Port St. Willow - Tourist

“Tourist” by Port St. Willow // Holiday (2012)

Port St. Willow is the pseudonym of artist, Nick Principe, who also happens to be a lifelong friend of Peter Silberman, of the The Antlers. I only bring up the connection to Silberman’s band because often times on Port St. Willow’s excellent new album, he gives The Antlers a run for their money on crafting dark, atmospheric dream pop. In fact, on album standout, “Tourist”, Port St. Willow layers on the atmospherics and stormy production in a way that sounds like it could be a b-side to The Antler’s excellent, Burst Apart. Principe’s vocals are clear and beautifully mixed with the surrounding sounds in a way that actually brings to mind some of Jeff Buckley’s later work. “Holiday” is available now at Bandcamp and I highly recommend it to fans of The Antlers, Jeff Buckley, and Department of Eagles. 

(stream & purchase) “Holiday” by Port St. Willow (via Bandcamp)

Here We Go Magic - Over The Ocean

“Over the Ocean” by Here We Go Magic // A Different Ship (Out 5.8.12)

Here We Go Magic have released plenty of great music since their start, but they’re about to release something truly special. For their new album they managed to get longtime Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrich, to handle production after Thom Yorke introduced Godrich to the band’s music. The result is a giant leap in experimentation, maturity, and focus. “Over the Ocean” is one of the album highlights (hard to pick one, when the whole thing is a highlight) with it’s slow burning, ghostly atmospherics and haunting vocal delivery. It does have a decidedly “Radiohead” feel running through it’s backbone, but that’s all right. The sound is beautiful, dark, and lush. Highest recommendation for fans of Radiohead, Sun Airway, and Bear in Heaven.

Daniel Rossen - Up On High

“Up On High” by Daniel Rossen // Silent Hour / Golden Mile (2012)

Three for three. Daniel Rossen’s new EP for Warp Records comes out in a few weeks and so far, three tracks have made their way out there into the blogosphere. All three are absolute excellence. In fact, this most recent track, the EP’s kick off track is perhaps my favorite. It’s a bluesy, dreamy folk pop track that hits its stride early on and never lets up. Gorgeous writing and vocals and restrained atmospheric instrumentation make for a perfect fit here. Sadly, this is just a radio rip, so the quality suffers a tad, but no matter - you can here everything perfectly and it’s a nice taste to satiate the hunger for the full release on the 19th of March. 

Daniel Rossen - Silent Song

“Silent Song” by Daniel Rossen // Silent Hour / Golden Mile (2012)

Daniel Rossen is two for two on excellence on his forthcoming Warp Records EP. Previously he had released the quiet, melancholic piano heavy track, “Saint Nothing” and now he’s gone and dropped another. This one more upbeat and featuring a lush production with those familiar harmonies that you might find in his Grizzly Bear work. It’s a downright fantastic track worth all sorts of repeat listens. At this point I’m starting to think it’s safe to say that Chris Taylor (CANT) has some serious competition in the best of the Grizzly side-projects .

Bowerbirds - In the Yard

“In The Yard” by Bowerbirds // The Clearing (2012)

This haunting, slowly-building, new track from Bowerbirds is just the kind of right way to kick of a week. A dark, melancholic piano and drum combo lead the track through tempo changes that ultimately build to something all together wonderful. Most of this album was recorded at Bon Iver’s Wisconsin production studio and the close proximity might have worn off on Bowerbirds, because there’s something about this that reminds me of the Blood Bank EP. Then again, I might just be reading into it. Definitely a must listen. 

(download) “In The Yard” by Bowerbirds (via Pitchfork)

Daniel Rossen - Saint Nothing

“Saint Nothing” by Daniel Rossen // Silent Hour / Golden Mile (2012)

The members of Grizzly Bear never seem to let me down. Daniel Rossen’s work outside of the band has been especially interesting. His early work with Department of Eagles blended electronics and psych pop into some incredible material and later they matured into something of an experimental folk act that lead to similar excellent output. Now, Warp Records is releasing an EP of Rossen’s solo material titled Silent Hour/Golden Mile and they’ve dropped the first taste in the form of the haunting, melancholic piano led number, “Saint Nothing”. On paper you would think that you would know exactly what to expect from a sad, piano ballad from one of the Grizzly Bear guys, but you’d be underestimating Rossen’s talent. While the song is a gorgeous, must-listen on those merits, the real sell is the incredible production and multi-instrumental flourishes that are peppered throughout (the horn section and soft, jazz structure drums are especially gorgeous). I can’t say enough good about this song. Highest possible recommendation. 

Department Of Eagles - Sailing By Night

“Sailing by Night” by Department of Eagles // from the album, The Whitey on the Moon UK LP

While compiling this week’s episode of the Afterglow Show, I went back through some old dreamy cuts that I hadn’t sought out in a while. This one didn’t make this week’s show due to time constraints, but it’s an old favorite so I wanted to give it it’s own post. This is Daniel Rossen gold from before the Grizzly Bear explosion or the In Ear Park love. Just solid dreamy experimental folk sounds. I love it.