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New Album: The Lost Letters - 'The Lost Letters' -- Obscure Sound
A blissfully atmospheric range of rock and folk are showcased on the eponymous album from The Lost Letters, a Taiwan-based project comprising musician/scholar Ben J Heal and Taiwanese folk singer Fulya. Released on their own Coju Recordings label (with a cassette release via Cruel Nature Recordings), the album grips with its blend of folktronica, dream-pop, and alternative. The opening “South Sea” builds with an atmospheric rock precision. Jangling guitars provide a warming introduction, accompanied by a pit-pattering percussive element as the guitar tones assume a ghostlier element, and remind of The Go-Betweens in such. “Cecille” follows, embracing a murkier, bass-fronted
Listen: Colin Woltmann - "Saw You In A Dream" -- Obscure Sound
A lushly meditative folk character compels on “Saw You In A Dream,” the newest single from Colin Woltmann. First catching our ears this past winter with the track “The In-Betweens,” the Elkmont, AL-based artist now provides its stellar follow-up with “Saw You In A Dream,” which precedes the upcoming EP, A Case Of the Times. The title-referencing refrain is propelled by Woltmann’s gently absorbing tone, with the sense of escapism firmly conveyed amidst references to factory work; there’s a sense of smitten and momentary bliss conveyed, “as I saw you in the street.” An ensuing backing shimmer adds an atmospheric
Listen: Dotts O'Connor - "Brushing off the rust" -- Obscure Sound
Showing a compelling folk sound with brassy warmness, “Brushing off the rust” is a memorable new single from Irish singer/songwriter Dotts O’Connor. Delicate piano lines and trickling acoustics complement the soothing brass and stirring vocal presence, which relays themes of starting anew and daring to venture beyond the norm. Specifically, the track portrays two people leaving behind a life of tumult, as the protagonist leaves “‘it all behind, the longest drive in the dead of night.” “Two of us standing in the rain,” O’Connor’s calming vocals linger into a beautiful assortment of piano and balmy brass; the two characters, and
New Album: How To Loot Brazil - 'Joy to Be Had' -- Obscure Sound
Album #9 from German band How To Loot Brazil continues their penchant for eclectic stylistic pursuits and hooky charisma. The German band have engaged with their creative, DIY ethos for 17 years of existence, and continue with the catching Joy to Be Had — unveiling a memorable blend of electro-pop and indie rock pursuits, inspired by an audible love for the ’80s, post-punk, and Riot Girl aesthetical realms. Whirring synth effects and a confident vocal vigor compel on the opening track “Valley Girls,” impressing with its climactic build. The sporadic percussive elements converge with a loopy bass sensation and bouncy
Listen: The Curse of K.K. Hammond - "She Is My Precious"
Obsession in the digital age is tackled with a playful yet poignant impact on new single “She Is My Precious,” the latest from slide blues guitarist and singer/songwriter The Curse of K.K. Hammond. The Buckinghamshire, UK-based artist continues to showcase a swampy blues-rock sound that meshes with a more approachable hookiness. “She Is My Precious” in particular takes influences from “the Dirty or ‘Bawdy’ blues sub-genre,” and is described as “a personal anthem against unsolicited digital advances.” Twangy guitars and a chugging bass line traverses into vocals that focus on “that little drop of honey that you follow,” — addressing
Davis Gestiehr - 'I'm Always Lying... Make Me Famous!' EP
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Davis Gestiehr shows a melodic rock appeal across his new EP, I’m Always Lying… Make Me Famous!. The four tracks provide a consistently hooky immediacy, alongside compelling lyricism that ranges from aspirations of fame on “CCTV” to an admirably unique love interest in “Courtney Love.” Opening the EP, “CCTV” immerses with a debonair vocal charm and clanging bass bounces. Exhilarating, sporadic guitars complement the replay-inducing hook — “he wants to be on CCTV,” — and excels with further infection into the playful vocal sequence. Pursuits of fame, especially in the midst of post-school confoundment, dazzle lyrically alongside a
New Album: The Little Lord Street Band - 'Time and Place'
The stirring sophomore album from Perth-based The Little Lord Street Band, Time and Place melds a twangy rock warmness with relatable themes of retrospection. “I guess it’s a ‘looking back’ album,” says frontman Jimmy Rogers. “It’s about when you get to that point in your life and you look back on what’s happened or what’s been going on. It’s that sort of longing for something that you can’t have back. It’s quite glass half empty, but at the same time, it’s about enjoying your memories.” Opening track “Can’t Go Back” weaves warming guitar work with lyrical observations on “old wounds
Listen: SAINT KID - "Shooting Range" -- Obscure Sound
A yearning for second chances meshes beautifully with the murky rock aesthetic on “Shooting Range,” a compelling single out today from SAINT KID. Chugging guitars and twangy adornments comprise a driving rock momentum, with some ’80s nostalgia apparent in the guitar tones. “We can talk this through,” the vocals exude with melancholic lushness, later admitting “I know that it’s all my fault.” “Shooting Range” is a memorable showing from the Upstate NY-based artist. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
Listen: Tiger Beach - "Nokonoshima" -- Obscure Sound
“Nokonoshima” enamors with a melodic sense of escapism, showcasing an evolving rock and glistening pop introspection from Tiger Beach. Glistening guitars weave in sporadically amidst a steady acoustical backing, as vocals establish a waterside sense of contemplation — “looking out at the ships as they all float across the bay,” — amidst a sense of clinging onto paradise, even as the sun begins to set. The Raleigh, NC-based band conclude the track with an exuberant array of vocal layers and chirpy guitars, with shades of The Cure within the “think you’ll be mine,” aspirations. “Nokonoshima” is a winner. — This
Listen: Taroug - "Queen of Carthage" -- Obscure Sound
A riveting single with palpable rhythmic momentum and a delectably chilly soundscape, “Queen of Carthage” is a recent track from Taroug, the project of German artist Tarek Zarroug. “Queen of Carthage” represents the second single from Taroug’s upcoming debut album, Darts & Kites, set to be released on Denovali Records. Vibrant percussive momentum halts momentarily as the debonair vocal presence emerges. A shimmering synth character and frolicking jangle bolster the textured soundscape thereafter, reminding of Burial as chilly guitars align with a ghostly crackling. “Queen of Carthage” is abundant in atmosphere and structural momentum, marking a certain success from Taroug
Feature: veryhandsomebilly - 'I Know Girls' EP -- Obscure Sound
A funky pop radiance shows throughout the I Know Girls EP, a catchy output from one-person band veryhandsomebilly. The musician and popular Twitch streamer excels with a catching pop/rock sound on the EP, bolstered by various music videos/shorts. Relatable thematic pursuits range from romantic yearning to examinations of online stalker relationships and the struggles of student debt. “Tell me ’bout your new tattoo,” the vocals urge on the opening “Flip Phone,” immersing with its crunchy guitars and rising vocal momentum; there’s a fun dose of throwback alt-pop nostalgia in both the peppy brass-laden rise and flip phone references. The track’s
Listen: Tomper - "Call In" -- Obscure Sound
Salt Lake City-based duo Tomper craft a chilled-out, melodic pop soulfulness on new single “Call In.” Balmy vocal lushness muses a state of “sitting by my phone,” suggesting to “leave a message,” if the answer machine arrives. A serenely enchanting vocal addition adorns the memorable chorus, as orchestral emergences and answering-machine samples add to the enchanting soundscape. A gorgeous, spacey synth-heavy interlude captivates thereafter. “Call In” is a warming, melodic success from Tomper. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
Listen: Holding Hour - "Parallel Lines" -- Obscure Sound
“Parallel Lines” melds dreamy pop entrancement and textured shoegaze touches, representing a strong single from Holding Hour, a Des Moines-based band formerly known as Elison. “Parallel Lines” is their first release under the new name, and precedes an upcoming EP, out this fall. Lead vocalist and guitarist Marissa Kephart describes the single as “about the push and pull of relationships, the tension between two people who are close but over time slowly grow distant.” With a gentle vocal introspection and post-punk bass-y drive, “Parallel Lines” builds with an initially subdued composure. “Still awake but dreaming of a life where I’m
Listen: Arlen Hart Ginsburg - "Summer's Daughter"
Inspired by autumn and casting a glowing warmness reflective of such, “Summer’s Daughter” is a memorable new single from Brooklyn-based artist Arlen Hart Ginsburg. References to sunlight exude visions of brightness peaking through autumn trees, while lyrical musings on togetherness send chills as prancing piano and comforting orchestral components intertwine. Guitar twangs and alluring vocal layers meld beautifully on “Summer’s Daughter” with a chamber-folk shimmering, producing a resonating success. Ginsburg notes that, in addition to autumn, the track is inspired by “how the light of summer continues to be present in our lives as we move into the darker months,
New Album: Áron Porteleki - 'Smearing' -- Obscure Sound
Hungarian artist Áron Porteleki presents a deeply memorable sound across Smearing, a debut solo studio production that serves as a “sonic manifestation,” of the contemporary dance piece ‘Cryptic Bodies.’ Smearing features words by Porteleki and Patrik Kelemen, who conceived and choreographed ‘Cryptic Bodies’ in 2021. The instrumentation is widely varied, from intensely expressive metal and alt-rock pursuits to gentle ambient explorations that emphasize space and vocal refrains. The opening title track struts an initial barrenness, wherein the vocals exude a titular repetition that flows seamlessly into the subsequent “Womb Of Drum.” Ruminating percussive fragments and booming blares combine for an
Listen: Hyper Lion - "Robots Stole My Job" -- Obscure Sound
“I’m just unemployed because robots stole my job,” the melodic vocals lament on “Robots Stole My Job,” a compelling convergence of anthemic rock and synth-pop from Hyper Lion. The quainter verses exude an electro-minded minimalism as an effect-laden vocal pitchiness commiserate the robotic dominance, gearing with seamless vigor into crunchy guitar distortion and a chirp-y lead alongside a deeper title-touting hook. The infectious vocal refrain and slabs of distorted guitars fully enamor in the chorus, and an especially magnetic sequence arises in the effervescent synth-pop shift past the mid-point. “Don’t let the beat drop,” the vocals warn amidst twinkling synth lushness,
Mortal Prophets - 'HANUSSEN: The Enigmatic Clairvoyant'
Emphasizing the role of one’s body within the human experience, HANUSSEN: The Enigmatic Clairvoyant is a riveting new album from Mortal Prophets, the NYC-based project of John Beckmann. Impressing with various albums over the past year — including GUITARWORKS and the Sleeping In My Bed EP — Mortal Prophets continue to showcase an inventively atmospheric take alongside moving thematic pursuits. HANUSSEN: The Enigmatic Clairvoyant is considered an opera, specifically in the context of the Italian meaning: “a work, labor, composition.” The album explores especially “the nuance of labor,” within, with the album title deriving from Vienna-born Jewish mystic Erik Jan
Listen: Wexford - "Change Your Mind" -- Obscure Sound
A blistering wave of guitar distortion and impassioned vocals stir on “Change Your Mind,” a track from Wexford that builds with a climactic stirring throughout. The Sandusky, Ohio-based quartet meld alt-rock, post-hardcore, and punk influences for a hard-rocking vigor. Production from Shawn Patrick Thomas Daley highlights the dynamic vocal fervency, aligning well with stampeding percussive fury following the initially introspective rise. “You couldn’t take the time, to somehow change your mind,” resonates lyrically like a sighing ethos, lamenting what could have been. The track kickstarts with a sweltering array of guitars, and then introduces a vocals that depict a world
Listen: Once Great Estate - "Right Outside Your Door"
A recent single from Tallahassee-based act Once Great Estate, “Right Outside Your Door” presents a small-town mystique amidst a haunting, twangy folk arsenal. The track represents the first single from their upcoming album, Goodbye Cody Scarp. Flickering acoustics and sporadic twangs reflect a grim lyrical disposition — “hide the bruises from the night before, when he was pushing you around,” — with hints of escapism. The central chorus — “this town is good for hiding all the things you can’t ignore,” — concludes with a haunting character: “If you ever feel like leaving, I’ll be right outside your door.” A
Listen: Kwolek - "Ronnie Stole This Riff / Kim Is Desperate"
Boulder-based artist Kwolek struts a captivating rock sound on two-part single “Ronnie Stole This Riff / Kim Is Desperate.” “The first is about the love of making music and the second is about discovering the song that saves your life,” Kwolek explains. A charismatic rock sound with ’80s nostalgia, courtesy of melodic guitar bustling and spacey synth interplay, complements a narrative-friendly sound. “I’ve recently been inspired by Richard Dawson’s story-driven songs,” Kwolek notes, an influence that feels notable here. The hooky range of guitars, synths, and confident vocal drives depict an interconnecting cast of characters — Ronnie and his demo
Listen: Lou's Rendezvous - "Your Old Ways" -- Obscure Sound
Harmonious vocal layers and a pulsing range of melodic instrumentation adorn “Your Old Ways,” a stellar new single from Central Florida-based band Lou’s Rendezvous. Neil Carlson adds backing vocals. “You try so hard to find a way to keep it together,” the vocals unify, depicting a time of strife, when times are hard. Wordless backing vocal lushness and string-laden charm inject with cohesive allure, building into twangy guitar delights. “Your Old Ways” is a compelling success. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
DANBEATS - "Vacation Home" -- Obscure Sound
DANBEATS‘ new single “Vacation Home” explores themes of escapism, and aptly crafts a soundscape that lures with such temptations; its Brazilian Tropicalia inspirations pair with a dreamy pop mystique and hooky vocal rise for a climactic sense of detail. DANBEATS describes the release as “about a digital nomad, enamored with a beautiful paradise, grappling with escapism, envy, and identity, loosely inspired by the Lotus Eaters (from Homer’s Odyssey).” “Don’t make me go back to my home,” the vocals let out, then declaring they’re “on vacation,” as glistening guitar effervescence complements a yearning to stay on vacation — and never leave.
Listen: Cosmoliner - "Secret" -- Obscure Sound
German act Cosmoliner unveil a hypontic, serene rock intrigue on new single “Secret,” the second single from their upcoming album. They describe “Secret” as a “groovy, mysterious virtual detective story about a whistle-blower.” “I’ve got a secret, you should know,” the vocals caution with confident entrancement, complemented by a dreamy backing reflection. Added vigor comes via the guitar line past the three-minute mark, signaling the ensuing entry of a final vocal refrain — sending chills as the pitch heightens and the layers coalesce into the “I’ve got a secret,” admittance; “Secret” sounds like the mesmerizing accompaniment to a spy film.
Listen: Mild Universe - "Your Love" -- Obscure Sound
A magnetic slice of spacey soul and disco charisma, “Your Love” is a recent single from Mild Universe, representing the second single via their upcoming album, Everything Must Change. Grooving bass line, brassy flourishes, and spacey synths complement a riveting vocal suaveness, culminating in a wider array of brass-laden charisma thereafter. The San Francisco-based collective thoroughly impress on the production, escalating into a particularly feverish mid-point and conclusion with a synth solo and further lyrical observations on changing relationships and the power of love. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s
New Album: Brian Halloran - 'Overnumerousness'
Strutting a radiant, melodic array of indie pop, Overnumerousness is the upcoming album from Brian Halloran, out on May 7th. The follow-up to last year’s The Cocktail Hour, Halloran’s latest continues to showcase an innate tendency for hooky, effervescent builds with pop/rock appeal. Alongside a number of talented collaborators, Halloran wrote, performed, and produced Overnumerousness. Opening track “A.K.A.” is exemplary of Halloran’s compelling songcraft and its range of emotions, from humorous wit to heart-on-sleeve introspection. “I got no prospects, got no game, and I never put my heart out on the line,” the vocals commiserate amidst perky piano, clap-laden percussion,
Listen: Steven Gudino - "Sardonic Suburb" -- Obscure Sound
Steven Gudino traverses from serene pop contemplation to twangy vigor on “Sardonic Suburb,” a single that impresses in its melodic display of tonal range. Twinkling, dreamy keys arrive into a bursting guitar line, then cohesively incorporating Gudino’s alluring vocals in the title-touting hook — “I can’t wait to finally be rid of this place, this sardonic suburb.” The trickling guitars and jazzy, sporadic pace combine with the breezy vocals for a sophisti-pop aesthetical captivation in the moments between, capped off by an electrifying guitar emphasis and final vocal refrain. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed
Listen: Sundaes - "Anyway" -- Obscure Sound
A dreamy captivation enamors on “Anyway,” a recent track from Nashville-based act Sundaes. “I could never handle you,” the vocal repeat amidst trickling guitars and starry-eyed synths during the central chorus, crafting a hypnotic engrossment. Illuminated, caressing vocal layers re-emerge in the second half during the refrain’s reprisal, swirling with a magnetic, weightless charm. “Anyway” represents the first single via the band’s upcoming album, call me when you get there. They describe the track as “a ballad to frustration over wasted love and time.” — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s
Listen: Home Remedies - "Goodnight Nobody" -- Obscure Sound
“Goodnight Nobody” explores the power of choosing acceptance over bitterness, following a relationship’s demise. Home Remedies recorded their upcoming debut album, Goodnight Moon, at Headroom Studios in Philadelphia — and the consuming “Goodnight Nobody” represents the album’s third single. Taking heavy inspiration from Elliott Smith, the track evolves grippingly from more acoustic-set contemplation — ruminating on positive memories — into a rousing rock arsenal, which complements the lyrical decision to move on. The reference to a past beloved as “a former future,” in the chorus proves cathartic; “Goodnight Nobody” is a thorough success from Home Remedies. — This and other
Listen: Riley Knight - "Spite Myself" -- Obscure Sound
Chicago-based DIY artist Riley Knight compels on new single “Spite Myself,” intertwining swift guitar lines and bouncy rhythms for a melodic crispness — alongside lyrics that depict “a young friendship turned sour, that leads to conflict and hatred.” Twangy guitars arise into the “hope my life won’t wash away,” aspirations, ascending to a chirpier charisma with swooning backing vocals. A balmily melodic shift engages thereafter, sliding into the trickling guitar hook at the track’s mid-point. “Spite Myself” is a replay-inducing delight from Riley Knight. The track also represents Knight’s first music video release, below: — This and other tracks featured
Listen: Pink Cliffs - "Never Gonna Make You Mine"
London-based act Pink Cliffs strut a suave rock intrigue on new single “Never Gonna Make You Mine,” immersing with free-flowing guitar bursts and an infectious title-touting refrain within its hooky psych-rock sound. The project of Si Miller impresses with the track, which represents Pink Cliffs’ fourth single and marks a return following a two-year health-related hiatus. Per the artist, “the single “follows an obsessed character in the pursuit of the unobtainable.” It touts a gripping, psychedelic appeal, making us firmly anticipate the project’s debut LP, Long Shadows. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the
Listen: Chewy - "Rubber Unfamiliar" -- Obscure Sound
A gripping new prog-rock single from Philadelphia-based band Chewy, “Rubber Unfamiliar” unfolds with captivating variety — reminding of a cross between Black Midi and XTC. The track marks the opening effort on their new EP, Ostranenie. Pulsing guitar shimmers and a breezy brass convergence lead into a debonair one-minute turn, where crunchy guitars lead into a decisive vocal lead; the shift from art-rock experimentation into a delectably raucous fervency, and then into a psych-friendly wooziness, is exemplary of the project’s dynamic range. The gorgeous brass components re-ignite at the mid-way turn, delighting into the calming guitar-centric close. “Rubber Unfamiliar” doesn’t
Listen: Joseph Ozment - "God Save the Queen" -- Obscure Sound
Memphis-based artist Joseph Ozment shows an escalating, nostalgic psych-rock appeal on new single “God Save the Queen.” A traditional, royal orchestration fades out quickly into the suave assortment of guitars and synths. Ozment’s vocals strut a calming clarity, emitting “I could never forget you,” into spacey synth tones that send chills. A brassy darkness takes hold at mid-point, following an uptick in vocal fervency that compels. “God save, god bless, what a fucking mess,” the vocals continue, espousing a complex state of in-between. “In this song I bemoan the boredom of modernity and my existential feeling of being in patriotic
Listen: illunis - "Lonely, Only" -- Obscure Sound
“Lonely, Only” is a compelling new single from illunis, the Los Angeles-based project of singer/songwriter Ali Valentine. Twangy guitars and heartfelt vocals contemplate a state of in-between — “sometimes I don’t know where to go,” — while beginning to accept feelings within the human experience, including loneliness. The dual-vocal immersion plays enjoyably within the playful guitar bounces and twangy affections. “Lonely, Only” is an alluring success from illunis. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
Album Feature: von Krogh - 'WAVES' -- Obscure Sound
Oslo-based band von Krogh depict the turbulent aspect of life’s ups and downs within an emotive production on their new album WAVES. Orchestral folk and anthemic rock alike linger with enduring impact throughout the release, which was recorded in Greenroom Studios in Fredrikstad, Norway, and mixed by Bjarne Stensvik. The opening two tracks on WAVES are exemplary of von Krogh’s dynamic appeal. “Scales” kickstarts the release with palpable momentum, building from piano-laden balladry into a triumphantly soaring rock sound amidst wordless vocal enthrallment and clamoring percussive intensity. “It’s not your fault,” the concluding vocals call out with spine-tingling effect, tonally
Listen: Chapeaux Pointus - "Fini" -- Obscure Sound
Montreal-based act Chapeaux Pointus deliver a dreamy pop groove on new single “Fini,” which opens their new EP, Pour en finir. Sporadic guitar jangling and a thumping bass line traverse into a moody French vocal delivery, embraced by glistening keys as the title-referencing sequence takes hold. Playful guitar twangs immerse throughout the final minute, casting a trickling spell within the production’s lushly invigorating glow. Stream the rest of this lovely new EP from Chapeaux Pointus: — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist. The track is also featured
New Album: CoyoteBear - 'Too Many Ghosts' -- Obscure Sound
Consuming in its stylishly foreboding rock, folk, and Americana interweaving, Too Many Ghosts is the new album from CoyoteBear, a band based in Lafayette, IN. The album pursues an autobiographical thematic appeal, traversing across the realms of human experience in explorations of “depression, addiction, poverty, paranoia, and learning to live with death.” A compelling tonal range showcases, from the Bourbon Street feeling of brass and debonair vocals within “It’s All Good,” strutting shades of Nick Cave, to the scorching bluesy rock ardency of “A Couple of Days.” Another highlight comes in the form of “We’re All Gonna Die,” morbid in