Soko :: Love Letter

Photo Credit :: Ward + Kweskin
It is incredible how much music is out there and how much stuff falls through the cracks, even when you are a die hard music fans like we are at OTR. Last night as I was chatting with my buddy Steve from Pure Honey (who does a fabulous job spreading the gospel of good music for many years by the way), started talking to me about this artist that he loves called Soko. Apparently she's been around for many years (2007) and is also an actress. She is getting ready to release her sophomore album and is on tour now opening for Foster the People. Who we get to see here in Miami Beach at the Fillmore on Thursday, October the 16th.

He showed me her new single "Love Letter" and it is pretty amazing! According to Steve it is a lot more synthy, dark and reverby than her previous album, but that happens to be many of the things I love. Great new single that got me really interested in checking out her show and that new album when it's released.

Check out that excellent new single "Love Letter" below which Pure Honey is offering as a free download (along with many other great stuff every month). Plus a real cool artsy lyric video they did for it.

P.S. If you like the track and wanna learn more about her, be sure to check out this great interview Pure Honey did with her here.

Death in Saturn :: Fool My Heart

The immensely talented lead singer for Miami band Kodiak Fur is getting ready to roll out a new project called Death in Saturn. We have a whole EP to look forward to, but in the meantime he's sent us the first taste in the form of debut single "Fool My Heart" which we are digging! It has a great shoegazey/lo-fi type of feel to it.

Check out the newness below and we'll keep you updated when the rest of that EP is released. Sure there will be shows to follow soon as well. 

Mogwai :: Rave Tapes

Scottish experimental electronic band Mogwai are getting ready to release new album 'Rave Tapes'. It will be their 8th studio album in their 18 year career and will be released January 21st 2014 on SubPop. The first single they are releasing from the record is called "Remurdered" and I am digging the sound! I was never a huge fan of Mogwai as they were always too lo-fi for my taste, but this first track definitely has a darker edge to it than anything I've heard from them. Got me psyched to hear the rest of the record.

Check out the soundcloud for "Remurdered", as well as the tracklisting for 'Rave Tapes' below.



Rave Tapes Track Listing ::
1. Heard About You Last Night
2. Simon Ferocious
3. Remurdered
4. Hexon Bogon
5. Repelish
6. Master Card
7. Deesh
8. Blues Hour
9. No Medecine For Regret
10. The Lord Is Out Of Control

Francis Neve :: Calls

London artist Francis Neve's reps sent us his latest single "Calls" and I am digging it. A great indie pop track that is sure to take this up and comer up the indie ranks in no time flat. In addition to the track there's also a great Clean Death Remix that takes the track in a complete 180 degree different direction from the original. Much darker and menacing in a Matthew Dear kinda way. I'm not sure if it's officially released yet, but the email said free download, so I'm gonna go ahead and link you to the soundcloud here. Enjoy!



Right after I posted I spotted the video for "Calls". Check that out below.

El Perro Del Mar :: Walk On By

El Perro Del Mar is out with a new track called "Walk On By" from the album Pale Fire. The track has a late 80's - early 90's mainstream R&B sound to it. El Perro Del Mar (aka Sarah Assbring) started out making lo-fi indie pop, and in many ways Pale Fire continues in that tradition, but it's also a departure from her regular sound. Overall, it's a chill track to play in the afternoon, while having a good drink.

Teen Mom :: Mean Tom

Love, love, LOVE this track I just stumbled upon from the DC based lo-fi/fuzz pop outfit who call themselves Teen Mom. The track titled "I Wanna Go Out" is from their forthcoming debut album Mean Tom, which drops later this month on the 27th via Analog Edition. It's shoegaze, garage rock at its finest with comforting hazy vocals paired with melodies that almost sound reminiscent of The Smiths which evolve into some pretty dance-worthy beefy guitar riffs. I freaking love it! Gonna keep a close eye on these guys now, really looking forward to hearing what else this debut album has to offer! Check out the track and its accompanying video below.

Picobots :: Melanie Griffith

If you follow OTR regularly you know how much we love those 80's new wave inspired tunes. Cue San Francisco artist Picobots who recently sent us his latest release 'Melanie Griffith'. A 5 track EP that features just that, lo-fi dreamy atmospheric goodness that sounds like it could have come straight from the 80's. His first single/video from the release is "Mini Blind Silhoutte" which is an homage to LA that you can check out below. If you like what you hear head on over to his bandcamp where the entire release is available as a name your own price option including $0, but if you can, throw him a few bucks. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.  

Melanie Griffith: Mini Blind Silhouette by Picobots

The 2 Bears :: Be Strong

The 2 Bears is a band from London. Their music is chill and has a groove that is a mixture of soul, lo-fi and house. The band is actually composed of Joe Goddard (of electronic band Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell.

The band was also supposed to include Joe Mount from Metronomy, but due to issues he could not become part of the band. Instead, the band went from The 3 Bears to The 2 Bears. Either way, enough reading. You guys are here for the music.

Sample the Goods. Here's the whole album 'Be Strong' for you to listen to.

Joakim :: Forever Young / Remixes / Video

Joakim has contributed to the music world for a couple of years now, but it's not until 2012 that you hear some of his tracks being played at clubs. In his fourth studio album 'Nothing Gold' being released in September, Joakim has managed to come out with a gem of a first single "Forever Young".

A track he says is, "Is my song for all the 30-something-year old people out there. I used to hate people between 30 and 40 when I was under 30. I thought they gave up on most of their beliefs and lived a dull and fake life. Like cowards pretending to still be cool, contemptuous grown-ups afraid of the young sharks."

However, take it from me, you don't have to be in your 30's or 40's to enjoy this song.

James & Evander :: Bummer Pop

The ironic thing about Oakland, California electro-pop duo James & Evander's new album title is that the music is anything, but a bummer. Their new album 'Bummer Pop' which was just released the 15th of May does have that melancholia which I can see why they chose the name, but melancholia has always been my thing, can probably thank Morrissey for that one. If pretty lo-fi electro-pop is your thing chances are this will be right up your alley. Stream the entire record below via their soundcloud and they have been kind enough to let us post album opener "Ambigamy" as a free download for our readers. Who loves ya?!?!! Enjoy and have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!


MP3: Ambigamy - James & Evander

JAMES & EVANDER - Bummer Pop by velvetblue

Stroik :: In the Fresh

Not many social networks out there for North Carolina artist Stroik. In fact his website is just a picture of him that clicks to his video for his track "In the Fresh". Good thing that track is pretty amazing. Check out the video below and hopefully he gives us more soon. He does have a bio page here that goes into a little more depth if you'd like to find out more.

The Red Channels :: Blinded by The Sound (EP)

Got sent this lovely EP Blinded by The Sound by new Miami duo The Red Channels. Real smooth lo-fi dreamwave goodness that they are giving away for free on their soundcloud. Gotta love that! Check out a couple of my favorite tracks "Lincoln Road" (one of my favorite spots on the beach) and EP opener "Mine". Those two should give you a good idea of their sound. Also be sure to check out the lovely instrumental nugget the EP title track "Blinded by The Sound". Good to have these guys on our radar and representing our lovely city with such pretty tunes.

Sun Sister :: Rich American White Kidz (EP)

Got sent this great lo-fi EP by Massachusetts band Sun Sister. Real fuzzy, lo-fi shoegaze goodness with great female vocals. They will be releasing a limited 100 tape run of it in the next few days that you can purchase via their bandcamp. In the meantime check out one of my faves "Growing Ur Hair Out" below to see if you like the goods first. 

Waterlaso :: Heartbreak Celebration

Los Angeles band Waterlaso is back with their 4th album 'Wet' to be released soon. The first single from the record is "Heartbreak Celebration" which they sent our way. A great lo-fi track that they dedicated to John Maus, Ariel Pink, The Bee Gees, Kool & The Gang and George Benson who they cite as influences. Definitely a track that feels out of it's place and time, but sometimes those are the best tracks. Check it out below and if you like what you hear it's free for the taking.

"Heartbreak Celebration" - Waterlaso by mountainfighting

Red Alder :: Winterdress

Bleak and beautiful, this new track "Winterdress" by Red Alder (aka Kelsie Brown), released earlier this month, is a frigid reflection of her surroundings in her home state of Washington. Sometimes a hauntingly melancholy track like this really hits the spot, and this spacey lo-fi piece really drifts you away to that cold, awe-inspiring, wonderous and lonely wilderness. Check this out and if you like it, you'll definately wanna head over to her bandcamp and pick up some of her previous works as well.

The Denzels :: Easy Tiger EP

Brooklyn band The Denzel's that Erika posted about in June here have a new EP out called 'Easy Tiger'. Their reps the excellent Low Life Inc sent it our way for review and I'm digging it! Great lo-fi garage rock and the lead singer's voice is ace! Check out the two tracks "Black Girls" and "Rae Rae" which they are offering as free downloads. The winners = us.

The Denzels - Black Girls by Low Life Inc

The Denzels - Rae Rae by Low Life Inc

Blouse

Gotta love music recommends from friends, especially when they consistently give you good finds. Like this latest recommend my friend Rocky Grimes who designed our OTR tee's gave me for Portland, Oregon three piece band Blouse. Did some investigating and seems like they have been garnering lots of attention. Making it onto Gorrilla Vs Bear's top tracks of 2011 and being featured in magazines like Nylon, Fader & Spin. They have a dark lo-fi sound with dreamy female vocals that I'm always attracted to.

Here's a couple great tracks from their self titled debut album "Videotapes" and "Into Black" that will be a good introduction, plus their video for "Videotapes". If you dig these I'd grab the rest of the record. Good stuff!


MP3: Videotapes - Blouse


MP3: Into Black - Blouse

Pal

If you are in the mood for some super chilled out lo-fi than Mälmo, Sweden artist Pal (aka Albin Johansson) might have just what you're looking for. His album Weeks, just released on December 7th, is filled with seven dreamy electronic pop tracks to fulfill all your chill out needs. Check out/download the album's track "Gone" below, then head over to Pal's bandcamp here and check out the rest of the album.


MP3: Gone - Pal

White Birds

If you like your lo-fi on the super lo-fi side, Philadelphia's White Birds have just what you need. Their hazy melancholy sound will have you drifting away on an effervescent sea of reverb. Pick up their single "Hondora" below and then check out the appropriately ambiguous video as well.


MP3: Hondora - White Birds

Setspeed

Got sent a couple great electronic, experimental/lo-fi tracks "Komu" and "Detail From a Larger Work" by UK artist Setspeed on the Bass Music label. Real cool chill instrumental electronic stuff which I enjoy listening to from time to time. They are letting us post one of the tracks for our readers to download at 128 bit rate, but if you dig'em I'd go to their label's site I linked above or beatport to buy them in better quality. Worth it. You can also stream them on soundcloud. Particularly digging "Komu" that you can check out below.


MP3: Komu - Setspeed