Ski Lodge - Big Heart

One of many new indie pop rock groups out of New York City is the group Ski Lodge, who released their debut album, Big Heart, via Dovecote records back on August 20th. The group's material is the creative thoughts behind a 26 year, Andrew Marr who has crafted an album of upbeat, happy go lucky sounding music which seems to mask the dark nature of his lyrics. The album serves as an interesting listen if you are a fan of indie pop rock and if you don't like the entire album, I'm sure the album single, "Just Be Like You", which was released last year will be stuck in your head like it is in mine. So put your ears to this song and see what you think for yourself of this New York group.

Darkside First 11 Minutes Off Of Forthcoming Record

Darkside is the collaboration between artists Nicholas Jaar and Dave Harrington and a great collaboration at that. They have released an EP and remixed Daft Punk's Random Access Memories but this Fall they will release a full length self titled LP on Nicholas Jaar's label Other People. The first 11 minutes sound like something in the Nicholas Jaar ballpark but know that in saying that, this is a very good thing. It has the slow dramatic electronic build with the nice beat that comes in later in the song and keeps your head bobbing throughout as the song continues to evolve. I think this will end up being one of the highlight releases of the Fall so keep your eyes out for the release of this record. Listen to the first 11 minutes below and see what you think for yourself. This listen comes highly recommended!

Oneohtrix Point Never - Problem Areas

Oneohtrix Point Never a.k.a. Daniel Lopatin will be releasing a highly anticipated record this year, R Plus Seven. Oneohtrix Point Never has really established a name for himself crafting some of the best minimal electronic music being created today. His ambient textures are so brilliantly crafted that this record leaves one very excited for what is in store. The album is said to be different from anything he has done before and listening to the single one can see that this record is not going to be a repeat of previous works. I strongly recommend this single to anyone willing to give it the listen. Put your ears to this track and see if this is a record you will be as excited for as many already are.

Mazzy Star - California

90's dream pop alternative rock group Mazzy Star will return next month with their first record since 1996's Among My Swan. The album Seasons of Your Day will be released on September 24th through Mazzy Star's label, Rhymes of an Hour. So far one single has been released off of the forthcoming LP which possess a lot of the same characteristics of the band we used to love. Put your ears to the track to give it a listen and see what you think for yourself.

Haxan Cloak - The Mirror Reflecting (Part 2)

London based producer Bobby Krlic is the electronic artist Haxan Cloak who released one of the darkest albums I've heard all year. Excavation was released April 16th via Tri Angle records of this year and as the cover depicts is a doom driven record. The album sounds like it could be the soundtrack to your worst nightmare or a dramatic scene in a horror film as its relatively slow moving dark nature sounds similar to likes of Raime. I recommend this to anyone who was a fan of the Raime record or enjoys the soundtracks of horror films. Put your ears to a track of the record, "The Mirror Reflecting (Part 2)" below and see what you think for yourself.

Dent May - Born Too Late

Oxford, MI artist Dent May recently released a video for his song "Born Too Late" which was recently released on his new album Warm Blanket via Paw Tracks records on August 27th. The video is a fun spirited series of clips captured from a visit to the Neshoba County Fair in his home state of Mississippi. This listen will serve nicely as a chilled out pop summer night tune so give it a listen and see if this is a record worth checking out. 

Tony Molina - Breakin' Up

Tony Molina is a singer/songwriter from San Francisco who has recently released a single titled "Breakin' Up" off his forthcoming Six Songs EP due out in October via Matador records. The single has a power-pop rock feel to it with the guitar sounding reminiscent of Thin Lizzy even though I don't believe there are duel guitars being used on this track. The track is a fun upbeat listen which will serve nicely on a sunny afternoon.

Forest Swords - Engravings

Forest Swords a.k.a. Matthew Barnes, recently released his debut record Engravings via Tri Angle Records. The English producer has really assembled a nice piece of music creating an electronic listen that sounds something like Nicholas Jaar and Burial being infused together. There is an underlying dark edge with reverb heavy samples slowly being mixed together to create his electronic sounds. I recommend this record to the electronic listener out there who might be a fan of Haxan Cloak, Nicholas Jaar, or Holy Other. Put your ears a track off of the record below titled "The Weight of Gold" and see if this a record for you.

Metal Update

This post is set up to highlight upcoming metal releases and metal releases that have already been released this year.

KEN Mode - Secret Vasectomy

Back in March of this year the group KEN mode released a record titled, Entrench, via French Independent record label, Season of Mist. The album is a great blend of hardcore, punk, and metal. I strongly recommend giving this album a listen if you are a hardcore fan. 

Russian Circles - Deficit

Chicago post-rockers are ready to release yet another record October 29th via Sargent House titled, Memorial. The first single released of the record, Deficit lives up to the heavy guitar post rock builds that these guys are so great at creating. 

Windhand - Woodbine
Richmond, VA group Windhand is set to release their second record via Relapse records titled, Soma. The record is due out September 17th and so far has released a single titled "Woodbine" that leaves one in anticipation for Soma's release. The single is a fuzzed out sludge metal driven song with haunting bellowing vocals to create a end resulting sound of low end driving metal euphoria. 


Cleric - Gratum Inferno
Cleric is a Death Metal band out of Dallas that is about to put out their debut release, Gratum Inferno, on September 26th via Tofu Carnage Records. The band has a straight forward metal approach which creates some crunchy death metal material worth the listen.

Grave - Venial Sin
Swedish Metal band Grave have been creating metal music since 1991 and continue to melt faces yet today. Recently the group put out a new EP titled, Morbid Ascent which was put out via Century Media records back on August 26th. The EP only features three new songs out of the five that are on the record but the new songs are worth the listen. Check out the song "Venial Sin" in this music video posted up by Century Media Records.

Ninkharsag - The Essential Salts of Human Dust
Liverpool Death Metal group Ninkharsag is set to release a 7" vinyl limited to 300 titled, The Essential Salts of Human Dust, on a new Liverpool based label, Ulthar Records. According to Ulthar Records website the records are expected back from the plant soon and Ninkharsag's facebook page shows testing pressing being listened to so expect a release date in the near future. This is a great classic sounding death metal tune that is worth the listen.

Skeletonwitch - Burned From Bone
Skeletonwitch is a metal band from Athens, Ohio that has been creating metal for the past 10 years. This fall on October 29th, the band will release a new record titled, Serpents Unleashed via Prosthetic Records. The single "Burned From Bone" shows the band recording in the studio and serves as a great metal tune with the metal chromatic guitars played in a thrash like style to create the most interesting metal tune I have heard by these guys.

Mammoth Grinder - Underworlds
Austin, TX band Mammoth Grinder released their third record titled Underworlds via 20 Buck Records back on June 23rd of this year. The release is a fast paced metal record with elements of grindcore, thrash, and death metal that is much worth the listen.






Castevet - As Fathomed By Beggars and Victims
Avant-Garde Metal group Castevet is set for their Sophomore release titled, Obsian, on October 15th via Profound Lore Records. The single released from the record features a very complex structure and layering that works nicely mixed together showing the true talent of this band. This song is worth the listen purely for the extensive structure it posses and all the sounds that come through in the recording.