Tag Archives: USA

Polaroid

2086427237-1Polaroid by Matt Sztyk   (Sydney/New Jersey)

 
 

To best compliment the talents of New Jersey young music veteran Matt Sztyk, I would resort to quoting him directly from the hook in his ‘Polaroid‘ single and say, Matt, you make EVERYTHING good. There is nothing like a self-funded, DIY project that has every quality of a big budget release; beautiful production, arrangement and songwriting topped off with a great hard copy package. Matt has been a native of the NJ music scene for years until heading to school down under in Sydney, Australia where he continues to build a local following with new players. It seems only fitting of our international DIY manifesto to plug a guy who literally takes his music all over the world and remains infinitely positive and productive. You may also remember when we featured his brother Charles Keith Sztyk a few months ago; that’s right folks, this is a family endeavor and there is plenty more music to come. Stay on the look out for Matt Sztyks’ next release The Drift. @thinknotsleep

What We Want

rsz_375458091-1What We Want by Goodman   (Providence, Rhode Island)*

 
 

In this collection of bittersweet, indie pop gems, the twenty-two year old Michael Goodman has succinctly captured the realities of a romance–all the regrets and insecurities, which are of course half the fun, and still a hope for a better next morning. The songs are sweetly earnest and never precious. At their center is Goodman himself in meticulous arrangements, sparking harmonies and lyrics reminiscent of at least one of my previous summers. It’s all there: the worthy intentions towards only halfhearted lovers,  grand plans made and then dashed, and the instant and incessant disappointment. You can’t help root for our hapless, if sympathetic hero, and when he’s let down by yet another obsession, you’ll want to be there, listening to his sad song. In music, as in love, Goodman is an idealist, though he seems to realize that he is better adept to the prior, not that this will ever discourage him. Let’s not call Goodman naive. He knows that while what we want is never completely clear, there’s not a chance we won’t be up all night talking our way through it anyway. @EmilioHerce 

Jason Mars

rsz_masonjarsJason Mars by Mason Jars   (Springfield, MA)

 

The Jason Mars EP ranges from chilled out tracks that aren’t too far from what you may have heard, to the repetitive vocal sample and heartbeat effect of ‘C’mon Pig.’ It’s so trippy, in a good way, that by the time the canned drum sample appears, it’s refreshing? Let’s get weird. [Free Download]  @AshleyCanino

It Felt Like Years, And Yet

3291652881-1It’s Felt Like Years, And Yet by WildYouth   (USA)

 

WildYouth’s It’s Felt Like Years, And Yet is a lo-fi gem. With the band being relatively new I was quite impressed with this EP. It’s seasoned with experimental shoegaze and indie lo-fi. Pour ingredients into a large bowl, mix in a bit of rock for edge and there you have it! A delicious mouthful of what WildYouth is ready to serve up. Now give me your bowl, I’ll give you a generous offering. @LeahLovecat

On Yr Side (Best New Music)

‘On Yr Side’ by Slow Magic   (United States) *

Proving once again that indeed you can break through, Slow Magic sits on the verge of global recognition.  Upping the social state constantly, this electronic producer has transformed the game without the attention desperation seen in so many other DIY acts.  Slow Magic releases, and you listen, period.  Ego tripping through the sweater lead sounds, ‘On Yr Side‘ is a mesmerizing track that requires a fluidity of spirit previously misconceived on an audio level.  @Dingusonmusic

Get Lost

Get Lost by Trash Kids   (United States)

There is something strange about Trash Kids that I really seem to like. I don’t know what it is, really. Perhaps its their boldness, their electro/punky/experimental sound that just jabs at you. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s those things but something tells me that there is more to it. I can’t figure it out, I can’t locate an exact emotion. Maybe that’s it. That feeling you can’t put a finger on. Get Lost is that album that make you tilt your head to the side and think “I like this. I don’t know why but I like this.” It’s really quite wonderful. You don’t feel like you have to ooze emotion just to form an opinion. I like it. That’s it. I don’t need a reason why. Lovecat

Rondeaux

Rondeaux by Rondeaux   (March 27, 2012)

In the spirit of everything that is ‘Drunk Girls‘, Rondeaux puts forth an album that, at first seems silly, but carries a real Beastie Boys type arrogance.  With everything simple and concise, personality is left to the lead vocals, which do not disappoint.  This self-titled debut is a complete one eighty from conventional cool, but I implore you, think of Cake.

Dingus

USA

USA by The Suits   (March 20, 2012) *

Speaking of New Cull, the new Suits album has been long in the making; going through a number of compositional shifts.  Frontman Evan Shinners, well, he’s a bit of a perfectionist and for a while I’ve had access to these demo tracks, recorded on a whim, infused with all sorts of DIY love, luring the man himself into releasing them.  Well, I’m happy to say this morning, that the brainstorm-offspring of all their hard work is finally here for download.  Grab yourself a copy and roll around in the afterbirth.

Optimum Skankus

‘Optimum Skankus’ by Quasarrz   (March 6, 2012) *

Optimum Skankus‘ takes Justice type textures and re-processes the idea within the sphere of hip-hop influence.  Bouncing back and forth, these short samples flail their arms around wildly, still coherently assembling themselves into that single file line, erupting on cue, on time- to deliver a robotic narrative.

 

‘☾’ by Slow Magic   (November 11, 2011) *

I can’t imagine, at this point, Slow Magic releasing a track I didn’t love.  And, just to prove he’s not done innovating on his own sound, we give you ‘☾’.  I’m gona just call it ‘moon’ and leave it at that.  Just when I thought I was done posting for the day…

- Dandelions