Eighties-synth loving Swedes Shout Out Louds are touring the fun new album Optica with a stop at Metro Thursday night. I predict there will be dancing.
Also check out this cool remix of the single from the album, Illusions.
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Mikal Cronin makes a summer classic
Mikal Cronin sets up his new album, MCII, nicely with the first song, Weight, a bouncy power pop number. That song sets the stage for an enjoyable collection of fuzzy, melodic tunes. Perhaps Cronin is still best known as Ty Segall’s collaborator and traveling band mate but the guitarist shows on his sophomore album that he is a highly entertaining solo artist as well.
There is an interesting movement in California that is resulting in excellent music from artists who are (mostly) influenced by ’60s psychedelia, ’70s classic rock and metal, and yet they produce very relevant music today. Cronin, Segall, Thee Oh Sees and Sic Alps all largely draw from the same well but they’re also producing some of the finest music.
Cronin’s album is highly recommended.
Kurt Vile plays Lincoln Hall
Kurt Vile is that rare artist who is so confident and focused that he consistently puts out great albums by simply sticking to his knitting. His voice and guitar are unmistakably identifiable yet each new album sounds unique and fresh. His latest album, Walkin on a Pretty Daze, is no exception.
Kurt and his band, the Violators, play a sold out show at Lincoln Hall Tuesday night. Steve Gunn opens.
Black Moth Super Rainbow plays Metro
Black Moth Super Rainbow showed it could make music with a lot more bite on the band’s 2012 album, Cobra Juicy. You can see these guys at Metro Saturday night.
Also, check out this fan video pairing Gangs in the Garden with Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon.
Bill Callahan plays Chicago set
Bill Callahan hasn’t yet followed up his great piece of work, Apocalypse, from 2011, but there was a tour documentary released last year. Callahan is on the road for several tour dates this month, including one in Chicago at the Garfield Park Conservatory Monday (May 6). Doors open 6:30 and the show is 7 with Flat Foot opening. Garfield Park Conservatory is at 300 N. Central Park Ave. in Chicago.
Advance tickets appear to be gone. The show is being put on by Land and Sea Dept.
UPDATE: Bad news for you Bill Callahan fans who didn’t buy a ticket in advance: The show tonight (Monday) is sold out.
New song: Majical Cloudz’s ‘Bugs Don’t Buzz’
The Canadian duo known as Majical Cloudz just shared this sparse, captivating song, Bugs Don’t Buzz, ahead of the album Impersonator, which is out May 21.
Majical Cloudz open for Youth Lagoon at Metro May 15.
Bugs Don’t Buzz – Majical Cloudz
Wampire shares new song, ‘Trains’
The Portland, Oregon, duo known as Wampire is about to release the band’s debut album, Curiosity, in a couple of weeks. Here’s a song, Trains, from the record.
Jesse Lortz’s Case Studies releases new song
Seattle musician Jesse Lortz, formerly of the Dutchess and the Duke, is about to release his second album with his latest project Case Studies. Give this song, Driving East, and Through Her, a listen. It’s very cool and will appear on This Is Another Life, which is due out in June.
Chicago’s Twin Peaks to release debut album
I like this single, Stand in the Sand, from Chicago’s Twin Peaks. The song will appear on the band’s debut album, Sunken, which is scheduled for release in July.
You can download the song here.
New song: GRMLN’s ‘Hand Pistol’
GRMLN is Southern Californian Yoodoo Park, who made an interesting pop EP last year, Explore. In June, Park is releasing a full album as GRMLN, Empire. Check out the song below, Hand Pistol, which is more of an uptempo rock song.
Judging from the first two songs released from Empire, the album will be a much different style than Park’s EP.
Also listen to this earlier single from the new album, Teenage Rhythm.
