Beach Fossils-Careless

Though 2013 hasn’t even started yet, that hasn’t stopped the illustrious New York record label known as Captured Tracks from spilling the news on their first release for the upcoming year. If you’re anything like me then you probably can’t get enough of the carefree and romantic jangle pop sounds of Brooklyn’s Beach Fossils and in case you didn’t think that next year was already looking to be off to a great start, the band will be dropping their sophomore LP titled Clash The Truth on February 19th. News of Clash The Truth also came the fresh single “Careless” and if you needed a reason to get excited then this is it. Though the track still carries that trademark Beach Fossils vibe, it’s apparent that the band has matured and they’re ready to dazzle their fans once again. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played this track and with it’s steady, fast paced rhythms and overall charming and hazy atmosphere, it’s pretty easy to do so. Be sure to mark your calenders for February 19th and afterwards, head over to Captured Tracks’ soundcloud to grab the track for free.

HOLIDAYS-Only In Dreams

After reading the influences for this next group on bandcamp I instantly knew I’d be a fan and of course as soon as I hit play I found that it was right up my alley. HOLIDAYS is a surf rock/ dream pop band from Rome that I discovered this morning by way of their record label Keep It Yours. Their debut LP Young Love has already become a favorite of mine in such a short amount of time. They draw influences from Captured Tracks’ artists Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils as well as from the beachy sounds of Real Estate. This album could easily be one of the top for feel good dream pop release of he first half of the year. It’s full of vibrant atmospheres, jangly guitars, gleaming synths, and sounds that call for warm days spent in the sun. You can stream Young Love on bandcamp along with their prior single “Red Tie” and the 7” Believe. While you’re there don’t forget to grab “Only In Dreams” for free.

Heavenly Beat-Messiah

The guys of Beach Fossils always seem to be making buzz for themselves whether it’s with their trademark beachy sounds or with the solo projects of some of their members. I’ve featured guitarist Cole Smith’s psychadelic/ new wave creation, DIIV on the blog a few times before but this time it’s all about their bassist John Pena. John makes music under the alias Heavenly Beat and after releasing the 7” dreamy wonders that are Sunday and Faithless he’s back with a debut album. “Messiah” is the first single from the forthcoming LP Talent, due out via Captured Tracks on July 24th. This track has that same mellowed vibe found on most of Beach Fossils work but even still it’s a far cry from sounding too much like the band, which can be a problem that a fair amount of solo projects encounter. Right from the start it kicks off with pulsating electronics and then coasts into a dream pop wonderland provided by a lush synths, melliflous guitar riffs, and Pena’s soothing vocal melodies. For some reason it reminds me of something you’d hear while models walk down the catwalk but only if that catwalk was on the beach and the song was more chilled out. I hope that makes sense. Regardless, Heavenly Beat has certainly landed on my radar and I’ll be marking my calendar as I anxiously await July 24th. Recommended for fans of Noble Oak, Beach Fossils, and Spanish Prisoners.

Craft Spells-Talk About The Past

I’m sure everyone knows by now how much I love the Captured Tracks label for their roster of amazing artists as well as their shoegaze archives but recently they’ve also started something else that I’m very fond of. Amidst the success of their first Gruesome Flowers 7”, which is a tribute to 80’s post punk band The Wake with covers done by CT artists, the label decided to continue by doing a series. Part 1 included songs taken on by Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils and on record store day a few weeks ago the second part was released including Blouse and Craft Spells. Justin Valleros aka Craft Spells has crafted his own brand of dream pop by using lush guitar melodies, blissful synths, and new wave style vocals. With Gallery EP about to drop on the 15th and it seems like Valleros is certainly keeping busy and “Talk About The Past” gives us fans a little something to hold us off for these next two weeks. Unfortunately both of the Gruesome Flowers releases are currently unavailable through the site but you can stream his LP Idle Labor on via soundcloud and check out “Leave My Shadow” by heading over to PerfectMidnightWorld.

Ducktails-Killin The Vibe

I’m probably a bit late when it comes to tonight’s first artist but it’s something I had to share regardless. Ducktails is the solo project of Matthew Mondanile, guitarist for the New Jersey indie band Real Estate. While deriving some of the same chilled out , beachy atmosphere from his main band, Ducktails offers more of a psychedelic feel full of jangly guitars and spaced out effects. Also I’ve got to say that I’m really digging Mondanile’s lo-fi/chillwaveish type of vocals. If you’re a fan of Real Estate I’d definitely recommend listening to this and vise versa. I’d also check this out if you’re into Dive or Beach Fossils. It’s something nice to just lay back and relax too if you’ve have a hard day or you’re just looking for something to help you drift away. His latest album is titled Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics and it’s available to order through his website along with his prior three releases. To hear some more tracks from Ducktails be sure to visit his bandcamp. 

Best Friends-Grow Up

It’s surfs up this morning and good vibes all around. Even though I’ve never been surfing before, Sheffield four piece surf rock/ garage pop band Best Friends sure makes me want to go run out to the nearest beach and do so. Similar to artists such as Surfer Blood and a more fast paced Beach Fossils, Best Friends is definitely a feel good band and a pick me up for any bad day. Their sound is full of 70’s lo-fi haziness, jangly guitars, and a fun poppy youthful nature. For some reason the chocobo theme from Final Fantasy 7 just came to mind but that’s besides the point. The bands motto is SHRED TILL YOUR DEAD and if you’re going to then why not stop by bandcamp first and pick up their two eps from Art Is Hard Records. Their first self titled ep is available for whatever price you choose and their latest ep Throwing Up can be picked  up for $4.78. Don’t forget to head over to their soundcloud page to hear more tunes from these guys.