Joey Ryan & The Inks, The Needy Sons & Cape Snow

It’s been a while. I didn’t really plan on neglecting the blog for several weeks, but my body is still a total wreck and therefore the only goal I had for the last month was to just somehow get through each day. But now I’m finally on a three week holiday and I try to spend it on the thing I love the most, which is listening to new music. I will also have that cervical spine MRI done in a few weeks time and hopefully that will finally tell me what’s causing the continuous numbness on my left hand/leg. I sure would love to know. Anyway, here are some new songs that I really like. More to come very soon.

First we have a great new pop song from Joey Ryan & The Inks. I don’t know how have I managed to miss such a good american pop band for this long. After all, if you want a list of most used tags on my heart, #pop, #catchy, #60s pop, #sunshiny pop, #westcoast, all rank quite close to the top. Anyway, this is their new single Microscope and it’s an outtake from their forthcoming album due out later in 2015.

Joey Ryan and The Inks Website

needy

Next up is The Needy Sons and their debut single The Swimmer​ /​ Superficial Kid. I’ve been a big fan of Bill Janovitz since the 90s. Buffalo Tom is a special band, but it’s not just that. For example that Bill Janovitz and Crown Victoria album Fireworks on TV! is a way-too-unknown masterpiece (at least in this corner of the world). Anyway, Bill Janovitz has a new band called The Needy Sons that also features Mike Gent from The Figgs and Ed Valauskas and Eric Anderson. This is The Swimmer by The Needy Sons. I can’t wait to hear more.

The Needy Sons/Bill Janovitz at Bandcamp

cape

And let’s end this little blog post by something truly beautiful. Cape Snow’s debut album just came out on Burst & Bloom Records. I really love this first outtake One More Time. Unfortunately I haven’t heard anything else yet, but if the rest of it is equally good, I will be mesmerized. I probably should just take a leap of faith and buy it just based on this one amazing song. This falls somewhere between Mazzy Star and The Delines and if one has to fall, it would be hard to pick a better place. This is One More Time.

Cape Snow at Bandcamp

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Freschard – Shh.. & Ratboys – Aoid

freschard

Uk-based label Wiaiwya will be reissuing Freschard’s Shh.. on yellow vinyl in July. Pre-order is up now.. and well.. you know the deal. It’s Freschard. So it’s absolutely gorgeous. In fact absolutely perfect. It will move you and it will be make you smile. Five hearts any day of the week. Extremely monstrously highly recommended. This is Monsters from this future classic.

Wiaiwya at Bandcamp
Freschard at Facebook

aoid

Not entirely sure do like that cover art or the name band of the band, but 100% sure that I love the music and that’s what really counts. Aoid by Ratboys is a wonderful instantly catchy indie rock album and listening to it makes me rethink my current status as a sad bastard, because here I am smiling like an idiot instead of making art out of self-pity. Especially MCMXIV, Postman Song and Tixis are so awesome. Almost like an overdose of entertainment. Aoid is now out on Topshelf Records.

Ratboys at Facebook

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Leon Bridges – Coming Home & Woody Pines – Woody Pines

bridges

The major labels quite rarely get things right, but always credit when credit is due. Leon Bridges sure is awesome and it’s a pleasure to listen to this smooth old-fashioned soul/gospel sensation. This is definitely worth all the hype. If I really want to nitpick (which I don’t), occasionally the overall style, execution and delivery of the song is a bigger pleasure than the song itself. But who cares if a song or two are not that amazing as compositions, if I still love listening to every second of the album. Well done Leon Bridges. This is Better Man from his new album Coming Home that is out now on Columbia Records.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgS_xob1x4A]

Leon Bridges Website

woodypines

More old-fashioned sounds, but from another angle. A long-time favourite Woody Pines from Nashville, Tennessee just released a new self-titled album. This one is out on Muddy Roots. So major label for Woody Pines is not yet a reality. Only in my dreams I suppose. Anyway, it’s a mighty fine album in the american tradition. Old timey roots music, folk, blues, ragtime combined with a small hint of modern flavours. Fabulous stuff and so damn enjoyable. Extremely highly recommended. This is Make it To the Woods from the new album.

Woody Pines Website

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Darrin Bradbury, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Elijah Ocean

darrinbradbury

A quick post about a few really good new EPs that are worth of your attention.

First there’s Darrin Bradbury’s new Story Of Bob EP that came out last week. I think it was Popa’s Tunes that first introduced this songwriter to me a year or two ago. I’ve been following him ever since and he is getting better all the time. This new EP is a very good release full of gorgeous storytelling. This is Bob from the new EP Story Of Bob.

Darrin Bradbury Website

aaronlee

I’ve posted this song before, but a reminder is in order because Aaron Lee Tasjan has a new EP Telling Stories To The Wall out there in the world and I still love this song. Everyone’s got an opinion, but I’m not sure do I really need one, because I fully agree with Aaron’s opinion in the end of this song. This is Living Proof from the new Aaron Lee Tasjan EP.

Aaron Lee Tasjan Website

elijah

This one is not an EP, but definitely worth a mention. Californian country/folk songwriter Elijah Ocean has released a couple of very good albums during the past few years. I’m not sure have I written about them, but it’s a crime if I haven’t. Anyway, he just released a double a-side digital single a while back and I really like both of these. This is I Left My One​-​Spot (Back at the 5​-​Spot).

Elijah Ocean Website

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