BEDON, “Untitled”

BEDON, “Untitled”

Break-up songs don’t have a set template, but they’re rarely as tender as Bedon’s “Untitled” manages to be. Atop consistent hi-hat taps and loose blues guitar stomp, Bedon’s plaintive refrain that “I won’t deny it, I’ll cherish the times we’ve shared/We’re very different people in the end” feels reflective without a hint of self-pity or regret. The Motown-inspired orchestration certainly helps keep “Untitled” from tipping over into sentimentality, as with the song’s electrifying bridge that lets the crooned line “I’m tired of talking/Won’t you speak for me?” make way for a stirring horn solo. Bedon balances detachment and determination into a blue-eyed soul rocker with thrilling results.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #94 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

See more: https://www.facebook.com/bedontunes/

Schoolboy Cubemaster, What Matters Only

Schoolboy Cubemaster, What Matters Only

What matters only at the end of the day? This dreamy pop song – this beautiful art – this matters at the end of the day. To me it still feels pretty – even though I feel low. Cinnamon says this song is “Garfunkley” – and what she means is this vocal line is so gorgeous. This is simple acoustic guitar and layered vocals and then electronic sounds waves – and it feels so pretty and punk and fresh at the same time.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #93 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Sweetheart Sebastian, Fille Stupide

Sweetheart Sebastian, Fille Stupide

Do you like Canadian music? I like Canadian music. Don’t you like Canadian music? Baby. Sweet Sebastian shoves together the most catchy sing-along hooks hidden just below the surface. Like The Pixies, these guys walk that fine line between pop and weird. There’s experimental music when the creator doesn’t truly understand song – and then there is experimental music when the creator knows song. They know song and pretty noises. Such pretty noises.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #93 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

https://sweetheartsebastian.bandcamp.com/track/fille-stupide

Lala Lala, Fantasy Movie

Lala Lala, Fantasy Movie

Fantasies abound in the dreamlike trance of synth heavy and soothing song Fantasy Movie by Lala Lala. Female/Male octave singing pulls you deep into a loving dream, and wraps you in the low fidelity warmth of an optimistic future. Tangibility of fantasy through poetic wordplay grabs the heart strings, and the heartbeat pounding of the drum beat carries the song into the type of dashboard love longing that yearns to be replicated in reality. “Tell me how it feels when you walk in the room” You don’t want to wake up to that empty bed, and tunes like this can prevent such an occasion from transpiring.

“Maybe its not real, but I can feel it when we sing” Yeah, well, me too.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #93 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Mopac, Burn & Soothe

Mopac, Burn & Soothe

Sometimes a song is just layered right, with all the space and shining chords in the right places over deliberate drums and powerful bass. It starts in a building of layers, a coming of power, and the void represented in methodical instrumentation and short clever silences between. The story would unfold whether the lyrics existed or not, I am certain. But thankfully they do… The wonderful female voice sings about slithering into the covers after shedding her skin, with a demon and another playing nice in the night. I feel the touch and go, impatience for presence, and the existential positioning of one’s self on the edge for experience. Fleeting longed-for love and the leaving’s lingering absence do the burning and soothing, and it comes across like a good thing.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #93 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://mopac.bandcamp.com/track/burn-soothe

The Scaners, X-Ray Glasses On

The Scaners, X-Ray Glasses On

Mapping territories that exist between Thee Oh Sees and Blinded Me With Science synth/guitar riffing, X-Ray Glasses: On is hooking the whole way through. Its apparent that the bass guitarist is driving this beast along at speed. The distorted vocal describes visual scratches, night vision (x-ray vision too I suppose), with monotone chill that matches the party robot vibe. This is what strobe lights in a glow party sound like, sweaty, dark, mysteriously upbeat, and totally against the rules. X-Ray specs might not be needed at any party this song is soundtrack to.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #93 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://thescaners.bandcamp.com/album/x-ray-glasses-on-7-single

Ep 96 – `Apocalypse Now’ FEAT: Newcastle, Partition, Hotdoggrrrl and the Sesame Buns, Vaadat Charigim, Paint Fumes

Ep 96 – `Apocalypse Now’ FEAT: Newcastle, Partition, Hotdoggrrrl and the Sesame Buns, Vaadat Charigim, Paint Fumes

Best of the underground, week of March 10, 2020: Tips for enjoying the apocalypse. How John’s hubris ruined SXSW. The one instrument that will definitely make money for your band. Also, SEVEN fantastic songs, one of which is a bonus. (All podcasts and reviews are on our newly-unhacked website, www.hlycrp.com, and you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.) Artists! We like you, good work. We’re all in this garbage together

This week we played:

Hadavhar by Vaadat Charigim

Cemetery Date by Newcastle

Cowboy Mouth by Partition

999 by Paint Fumes

And Only Good with His Hands and My Cat is So Fat (not yet released) by Hotdoggrrrl and the Sesame Buns

 

Ep 95 – `Shambolic’ FEAT: Dinner Time, Rich Girls, Acne, Floating Action, House Cat, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs 

Ep 95 – `Shambolic’ FEAT: Dinner Time, Rich Girls, Acne, Floating Action, House Cat, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs 

Best of the underground, week of March 3, 2020: SO MUCH MUSIC! And: Ether, vocabulary, more facts about Johnson City, and introducing Cinnamon’s Craft Corner. Also, SEVEN fantastic songs, one of which is a bonus. (All podcasts and reviews are on our newly-unhacked website, www.hlycrp.com, and you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.) Artists! We like you, good work. MARCH!

Here’s what we played this week:

Walden Park by Dinner Time

Better by Rich Girls

Magic 8 Ball by Acne

Matador by Floating Action

Girlfriend by House Cat

Call of the Road by Jenny Don’t and the Spurs

 

ANTHONY WARDEN, “What in the World”

ANTHONY WARDEN, “What in the World”

The underground is not afraid of sweetness. Anthony Warden’s song “What in the World” is the sweetest of confections. Drum machine. Synth arpeggiator. Strings. And gorgeous harmonies over the lines “What in the world could it be? Could it be? It’s alright.” This is the perfect example of the beauty of simplicity – this song sticks in your head and you will be humming this tune afterwards. Cinnamon thinks this song should be in movie credits…

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #92 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://anthonyworden.bandcamp.com/track/what-in-the-world