THIS HOUSE IS CREAKING • 2 LAMP (lava lamp) • 2025

 Today, Chicago band This House is Creaking (THiC) share their new single “2 LAMP (lava lamp).” Characterized by THiC’s sticky, catchy sound, this new track comes out swinging with distortion, knotty, fuzzed-out guitar, and, true to THiC form, unexpected left turns. Written last year after bandmates Ehmed Nauman and Micah Miller moved into a new apartment together, the song marked a moment of change, both in their living situations and in their creative collaboration. Through this shift, they found a shared creative space to consistently work through ideas together, finding themes that they wanted to keep exploring. The track pins down that moment of rebirth, of reflection — of when you find yourself yelling questions you didn’t know you had.

The wave breaks

Let the water wash over my body

Cleanse me I’m making a change

‘Cause when I see you my head gets heavy

I have to close my eyes I don’t think that I’m ready

We Are The Willows • Forgiveness/Forgetness • 2024

We Are The Willows is the art-pop project of Minneapolis based singer/songwriter Peter Miller (creatively known as Peter M.). His unique countertenor voice is often supported by Jeremiah Satterthwaite on guitar, Travis Collins on bass and backup vocals, Hilary James on cello and backup vocals, and Josh McCay on drums. Active since 2014 and most notably recognized for their 2016 two-part, twenty-song concept album Picture (Portrait) (based on letters written between his grandparents during World War II), Miller’s outfit has garnered praise from NPR, BBC, Noisey, Paste Magazine, Buzzfeed, and Brooklyn Vegan. Over eight years, We Are The Willows has supported and shared the stage with acts including Blitzen Trapper, S. Carey, Phox, and Matt Pond PA across showcases at SXSW, Treefort Festival, and Milwaukee’s SummerFest.

best of 2023 • Being Dead • When Horses Would Run

🎙️ ifitbeyourwill Ep. 22 • Pony Girl

Pony Girl weaves an ethereal tapestry of sound, blending indie rock and dreamy electronica into a sonic journey that transcends genres. Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, this Ottawa-based band creates lush atmospheres and haunting melodies, inviting listeners into a captivating world where every note tells a story of introspection and wonder. Enjoy 🎙️ 

https://ponygirl.ca/

🎙️ ifitbeyourwill Ep. 21 • Otracami

Otracami aka Camila Ortiz, a visionary musician pushing sonic boundaries, seamlessly blends genres to craft a unique auditory experience. Joining me from her home in Brooklyn NY we chatted about her mesmerizing fusion of electronic beats and ethereal melodies, inviting listeners into a world where innovation meets emotion. Checkout her latest record, "touching the stove coil" out now! A true maestro, Otracami is reshaping the musical landscape. Enjoy 🎙️

Instagram

Opener ‘in the car’ offers a picture of an overbearing homelife (the only time I could ever really be alone / was after dropping everybody off at home / waiting for the stop sign to turn green / blinking through the high beams”) set to a dappled rhythm, while ‘Stove Coil’ punctuates a sedate, listless lethargy with the sharp violence hinted at in the album’s title. “Spiral glowing red / on the razor’s edge,” Ortiz sings, “a sting and a sweetness / will I feel it.” A strange mixture of pain and pleasure which could represent the entire action of the record. Approaching something which will almost certainly hurt, yet glows alluringly all the same. VSF

Philip Selway • Strange Dance • 2023

Philip Selway releases his much-anticipated new album, Strange Dance, on February 24 via Bella Union. Having previously shared videos for the singles “Check For Signs Of Life” and “Picking Up Pieces”, Selway today shares the atmospheric title track from the album. Commenting on the track Selway says: “Strange Dance had a very long gestation as a song. In its original form, it was the first piece from the album to be written, over 20 years ago. It was also the last song to be completed on the album, with the lyric taking shape in the final recording session. The strange dance I write about refers to the contortions we all perform as we try to balance seemingly irreconcilable elements of our lives, and the relationships that help us navigate this uncertainty.”

Olivia Nowadays • How to Be Okay With the Everyday • 2022

michirecords.com

Curtis Godino Presents The Midnight Wishers • He Loves Me Not • 2022

The album was mastered by Kramer, who just last year resurrected Shimmy-Disc, a label that championed Daniel Johnston, GWAR, Jad Fair, King Missile, the Boredoms and Kramer’s own bands Bongwater and Shockabilly. He refers to Godino as "a genius," and Godino appreciates the support.

"The sound and the colorful imagery invite the listener to a strange, yet fantastic little journey through nature, color and sound. It’s definitely a trip we like to take."
- MXDWN

"The 60s girl group formula, and knowing pastiche thereof, is integral to the band’s established sound, but ‘He Loves Me Not’ is a step away from such territory into something more ambitious."
- Backseat Mafia

"A new band with a sound somewhat akin to the ghosts of a sixties girl group being channeled through a fuzzy transistor radio."
- Joyzine

"'No Place Like Home' lays forth the uncanny, dreamlike sonic aesthetic, complete with glockenspiel and organ. The accompanying hazy music video doubles down on the hypnotic Lynchian vibes."
- Cool Hunting

Anika • Change • 2021

anika-change

Gustaf • Design • 2020

Royal Mountain Records

Blurring the line between art-punk and post-punk, adding a fresh and freaky take to both genres, their latest single “Design” sees the band once again paired up with Chris Coady (Beach House, Future Islands, TV On The Radio) for an off-kilter track, following last month’s “Mine”. Reminiscent of bands like The B-52s and Alan Vega, the constant and repetitive bass line in “Design” lays the groundwork for vocalist Lydia Gammill’s confident and self-aware musings on desire before descending into a rambunctious kazoo solo! 

"Drawing on old school NYC art-punk, “Mine” is a snappy two-minute tune of talky, bass-driven post-punk. It’s got the confident ego of Alan Vega and the sass of The B-52’s."

Paste

"Some worthy competition for ‘Losing My Edge’-style self-deprecation. Add some deliciously clashing riffs and you’ll be wishing cross-Atlantic air travel was a less ill-advised proposition."

DIY

Perfume Genius • "Describe" • 2020

The last time Mike Hadreas released a Perfume Genius album was in 2017, when he unveiled No Shape, one of the best albums of the decade. Since then, Hadreas has gone from a cultishly beloved art-pop auteur to grazing the outskirts of the mainstream, with his songs beginning to permeate the atmosphere more and more by way of frequent TV and movie syncs. It was enough to make you wonder what might happen when he released the followup to No Shape, and it turns out we won’t have to wonder much longer. The fifth Perfume Genius album, Set My Heart On Fire Immediately, will be out in May. SG

No bells anymore

Just my stomach rumbling

Can you describe them for me?

Can you describe them for me?

The lock on the door

Is barely holding

Can you just wait here with me?

Can you just wait here with me?

His love it felt like ribbons

An echo in the canyon

His love it felt like ribbons

An echo in the canyon

Can you just find him for me?

Can you describe them for me?

Can you just find him for me?

Monster Rally • Adventures on the Floating Island • 2019

Monster Rally's new album scores a journey through a lush, exotic, dangerous, and alluring paradise - the Floating Island. The lounge-influenced collection of songs guides the listener through an instrumental narrative inspired by themes of amnesia, discovery, exploration, and mysticism.

Maya Lavelle - House On A Rocky Road - 2019

Maya Lavelle musical style evolved from her contemporary classical education to electronic cinematic pop.

Recommended if you like: 

Kate Bush, Björk, Marina and the Diamonds, Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine

Kings and Queens of the Do it Now! - 2019

emotionalresponserecords.com

A selection of tracks from upcoming releases due in this glorious year of 2019. Most releases will also feature a limited run on fancy colour vinyl. For more deets, watch this space, or hop on our mailing list to hear about it before we unleash to the gen pub! 

Best of 2018 - wiaiwya

wiaiwya.com | Their BLOG

Best of 2018 - Bandcamp Singles

A few singles that have been heavy replay in my neck of the woods… 

Best of 2018 - Dirty Projectors - Break-Thru

https://dirtyprojectors.net

This single from Dirty Projectors’ Lamp Lit Prose maintains the band’s trademark indie/art rock fusion while continuing the electronic/R&B sound from last year’s self-titled record. The song and album mark “a recommitment to the sounds and ideals of Dirty Projectors, embracing the band’s trademarks while pushing forward the sonic envelope” with guitars and intricate harmonies returning to the fold, as evidenced by “Break-Thru.”

Voice of Aiko ‘PRESCRIPTION DREAM’ - 2018

'What drove us to launch this project was hearing the shocking statistics and stories about what potential harm medications prescribed by the doctor can cause and how easily this can be helped by us just talking about it more, allowing people to make informed choices. We hope that with this emotional song, Enya's stunning video, the artistic workshops and the weekly vlog we can raise awareness on this very important subject."

Island Eyes - Island Eyes - 2015

Lots of electronic experimental instrumentation collide with a deep/dark vocal delivery! Borderline scary, but not quite Joy Division yet...

Quite Good.