Monthly Archives: November 2013

Listen: Japanese Gum – “Homesick”

Japanese Gum Press

Italian electronic psychedelia outfit Japanese Gum known for their heavy use of soothing vocals and dreamy loops, have unveiled a new single titled Homesick from their forthcoming album ‘High Dreams’. Supporting the likes of Teen Daze, Selebrities and Prince Rama over the past year, and touring both Europe and America, this eclectic duo turned trio have been busy performing their brand of experimental electronic music.

Japanese Gum’s new single “Homesick” is layered with ethereal echoed sounds, hypnotic vocals, a medley of different percussion, and synthesizers creating a celestial shoegazing soundscape. Their new album ‘High Dreams’ will be available on December 2nd 2013 from all good digital stores. A 12” vinyl version of the album will also be released in early January. For more information “like” them on Facebook and check out their website. To download some of their past releases visit their Bandcamp and stream the new single below!

Track: Mumblr – “Puke”

Mumblr Press
Track: “Puke”
Artist: Mumblr
Release Date: November 12th 2013
Label: Fleeting Youth Records

Four piece outfit Mumblr from Kensington, North Philadelphia play a genre of music that they dub “fuzz punk”. With the stylings of second-wave emo bands such as The Promise Ring and an early Modest Mouse alternative punk feel their track “Puke” off of their upcoming release is one hell of a listen. Rapid distorted guitar strums, clamouring drums, and frantic vocals combined with the refrain, “I don’t know anything why do you lie to me?” is a recipe for distress leaving you eager for more. Mumblr have combined both of their EP’s to be released on a lush red cassette titled White Jesus/Black God via Austin, Texas based Fleeting Youth Records. Stream Puke along with the entire release below and pre-order the cassette and digital album here. Follow the band on Facebook for more information.

Rating: 9/10

Listen: The Foreign Films – “Fall Of The Summer Heart”

The Foreign Films

Bill Majoros’ project The Foreign Films has released a new single titled Fall Of The Summer Heart. It is an eight part song cycle from the forthcoming album “The Record Collector” set to be released in April of 2014.

In Marjoros’ words about the release, “The idea sprung while on tour in England. At first it was more a dream sequence than a song, but over time the fragments of mumbled melody took the foggy images of birds, ghosts, pinball machines, a fortune-teller, mermaids, a maze, an abandoned amusement park into a sonic tapestry. The track took just under one year of recording, with help from producer Carl Jennings, and players Kori Pop, and Kirk Starkey. ‘Fall Of The Summer Heart’ is meant to connect the dots from the past to the present. Taking references from not only 60s pop giants, but also modern sound wizards.”

The product is a holistic sonic journey lasting just under thirteen minutes with each part flowing seamlessly into the next filled with a variety of instruments and vocals. Stream Fall Of The Summer Heart below and pick up the single on Bandcamp on a “Name Your Price” basis. For more information follow The Foreign Films on Facebook.

Review: The Swellers – “The Light Under Closed Doors”

The Swellers – “The Light Under Closed Doors”

The Swellers - The Light Under Closed Doors
Released: October 29, 2013
Label: No Sleep Records
Purchase: Digital | Vinyl | CD

The Swellers have been a staple in the punk scene for quite some time now, famous for releasing their incredible 2009 album Ups and Downsizing. The Michigan outfit have been criticized a little on signs that they were following the trend towards pop, but their recent album The Light Under Closed Doors, released just last week, has put those suspicions back in the closet. The Light Under Closed Doors demonstrates that the sound that people fell in love with is still there–and still strong.

The album gives a lot to laud about. As per usual, the new album’s lyrics are just as defining as ever, employing the classic “internal tension and melancholy” theme with catchy hooks, inducing the pop punk-esque ambivalent beauty and angst that The Swellers have expressed so well in the past. The riffs and melodies are catchy and engaging–definitely something worth dancing to (or, for the softcore, bobbing your head to). The juxtaposition between (comparatively) slower, more melody-driven songs like “Friends Again (We Can’t Be),” “Designated Driver,” and “High/Low,” and more gung-ho, in-your-face tunes like “Call It A Night,” “Big Hearts,” and “Great Lakes State” are also great. Even the questionable quality of the album, usually a negative feature on a studio recording, seems to paradoxically add to the album, giving a feeling of homeliness and intimacy, as if the songs were being performed on stage.

To be honest, there really isn’t much that detracts from the album. Those unfamiliar with heavier genres could probably note that the “wave of sound” in The Light Under Closed Doors is overwhelming and too uniform; also, very staunch fans of The Swellers could, imaginably, compare this as still being in the shadow of Ups and Downsizing. However, as long as you’re interested in the overarching punk genre at all, you won’t regret taking a listen to this at all. In fact, you might just be like me and love it.

9.0

Standout tracks: “Big Hearts,” “Got Social,” “Call It A Night,” “Becoming Self-Aware”

Track listing:
01. Should
02. Big Hearts
03. Got Social
04. High/Low
05. Great Lakes State
06. Becoming Self-Aware
07. Friends Again (We Can’t Be)
08. Designated Driver
09. Favorite Tune
10. Call It A Night