Holograms - "Chasing My Mind"

“Chasing My Mind” by Holograms // Holograms (Out July 10th via Captured Tracks)

Stockholm’s Holograms have a particular ramshackle energy and charm about them. Drawing on 80’s new wave and lo-fi indie sounds, they smash their way through infectious melodies and work up a sweat while doing so. “Chasing My Mind” is another track from their forthcoming, self-titled album, and it’s another winner. It’s a driving punk beat covered in charging guitar riffs and old-sci-fi synth swirls and featuring some of the more enjoyable fist pumping sing-a-long vocals in a while. Highest recommendation for fans of (early) Wolf Parade, Gap Dream, and The Men

The Fresh & Onlys - Do What I Came To Do

“Do What I Come to Do” by The Fresh & Onlys // Stash Rituals (a Mexican Summer Comp.) (2012)

While The Fresh & Onlys record the follow up to their excellent 2010 LP “Play it Strange”, I’ll take whatever jams I can get from them. Luckily, Mexican Summer has released a compilation record which features this outtake from the recording sessions that won’t be making the final album, and if that’s any indication of the quality of that album, then we’re in for a scorcher. “Do What I Come to Do” is a jangly, charging, garage pop jam that takes full advantage of it’s two and half minute run time by cramming it full of killer melodies and aggressive guitar lines and even a sexy horn line. It’s a stellar jam and highly recommended for fans of Ty Segall, The Men, and Dum Dum Girls. 

(download) “Do What I Come to Do” by The Fresh & Onlys (via Mexican Summer Soundcloud)

The Men - Ex-Dreams

“Ex-Dreams” by The Men // Open Your Heart (2012)

What better way to start your Friday (weekend) than with a blast of noisy punk from Brooklyn’s The Men. This is another track from their forthcoming album on Sacred Bones. It’s fast, melodic, noisy and could easily soundtrack your weekend’s more exciting moments and still have plenty of energy to spare. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but a must listen for fans of The Replacements, Rocket From the Crypt, and The Wrens. 

The Men - Open Your Heart

“Open Your Heart” by The Men // Open Your Heart (2012)

Here’s a blast of that noisy, post punk infused power pop that keeps the blood flowing. The Men are back on Sacred Bones with a new album that’s less dark, foreboding, and more (as Pitchfork put it) Westerberg-ian. Fine be me! It’s been my desire lately to hear more of this - straight forward, well played throwback indie rock sounds, and The Men have pegged me dead bang. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but a must listen for fans of The Replacements, The Fresh & Onlys, and The Wrens (and maybe even a little Rocket from the Crypt).