Indie Shuffle » gardens & villa

Generationals – Put a Light On

Justin Lam — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:33:05 +0000

Sounds like: Givers, POP ETC, STRFKR

Song: Generationals - Put a Light On [download here]

What's so good?

Truth be told, I didn’t really enjoy the last couple of releases from Generationals, but this latest single, “Put a Light On,” from their new LP Heza, rings true with me this time round. The New Orleans duo have taken their time to craft something quite special here; it’s the perfect little pop piece sprinkled with copious amounts of sugar and happiness.

It’s just the sort of song that will instantly make you feel insanely happy with its chiming bells, excessive handclaps and overall poppy charm. Perhaps I’ve rekindled my interest in the LP since hearing “Lucky Numbers,” and I’m hoping for plenty more songs to follow suit, fingers crossed.

Perfect way to start the weekend!

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1. Original post: Generationals – Put a Light On

2. Posted in: indie pop, synth-pop, indie, dream pop, pop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)

Rhett Flowers — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:32:06 +0000

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Sounds like: Thee Oh Sees, White Denim, Hundred Visions

Song: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) [download here]

What's so good?

Unknown Mortal Orchestra are pretty hard to pin down as far as what “sound” they have. Their debut self-titled album was all over the place musically, and was one of the more interesting albums put out in 2011.

Now they’ve announced that they’ll be putting out a second record on Jagjaguwar records, due out in February, which be will titled II. If their first album was any indicator, this should be another journey into their crazy musical minds, where anything can happen.

I was surprised when I first heard this first single from II, as it is a pretty sing-songy melody about loneliness. It’s a lot more stripped down and song-oriented than most of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s tunes. Could this be them heading in a newer direction? We’ll see once the album drops.

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1. Original post: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)

2. Posted in: indie rock, psychedelic, alternative, lo-fi, real estate

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – I’ll Come Back 4 U

Christiana Bartolini — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:28:25 +0000

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Sounds like: Real Estate, Animal Collective, Gardens & Villa

Song: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - I'll Come Back 4 U [download here]

What's so good?

Unknown Mortal Orchestra is back with their single, “I’ll Come Back 4 U,” a track they wrote for Adult Swim’s Singles Program. They’re only one of many reputable acts included in this program such as Wavves, the Field, Death Grips, Flying Lotus, Elite Gymnastics and more.

“I’ll Come Back 4 U” starts with a fade in, as if you’re just joining the party that’s been raging for the past day and a half. The bass line leads the track into an infectiously catchy psychedelic pop song. There’s a highly energetic vibe throughout the song which is projected through the intricately picked electric guitar, the classic danceable tempo and, of course, the poppy bass. The vocals are drenched in lo-fi reverb, which gives this track a nice retro DIY feel.

This song is short, sweet and straight to the point. Perfect for an eventful summer day. It makes you wonder what the other featured Singles Program has in store for Adult Swim viewers and music enthusiasts alike. Stay tuned!

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1. Original post: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – I’ll Come Back 4 U

2. Posted in: indie rock, indie pop, experimental, psychedelic, lo-fi

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Hooray For Earth – True Loves

monicam — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:14:13 +0000

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Sounds like: Yeasayer, Purity Ring, Cut Copy, Animal Collective

Song: Hooray For Earth - True Loves [download here]

What's so good?

The first time I heard Hooray For Earth was when I saw their video for the band’s single and title track off their album True Loves. It was my favorite song as well as my favorite music video of 2011, and I must have played it hundreds of times. But it still sounds special and fresh to me.

I listen to a lot of music, and I like a lot of bands. Some of them I like because their music is fun or has a good beat or good lyrics, or they remind me of another band I like. Every now and then though, I come across a band that really makes me feel something when I listen to their music. Hooray For Earth is one of those bands. Whenever I hear their music I want to close my eyes and ignore everything else and just listen.

“True Loves” is an epic track. I was a bit obsessed with it for a while and have posted probably about 20 comments on the band’s Facebook page asking when True Loves was going to get distribution in Australia. I finally got sick of waiting, managed to pull some strings and get their album sent to me about a week ago, and I’ve been listening to virtually nothing else since then.

I bought Hooray For Earth’s EP Momo online (even though the shipping cost more than the album itself) after hearing “True Loves” because I thought the track would be on it. Sadly, it wasn’t, and I didn’t love Momo at first — but, it definitely grew on me. Momo was more experimental than what I’d heard from True Loves, but hey, I didn’t like Animal Collective when I first heard them either.

Honestly, I was expecting that it would be an OK album and that “True Loves” would be the standout track, but I was oh-so-happily wrong. The entire album is a solid display of slightly experimental but still melodic tunes. Standout tracks are “Sails,” “True Loves,” “Same,” “No Love,” “Bring Us Closer Together” — well, yeah. Pretty much the whole album.

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1. Original post: Hooray For Earth – True Loves

2. Posted in: Electronic, indie rock, experimental, animal collective, cut copy

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

The Stepkids – Legend In My Own Mind

Christiana Bartolini — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:00:14 +0000

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Sounds like: Sly Stone, CANT, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Song: The Stepkids - Legend In My Own Mind [download here]

What's so good?

Meet The Stepkids, an experimental pop funk psychedelia band from Connecticut. Their self-titled album is out now, full of pleasant meshed up musical surprises.

When I first heard the track “Legend In My Own Mind,” a few genre’s came to mind: 70s disco funk with some psychedelic rock and even a little soulful doo-wop vocals. Sly Stone, anyone? Whatever influences these three dudes grew up with is obviously working for them. The trio has individually played with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, and numerous other R&B artists. Makes sense, right? Their music is tasteful, infectiously catchy, retro, and modern… yet not overdone. Did I mention fun? This song is just a ton of fun.

Speaking of fun… the video for this single is so completely humorous. I couldn’t stop smiling during the entire thing. I urge you to check it out here. I also urge you to check out the rest of what The Stepkids has to offer. These guys are bringing the funk and there’s no telling what they’re going to do next.

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1. Original post: The Stepkids – Legend In My Own Mind

2. Posted in: indie rock, experimental, dance, psychedelic, rock

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Voxhaul Broadcast – Leaving On The 5th

Lauren Sloss — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:00:07 +0000

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Sounds like: Gardens & Villa, Apex Manor, Generationals

Song: Voxhaul Broadcast - Leaving On The 5th [download here]

What's so good?

When it comes to the Northern-Southern California battle, I weigh in firmly and decidedly on the Northern side of the state. However, I will concede that over the course of this summer, Southern California bands have been turning out some truly excellent indie pop.

Tightly produced and shot through with elements of catchy pop hooks, “Leaving On The 5th” by Orange County band Voxhaul Broadcast is a prime example of this new Southern California sound.

Off their new album Timing Is Everything, “Leaving On The 5th” employs a rock sensibility to an excellent pop tune, keeping it upbeat and light while upping the tempo and volume of their harmonies.

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1. Original post: Voxhaul Broadcast – Leaving On The 5th

2. Posted in: indie rock, indie pop, generationals, gardens & villa, voxhaul broadcast

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa

Lauren Sloss — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:11 +0000

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Sounds like: MGMT, Neon Indian

Song: Gardens & Villa - Thorn Castles [download here]

What's so good?

To continue with my theme of college bands growing up, meet Gardens & Villa hailing from the paradise-posing-as-a-campus UCSB. (No, I didn’t go there. I went to school on the cold East Coast and, visiting a friend, found myself at a party overlooking the beach and the Pacific. “I’M AN IDIOT,” I exclaimed. Anyway…) The band focuses on the idyll of the Santa Barbara lifestyle in their self-titled debut album, and the effect is as easy-going and intoxicating as a few days in those environs can be. Their name even comes straight from Santa Barbara — the group lived together on Villa Street, and had a garden at the house where they spent some time.

However, the more I listen to Gardens & Villa, the more their dreamlike sound reminds me of New York art-scene rock. It’s thanks to the sophistication of their production and the tightness of their hooks; for example, “Orange Blossom” has beats and loops that are pure Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club. But, the laid back spirit of the lyrics pull the album back to the West Coast; “Chemtrails” evokes warm, smoke-haze-filled afternoons on the beach where, “dandelions fly high through the marmalade sky.”

Talking about California psych-rock… I can’t help but love “Spacetime.” If Jim Morrison and the Doors had messed around with indie music, this might be the result.

Gardens & Villa’s self-titled album drops July 5 on Secretly Canadian. Road trip to Santa Barbara, anyone?

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1. Original post: Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa

2. Posted in: indie rock, psychedelic, mgmt, neon indian, gardens & villa

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.