Past Releases

Meg & Dia "happysad (Pure Noise)"

For some of you in the know, the news of this surprise new release from Meg & Dia is gonna be earth-shattering, life-altering news. The immensely popular band was as popular as a band could be for a while, but as often happens, lots of stuff got in the way. Success, soundtrack appearances, and a season on NBC’s The Voice, as well as being dropped from Warner Bros. as their label led to the band disbanding in 2012. Well, this summer the sisters reformed the band to play some live dates as part of the Van’s Warped Tour and no one was the wiser that they had an amazing new album full of indie pop just waiting to be surprisingly dropped on to their unsuspecting heads at the end of July (watch out people! it’s coming directly towards your heads! put on your helmets!). Well, the time is here, so get excited for happysad (Pure Noise) people! Check out the jangly radio-ready “Warm Blood” and rejoice in the reformation of Meg & Dia!

Chris Staples "Holy Moly (Barsuk)"

Chris Staples has found himself saying “holy moly” a LOT lately. Same, Chris, same. Also, he picked a hell of a time to quit drinking-last year. But in his new found sober time he rediscovered his teenage coping system for his issues. Writing songs. The songs he wrote during this time are the ones found on his new album Holy Moly (Barsuk). Honestly, if this is what sobriety sounds like I might follow in Chris’ footsteps. Full of hopefulness and earworm-worthy melodies, this is as good as Chris has ever been! Whether its the Spoon meets Wilco sounds of the title track “Holy Moly” or the classic Staples folk-balladry of “Spinning Wheel” you’re sure to cheer up checking out Holy Moly. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you said “holy moly” yourself (or at least “man that is moldy” when opening your bread box. Freeze what you don’t need next time!). So check out the title track already!

Chris Rivers "G.I.T.U. (Mello)"

G.I.T.U. (Mello Music) is the debut album from Chris Rivers, son of the late rapper Big Pun. Crisp beats oscillate between the classic sounds his father would have rapped over and hi-hat triplets galore for the modern rap fans-but the focus here is Chris’ smooth, lyrical delivery. As Chris says about the album “it traverses my mental state, life experiences, loves had and lost, stories and my overcoming of obstacles both external and internal while learning to love myself and becoming the best version of who I could be.” Check out the heartbreaking tribute to his late father with “Sincerely Me.”

Joell Ortiz "Monday (Mello)"

For all I know, Joell Ortiz and Garfield the cat have tons of stuff in common. I have no idea if Joell loves lasagna, hates Nermal, or sits AROUND the house. But I do know one thing on which they diverge… Joell Ortiz LOVES Mondays. They feel like a new beginning to him every week. Dtill though, I would hope Garfield would like Joell’s hype beats and rhymes more than his least-favorite day. After all, Joell has a way of staying positive even in adversity here, uplifting himself and others with his obviously positive outlook. Even if he’s pissed, he’s still doing his best. It says in the PR for Monday (Mello) that he doesn’t want to seem like a superhero here despite his long career, but like a working man that keeps his head down and goes to work. Nod along to the anthemic “Captain.”