Oakland’s Lumerians don't do structure, boundaries and expectation – they like letting their explorative soundscapes wander or run in any given direction. Two minutes into the title track the rhythmic backbone trades patterns on a heartbeat – it lets the guitars now rumble forth like an electric storm before reforming to its original DNA. This is the continual adventure into audio outer-space, and for that matter, the Lumerians’ headspace. Psychedelic trails lace most of the tracks – Koman Tong is an acid trip with a fuzzy smile whilst Dogon Genesis is a motorik drive [...]
San Francisco's Painted Palms (duo Reese Donohue and Chris Prudhommeare) are clearly in the giving mood - they've just released their Nothing Lasts Long EP as a free download - and what's more it sounds bloody good. The single, Upper Floors , is a fine taster, it's like a euphoric rush into the arms of psychedelic pop. And here's the whole damn EP: Nothing Lasts Long EP by Painted Palms
The Vivids are pushing their art-punk aesthetics to the limit with their double A-side single AK-47/Heir to a Void - and we're loving every damn second of it. But hey there's more than just a series of obscure clips to be had on this particular video - we'll let frontman Sim Jackson explain: "I am very much into the work of Kenneth Anger. Nothing encapsulated the surreal mood and themes of this song more than Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome . At the risk of sounding pretentious - I've always kind of thought that the [...]
Leaning to the left of gothic indie noir, Landshapes are a surprisingly interesting proposition. Imagine watching dark seas swell at the end of summer, or a chill thread in the air despite the sun on your face. Landshapes' articulate that moment you realise something perfect is on the turn. In Limbo sets up an unsettling feeling of stasis whilst tearing away at propulsive momentum. A fetid, cooped-up sensibility finds its way into the swooning Threads and Detour . And Insomniacs Club and LJ Jones experiment with a [...]
Mood Rings' debut, VPI Harmony , is out this month via Mexican Summer. And if you needed anymore convincing that it's worth checking in on wrap your ears around this swooning and lush take on 80s pop.
Safety Scissors is Matthew Curry and he's just released his third album, In A Manner of Sleeping, which is out on Berlin's BPitch Control. Curry has been on the scene for a long time - his 2001 debut got an 8.5 on Pitchfork for God's sake. Anyway, if you like your Pop floating in a void of electronic bliss this may be the soundtrack to your day. As for the video - think Max Headroom.
Coma Cinema is the recording project of Mat Cothran, a resident of Spartanburg. America’s 10th most miserable city. On paper the record’s lyrical themes sound as heavy as their place of provenance (snippets include ‘Your first boyfriend died’ ‘Maybe I’m no good inside’ and ‘Your heart is a monument to a childhood of abuse)...but the delivery of each sweetly honed phrase make Posthumous Release a sensitive, heartening and human experience. Cothran’s prose spans cautionary tales, self-deprecating soliloquies and love; in a fresh fashion. Tracks are brief but perfectly formed. Most evidently [...]
When we were talking to Unknown Mortal Orchestra a few months back we said that their new record, II , was a joy to behold: intimate, unfussy and magical. We invited them down to the Bowlegs Studio for a live performance of The Opposite of Afternoon - which is just one of the many hook-heavy gems featured on their awesome sophomore.
It's fair to say that Wampire's debut, Curiosity , is a set of infectious pop tunes all dipped in a unique soulful fuzz and coated with a psychedelic rush and roll. The Portland duo that is Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps can't help but churn out over-sized hooks - and it's true to say we've been spinning it incessantly for the last few weeks. We hooked up with Eric to talk about everything Wampire. Bowlegs: Wampire – cool name – how did you meet, form a band and find such a [...]
The Love Language - aka Stuart McLamb - has got a new record, Ruby Red , due for release on 5th August via Merge. Apparently McLamb put together a host of musicians to create a fresh and exciting set - and if this track is anything to go by it worked.
Airhead is known to his friends and family as Rob McAndrews. He has been a close friend of James Blake for many years and has in fact played/contributed on both of Blake's albums. But now it's his turn to take centre stage - and his debut, For Years , is a stunning set that echoes electronic R&B, glitchy melodics and ambient experiments. It is due for a release on R&S Records on the 25th June- but NPR are streaming it now - consider your morning, afternoon and evening sorted.
A politician finally loses it - or maybe finally finds it - either way watching the new Steve Mason video is a great way to spend the next few minutes. Mason's great new album, Monkey Minds in the Devil's Time , is out now - and you can read our interview with the man here .
It is a rare treat to hear a veteran collaboration that sounds fresh, instead of another unnecessary attempt at indie dad rock. Dennis Callaci and Simon Joyner have crafted an album of slow-paced, hazy rock dirges, recorded and mixed with a strong sense of dimension and clarity by Woods' Jarvis Taviniere - who surprisingly does not leave any of his band's lo-fi sonic imprint. There is a good amount of space between instruments cut live over a three-day session with Joyner's band. Their arrangements never feel crowded - the results often sound like 902s indie rock with trails [...]
Chicago artist Ken Camden will release his second record, Space Mirror , on Kranky next month (29th July). This track is a sign that we are heading into a universe of meditative soundscapes and other-worldly exploration. Where are you taking us Ken - it all sounds so beautiful.
Scribbled grey animations are the effective imagery for the new single from James Holden. The electronic producer's new record, The Inheritors, is out on the 17th June via his own Border Community label.
Is it too early to start talking albums of the year? Fuck it - Jon Hopkins' latest, Immunity , is gonna be one of the albums of the year. The electronic artist has crafted a stunning record, from sublime, late night compositions to trance-like cycles that grow with fierce momentum. We caught up with Mr Hopkins to talk about his latest work and how it came about. Bowlegs: Is there a catalyst for a new Jon Hopkins album – and does that event/moment, or whatever it may be, dictate the theme [...]
The duo that is Jagwar Ma met in Sydney via a love for experimental beats and sweet melody, and although they don't have quite the same appetite for mind-bending psychadelia as the likes of their Australisian peers Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, they do share the same knack of creating infectious, sun-kissed pop. Their highly anticipated debut album revels in mashing up the last 60 years of popular music into one small package of positivity that is Howlin . Opener What Love’s bass line and drum beat rumbles along like something from Screamadelica-era [...]
Grandchildren's new plasticine video (claymation being the correct term) is the perfect companion for their expansive and coloured world of pop. Video director Meagan Jenigen revels in her visual exploration of death and rebirth. The band's sophomore, Golden Age , is out now.
The Delta Mirror is, in the main, Chris Acosta, and his new record, Better Unsung , is set for a release on August 6 via Lightwave. The album was produced by Alias, the co-founder of Anticon, and from the sound of this track it's gonna feature some nice beats, some nice guitars and Acosta's deep and down vocal tone. Nice
Having reviewed Young Fathers first offering I was more than happy to see their follow-up drop onto my (virtual) doormat. And if you approved of Tape One then be prepared for more of the same with Tape two; more originality, more nagging grooves, more stirring vocal lines - more goodness in short. Tape Two is an eclectic sounding record, both from song to song and the elements that make up in each track. Young Fathers don’t do mundane. The swirling maelstrom of a track, The Queen is Dead is a perfect [...]
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