No Stranger Feeling

Little Chords - “Today”

If you have discovered a little bandcamp project called Little Chords in preceding months, your new music radar is probably on top of its game. What started off as two anonymous singles is now a full EP, and has officially been revealed as another amazing side project of Vancouver dream-pop favorite Teen Daze.

Not to distract from his remarkable achievement on his other recent project Two Bicycles, Little Chords is an unassuming little musical outlet in which J. experiments with some different, more guitar-based sounds for lo-fi summer vibes.

“Today” is an excellent little instrumental track, expanding this artist’s horizons far beyond that of simply a “laptop musician.” The four remaining songs all have vocals and are equally impressive, including a cover of Yuck’s “Shook Down.”

Visit the Little Chords bandcamp page and download the self-titled EP here. You can also “like” Little Chords on Facebook.

Xander Harris - “I Want More Than Just Blood”

[Urban Gothic, Not Not Fun, 2011]

Someone slaughtered the Easter Bunny with an axe. Xander Harris’ 2011 full-length debut Urban Gothic may be the best 80’s horror soundtrack that never was. While this grim homage subgenre of fog-machine darkwave may easily be misinterpreted as cheesy or played-out, Harris attacks behind the cover of darkness with spooky synths and devastating drum pads for a clean execution.

“I Want More Than Just Blood” has been on heavy rotation for me all weekend, haunting my brain with its supremely eerie intro and blood curdling drum beat. The only thing that might stop you from dancing is the fear of tripping over a few severed body parts. 

Urban Gothic is currently available on black vinyl from Not Not Fun (killin’ it) and will most definitely sell out way before Halloween comes around. 

Guilty Ghosts - “Tinted Windows” (feat. Guerre)

YOU WERE SO HIGH.

Guilty Ghosts is the solo project of Brooklyn’s Tristan O’Donnell. In anticipation of his upcoming full-length debut entitled Veils, he has released a brand new track called “Tinted Windows.”Featuring the vocal talents of Sydney’s Lavurn Lee (a.k.a. Guerre), the song is a smoothed-out slow jam caught in a euphoric haze between ambient guitar-drone and cool R&B swag. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for Veils, which is scheduled to be released this June. Get lost in the fog.

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Ricky Eat Acid - “april two”

The music of Baltimore’s Sam Ray (Ricky Eat Acid, Mad Dads) has become a staple of this blog for good reason. Not only is his generous and personable nature ideal for steady correspondence, but his vast and versatile output of music never ceases to amaze. 

His latest piece, April, is a collection of six photographs taken from vintage postcards, each scored by an instrumental track. It was recorded on his childhood piano that he taught himself to play music on as a kid, with some gorgeous acoustic guitar work mixed in. Drawing upon familiar nostalgia to inspire brand new material, his sounds are serene and mature, tranquil and eternally beautiful. 

The April piece is presented in its intended form on its own Tumblr page with each track synced to its corresponding photograph. It is also available for download on the Ricky Eat Acid bandcamp page.

Like staring into the reflection of a colorful tree branch in a bottomless puddle of rain.

Lizard Kisses - “Slow Bones”

Brooklyn-based duo Lizard Kisses have just released a couple of lovely new songs on French digital singles label Beko. “Slow Bones” is a dreamy folk-pop ballad with gorgeous acoustic harmonies. Download the single from Beko along with its equally delightful companion track “Bottom Dollar.”

Lizard Kisses’ Beko 83 single is also being released on a unique and innovative physical format. The songs have been recorded on a CD-Record which can be played in a CD player as well as on a turntable. Unfortunately it will not play in your tape deck, don’t push your luck. The CD-Record even comes with an exclusive bonus song called “Hirono.”

The band demos the CD-Record in a video here, where you can place your order for this one-of-a-kind physical release.

Follow these cuties on the Tumblr.

COOLRUNNINGS - “Megalomania”

[Dracula is Only the Beginning, Dracula Horse, 2011]

“Guitarded” post-punk/surf-rock bros COOLRUNNINGS have a new full length out to sizzle your brain. The album contains some reworked favorites and fresh new tunes of fuck-you-anthems and burned out ballads. “Megalomania” is their latest synth jam and one of the darkest tracks on the album, a breezy ballad withering with an ambiance of dim city lights. Overall the album is a lot of fun, especially with polished versions of recent demos such as “Chorus,” “Jesse,” and “Burnout.”

You can stream the Dracula is Only the Beginning LP on bandcamp or download it for five bucks. Check out some more rad tunes from COOLRUNNINGS and other artists on the Dracula Horse website.

High Wolf - “Swallow Your Pills With Ganga River Water”

[A Guide to Healing 7”, Bathetic, 2011]

“If you dive into the Ganges River - the purest water on earth according to the Hindus, the most polluted and unhealthy according to science - hold your breath and open your ears, this music is what you’ll hear.”

When I close my eyes, the colors I see…

Open up your chakras and fire up the bong for this transcendental new b-side from enigmatic psych producer High Wolf. Acoustic sound loops of dizzying exotica will lift the mind to outer realms and distant planes.

This track is part of a 7” inspired by High Wolf’s eye-opening travels in India. A Guide to Healing is currently out on Bathetic Records. You can purchase the record alongside the single ”Free Your Energy Field” from the label’s website. Strap on some headphones and dive into your liquid shrine.

ALBUM RELEASE: Two Bicycles - The Ocean

[Crash Symbols, April 5, 2011]

AUDIO: Two Bicycles - “Swim in the Moonlight.” Cover art collage by Jheri Evans. 

As you may already know, Two Bicycles is the ambient instrumental side project of Canada’s favorite bedroom artist Teen Daze. If you haven’t already experienced the beauty of this album, you are missing out. The Ocean is a deeply reflective concept piece inspired by a night spent at sea. (Read Jamison’s personal description of the album and stream the tracklist here.)

You can purchase the digital download of the album right now directly from the Two Bicycles bandcamp, which comes with The Ocean (Epilogue), a free bonus EP of additional material. If you fancy a physical format, you can pre-order the cassette from Crash Symbols. Either way, be sure to give this one a listen.

T E A M S - “Stunts”

[Dxys Xff, AMDISCS, 2011]

Sean Bowie (a.k.a. Teams) throws down hard on his latest release Dxys Xff. His full-length album of swagged-out, (mostly) instrumental hip-hop glam is available for digital download on bandcamp. Boogie down to this funky, bass slappin’ groove called “Stunts.” It’s the sound of solid beats swelling out of a retro boxing arena turned disco dance floor, but it certainly isn’t the only track that packs a punch. The album also features some dope collaborations with Ra Cailum, Persona La Ave, and Bobbi Dahl.

Stream/download Dxys Xff from bandcamp or Soundcloud. The physical release is scheduled to drop on May 25th from AMDISCS.