Maps & Atlases "Lightlessness Is Nothing New (Barsuk)"
Lightlessness Is Nothing New (Barsuk), the new LP from Maps & Atlases, is something of a reboot from the band. Gone are the math rock leanings found on their earlier albums, and in its place is a bright, joyful synth pop. This change came about as frontman Dave Davison tried to assuage his grief over the recent loss of his father. But rather than wallowing, Dave is instead reminding himself (and thus the world) of al the great things left here. And if ever there was a time that people needed reminding that there is joy left, it’s now. Like a bouncy, lighter version of Erasure mixed with ‘80s Bowie, Lightlessness… has something for everyone, as is evidenced by the hummable hooks of “Fall Apart.”
Tancred "Nightstand (Polyvinyl)"
We sure loved the last album from Tancred Out Of The Garden, so we were over the moon when we got our grubby mitts (sorry, we were cleaning!) on Nightstand (Polyvinyl). Everything we loved about the last one, the candy coated melodies, the hooks, the emotional lyrics, are back, but better than ever. A beguiling mix of ‘80s power pop, ‘90s alt rock, ‘00s west coast rock, and ‘10s rock balladry has left the whole thing feeling timeless. It’s like Veruca Salt covering Hole covering Weezer. Does that make sense? You should decide for yourself and check out the jangly anthem rock of “Hot Star” or the infectious “Queen of New York.”
Las Rosas "Shadow By Your Side (Greenway Records/RTP)"
“Hey man…” you might say to yourself because you are a cool person who calls yourself “man” in like a ‘60s-esque hippie voice “I could really vibe on, like, some throwback chill rock tunes, you dig?” because you are REALLY committed to this character you’ve created. Well, tell your hippie character to mellow because we have the LP for them. Shadow By Your Side, the new album from Las Rosas is exactly what they (you) want. Think an edgier version of classic era Kinks mixed with uh… whatever we are calling this decade? Check out the head bopper “Christa.”
Hatchie "Sugar & Spice EP (Double Double Whammy)"
Sometimes a bit of music is released EXACTLY when it should be. Case in point? Hatchie’s debut EP for Double Double Whammy Sugar & Spice. Here it comes, right when its getting nice outside (assuming it actually is gonna be nice outside). Harriette Pilbeam’s music is a tonic for these hard times (also, if I did my googling right, it’s the middle of winter in Harriette’s Australia, so she did this for YOU!). Dreamy, positive, jangly, you couldn’t ask for a better antidote for the turdstorm that 2018 is turning out to be. At times the sounds are a little like if Best Coast was covering Kylie Minogue covering The Cure. I know, that’s a little confusing. But these sweet sounds are anything but confusing. In fact, in a perfect world, “Sure” will be THE summer hit. But as I alluded to earlier (see: turdstorm) its not a perfect world. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be your summer hit. Check it out!