Ume "Other Nature (Modern Outsider)"
Ume is back! The Texas based-rockers, as led my frontwoman Lauren Larson, have returned with Other Nature (Modern Outsider). These songs were written not because Lauren wanted to, but because she “had to.” Showcasing her at times hauntingly beautiful, and at times Joan Jett-esque power scratch of a voice, with the band sounding a bit like the Pixies if the Pixies were catchier (I know, right?) and also sounding like a modern band cutting out a space for themselves in DIY-esque, indie rock. All the while Lauren making every “top 100 guitarists” list that doesn’t include her name incomplete. Check out the dramatic shifts of “Fire In Your Hands.”
Breathe Panel "Breathe Panel (Fat Cat)"
Here it is, the self-titled debut from the English guitar-centric band Breathe Panel. A little shoegaze-y, even more dream-rock, their sound is a little like Veronica Falls. Intensely British sounding rock for fans of things that bands don’t really do anymore (use guitars, write verses and choruses and bridges). Check out the first single from the album “Carmine.”
Collections Of Colonies Of Bees "Hawaii (Polyvinyl)"
“If the world was perfect, they would be as big as U2.” That’s what Justin Vernon of Bon Iver said of Volcano Choir. But so what? This is a blurb for the Collections Of Colonies Of Bees new LP Hawaii (Polyvinyl). Well, it’s relevant because COCOB has been around for 2 decades in some form or another. At one time, they WERE Volcano Choir. Now they aren’t. Now they are this new band, but continued from that old band. Confused? Don’t be. I’ll make it simple. This is a great band, and if the world was perfect they would be as big as U2. Big stadium-sized anthems, with just a hint of glitch. It’s like Brian Eno paired with Oneohtrix Point Never to produce a… well, some sort of post-rock version of U2 fronted by vocalist Marielle Allschwang (because she’s the vocalist here!). Check out the epic “Ruins.”
Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch "Epoques (Fat Cat)"
Paris-born pianist/composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch is back with another hauntingly beautiful collection of music. Oscillating between Philip Glass-esque solo piano works, occasional electronic bits, and pieces that feature violin and cello, Epoques (FatCat) is sure to please even the most discerning contemporary classical fan. Pretend along with me that you are way more sophisticated than you actually are and check out the beautifully sinister “Ultramarine.”