Things will get better

“Things Will Get Better” by Tollens // We’re Not Afraid to Die (Dig. Single) (2012)

Tollens is a bedroom pop project from Malta based musician, Ryan Formosa, who came to my attention through the excellent music blog/digital label, Fuzzbook. “Things Will Get Better” is the b-side to his excellent forthcoming single, “We’re Not Afraid to Die” (Out May 21 on Fuzzbook.Bandcamp). While both tracks are excellent, dreamy, lo-fi bedroom pop, the somber, quiet beauty of “Things Will Get Better” just grabbed me with it’s fuzzy production and dreamy, distant vocals that almost seem as if they’re being played from your old favorite mixtape that’s been rewound so much that it starts to sound as if it’s transmitting from another world. The sweet, heartfelt dream pop song is definitely something to be excited about and sure enough, I’ll be keeping my eyes on Tollens in the future. Highly recommended for fans of Arrange, Little Chords, and Coma Cinema. 

(stream) More Tollens @ Soundcloud

Love in the Soviet Union - No Shadow

“No Shadow” by Love in the Soviet Union // “Make/Shift” (Release Date: TBD)

One of the perks of maintaining a music blog with a fair amount of consistency, is that sometimes you encounter great music from readers who offer you an early taste. Sure, plenty of those times don’t always connect with me, but from time to time I’m lucky enough to hear from someone who’s right up my alley. Love in the Soviet Union is the moniker of bedroom pop musician, Tim Woulfe, and his debut single (to be released this summer) contains the absolutely infectious “No Shadow”, a dreamy, jangly, blast of reverb pop that would be right at home on the current crop of killer bands on Captured Tracks or Slumberland Records. The real plus of this little bedroom pop gem is that where similar bands focus heavily on the romantic and the hushed vocals, here, you get something slightly more aggressive, and intense, but no less lovely and charming. Like hearing Daniel Blumberg of Yuck (at his more playful), fronting a band that’s more Beach Fossils than Pavement. It’s a great song, and highly recommended for fans of Minks, Wild Nothing, and Beach Fossils. 

(download) “No Shadow” by Love in the Soviet Union (via Soundcloud)

Radio Slow Riot - Episode Twelve

RADIO SLOW RIOT /// EPISODE TWELVE (5.7.12)

The music has been coming swift and strong these past few weeks with absolutely stellar tracks landing almost daily. It’s made picking and choosing fairly easy for these podcasts, but sometimes to keep with a vibe, you’ve got to know when to let some things go. For this episode, I had enough material to make a two and half hour podcast, but to keep the flow right and the transitions appropriate, I’ve managed to whittle it down to 90 minutes of almost completely new material with a couple of old gems capping off the episode for good measure. I hope the dreamwave sounds good during your night time listening sessions. 

Please share/reblog with others if you like what you hear and or support any and all artists that strike your interest. Stream or download as you wish. Thanks for listening to Radio Slow Riot. 

FEATURED MUSIC (click the name for band info)

• “Five Seconds” by Twin Shadow
• “Night is Dark” by Grand Resort
• “Leave My Shadow” by Craft Spells
• “Funerals” by Airiel
• “Replica” by Flock of Dimes
• “Crystallized”  by Melody’s Echo Chamber
• “Through the Window” by Violens
• “Millions” by Eternal Summers
• “Come Near” by Lykke Li
• “Aloha Moon” by Magic Wands
• “Obedear” by Purity Ring
• “Ectocooler” by Alligator Indian
• “Say Goodbye” by Summer Heart
• “The Future” by Teen Daze
• “Walked into Diazapene” by Eight and a Half
• “Water Gun” by Gorgeous Bully
• “Tiffany Lou” by Daughn Gibson
• “Summer Music” by Advance Base
• “Pretend You Love Me” by Sonny and the Sunsets
• “Avalanche” by S. Carey
• “Hold You Down” by One Little Plane
• “Harry’ by Secret Shine
• “Diamond (Demo)” by Glass Ghost

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - If It Wasn't You

“If It Wasn’t You” by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. // It’s a Corporate World (2011)

I realize that it’s often forbidden in the world of music blogs to admit that you blatantly missed something extraordinary, but recently I ran across a song from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s “It’s A Corporate World” while making a mixtape for a friend and I was floored that I’d somehow never really noticed it before. Sure, I gave that album a few listens, but it never really blew me away. Fast forward to now, and I did a little search and apparently this song didn’t really catch much of anyone because no one uploaded it to Soundcloud, and a quick search of DEJJ tag on tumblr only pulled it up once, while several of their other tracks were repeatedly posted over the past several months. Regardless, I thought I’d take the time to remedy that situation, because had I given this song the proper attention that it deserves last year, it would have undoubtedly placed within my top 5 favorite songs of 2011. It’s that incredible. It’s a perfect song for this breezy, chill evening and it’s as good as time as any to post an incredible track, even if I’m a little late to the party. Highest possible recommendation - for fans of Sun Airway, Youth Lagoon, and The Shins. 

Teen Daze - The Future

“The Future” by Teen Daze // All of Us, Together (Release Date 5.22.12)

I suppose I’ve been sleeping on these Teen Daze singles as of late and that’s a shame because they’re all solid. Especially this most recent track, “The Future” which really brings together all of the things that he’s so good at into one track. Melancholic dance beat with dreamy synth lines and hazy, haunting vocals all colliding and forming a lovely electro dream pop gem. I’ve been a huge fan of Teen Daze over the past couple of years and it’s really great to see him return to the atmospheric dreamwave sounds of some early EPs after last years mostly ambient, “A Silent Planet” EP (which was wonderful in it’s own right). Highly recommended for fans of Washed Out, Brothertiger, and Keep Shelly in Athens. 

(via cassette-rewind)

Summers Down - FREE download at blueboats.bandcamp.com

“Summers Down” by Blue Boats // Sun Burns (2012)

UK Based bedroom poppers Blue Boat is actually the project of one man, Oliver Gale, and his infectious dream pop beauties have a way of embedding themselves into your brain. Cassette-Rewind (a great blog to follow for fans of the things that I post) brought to my attention the release of Blue Boats’ new two track Bandcamp release, “Sun Burns” and I’ve had “Summers Down” on repeat ever since. Having been a fan of the band’s previous online releases (“First Release” especially), this was an extremely pleasant experience as I’ve lately been missing that jangly, bedroom pop love in my life. Highly recommended for fans of Wild Nothing, Beach Fossils, and Minks.

(download) “Sun Burns EP” by Blue Boats (for free @ Bandcamp)

(via cassette-rewind)

Fanuelle - Dirty Loverstuff

“Dirty Loverstuff” by Fanuelle // Fanuelle (2005//2012 Re-Issue)

What a strange, wonderful find. Fanuelle is Matthew Fanuelle, an NYC artist that released an album of DIY bedroom pop backed by a swarm of old keyboards seven years back and it apparently disappeared pretty soon after that. Recently, Swedish label, Emotion, dug it out, brushed it off and managed to get Fanuelle to agree to a remaster and re-release and now we’ve been given another chance to pay attention to what we missed out on the first time around. You can stream the entire, weird and wonderful avant-pop record over at Fader right now, and I assure you, there’s lost of great gems to discover within, as time has been quite kind to the album which feels right at home with today’s cavalcade of DIY bandcamp bedroom artists (yet, this is a diamond even in that capacity). Check out the track “Dirty Loverstuff” and see what I mean. It calls to mind a casio heavy version of the National, or a stripped back version of Future Islands. It’s definitely something you should be checking out. 

*”Fanuelle” by Fanuelle is now available for download.

We Gotta Wait

“We Gotta Wait” by HOUNDSds // Phone Thou (2012)

Looking for a late night dream pop fix? Look no further. HOUNDSds have some gems for you in the form of their new release, Phone Thou (available now at Bandcamp). The track “We Gotta Wait” has been on repeat for the bulk of my day. It’s a hazy, jangly dream pop lullaby with a driving beat that embeds itself in the pleasure points of your brain and doesn’t let up. It’s one of seven tracks that can be yours for the price of “Name Your Price”. Get on it. It’s a must listen for fans of old school dream poppers Pale Saints as well as newer acts like Minks, Beach Fossils, and Wild Nothing.  

(stream and download) “Phone Thou” by HOUNDSds (via Bandcamp, Name Your Price)

Advance Base - Summer Music

“Summer Music” by Advance Base // A Shut-In’s Prayer (2012)

Advance Base is Owen Ashworth of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone’s new solo project. Fans of his previous band will certainly recognize the new work, but there’s something more mature and detailed about this work than most of his previous output as Casiotone, which for my tastes, while enjoyable on many levels, often felt painfully precious and emo (ultimately just too self aware of it’s own intent), where as here I feel Ashworth is growing more as a songwriter (think Mark Kozelek) and the somber, restrained synths provide just enough backbone to carry the lovely little heartbreaker. Definitely a promising release from band in advance of the release of the forthcoming full length. Highly recommended for fans of The Magnetic Fields, Former Ghosts, and Halloween, Alaska.

(download) “Summer Music” by Advance Base (via P4K)

Radio Slow Riot - Episode Ten

RADIO SLOW RIOT // EPISODE TEN (3.14.12)

These are fewer and further between these days, but I promise you that this episode is worth the wait. In fact, this might be my favorite in a very long time. I keep it just music this week (aside from a short intro) and the 90 minutes run the vibe from upbeat post-punk energy to lo-fi jangles to dreamier electro pop onto ethereal and ambient night music. It’s a well oiled machine this one. The next couple of mixtapes will come faster than recent episodes and in the future there will be some surprises. In fact, if this one gets a good reaction, I might go back to the downloadable zip files with the mp3s separate from the stream. If the reaction is good for this one, I will upload the zip file in a couple of days. If not and no one really cares, then I really need to try harder apparently. At any rate, I hope you enjoy this episode of Radio Slow Riot because it’s loaded with goodies. 

Please share/reblog with others if you like what you hear and or support any and all artists that strike your interest. Stream or download as you wish. Thanks for listening to Radio Slow Riot. 

FEATURED MUSIC (click the name for band info)

• “Geist” by Dive
• “Backwards” by Black Marble
• “Hidden Structures” by Holograms
• “Nonesuch” by Tanlines
• “Strange Call” by Yeti Lane
• “How Far We’ve Come Now” by La Sera
• “Expressway to your Heart” by Sun Airway
• “Killing Time” by Veronica Falls
• “Exactly Nothing” by Real Estate
• “Living Comfortably” by Dunes
• “Remember” by Little Chords
• “Neptune” by Lemonade
• “Silence and the Muttering” by New Build
• “Museum Day” by s/s/s
• “Window” by Crushed Stars
• “I Need to Sleep” by Snow in Mexico
• “Myth” by Beach House
• “Moni Mon Amie” by Julia Holter
• “Return to Form” by Daniel Rossen
• “Amor Fati (Daytrotter Piano version)” by Washed Out
• “False Astronomy” by Mister Lies
• “Colourvision” by Stumbleine
• “Your Hand” by A Whisper in the Noise

(DOWNLOAD MP3) /// (STREAM OFF SITE)

(previous eps) Slow Riot @ P|M|W   

Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind.

Mister Lies - False Astronomy

“False Astronomy” by Mister Lies // Hidden Neighbours EP (2012)

If you’re looking for a chilly, dream-like lullaby to soundtrack your evening, Chicago’s Mister Lies has you covered. This ghostly, otherworldly track is gorgeous, but minimal - relying mostly on an iced static beat and haunting Joni Mitchell sample (“This Flight Tonight”) to provide the bulk of the weight. Outside of of hazy, floating synth lines, you’re left with just warped vocal sample, but it works perfectly. An absolute haunting, must hear for fans of Stumbleine, Burial, and Four Tet.

Little Chords - Always/Never

“Always/Never” by Little Chords // Afterlife (2012)

Now, here’s a pleasant surprise. Little Chords (Teen Daze side project) have announced the forthcoming release of a new LP (Afterlife, out March 20th on the Little Chords’ Bandcamp page) and offered up the first taste in the form of the gorgeous little dream pop number, “Always/Never”. If you’re unfamiliar with previous work by Little Chords, then you’re in for a surprise as it varies greatly from the ethereal synths of Teen Daze. Here you will fine sweet melodies and dreamy lo-fi atmospherics that feel completely detached from time. The tracks just float by and require repeat listens. Highly recommended for fans of Minks, Beach Fossils, and Wild Nothing.

(Stream) “Afterlife” by Little Chords (via Bandcamp)

Julia Holter - In the Same Room

“In the Same Room” by Julia Holter // Ekstasis (2012)

Julia Holter’s hymnals sound like she’s been praying at the alter of Broadcast’s church and that is just what I’ve been craving lately. Even before Trish Keenan tragically passed away, Broadcast was swaying further away from those eerie, yet dreamy compositions of their earlier output, but here, Los Angeles experimentalist reminds me so very much of those early, organ filled psych pop gems. I’m probably laying on my own wishes for her sound’s progression, but there is certainly something excited about what she’s done thus far (in fact, she’s a recent pick of Pitchfork’s “Rising” section). “In the Same Room” is a must listen for fans of early-Broadcast, Warpaint, and Stereolab.