The romantic balladeer Freddy Monday provides us with “Passing By Hours,” a sublime and melodic single that I can’t resist. Check it out on Apple Music—next, a shout-out to Stonedog, with a freebie that hits the sweet spot on its opener, “Time Machine,” and the late 70s guitar riffs come out on the impressive “Hourglass.” The always-interesting Michael Slawter has an EP with experimental power pop, and it’s worth your time. All the songs are cool, but check out the jangling “Down to Witness” and rocking “Little Mind” to get a taste. It’s Karma It’s Cool are back with some summer music and we get those buzzing “Autumn Recruits.” The Stone Souls have a few singles out, and this is the latest, a surf-styled tune with horns on “No Sense of Time (It’s Alright).” Enjoy that summer sun and the music, it’s June!
Category: free downloads
Tax day singles: Lindsay Murray, Orbis Max, Fallon Cush, Tony Marisco,The Krayolas, Tommy Keene, The Blusterfields
March singles: Luke of Ulysses, Willie Dowling, The Amplifier Heads, Chaft, Softjaw
New month, and new singles! ‘Car Trouble’ is the debut solo single from Luke of Ulysses (UK Psych-Glam revival pioneers Ulysses). Luke played all the instruments and sang, except for a guest spot from his wife, Lily, as a hot French alien in the video. See the Bandcamp below for more! Willie Dowling has another single (“The Cure”) from his upcoming album to share (as a freebie), and The Amplifier Heads turn up the guitars and sax as it’s more rockin’ aliens. I had never heard of Chaft before, but I will be looking into this smart pop rocker from Norfolk, Massachusetts. Each of these 3 songs hit the mark, beautifully written and mixed. Finally, a solid single from California band Softjaw. “Waiting at the End” is a meat-and-potatoes power pop song along with a second single, “Pleased With Me” completed this month. Both deserve to be heard, and I hope a full-length LP is in the works.
February singles are here: Flying Underground, Late Cambrian, Extra Arms, Real Estate, Willie Dowling, François Premiers
I am still finding lots of great music that shouldn’t be swept under the rug because it’s a new year. Flying Underground is a terrific Cincinnati, Ohio band that deserves your attention with its debut album. The video above has really good sound and showcases Kelly McCracken’s great lead vocal. My friends, Late Cambrian have modified their sound on “Late Bloomer” to have a more melodic vibe, and I love it. Extra Arms is back with a bunch of strong riffs on its new single, “Gates of Steel.” The band Real Estate has a new album coming out, and what I hear so far is excellent songwriting. We still have a freebie for you with Willie Dowling‘s “The Simpleton,” a cool narrative of a protagonist, and dig that piano solo midway through! French band François Premiers has a glammy gem with the “Salamander Shuffle,” and that riff just sticks in your head. Great music continues!
Top 20 EPs of 2023 and some January gifts
This year’s top EP list had to grow in several respects. To begin, there has been a marked decline in the release of albums compared to the explosive growth of singles and EPs, and this trend is likely to continue; moreover, the melodies produced by EP performers are often more lively and experimental. BTW, my definition of an EP is an album with 9 songs or less. Most of these have been featured, and a few I just never got around to posting. All are listenable on Bandcamp! Thanks for your patience!
- Gizmo “Buddy System”
- Half Catholic “Art In Heaven”
- The Shang Hi Los “Aces Eights & Heartbreaks”
- Råttanson “Trebled Region”
- Girl with a Hawk “Keep ‘er Lit”
- The Blakes “New Tattoo Outtakes”
- House of Jed “House of Jed”
- Dazy “Otherbody”
- Strange Neighbors “Party of None”
- Kid Gulliver “Kiss & Tell”
- Einstein’s Sister “Exit Strategies”
- Clone “Knock Out Drops Vol. 2”
- The Photocopiers – Million Sellers
- Jamie Hoover “Top Banana”
- Dave Birk “Fool Around”
- Julez and The Rollerz “Is There Where The Party Is?”
- Andy Bopp “Space Camp”
- Ken Kase “Ken Kase”
- Peter Hall “About Last Night”
- Grand Drifter “Paradise Window”
As a bonus I have some new freebies! Mostly from 2023 All these albums are “name-your-price” but these are all high quality. I know music fans appreciate this pricing model, and I hope you donate to them so they can continue making great music.