My best bets on another great year for music, old and new. (Never mind the cranks, here’s the good stuff as ever.) Hope this little list inspires you to find, or give a second look to, a few cool releases you might miss otherwise that you end up truly loving.
UK-based electronic collective Broads teams up with folk singer-songwriter Milly Hirst on an expansive and calming track.
Former frontman of Inca Babies, Manchester-based Harry Stafford is releasing a new album soon of music he dubs Gothic urban blues.
Ian Vanek (ex-Japanther) returns with his long-running punk/art rock project Howardian with a colorful video for a jaunty, catchy single.
New Yorker and singer-songwriter Josephine, recording with two other musicians, delivers a soulful to spirited vintage-pop album.
London-based dark indie rock outfit Officer, led by Dc Logan, delivers a lyrically poetic and powerful, driving track from their upcoming LP.
Veteran NYC (by way of Chicago) musician Jonny Polonsky (Puscifer, Big Nose, many other collaborations) returns with a new album.
Upstate NYC-based artist Luis Mojica will soon be on tour to regale East Coast audiences with his confessional, piano-driven songs.
Brandon Phillips (The Architects, Other Americans) goes solo with a dark, but sleek synths and electronics based solo project.
Tampa-based indie/alt-rock band DieAlps! unveil an engaging performance video for an exciting track off their upcoming second full-length.
Alt-folk/rock singer-songwriter Dan Tedesco unveils a socio-politically perceptive and powerful EP that follows up last year’s full-length.
New York/Minneapolis symphonic pop duo The Brilliance release a reflective video for their engaging classical/trip-pop hybrid number.
LA-based hardcore outfit Arcline recently dropped their latest raw and raging album Gateway Drugs via Upstate Records.
The LA-based avant-garde musician will release a new EP in March via Cautionary Tail that follows up her acclaimed debut album.
Alberta Cross’ Petter Stakee teams up with French author Alexandre Diego Gary (son of actress Jean Seberg and Romain Gary) on a new album and short film.
Dayton, OH-based space-pop/fuzz-rock band XL427 (led by Andy Ingram) launch a vibrant, melodic, and lyrically perceptive LP.
Pop singer-songwriter and Doctor Sleep actress Emily Lind releases a day-after-festivities cover of a Sufjan Stevens song.
Take a listen to a collection of the latest Christmas-/winter-themed tracks to make your holidays merry and bright – and tuneful.
Minneapolis-based pop-rock band Muun Bato drop a new video for a hazy to vivid, psychedelic track off their debut album.
Acclaimed Eastern European dream-pop/shoegaze outfit Pia Fraus return with a captivating single ahead of an equally enchanting new album.
Seattle-based synthpop artist Watch Clark (AKA Paul Furio) drops a Christmas-themed tune to brighten up the holidays.
Indie pop rising star Nari drops a sweetly reminiscent storytelling video for an ode-to-friendship song, out now via Park The Van Records.
Portland, OR-based psychedelic-steeped alt-/dream-rock band Dream Wulf unveils their new vivid, powerful, and captivating double EP.
Georgia-based singer-songwriter Sara Rachele recorded her latest album in NYC and the allure of the city shines through on her new video.
Mysterious musician Ben Collins, at the head of Minihorse, unveils a dreamily wistful video for a track off the project’s latest album.
Kiev, Ukraine-based electronica/dance pop artist 6th Crowd (AKA Dari Maksymova) gets listeners’ groove on with her dynamic debut single.
The renowned frontman of Pulp and solo artist is in a bid to get his evergreen and socio-politically relevant track to #1 (with Rough Trade approval).
In celebration of Creation Records’ spirit, the event takes place in Los Angeles on December 20th at The Hi Hat.
Renowned power-pop band Big Star’s highly influential LPs #1 Record and Radio City get the reissue treatment on vinyl via Craft Recordings.
Pittsburgh-based dream-pop band Flower Crown release a fun on-the-road video chronicle that contrasts with their hazily dreamy and melodic music.
Good news! Big Takeover #85 Fall 2019 issue with Vivian Girls on the cover is out now! Super gifts: Big Takeover Magazine Subscriptions and Back Issues (like the big enchilada, complete set 1980-2019)! Plus six children’s sizes for our T-Shirts (to go with several Men’s and Women’s sizes) in three colors, as well as our Big Takeover Beer Cozies and (signed if you like) Color 30th Anniversary Festival Posters!
German shoegaze/synthwave band Seasurfer (Dirk Knight and Apolonia) unveil a brooding and sweeping tune (and video) from their upcoming LP.
Joshua Tree-dwelling dark folk/Americana songwriter Grant Earl LaValley offers up a mesmerizing, emotive slow-burner from his upcoming LP.
The band was formed and is led by Nate Zerbe and their single “Sway” gets a hypnotic remix from Slowdive drummer Simon Scott.
Scottish jangle-/power pop band Dropkick drop a melodic, harmonic tune with a joyously uplifting video that features their fans from around the globe.
Vancouver-based Canadian/Irish psychedelic music band The Orange Kyte unveil a trippy new video for a single off their latest album.
UK-based pop singer JASH drops his new piano-laden, heartfelt single with proceeds from its sale benefiting a UK charity for neglected dogs.
LA (via Indiana) indie pop singer-songwriter meshes cerebral lyrics with heartfelt emotions on a new CGI video for a brisk and wistful song.
Veteran NYC art-rock/punk band Disturbed Furniture have reformed and release a spirited missive accompanied by a vintage footage video.
Power pop punkers The Whiffs whip up a tasty, stirring, and satisfying sonic stew on their debut album out via Dig! Records.
Liverpool’s The Room in The Wood stick it to the upper class in new ‘Charmed’ single, out via A Turntable Friend.
Veteran hardcore musician Duncan Barlow (Endpoint, Guilt, By the Grace of God) returns on an engaging solo outing of guitar-based indie pop.
Neo-folk singer-songwriter Jo Beth Young, recording as RISE, unveils a contemplative video for an emotionally intense song.
Postpunk pioneers The Membranes and Kitty Lectro team up for stunning ‘Nocturnal’ EP.
NYC-based post-apocalyptic disco/funk/punk 20-strong brass and drums outfit Funkrust Brass Band release a spirited and fun video.
Canadian rock ‘n’ roll/pop band Sunday Morning drop a gritty, vivid, and rousing piano-rock number from their upcoming independent EP.
LA-based Mod/psych-pop band The Gentle Cycle, led by Derek See (Rain Parade, The Chocolate Watchband) unveil a vintage-vibe video.
British indie pop/rock band Beat Hotel, formed from veteran musicians, will release their self-titled mini-LP in late January.
Arizona-based band Audra, once a fixture on Projekt Records, releases their first album in 10 years that deals with loss and letting go.
Milwaukee-based psych-pop/rock band Trolley release a Paisley Underground-esque single as a taster for their upcoming 5th LP.
