Neon Musical Insight

DOWNLOAD MP3: Ducktails – “Hamilton Road”

Part-time Real Estate member/chillwave extraordinaire Ducktails has a new LP set to drop in the fall entitled Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics and with this bit of news also comes a fresh track. “Hamilton Road” may be recorded by Matt Mondanile under the moniker Ducktails, but it easily can be confused with a Real Estate song, mostly due to it’s superfluous, major key acoustic guitar work. The vocals are doused in reverb, while an additional electric guitar wobbly makes its way to the forefront thanks to some kicked up wah-wah. It’s a quick, easy listen that is light and lilting; something that Mondanile has become very successful in offering.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Prizes – “Rumours”

This fresh track comes from a newer artist named Prizes, who was actually once known as Treasure — do not search for any sort of wry joke within that statement, I’m just telling it like it is. Prizes is the one-man sampling project of Hari Ashurt. A native to London, Ashurt creates woozy, hazy summer music that adds a more tragic sound to the genre of chillwave that only a person who is more familiar with rain than sun can provide. “Rumours”, the latest track from Prizes, will fit nicely on a playlist right between Toro y Moi and Memoryhouse. A perfect blend.

Check out the Princess Di (R.I.P.) featured video above and grab the MP3 as well.

via DS.

DOWNLOAD MP3: How to Dress Well – “You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’”

Tom Krell — better known under the moniker of How to Dress Well — is easily one of the most promising acts of the year. He has first full-length LP entitled Love Remains set to drop on September 21 via Lefse. in which he plans to re-record a large portion of past releases — the man has consistently banged out tracks at random ands released them all on his blog throughout. That beautiful image that you see above is the album artwork. This fresh track and first taste of the album is a re-recorded version of “You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’” off of his most recent EP, Can’t See My Own Face – The Eternal Love 2.

Krell’s R&B influences shine through on this one with his very matter-of-fact style lyrics. You may hear this track and point out the crackles of sound and clarity and think to yourself, “This was re-recorded?” But Krell has said in the past that he values that lo-fi quality; an interesting juxtaposition with a voice that’s nearly perfect.

Stream/download “You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’” above.

photo by Landon Speers

DOWNLOAD MP3: Gobble Gobble – “Boring Horror”

Gobble Gobble makes some of the most infectious dance-pop music that I’ve heard in a really long time. This fresh track entitled “Boring Horror” made it’s entrance into the world on the recently dropped mixtape Au Revoir, La Côte via the friendly music blogger The Road Goes Ever On and I haven’t been able to stop playing it. The entire mix is something worth celebrating, but it’s really Gobble Gobble’s addition that makes this piece feel complete. Their warped sense of hooks are really creative and alluring, and often make euphoria much more easily achievable. Rumor has it that they’ll be making a pit stop at Glasslands on September 12. That’s a show that can’t afford to be missed. Peek the rest of their massive tour dates here.

‘

DOWNLOAD MP3: Hotel Mexico – “Its Twinkle”

Not too much is known about this new act other than the fact they come from Kyoto, Japan. With a debut album entitled His Jewelled Letter Box on the way for an August 16 release via Second Royal Records, this fresh track tagged “It’s Twinkle” made it’s way onto my hard drive thanks to 20JFG. The rapid, echoey guitar riff that opens the song noticeably possesses Japanese familiarities in terms of musical aesthetic, but once the thumping bassline kicks in, the track begins to pick up, creating an ambient, welcoming open space.

Stream/download the freshness above.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Velvet Davenport – “When You Are Out”

Velvet Davenport is the solo project of Parker Sprout. Residing in Minneapolis, MN, Sprout conjures simplistically effective harmonious pop on this fresh track entitled “When You Are Out” that recalls anyone from the Feelies — with it’s sunbright, jangle-pop and smooth, yet sparse array of acoustic strings — to the Velvet Underground — with it’s thundering bass drum. “When You Are Out” can be found on Davenport’s latest release, White Blue, which can be picked up via Moon Glyph and is limited to 200 (cassette release). A debut LP is supposedly not too far away as well, so keep an eye out for that.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Holy Spirits – “Tongues”

I wasn’t too familiar with the band Holy Spirits until I was directed their way via Twitter. Glad I’ve made this find. This fresh track entitled “Tongues” comes off the band’s latest release, an EP named The Afternoon’s Blood, which is an album that consists of beautiful vocal harmonies that instantly bring to mind comparisons to songwriters like Bon Iver or even Jeff Buckley. The track’s gentle string arrangements hypnotize, with repetitive handclaps that sound like raindrops dripping down the shingles of an antiquated house.

You can download The Afternoon Blood entirely for free at Holy Spirits’ bandcamp here and stream/download the track “Tongues” above.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Corin Tucker – “Doubt”

Corin Tucker, former frontwoman of the pivotal riot-grrrl band Sleater-Kinney, has her first solo release, 1,000 Years, set to drop on October 5 via Kill Rock Stars. This fresh track tagged “Doubt” is our first official taste of the record and it fucking ROCKS. Picking up where Kinney left off, Tucker’s soaring howl sounds in prime shape with guitars roaring and an unforgettable, mood altering breakdown midway through that features an organ(!) An essential listen in anticipation of an album that will likely be one of the years best — I have faith.

Stream/download “Doubt” above.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Blackbird Blackbird – “Hawaii (DCLXVI Remix)”

Blackbird Blackbird shared this blissed out remix of the track “Hawaii” off of their Summer Heart LP, which I’ve already been a longstanding fan of. Their music creates a wondrous hazy atmosphere through the plug and play sound of lo-fi experiments and fidgety psychedelic exploration. This remix from DCLXVI adds a layer of uninterpretable lyrics and ambient synth keys, removing the glossy sound of the original cut, but works just as well, making it a very different experience in and of itself.

If you head to Blackbird Blackbird’s bandcamp page — I love these things! You can purchase their fantastic new LP Summer Heart for the reasonable price of $9.99. Stream/download “Hawaii (DCLXVI Remix)” above.

DOWNLOAD MP3: Nihiti – “The Return of Kind Ropes”

Lo Bit Landscapes is prepping a full-length debut from a band named Nihiti entitled Other Peoples Memories for a October 10 release. I’ve been lucky enough to receive this album prior to it’s release via Goldest Egg and can in all honesty admit that has some mind-blowing thematic elements going on that at times brings to mind acts like Nine Inch Nails or even Bauhaus. If we were to experience armageddon, I assume it would sound like this.

“The Return of Kind Ropes” is a periodic breather from the gloomier stuff and is a brief, upbeat tranquilizer that helps in putting us down easier. Right from the opening, an onslaught of percussion kicks in, before latin-tinged keys and maracas set the destination to anywhere but here.

Stream/download “The Return of King Ropes” above.