Our new favorite artists

We are stoked about these new (to us) artists. These are tracks and records that physically excite us, making us want to write the names of these musicians down on a piece of paper and see where they are in 10 years.

Local

Volumen, (​(​Cries from Space​)​)

Imagine if Arctic Monkeys and David Bowie and the Clash all got together, had a glorious jam sesh, and then went their separate musical ways. That’s what Volumen sounds like. Guitars lead this record, angsty high vocals coming in with a kick.

((Cries from Space)) by Volumen, released 08 July 2020 1. Daddy's Other Finger 2. Sexy Astronaut 3. Type O Girl 4. Long Haul 5. Metallia 6. Nymph...Blood...Wine 7. Snakes 8. Snakes (Reprise) Recorded by Tim Green at Louder Studios, this captures Volumen at the ebullient, XTC via the Black Francis weirdest and best.

Prism Ship, Worlds Unknown

Repetition, but make it cool. You know those electric, spacy parts you really like in indie songs that go away way too quickly? This record is made up of those parts. Think that would get boring? You’d be wrong.

Worlds Unknown by Prism Ship, released 06 July 2020 1. World 01 2. World 02 3. World 03 4. World 04 I'm super excited to reveal the first EP from this project! This group of songs grew from a desire to create a unique sound which has taken me a long while to develop and feel comfortable with.

New Albums

The Beths, Jump Rope Gazers

This is the kind of album that makes us excited almost immediately after we hit the play button. It doesn’t sound like recycled ideas. This record wins us over by using the things we love, like girl bands, killer guitar, and funky lyrics and making them into something that sounds like a beginning.

Jump Rope Gazers by The Beths, released 10 July 2020 1. I'm Not Getting Excited 2. Dying to Believe 3. Jump Rope Gazers 4. Acrid 5. Do You Want Me Now 6. Out of Sight 7. Don't Go Away 8. Mars, the God of War 9. You Are a Beam of Light 10.

Ismay, Songs of Sonoma Mountain

This record defines mystical lyricism. Each song has a distinct story, reminding us of fairy tales we would read under the covers as kids. Next level guitar shimmers behind magical energy on this calming acoustic album.

Songs of Sonoma Mountain by Ismay, released 26 February 2020 1. A Song in Praise of Sonoma Mountain 2. The Stones 3. The 100 Mile View from Virginia City 4. When I Was Younger, I Cried 5. The Bird in the Shed 6. In the Hospital Room 7. Sonoma Mountain Theme 8.

Smokey Brights, I Love You But Damn

“I Love You But Damn” is no longer just the phrase we use when 2020 throws another wildcard at us. It’s ALSO a super fun album that makes us happy to live in 2020, despite the reality TV show feel. Smokey Brights are energetic, taking cues from indie favorites to create the ultimate inspiration hybrid.

I Love You But Damn by Smokey Brights, released 10 July 2020 1. Save Us Sarah 2. 72 3. Cruel 4. I Love You But Damn 5. January 15 6. Since '85 7. I Won't Lie 4 U 8. Dance Until We Die 9. Hey California 10. Shelter Me

Grand Pax, PWR EP

Sad girl indie, but make it not sad. Grand Pax sounds triumphant on “PWR EP.” It’s dreamy, making listeners feel like they’re drifting through a hazy Saturday morning. You know the type, the ones where you aren’t *quite* hungover, but you’re still not exactly sure that the night before actually happened.

Listen to PWR on Spotify. Grand Pax · Song · 2020.

A.A. Williams, Forever Blue

Don’t worry sad music lovers, we didn’t forget about you. This one IS sad, but not so sad that you’ll stay in bed for a week after listening to it. A.A. Williams’s voice creates an aura that is just spooky enough to give off ominous vibes.

Forever Blue by A.A. Williams, released 03 July 2020 1. All I Asked For (Was To End It All) 2. Melt 3. Dirt 4. Fearless 5. Glimmer 6. Love And Pain 7. Wait 8. I'm Fine Making her stage debut in April 2019 and selling out her first headline show at London's prestigious Southbank Centre less than a year later, A.A.

New Singles

Alex Izenberg, Lady

...ya like jazz? KBGA does. The instrumentals soar on this one, particularly the strings section, which is full of violin mixed with mellow guitar. Alex Izenberg’s voice is soft enough to be airy but has enough weight that it won’t float away.

Listen to Lady on Spotify. Alex Izenberg · Song · 2020.

Dillon Lee Cronan, Learn How To Smile

Punk? And rap? Combined? Very cool dude. And we’re not saying that ironically, trust us. Dillon Lee Cronan actually is very very cool. Lyrics that expose personal and societal issues vibe with the energy of classicly punk instrumentals.

Listen to Learn How to Smile on Spotify. Dillon Lee Cronan · Song · 2017.

L’Imperatrice, VOODOO?

This one is funky. “VOODOO?” is a call back to happier days on dance floors, where we would all let ourselves go and dance as strangely as we want. Layers and layers of harmonies blend with synthy, but not quite retro, beats.

Listen to Voodoo? on Spotify. L'Impératrice · Song · 2020.

Assembled by music director Meghan Jonas