Tagged: psych

[Coachella] 10 days.

white arrows

I think a little revisit on White Arrows is in order. I’ve touched on them lightly here at what’s protocol and I’d love to dive a bit deeper.

Anything that describes itself as electronic gospel is pretty much my favorite thing. For whatever reason, these guys embrace the weird. And I’m pretty much all about that. I have no doubt that Coachella will be the perfect environment to catch White Arrows live for the first time.

Their latest album titled, Dry Land Is Not a Myth, ranges from driving guitar tracks to psych-pop electro bangers. I love that the sound doesn’t seem constrained – perhaps they are still trying to find their genre but I’m enjoying the trip it allows our ears at the moment. They’re like a more wild STRFKR if I had to make comparisons. Check out a few of my favorite tracks from the release below.

Enjoy.

Sierra City Center (Diamond Club) – TEAMS

TEAMS

Yessssss! Finally TEAMS has released his brand new California sun, surf, psych-rock, summer heat inspired Sierra City Center (Diamond Club). The new album, which he recorded in Sierra City and Trinity Center, California “during the insane summer heat,“ is a slightly new direction than his previous work, featuring more singing, “psychedelic” sounding songs, and some rippin’ guitar solos by Snow Wite.

You can definitely hear the influence the California heat had on the creation of this project. On a side note and also in quite juxtaposition (weather-wise at least) TEAMS recently transplanted to Russia and then Germany and has been busy playing shows and [presumably - by me at least] working on his second full length LP, OneWorld開発.

Listen to Sierra City Center (Diamond Club) below and be on the lookout for a physical tape release this Spring/Summer by Gnar Tapes & Shit.

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[Sunday Listening] Hummingbird – Local Natives

local natives

This one’s an easy one guys. The new Local Natives album is finally out and it’s everything I was hoping for. With such an incredible debut back in 2009, it would be an understatement to say that Hummingbird was highly anticipated. Well, at least for me..

Anyways, take your day of rest to stream through the entire release, track to track. With each listen I’m finding new things to love, and that’s the beauty. The heart breaking vocals, melancholic content, and accompanying guitars are enough to win me over – but being able to listen from start to finish and at the end, yearn to hit repeat, that seals the deal.

Mutant Glamour – Giant Claw

The energy in Giant Claw’s LP, Mutant Glamour, is beyond relentless. Armed with 80′s 8-bit synths and other abnormal tones and effects, GL strings together all sorts of sounds under a tightly wound drum machine.

The overall feel seems ironic, but not. Disorganized, but collected. Frantic, yet structured. Your ears are presented with improvised and restless layers of electronic sounds that build up and flesh out, then simply relax. It’s a constant push pull, and it’s quite interesting to listen to.

I love the looping in track, “Glitter Logic,” which soon turns into something completely morphed. I also really dig “L.A. Christ” which has more of an 80′s dance foundation. All in all, it’s something that definitely deserves a press of the play button.

BONUS:  a little something something for those who want a freebie download.

PS. Keith Rankin is also a visual artist (neat!).

We can’t find the words to describe the landscapes we have seen.

Italy’s Drink To Me really put some work into their latest album, S.  Their tribalism influences especially shine through in fourth track, “Future Days,” with a heavy yet playful electronic build up. The lyrics are charming, especially at the end when the group sings, “we’re doing the best we can/ we’re wide awake and we’re working on the future days/ we are the people that have no hopes/ there’s no nostalgia nor anticipation at all/ we hate, we smile and we’re beautiful/ no revolution was ever made with love .”

The video for the song is more than stimulating with a heavy focus on clean colors and symmetry. There’s a good section in the middle of the track that just feels like a weird acid trip but beyond that, I really love the final minute where the small colored blocks come into play.

And if you’re really into vinyls then you will enjoy their gorgeous deluxe edition that sports a royal blue disc. Check out the rest of their album on their bandcamp page.

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I’m against walking in the dark.

This track had me at the hypnotizing organ.

It’s a creeping “tubey-riff” that breaks completely open for the chorus. I enjoy the stalking guitars, the heavy hitting percussion, and pretty much the entire energy of “Walking in the Dark.” Seattle’s Black Whales have the 60′s reverb sound with obvious influences from The Turtles, The Kinks, and Neil Young. I love the fusion of psych-rock and modern melodies.

The Black Whales are an unsigned band who have released Shangri-La Indeed last summer, the album where you can find this song.

Walking In The Dark – Black Whales

Right-click and enjoy.

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Don’t go running honey, I’ll follow you.

I’m going to warn you, this mixture of solid music I’m throwing your way is an eclectic bunch.  Expand your ears and right click away.

I Follow Rivers – Lykke Li My giirrllllllllll recently released this excellent song off her upcoming release in February and I am pumped.  Absolutely pumped.  The beat is nice and smooth and then crashes right into the chorus perfectly.  I wasn’t a believer before but now I think I can dig just about every single thing she creates.

Whoa – The Yes Club Lo-fi?  Check.  Loud?  Check.  Noisy rock?  Check.  My brand new speakers may have just blown out but I enjoyed every second of this 3 minute song.  The keyboard scales and fuzzy guitars take this song back a couple of decades to some old psych-rock.  Solid.

Riot Song (The Soundmen Remix) – Johnny Polygon featuring Kid Cudi This song came on my iTunes when I was just listening on shuffle.  Almost changed it because of the initial irritation I felt with the repetitive, telephone-sounding vocals but then once Cudder got on that quickly left.  This jam will grow on you, the end is greattt.

Go Dancing – Eux Autres Another repetitive song you think you wouldn’t like but, you will.  Back to the psych-pop with this Cali group.  Their music mostly consists of sparse instrumentation but keep listening and you’ll realize they go deeper then that.  I love the progression into the chorus, ties everything in well.  If you like this then listen to their song “Queen Turner.”

Enjoy.

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