Chime SchoolChime SchoolSlumberland Records [2021] Chime School is the project of San Francisco musician Andy Pastalaniec. His self-titled debut is a solid slice of indie jangle pop that falls right in line with current releases from Slumberland Records label mates The Umbrellas and The Reds, Pinks & Purples. This upbeat and pleasant song structure offering … Read more
Spirit WasHeaven’s Just A CloudDanger Collective Records [2021] Spirit Was is the new moniker used by multi-instrumentalist and illustrator Nick Corbo which found his primary music project, LVL UP, calling it quits in 2018. On his debut studio album, Heaven’s Just A Cloud, Corbo showcases his use of musical time and space as he creates … Read more
Guided By VoicesIt’s Not Them. It Couldn’t Be Them. It Is Them!GBV Inc. [2021] It wouldn’t feel like the year is coming to an end without getting one more Guided By Voices record to rock out to until the calendar flips to 2022. The band’s 34th album, It’s Not Them. It Couldn’t Be Them. It … Read more
Hand HabitsFun HouseSaddle Creek Records [2021] It is always nice to hear an artist grow with each album they release. I think that is exactly what you will find with Hand Habits third full length, Fun House, as Los Angeles-based musician Meg Duffy takes their time with every piece on this album and delivers a … Read more
Angel OlsenAisles EPSomethingscosmic/Jagjaguwar [2021] Ever walk through the store shopping and whatever is playing over the speakers as background noise catches your attention? We have all been there – humming some “Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon” from Culture Club looking for a shirt, singing along with Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” as you are … Read more
illuminati hottiesLet Me Do One MoreSnack Shack Tracks/Hopeless Records [2021] After the success of Sarah Tudzin’s debut album, Kiss Yr Frenemies (2018), her moniker illuminati hotties had created the kind of anticipation you want for a sophomore album. However, things at Tudzin’s label, Tiny Engines, fell apart, and illuminati hotties were stuck in a contract … Read more
HovvdyTrue LoveGrand Jury Music [2021] Hovvdy is the duo of Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, which now with True Love have four albums under their belt. This full length finds the pair both now married and Will became a father. It goes without saying that those life events easily can shape your current state of … Read more
Heartless BastardsA Beautiful LifeSweet Unknown Records/Thirty Tigers [2021] Since Heartless Bastards’ debut, Stairs And Elevators, was released in 2005, lead singer founder Erika Wennerstrom’s voice has always been a focal point of the group. Over the years, and now on album number six, Heartless Bastards have had a different lineup of musicians but Erika’s soaring … Read more
MotoristsSurroundedBobo Integral/We Are Time/Debt Offensive Records [2021] Toronto based Motorists have released one of the more interesting debuts I have heard this year. Surrounded covers an array of genres that swims in post-punk, jangle indie rock, power pop and a classic raw college radio sound from the 80’s. What works is that Motorists successfully combine … Read more
Amyl And The SniffersComfort To MeATO/Rough Trade Records [2021] I am not sure there is a world in which I would not love the new sophomore record, Comfort To Me, from Amyl And The Sniffers. The Australian quartet, led by the fierce Amy Taylor, has harnessed all of their pent up pandemic energy from 2020 … Read more
The Bevis FrondLittle EdenFire Records [2021] The Bevis Frond is an English rock band formed in 1986 in East London and has been the moniker used by Nick Saloman for the last 35 years. He has consistently released an indie neo-psychedelic alt-rock style that has always been driven from strong writing and purpose. His newest … Read more
GA-20Try It…You Might Like It!Karma Chief/Alligator Records [2021] Boston’s GA-20 proved on their 2019 release, Lonely Soul, that the blues can be for everyone. The group crossed genres with their pristine technique, electric style, and funky groove. The band now returns with a smoldering tribute record to the legendary Chicago bluesman Theodore Roosevelt “Hound Dog” … Read more
TurnstileGlow OnRoadrunner Records [2021] I don’t think earlier this year you could have convinced me that a hardcore/punk band could release a more alternative rock sounding record that would turn out to be one of the best albums released this year. Well, Turnstile’s newest album Glow On has quickly changed those previous thoughts as it … Read more
Tropical Fuck StormDeep StatesJoyful Noise Recordings [2021] Australia’s Tropical Fuck Storm continue to be one of the most interesting groups on the indie scene with their new third album, Deep States. I say this because their style is disjointed and sometimes weirdly hard to capture in one setting. At times, their music gasps for air … Read more
Fashion Pimps And The GlamazonsJazz 4 JohnnyFeel It Records [2021] There is absolutely nothing pretty about Cleveland’s Fashion Pimps And The Glamazons debut record Jazz 4 Johnny. The music is raw, rough, loud, noisy, post-punky, unkempt and gritty. It is as almost like the foursome got together and figured out a musical style that would … Read more
WednesdayTwin PlaguesOrindal Records [2021] Indie rock is alive and well with the Asheville, North Carolina band Wednesday. On their sophomore album, Twin Plagues, the quintet turns up the amps and make a glorious guitar fueled album that is driven by vocalist Karly Hartzman. The band still uses their shoegaze skills found on their debut but … Read more
L’RainFatigueMexican Summer [2021] Sometimes records exist outside any conventional genres and challenge your ear around every corner. These albums also can produce some of the most intricate and addicting moments that you just really can’t capture with words. L’Rain’s sophomore record, Fatigue, is one of those albums. Brooklyn artist Taja Cheek, aka L’Rain looks all … Read more
The UmbrellasThe UmbrellasSlumberland Records [2021] The San Francisco bay area has long been an place where jangly indie pop has soared from 90’s groups The Aislers Set and The Fairways to the more recent bands like The Mantles and The Reds, Pinks & Purples. Now you can add The Umbrellas to the current contemporary list … Read more
Acid DadTake It From The DeadGreenway Records/The Reverberation Appreciation Society [2021] Acid Dad has evolved since we first started covering them back in 2016 with their EP release, Let’s Plan A Robbery. The Brooklyn group has always carried the genre label of psych-punk and alternative-rock but with the release of their sophomore LP, Take It … Read more
Guardian SinglesGuardian SinglesTrouble In Mind Records [2021] Guardian Singles hail from Auckland, New Zealand, and their self-titled debut was sadly overlooked last year with its small local indie release from Moral Support Records. Well, thanks to Trouble In Mind Records their excellent post-punk mover has now received a world wide release. The band was actually … Read more
Psychic FlowersFor The UndertowLiving Lost / RIP Records [2021] Philadelphia’s Psychic Flowers are not slowing down after releasing two new albums last year (Gloves To Grand Air and Freedom Of Failure). For The Undertow is the groups fourth overall album and already is my favorite of their releases with its blow-out power-pop song structure that … Read more
WavvesHideawayFat Possum Records [2021] It is hard to believe that Wavves broke out over a decade ago with the release of their third record, King Of The Beach, on Fat Possum Records. Since that time, Nathan Williams and the band has been to the major labels, released music on his own Ghost Ramp and now … Read more
Cub Scout Bowling PinsClang Clang HoGBV Inc. [2021] If you are going into this band completely blind then it is important to know that Cub Scout Bowling Pins is a new secret identity for the current lineup of Guided By Voices. Like so many other Robert Pollard related “side” projects, Cub Scout Bowling Pins has … Read more
Needles//PinsNeedles//PinsDirt Cult Records [2021] There is so much music that was created during the pandemic year that it honestly has been hard to keep up with the volume. With the time of isolation, fear, and depression many artists have already released more intimate sets of music as everyone found a different way to collaborate and … Read more
Lucy DacusHome VideoMatador Records [2021] Lucy Dacus returns with her third album, Home Video, and it arrives at a perfect time as her profile on the indie scene has only increased since her excellent 2018 sophomore record Historian. With the skyrocket success of her collaborative partner Phoebe Bridgers and their side project boygenius with Julien … Read more