Catiline

“Catiline” by Fight Bite // Fight Bite (2012)

Fight Bite is the dream pop solo project of Leanne Macomber (Neon Indian). She makes haunting, ethereal dream pop soundscapes that sound like their being broadcast from some other plane of existence. Gauzy, hypnotic atmospherics layered over gorgeous vocal harmonies. Think something like Beach House and Sigur Ros  collaborating in a haunted house and you’re almost there. Fight Bite’s new self titled album is available now on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Give it a listen, or press play above to hear the lush, ghostly album opener “Catiline”. This is one of the best albums that I’ve heard all year. Highest recommendation for fans of Beach House, Mum, Julianna Barwick. 

Teen Daze - Hold

“Hold” by Teen Daze // All of Us, Together (2012)

The new Teen Daze album is loaded with gorgeous ambient soundscapes and truthfully you could pick any of them and find a winner, but this late evening, I’ve found myself with a particular track on repeat. The cascading synth lines and humming electronics of “Hold” have kept me company this evening (though truthfully, you are doing yourself a disservice by not purchasing all of “All Of Us, Together”). There is something oddly inviting about the cool, chilled sounds that permeate through the track. It’s a beautiful bit of ambiance that is more than just static sound. It’s an invite to experience something greater, and that greater is the new full length, “All of Us, Together”. 

 (order) “All of Us, Together” by Teen Daze (Via Lefse Records)

Born

“Born” by Fear of Men // Green Sea 7” (2012)

It’s hard to beat the jangle pop vibe that Fear of Men pull off on both “Green Sea” and this b-side, “Born”. Sounding something like a mash-up of Belle & Sebastian and The Sundays, this dreamy blast of sweet melodies and lush harmonies is absolutely the kind of sound that I have been craving as of late. I can’t wait to hear more from this UK band, as soon as possible. Highly recommended for fans of Belle & Sebastian, The Sundays, and Dum Dum Girls. 

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)

Girls Names  - Girls Names - A Troubled See

“A Troubled See” by Girls Names // Girls Names/Weird Dreams Split 7” (2012)

Girls Names are back following their excellent lo-fi, garage pop album, “Dead to Me”, this time with a split 7” with labelmates Weird Dreams. You might notice a different vibe on this track - gone is the loose and loud garage vibe of the previous releases and in their place is a post-punk rhythm with new wave synths and vocals that are front and center. It’s a dark, dream pop sound that has me absolutely worked up for what’s next from Girls Names. Highly recommended for fans of Minks, Wild Nothing, and Echo Lake. 

(via alltomorrowmusic)

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)

Dead Mellotron 'Making Up'

“Making Up” by Dead Mellotron // Glitter (2012)

Dead Mellotron’s excellent new album, “Glitter” (Out now on Sonic Cathedral) is a shoegaze album with character. Each track has something special that sets it apart from the last, but the overall affect remains consistent and progressive. Without getting into a full album review, I’d like to draw attention to one particular standout, in the dark, gorgeous shoegazer, “Making Up”. This track has a Sonic Youth vibe in it’s darker, mid-tempo beat, and forlorn guitars. Think of Dead Meadow’s “Old Growth” album, or last year’s excellent “Prom” from Grooms, and you’ll get why I’m so in love with this particular track. It’s eerie, melodic drone and haunting vocals sound custom made for a late night drive through Autumn months. It’s a killer track from a stellar album. Highest recommendation. 

Mister Lies & Different Sleep - Vermont (Baptism) (Out Now via Absent Fever)

“Vermont (Baptism)” by Mister Lies & Different Sleep // Mass EP (2012)

Speaking of Mister Lies, here is the second post of the day from the up and coming Chicago producer. This time in his collaboration with producer, Different Sleep. You can stream the entire collaborative EP over at the excellent Soundcloud of, Portals. The ambient/gospel themed is a downtempo beauty with airy loops and beats hovering over each other as the atmosphere builds to something positively ethereal. Check it out. For fans of Air, Zero 7, and Washed Out. 

(stream) “Mass EP” by Mister Lies & Different Sleep (via PRTLS Soundcloud)

(buy) “Mass EP” by Mister Lies and Different Sleep (via Absent Fever’s Bandcamp)

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

Melody's Echo Chamber - Crystallized

“Crystallized” by Melody’s Echo Chamber // Crystallized 7” (2012)

Melody’s Echo Chamber is a psych-pop outfit out of France that has recently signed with Fat Possum Records (Spiritualized, Youth Lagoon, Yuck). That home is a perfect fit for a band with such an eclectic and vibrant sound. “Crystallized” is immediately exciting with a driving back beat and swirling guitars (production courtesy of Kevin Parker from Tame Impala) that surround lush, hypnotic vocals that ad a positively ethereal vibe to the whole proceedings. Imagine something like a collaboration between Mazzy Star and Spiritualized and you’re getting close to the sound. It’s an absolutely killer track. Highly recommended for fans of School of Seven Bells, Tamaryn, and Tame Impala. 

gorgeous bully - M.A.W

“M.A.W.” by Gorgeous Bully // Bullring (2012)

Leave it to Cassette-Rewind to catch me sleeping on the job. While I was wondering why I wasn’t hearing much in store of new goodies over the past week, he goes and posts this wonderful track from UK Band, Gorgeous Bully. “M.A.W.” is a short, sweet fuzzy, dream pop jam with an instantly memorable hook. Seriously, this is one that you’ll find yourself humming for the better part of your day. There’s also good news in that you can download their latest EP for free from Bandcamp. Highest recommendation for fans of Wild Nothing, Craft Spells, and Cocteau Twins. 

Film School - P.S.

“P.S.” by Film School // Film School (2006)

Whenever I find myself missing the autumn months, or just looking for something familiar and comforting and lovely, this song does the trick. It’s been a quiet couple of days for new tracks, so being the weekend, I thought I’d post an old favorite that never gets old for me. “P.S.” is that perfect mixture of dream pop and shoegaze that hits all of the right notes. The droning, melancholic synth lines and somber guitar swirl together around the quiet, almost hushed vocals (that get more pronounced as the song progresses) creating some of the dreamiest sounds of the past ten years, but then when you’d think the song is going to start to fade away, the guitars shift and bulk up and everything starts to grow into this cacophonous shoegazer that leads the song to it’s incredible conclusion.  Film School has a lot of wonderful tracks in their catalog, but something about “P.S.” stays with me in a way that few songs are capable. It’s an absolute favorite that sounds best at night, under the stars. 

My Bloody Valentine - Don't Ask Why

“Don’t Ask Why” by My Bloody Valentine // EPs 1988-1991 (Remastered) (2012 Re-release)

Some of my favorite things in the world are the EPs that My Bloody Valentine released  throughout their career. Hearing them again compiled for the new re-issues of “Loveless” and “Isn’t Anything” is almost like hearing them all over again. Mostly because it’s been so long since I’ve listened to them all front to back, but also because it’s just another reminder that no one can do what MBV did. “Don’t Ask Why” has longtime been my favorite track from those EPs, and truth be told, it’s the track that for me epitomizes “Dream pop”. This doesn’t exactly push the sonic boundaries like “Loveless” did, but it establishes an absolutely brilliant sound and production that is as layered and dream-like as any pop song could hope to be. This is definitely a desert-island-song for me. I want this with me wherever I go, and usually I have it in some form. Definitely check out the new reissues of all of the My Bloody Valentine material. It’s essential hearing for lovers of music, but it’s also just as good of a time as any to get re-acquainted with the band who helped define two of the most exciting genres of music in the past 30 years. 

(stream) “Loveless (Remastered)” by My Bloody Valentine (via Guardian UK)