace of a helicopter blade. It’s a boss instrumental that might be a little too fast for most to dance to, but that’s perfectly okay. Other artists you can find after the jump include alxxa (covering Rihanna), Andrew Applepie (ft. Bjurman), Cardiknox, Demo Taped, MADDEE, Post Malone (ft. 21 Savage), Sean Christopher, Swimming Tapes, and Tove Stryke.

Now, Now – Yours

Ski Lodge – Secure

Slow Magic – Drum

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Riot Fest 2017 officially kicks off in Chicago’s Union Park tomorrow afternoon. If you’ve been paying attention all week, you may have seen my very, very minor preview coverage for the first two days. Today we tackle the third and final day, where I’ll once again provide a list of artists you should absolutely check out if you’re going. On Sunday, you won’t want to miss sets from (in order by time) Beach Slang, Downtown Boys, Dessa, That Dog., The Orwells, Built to Spill, Cap’n Jazz, Minus the Bear, TV on the Radio, Dinosaur Jr., M.I.A., Paramore, and of course Jawbreaker. Should be a fun weekend. Hope to see you out there!

Pick Your Poison today has some fun tracks that’ll help you ease into the weekend. I’m really enjoying Kllo’s latest song off their new album out next month. “Nylon” is a pretty piano ballad with flourishes of R&B and electronica blended in, making for a captivating listen. Similarly, Weyes Blood has just released a 7″ featuring two covers, one of which takes on Soft Cell’s “Everybody’s Talkin'” while transforming the folk song into a glacial synth ballad. There’s also a new song from Chicago’s own Wild Belle in this set, who seem to be having lots of fun with the catchy “Untamed Heart”. Journey beyond the jump for additional tracks in this set from Coucou Chloe, courtship., Giraffage (ft. Japanese Breakfast), G-Worthy, Jordan Rakei, LEVITATE & Macntaj, LondonBridge, Ryan Vail, and more!

Kllo – Nylon

Weyes Blood – Everybody’s Talkin’ (Soft Cell cover)

Wild Belle – Untamed Heart

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The unofficial, half-assed guide to Riot Fest 2017 continues today with a super-brief list of artists worth seeing on Day 2 (aka Saturday) at Douglas Park here in Chicago. If you’re going, I’d advise taking the time to check out (ordered by set time) Slaves, Fishbone, Peaches, Shabazz Palaces, FIDLAR, Bad Brains, Potty Mouth, The Regrettes, Gogol Bordello, At the Drive-In, and Queens of the Stone Age. Check back tomorrow for my picks for the final day!

On to today’s Pick Your Poison. Grandaddy are re-releasing their 1997 debut Under the Western Freeway this October, and it comes with demos and bonus tracks. You can hear the unreleased “Hawaiian Island Wranglers” below. If you like ambient electronica, Lone’s latest “Saturday Night” feels like the appropriate soundtrack to either play in the club or on your way to the club. Sometimes though, it’s just nice to enjoy a folk song with only an acoustic guitar and a voice. Michael Nau has you covered with a waltzy ballad that positively shines. After the jump, you’ll find some additional tracks in this set from DJ Different, Djib Mo, The fin., Jvck James (ft. Jade Maria & Venna), Mike Dunn, Oscar & the Wolf, The Score, Skye Morales, and Sofi Tukker (ft. NERVO, The Knocks & Alisa Ueno).

Grandaddy – Hawaiian Island Wranglers

Lone – Saturday Night

Michael Nau – Diamond Anyway

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Okay, as part of unofficial Riot Fest week, I’m going to provide an ever-so-brief preview of each day of the festival, essentially just giving you a list of artists to see and not anything else. As bare bones as it gets. So if you’ll be heading to Douglas Park this weekend, here are some names you want to keep an eye (and ear) out for on Friday (in order of set time): Skating Polly, Tobacco, Liars, Saul Williams, X, Buzzcocks, The Hotelier, Death From Above, Ministry, The Cribs, New Order, Vic Mensa, and of course Nine Inch Nails. I hope that helps, to some minor degree. I’ll have a list of Saturday artists for you tomorrow!

In today’s Pick Your Poison, get another dose of beautiful synth pop for your Tuesday with another new one from Anna of the North. Give a proper welcome to fall with Josh Ritter’s latest folk track, which includes a guest spot from the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir. Also, enjoy a bouncy and rather addictive Britpop-styled song about William Shatner from The Wedding Present. Take a trip past the jump, and you’ll also find new tracks from A Boogie wit da Hoodie (ft. PnB Rock & YoungBoy Never Broke Again), EXSSV (ft. Pixel Terror), filous (ft. Klei), The Fluids, Human Heat, Maty Noyes, No Warning, and Synead.

Anna of the North – Always

Josh Ritter – When Will I Be Changed (ft. Bob Weir)

The Wedding Present – Shatner

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Fans of The War on Drugs and Kurt Vile should find plenty to love about Gun Outfit’s jangly and serpentine “Strange Insistence” as it conjures the dusty memory of the open road. If yo’re not already aware of the young New York rapper MIKE, let his new track “By the Water” make a proper introduction. He does fantastic work pairing dynamic rhymes with samples from classic soul recordings. There’s something about SPORTS’ “Making It Right” that sounds like it was recorded during the ’90s. It’s some incredibly catchy pop-punk, but with a gritty edge that feels indebted to a degree by bands like Veruca Salt and Pixies. You can get it on a new split 7″ with the band Plush that’ll be out in October. If you’re interested in hearing more new music, there’s a bunch more tracks after the jump from artists such as Chynna, Joker, Kaixen (ft. MRKI), Lamb, Luna Shadows, Nick Wisdom (ft. Reva Devito), Prawn, Teen Daze, and Winter.

Gun Outfit – Strange Insistence

MIKE – By the Water

SPORTS – Making It Right

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Even though Brian Wilson is still out on tour performing the classic Pet Sounds album in full for one last time, that hasn’t stopped him (or, let’s be honest, his label) from putting together a collection of solo tracks and rarities. As part of that, you can hear the unreleased song “Some Sweet Day,” which he recorded back in the ’90s with frequent collaborator Andy Paley. I’d also recommend checking out another lovely song from Happy Hollows, which manages to shimmer, sparkle, and soar in a way only they can pull off. There’s a subtle shift in sonic direction on the new SALES track “Talk A Lot” that feels like a very natural evolution for them. The song settles into a very chill groove that’ll hopefully help mellow you out from the mid-week blues. If you follow along after the jump, you can also stream tracks in this set from Bermuda Triangle, Cones, Coucou Chloe, Holy Wars, Lil Durk (ft. Future & Jeezy), Lina Tullgren, Michael Malarkey, MIKNNA, and Chicago’s own Xoe Wise Band.

Brian Wilson – Some Sweet Day

Happy Hollows – Decide

SALES – Talk A Lot

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Credit to The Helio Sequence for calling their song “Out Among the Sheltering Pines” and then making it sound exactly like you would expect a song with that title to. That is to say, it’s a nice, folksy track suitable for a walk in the woods and appreciating the glory of nature. Of course the city has more than its fair share of songs too, and The National Parks contribute a solid one to this set. “Lights in the City” is a memorable slice of indie rock with some sprinkles of synth for that little extra twinkle. There’s a new SLØTFACE record coming out in about 10 days, and if the energetic “Backyard” is any indication, it’ll be a loud, intense, and incredibly fun collection of songs. After the jump, you’ll find more tracks from the likes of Bicep, Club Kuru, Galantis & ROZES, LYOX x Alex Lucas, Mark E. Bassy (ft. Hailee Steinfeld), Ovlov, Trudy and the Romance, Warbly Jets, and more!

The Helio Sequence – Out Among the Sheltering Pines

The National Parks – Lights in the City

SLØTFACE – Backyard

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Let’s close out the month of August strong, with another collection of quality tracks for your streaming pleasure. You may know A. Savage from his work in Parquet Courts, but he’s got a solo album coming out soon that you might want to check out. “Wild, Wild, Wild Horses” is a very moody and atmospheric trip that’s a world away from the messy garage rock of his other band. Then there’s another new one from DOOM, which is a must-listen if you’ve ever been a fan of his particular brand of hip hop. The “Notebook” series is something he’s doing in partnership with Adult Swim, and it’s pulling together some interesting, unreleased pieces of the past. Then there’s another new one from Yumi Zouma, which falls right in line with the sort of addictive synth-pop you might otherwise expect from them. That’s not meant to be a criticism, because they manage to make great art from tried-and-true sounds. Other artists in this set include A Million Machines, Cap Ferrat, Chayo Nash (ft. Rich Homie Quan), Felix Hagan & The Family, Lock Eyes, Mr. Yolk, Teflon Saga (covering Blink-182), Westerman, and Lone’s remix of a Washed Out track.

A. Savage – Wild, Wild, Wild Horses

DOOM – Notebook 03

Yumi Zouma – Persephone

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The playful and loose rhythms that give Anna of the North’s “Fire” an almost tropical rhythm are only a small part of what makes the track so compelling, and a worthwhile way to kick off today’s Pick Your Poison. It’s the sort of bouncy pop song that can get stuck in your head for days. Elliott Brood’s latest “Dig A Little Hole” has the sort of fun, clap-along rhythm that dominates so many fun childhood campfire songs, but with a Simon & Garfunkel-meets-alt-country melody. What a delight. If you like your folk a little psychedelic, a little weird, and a little lo-fi, allow me to turn you on to Jude Shuma through his latest “Lemonade”. Sometimes it’s nice when a song defies easy categorization. Join me after the jump to stream songs from Basenji (ft. Mereki), G Herbo (ft. Lil Uzi Vert), Kid Bloom, KRANE & MYRNE, OCS, PARENTZ, QUIX & Bishu (ft. Cappa), Savoy (ft. Roniit), and RICCI.

Anna of the North – Fire

Elliott Brood – Dig A Little Hole

Jude Shuma – Lemonade

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