New Music Releases 26/08/2015

New music for your ears including LUCIANBLOMKAMP, The Smith Street Band, The Dead Weather, Deerhunter & more!

LUCIANBLOMKAMP – FROM AFAR (GOOD MANNERS)

After establishing himself as one-to-watch on the back of his “Post-Nature” album release last year, Melbourne’s LUCIANBLOMKAMP has new creations to offer over the coming months with a follow-up record on the way. The first taste of the impending body of work is ‘From Afar’, a track of ominous atmosphere and introspective reflection.

Once again highlighting his abilities as a multi-instrumentalist and producer, his new material also sees a further emphasis on song-writing, with his incredibly emotive tones appearing from behind the shadows of his earlier work. The classically-trained Blomkamp embraces the endless possibilities of the electronic medium to make polished yet provocative music, with a musical background and eclectic influences that coalesce into a style that is uniquely his own.

THE SMITH STREET BAND – I SCARE MYSELF SOMETIMES (FEAT. LUCY WILSON) (POISON CITY)

After collaborating on the track, ‘The Belly Of Your Bedroom’, from their 2011 debut, “No One Gets Lost Anymore”, The Smith Street Band returns to join forces with Lucy Wilson (The Sugarcanes) to release a new digital and 7-inch single, ‘I Scare Myself Sometimes’. Recorded during the “Throw Me In The River” sessions, the track is a poetic narrative through the self-effacing mind of frontman Wil Wagner. Backed by a string section, it is a tale of heartbreak and hope; sex, love and self-destruction. The song also comes accompanied with a new animated film clip created by Celeste Potter (Courtney Barnett, DZ Deathrays, Regurgitator), who also illustrated the 7”s cover.

THE BELLIGERENTS – LOOKING AT YOU (INDEPENDENT)

The Belligerents have earmarked this one as their best yet, and if ‘Looking At You’ is anything to go by, it's set to see them solidify themselves amongst the many Brisbane indie giants that have arisen over the past decades. It's a rousing piece of cosmic indie-rock, one they'll be giving a good spin when they showcase at the upcoming BIGSOUND conference alongside artists like Stonefield, Gang of Youths, Holy Holy, Cosmic Psychos, The John Steel Singers, Slum Sociable and more. But until then, enjoy Looking At You below, and keep an ear out for that EP release.

THE DEAD WEATHER – I FEEL LOVE (EVERY MILLION MILES) (THIRD MAN RECORDS)

Since the release of their last album, “Sea of Corwards”, The Dead Weather collective has remained busy as ever, constantly adding new milestones to their already-illustrious résumés. Born as a one-off collaboration between friends and tourmates, The Dead Weather has since evolved into one of the most vital and provocative bands in contemporary rock ‘n’ roll and “Dodge and Burn” sees The Dead Weather pushing their creative line of attack to its very limits.

ANGIE – PARIS FACE (RICE IS NICE)

“Free Agent” was conceived and formed during a number of solitary stints around the world; periods of uninterrupted reflection which gave rise to a long awaited outpouring of creativity. As a prolific writer, musician and collaborator, Angie’s solo work has historically provided an outlet for more personal expression. And “Free Agent” is no different. If “Turning” was intended to be listened to lying on the floor in a darkened room, “Free Agent” marks a new chapter in Angie’s evolution. Imbued with more optimism and bravery than before, the album was written during her time as just that – a free agent.

ODESZA – LIGHT (FEAT. LITTLE DRAGON) (POD / INERTIA)

The genesis for ‘Light (feat. Little Dragon)’ begins in 2014. Little Dragon asked ODESZA to do a remix of a song off their last album, “Nabuma Rubberband”, but their label accidentally sent ODESZA the stems for a new song that was not on that album. In the midst of a sold out 2014 North American headline tour in support of “In Return”, ODESZA was too busy to complete a remix. Months after the remix idea was shelved, ODESZA and Little Dragon played a co-headline show in Boston, inspiring an idea to write a new ODESZA track and build it around the Little Dragon vocal stem.  Little Dragon’s distinct vocal and ODESZA’s expert production combine to create a late contender for song of the season, ‘Light (feat. Little Dragon)’.

DEERHUNTER – SNAKESKIN (4AD / REMOTE CONTROL)

The record was made by founding members Bradford Cox, Lockett Pundt and Moses Archuleta, and bassist Josh McKay. Written in their hometown of Atlanta, GA, production duties were shared by the band and Ben H. Allen III, continuing a collaboration that began with 2010’s “Halcyon Digest”.

Following the death-rattle garage catharsis of 2013’s “Monomania”, the group has shifted towards something strikingly balanced, focused on melody and texture. The songs are brighter; if not in content, then in the album’s production. Starkness plays against clutter in what is the band’s most complex yet accessible work to date.

SHANNON AND THE CLAMS – POINT OF BEING RIGHT (HARDLY ART / INERTIA)

Oakland garage pop outfit, Shannon and the Clams, return with ‘Point of Being Right’ from their newly announced album, “Gone by the Dawn”. The track is a bouncy, scrappy pop-rock ditty, with addictive melodies start to finish.

THE DANDELION – A SWEET DEATH SONG (STRANGE YONDER)

“Seeds, Flowers & Magical Powers of The Dandelion” is the second full-length album by Sydney-based band The Dandelion. Recorded through June 2014 to June 2015 in 3 different studios, this mesmerising collection of songs immediately casts a spell on the listener, making them feel as if they’re sitting in the room with the band as the songs are being tracked. This is unsurprising as the album was engineered and produced by front-woman Danatalia de Silver using her Tascam Cassette recorder, which captures the visceral and dynamic songs organically, coating them in tape-saturation, fuzz and room-reverb reminiscent of 60’s psychedelia and garage.