The Helltones, “When We’re Moving” – Bay Area garage rockers The Helltones have a breezy throwback surf-rock sound with touches of doo-wop and psychedelia. “When We’re Moving,” about going out dancing with your friends, has a ’70s R&B feel to it with organ, saxophone and wah-inflected guitar.
“The grandeur of the ‘The King of Everything’ required colors brighter than real life so I turned to art. I hope my scribblings convey the weightless glory of being, even for a moment, the center of the universe.”
These are the words of Rennie Sparks – who, alongside her songwriting and marriage partner Brett Sparks, is one half of The Handsome Family – as she talks about ‘The King of Everything’, a song which foretells the arrival of the group’s eleventh studio album, Hollow, due for release on the 8th of September 2023.
Brett and Rennie show off their talent for winding, idiosyncratic instrumentation and magnetic melodies with “The King of Everything.” The track centers around Brett’s colorful harpsichord and sonorous vocal tones, along with a breezy, spotlit guitar solo in its mid-section. In contrast to their darker fare, the track offers a regal and sun-lit diversion from their usual arrangements, settling into a reverie of naturalistic and carefree imagery.
Here is the latest single from Southern gothic Americana band Bonnie & the Mere Mortals. ‘It’s All Fine’ is driven along by Andrew Roulston’s urgent percussion, over which absorbing musical textures are provided by Mik Francis on upright bass, Destin LeCornu’s keys and Matt Elias’s gorgeous guitar. Singer Bonnie Ramone is joined by Sophie Gault and, together, they deliver a brilliantly emotive and melodic vocal performance – the highlight of this song. There’s a real depth of feeling in the lyrics, well-chosen words that describe facing up to the challenges in life and asserting that you will get your time to flourish: “This year it’s not worth opening your eyes…It’s all absurd // But you’ll get your turn.”
In memory of belabela, aka Bella Isabelle Catherine Jhun, who left us unexpectedly on July 5th. She leaves behind the carnal single, “Blood.” This mesmerizing songs transports us into gothic realms, where dark denizens dance under the watchful gaze of street lights and stars.
“From his earliest tracks, an unfettered expression of joy has been a core part of Mega Ran’s music. On his latest cut, “Recess,” Mega Ran enlists an enviable list of collaborators to capture what might be his most pure expression of childhood joy to date. Kicking off with a massive horn riff and an infectious ska upstroke, Ran’s vocals summon the freedom of play. In a society where we’re told to devalue anything that doesn’t generate capital for the allmighty market, the reminder that it’s kinda messed up that play is something we leave behind in adulthood is positively radical. It almost feels wrong to listen to this song on headphones and not outdoors with speakers blaring.”
New album Buddy’s Magic Toy Box is out on September 15th.