This next magnificent beast of a rocking tune comes from Little Brother Eli, a band from Oxford described as “often bearded”. Facial hair or not, it’s quickly apparent why this band’s growling guitars, danceable beats, electro breakdowns, and contagious pop hooks have caught the attention of both BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 2, as well as countless other tastemaking outlets. Our Kind Of Love is a snarling, smoldering, yet melodically bopping piece that evokes both Arctic Monkeys and early, funky Maroon 5. Little Brother Eli just made an appearance at The Great Escape Festival and they have a handful of other shows planned in the UK this summer. Keep up with the band via their website, here.
When I think of the name Slow Corpse, I can’t help but envision zombies. But don’t fret, there are no “walkers” to worry about here, only a mighty fine jam to enjoy from a four piece from Portland, Oregon who just released their first full length album Fables via Tender Loving Empire. They thoroughly destroy genre lines as they meld splinters of slinky R&B funk into rootsy rock on Run It, a song which very much reminds me of my recent love for Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s swampy alt music, with an infusion of Glass Animals’ viscous prowl and Milky Chance’s earthy drawl. Slow Corpse is currently on tour for their new album. Their debut album is available, here. For more superb songs from the album, watch the videos for prior singles Blooming and People below.
We’ve been eagerly singing Yungblud praises since the Yorkshire artist made his debut nearly a full year ago with King Charles, and we’re thrilled he’s picked up so much buzz in the interim since. His rollicking music is full of fiery spirit and genre-defying verve. The 20 year old musician from England dropped a killer debut EP a few months ago. He’s since followed it up with a bold and brazen new track named 21st Century Liability, whose squishy rap rock and high voltage ferocity channels some major Beastie Boy vibes. 21st Century Liability is a rip roaring anthem from one of the brightest young rising stars in the alt landscape. Re-visit our prior Yungblud features, here.
“Indestructible” seems the proper word to describe our affection for Welshly Arms, the Ohio rock band who first captured our hearts last year with Legendary, a fine introduction to the already blooming band’s raw and impassioned garage rock. And now they’re back with a song named Indestructible, a torrid broiling, bluesy burning alt rock anthem whose soulful swagger and funky strut are like Portugal. the Man gone Jack White and The Black Keys. The band will be playing a number of massive summer festivals this year, as well as going on tour with Thirty Seconds To Mars. They’ll also be releasing their debut full length on Republic Records later this month. The year’s only going to get better for Welshly Arms fans like us. Pre-order their debut album No Place Is Home on iTunes, here.
Swimming with bears could be an amazing, life-changing experience, or it could be the worst idea ever. I’d imagine the latter holds true 99.9% of the time. Fortunately for us, instead of swimming with bears, we can dip into the music of a band named Swimming With Bears instead from the safety of dry land, far away from any clawed beast. And trust me, you’re going to be “ooh la la-ing” your way to heaven to the Austin based four piece’s recent single, French Girls. Funky alt soul and a lavish dance rock groove lure us into the band’s Portugal. the Man meets Fitz and the Tantrums-like dance-ready jam. This is the sort of song that will be put a spring in your step and a massive smile on your face. Don’t be surprised if you can’t stop listening to French Girls, it’s that addictive. Grab the tune, here, and keep up with Swimming With Bears, here.
Dan Masters of Margate, England introduces us to his new project, Healthy Bones, with a first slick strumming single named Take It From Me. With his five bandmates, Healthy Bones aims to put the emphasis back onto organic performance and live instruments. Take It From Me exhibits their conviction with panache. Its glossy sashay channels some Haelos, Formation, and Her, but framed in a more organic soundscape with soulful backing vocals, driving drum rhythms, and earthy strums. Masters says “It is a slight ‘reaction’ to what I believe is the overuse of technology out of laziness and not for the benefit of the music, which I think is becoming more common. Creative use of technology can help push boundaries and create amazing soundscapes which I am a huge fan of, but I think a lot of current music lacks personality and a human element.“ Masters has amassed an impressive amount of airplay across BBC Radio 1 & 2, 6Music, and Radio X with previous projects and his re-emergence under the Healthy Bones guise marks a welcome ear perking, confident strutting return.
A sudden burst of summery heat this week in San Francisco seems to give us the perfect winter opportunity to head out for a nice Bay sail in our best boating threads and some cool fedoras. Except, I don’t have a sail boat, and I’ll have to ask someone to take me sailing instead. Oakland’s Same Girls seem to be on the same wavelength as me as they coo “take me sailing” on their new single, a yacht rock meets chill disco ray of lazy afternoon sunshine. Sailing’s wonky intoxicating, hazy twirling groove is reminiscent of Homeshake’s bedroom pop paired with a touch of Trails and Ways’ breezy indie pop, all laid out on languorous shimmering waves. You can check out more of this intriguing Oakland band’s music on Soundcloud, here.
Our adventures with Scottish post-punk/dance rock legends Franz Ferdinand continues as the band continues to reveal stellar new offerings off their long awaited new album. Alex Kapranos and his merry band of musicians share a magnificent new song in Lazy Boy. They’ll work you into a dance frenzy with this dance punk sensation, whose oily sleek funk riffs and deep booming drawl are met by a classic Franz Ferdinand verve. New album Always Ascending, Franz Ferdinand’s first in five long years, arrives February 9th on Domino. Pre-order, here, and stream/download Lazy Boy, here.
Though we had our share of later summer/early fall heatwaves in 2017, it’s been all cold and chilly weather since. Los Angeles duo LEAN, who made their huge debut in 2017 with acclaimed first single Come Back, brings us a welcome gust of funk tinged rock warmth on their new indie single Heatwave, a taste off forthcoming debut album Years. I feel like I’m always “running from the cold” being a life long California girl who hates low temperatures and wet weather, so I’m grateful for this west coast inspired, bass propulsive respite, an easy strutting jam with hints of Fitz and the Tantrums and Portugal. the Man coursing through its rubicund veins. Snag Heatwave from iTunes, here.
While most of you were cozying up to holiday tunes and waiting for jolly ol’ Santa to visit you with presents, I was strutting my stuff to some brand new argonaut&wasp. Okay, maybe I was doing all the holiday stuff too, but I certainly enjoyed my fair share of the Brooklyn band’s electro-funky indie rock. I am, after all, quite the freak for psychedelia, and argonaut&wasp’s Psychedelic Freak is just the sort of dance-ready rock to get this fan super freaking out. It’s part of an excellent new 2 track EP, which also features a rollicking heater as its title track, Radio Sound. Stream the perky and vivacious tune below. The two song release is some of argonaut&wasp’s most vibrantly popping material to date, and each one is as irresistible as the other, bursting with swagger and aplomb.
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