May 2021 - best new alternative, punk and indie tracks

Joining a long line of SF bay area indie bands, The Umbrellas are sure to dazzle with their new self-titled debut album. Classic indiepop influences abound, from The Byrds to Orange Juice, The Pastels, Comet Gain and Belle & Sebastian, along with a noticeable garage-pop/Paisley Underground flavor that is a hallmark of San Francisco's best bands. Lead-off single "She Buys Herself Flowers" introduces us to a band that's both intimately conversant with indiepop history but also unburdened by it, a group with the song-crafting chops and spirit to take familiar elements and create for themselves a fresh new sound. The album goes from strength to strength, studded with pop gems like "Near You," "Lonely" and "Pictures" -- tunes that sound like classics from the first listen, as timeless and elemental as all great pop.

The Umbrellas

The Umbrellas - She Buys Herself Flowers

From the "Names" EP, out July 30th, 2021 via Trouble In Mind Records (www.troubleinmindrecs.com)

From note one, the “Names” EP is all business, with “Illusion”s punchy riffs (suitable for stargazing or naval-gazing) gallop forward, with Williams pontificating on his reflected reality vs. the illusion of self; a two-minute earworm on gender confusion. “The Name Song” is next, with its persistent jangle, laundry list of Williams’ favorite Seventies names & instantly memorable chorus of “I don’t care about anyone” coyly delivered with a sardonic wink and nod. “Two Person Love”s fuzzy lead line opens side two, (an ode to “erotomania”) barreling forward like a Fairport deep cut on ephedrine. A woozy cover of Felt’s “Crystal Ball” ends the EP, a faithful love-letter to an obvious influence, draped in a gauzy flange. Wrapped in an eye-catching sleeve design by Total Control’s James Vinciguerra, the “Names” EP practically screams “essential”. Look for more music coming soon on Trouble In Mind from The Tubs as the band heads into the studio to record their debut album.

The Tubs "Two Person Love" (Trouble In Mind Records)

From Fresh's new EP 'The Summer I Got Good At Guitar' out 30th April 2021.
smarturl.it/fresh-summer

LYRICS
Spend time filling up that hole
Cos I feel awful and empty
I feel awful and empty
I feel awful and empty

Arrive in Italy at dusk and feel the cool air on my face
Try to shake away the thoughts that I had earlier today
Feeling worn out, red and raw
Sometimes I fervently believe that I wont live very long at all

I’ve been forgetting slowly
Sometimes I still read things in your voice
Sometimes I still read things in your voice
Sometimes I still read things in your voice

FRESH - My Redemption Arc

Glaswegian alt-pop artist the ever fresh, courageous, and wonderfully weird, singer-songwriter Leif Coffield is a game-changer. His new single ‘Just wanna be strange’ is a dark yet energetic Pop track, with hints of Billie Eilish style vocals and instrumentation alongside minimal percussion but a groove layered bass line. The deep and sinister vocals perfectly juxtapose the dance vibes of the music itself and encapsulate the theme of the lyrics- obsession, infallibility and idolisation. 

Produced by himself, ‘Just wanna be strange’ is about “The feeling of obsessing over somebody, and the notions of infallibility that come along with it. In an age where we are so driven by the idolisation of celebrity status, 'Just Wanna Be Strange' aims to portray the perspective of the obsessor. Often times we idolise those we see ourselves in, or see ourselves with, and it's not difficult to think of someone with fame or celebrity that we haven't adored simply because they seem 'quirky' or 'weird', and that it's a travesty-debt owed to the universe that they haven't become friends or lovers. This song represents that. All of that.” Leif explains.

Like his surroundings, Leif describes his sound as, “cold, dark and broken.” - all of which translates seamlessly into his music. Undoubtedly one of the most ambitious names in the UK, he patches enormously affecting lyricism against superb pop moments.

Having picked up the guitar at eight years old, this songwriter has always utilised music as a means of processing life, and the world we exist in. He is driven by a Billie Eilish-esque kind of sinister spirit, lulling listeners into an electro-infused, bass-heavy dreamland that’s beautiful; woozy; and often heart-wrenchingly chaotic, all at once. 

His artistry has only enhanced with each release. Having gained support through the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, BBC radio Scotland, CLASH and CLOUT magazine, it’s no surprise that this dark-pop artist is turning heads as he focuses on forging a new lane for his musical ambitions as an independent artist. 

For press opportunities, please email: chama@libertymusicpr.com

Just Wanna Be Strange

"The most absolute insane weird-punk artifact you could ever dream come to us recorded over email from the astral conjunction of lethal brain-blowers involved in the sickest bands of the moment as Research Reactor Corp, Satanic Togas, Setop Box, Gee Tee, Belly Jelly, Dummy or Skull Kult put on the most wanted one-side 7" by the badass hand of Goodbye Boozy Records!" - Tremendo Garaje

Mainframe - Rip

Take from the upcoming "Deny All Knowledge Of Complicity " Album 

Out on ADAGIO830 on June 11th

It’s already 3 years Berlin-based band Pigeon released their self-titled debut LP and shortly after the Bug EP but also hard to believe they found the time to get together with all the involvement in other projects like Liiek, Ostseetraum, Benzin or or or. The 10 new songs on Deny All Knowledge Of Complicity are dry, restive and full of guitar feedback. Pigeon are a contemporary version of post-punk heroes Wire and New Zealand’s noiserock band The Gordons.

Pre order via https://adagio830-records.bandcamp.com/album/deny-all-knowledge-of-complicity

PIGEON - Bad Visions

Our brand new track 'Similar Faces' is available everywhere now! We have worked so hard on this song and hope you all like it x

Buy tickets for our debut UK tour: https://www.thisfeeling.co.uk/thekatuns

Similar Faces - Single

Similar Faces

New track from Bnny out now on Fire Talk

Add & Buy: https://ffm.to/bnny

Time Walk

Bnny - Time Walk

From Bnny's debut album 'Everything' out August 20th on Fire Talk. 

Buy: https://ffm.to/bnny

Everything

Bnny - Ambulance

First Light

Dissociation

Release date: October 19th
Radical art-pop sweethearts Beauty Sleep are Irish producer and songwriting duo Cheylene and Ryan.

Following on from their boisterous set at SXSW this year, 'Go' sees the band return with an exhilarating new sound.

Written on a stormy night, 'Go' is a song about empowerment and the thrill of moving on from the past.

Synth player and Singer Cheylene Murphy describes the song as 'Weird, loud and over the top’.

"We were in a really playful mood and that mischief snowballed into every part of creating 'Go'. We just went with whatever made us laugh, and it brought us right back to why music is wonderful - it’s just so much fun!”

Guitarist and Singer Ryan McGroarty said the song represents 'Not taking anything for granted.'

"Writing 'Go' felt like breaking free of any expectations or pressures that we put on ourselves. We kept asking ourselves what a 'Beauty Sleep song' sounded like, and that way of thinking just put restrictions on ourselves.

This song is about challenging insecurities, and doing what feels right!”

The track was self produced by the Derry duo and mixed by Ryan in Start Together Studio, featuring band members Aimee Williamson on bass and Ross Bickerstaff behind the kit.

Beauty Sleep's dreamy soundscapes and dizzying songwriting have drawn comparisons to Tame Impala, Orange Juice and Confidence Man.

They released their debut album ‘Be Kind' in 2019 which saw them shortlisted for Best Album at the Northern Irish Music Prize and garner national radio support from BBC Radio One, 6Music, and RTE2fm.

Beauty Sleep’s digital performances at Ireland Music Week and SXSW over the past number of months were the band's first since their riotous pre-pandemic summer, rampaging through European festivals such as The Great Escape, Electric Picnic and Other Voices.

14 - THROW THE BOOK

The 2nd full length album by Livingmore titled "Take Me"

Sharp

Released 7.5.21

Moaning Again performed by Ski Lift
Produced by Patrick James Fitzroy
Engineered by Paul of Sound
Mastered by Ed Woods
Artwork by Cameron JL West

Moaning Again

STREAM/ORDER:
https://found.ee/ducksltd_ep​

"As Big As All Outside" is taken from Ducks Ltd.'s EP "Get Bleak", an expanded re-issue out now on Carpark Records.

LYRICS:
It's as big as all outside
and as silent as the grave at night
and it creeps in like a doubt
Has a name that we won't say out loud

Let's settle in under that wave and then
Let it pull the both of us to sea again
All the way out

It's as big as all outside
and as silent as the grave at night
and it really creeps me out
all the wrecks that we still hang around

Watch me wrap my fingers round the blade again
I'd do the same for you, you are that kind of friend
All the way out

In the next apartment I hear a woman sing
The DJ plays the 12 inch mix of "Vision Thing"
I'm all the way out

p + c 2021 Carpark Records

Ducks Ltd. - As Big As All Outside

Brightside is the second single taken from the EP "Unemployment, Broken Bones, Death, Baby", out May 14 on VÅRØ Records. Damen is Danial Bin Ismail Ärlig (vocals/guitar), David Nordell (bass), Adrian Gejrot (drums) and Gustav Bondesson (guitar). 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/damenmusic/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/damenmusic/
Contact: hello@varorecords.com

Brightside

Damen - Brightside

Chicago, IL label founded in 2009 with releases by NIGHTSHIFT, Writhing Squares, FACS, Melenas, En Attendant Ana, Mountain Movers, Headroom & more - Cop It. Don't Swap it.

Discovering and sharing unsigned & small label indie gems (mostly) plus occasional bona fide classics

Post-punk, new wave, punk, garage, alternative rock, dream pop, electronica, reggae, world, psychedilia, folk, surf, blues and classic soul: if it has an indie vibe or beautiful vocals I'm there for it.

Reached limit for following, can't follow back but message me with new indie tracks you think I should listen to.

The Tubs "Two Person Love" (Trouble In Mind Records)

TroubleInMind

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