Yes, Yes, Yes! Listen to 2 New TRUST tracks: Capitol & Rescue, Mister

TrustIt’s refreshing to hear that Trust aka Robert Alfons, the insanely talented Toronto-hailing goth synth-pop God can consistently keep up with his dark, seductive, drug-sick lurching-like music producing ways. Since the release of his stunning debut album, TRST, back in 2012, Alfons has been on what seems like a never-ending tour, but he’s back to making new music and blowing everyone’s minds and ears, per usual.

Trust‘s sophomore album, Joyland, described as “an eruption of guts, feels, and joy,” is due out March 4 via Arts & Crafts. He’ll also be embarking on tour with none other than the amazing electro-pop Queen, Mozart’s Sister. Could this get any better!? Have a listen to “Capitol” and “Rescue, Mister,” two new tracks off of Joyland, then commence to weep black tears of synth-pop joy:

Trust – Capitol

Trust – Rescue, Mister

Hype-Worthy! New Sexy Electro R&B Jam: Black Atlass – Blossom

Black AtlassEveryone could use more sexy, bouncin’, electro-hinged R&B music in his/her life – Thank you Black Atlass for fulfilling this! Alex Fleming aka Black Atlass is a 19-year-old Montreal-hailing experimental R&B producer with smooth vibes and a talent for producing sultry songs. Autre Ne Veut fans rejoice!

The singer-songwriter made waves back in 2012 with his sultry, atmospheric debut single, “Paris” which was plucked up and featured in a Louis Vuitton + Marc Jacobs Ad. Now back from his whirlwind 2013 Euro tour with Woodkid, Black Atlass has recently released an insanely addictive tune, “Blossom.” The track can found on his 6-track EP, Young Bloods, due out February 18th, via Fool’s Gold Records. If you’re headed to Austin all too soon, keep Black Atlass on your SXSW radar. Enjoy:

Black Atlass – Blossom

Black Atlass – Paris

Ridiculously Addicting: Listen to NEW Cherry Glazerr LP – Haxel Princess

Cherry Glazerr

Photo by Rhyan Santos

Oh, to be 17 again. Your days are filled with grilled cheese sandwiches, school dances, day dreams of crushes, boredom-induced chaos with friends, hormones and lots of angst. Luckily, this all makes for some ridiculously catchy and dreamy garage pop.

Enter: Cherry Glazerr, the LA-based three-piece whose 17-year-old frontwoman and guitarist, Clementine Creevy has being a “Teenage girl” down to a T, because she is one… duh. Cherry Glazerr, whose name is a take on local Southern California KCRW anchor, Chery Glaser, recently released their sugary adrenaline-filled debut album, Haxel Princess, via Burger Records. One listen and you’ll be hooked like a teen on… whatever they’re hooked on these days. It’s been a while.

Cherry Glazerr – Trick or Treat Dancefloor

Cherry Glazerr – Grilled Cheese 

Cherry Glazerr – All My Friends

Cherry Glazerr – White’s Not My Color This Evening 

Listen & Download NEW Ricky Eat Acid LP: Three Love Songs

Ricky Eat AcidThere’s nothing quite like listening to depressing music when you’re utterly depressed, am I right? Sometimes you just need to brood deep down in the depths of your sadness and certain music allows you drift, soak and immerse yourself in those dark murky waters to the point where you feel strangely comforted. Now Ricky Eat Acid‘s recently released LP, Three Love Songs (via Orchid Tapes) isn’t all sobs and sorrow. It’s beautiful, calming, intriguing, alluring, unique but certainly swirls around topics like heartbreak and loss – the perfect melancholic music.

In a recent interview with Vice, Maryland-hailing Sam Ray, the 22-year-old behind the moniker Ricky Eat Acid, had quite a lot to say about who he thought would/should be listening to his music, “I would hope that cool, chill people listen to it, but I guess we’ll see. Maybe like, alt dads. Or really fucking depressed single moms.” Regardless, the album is an interesting journey from each song to the next. Songs like, “it will draw me over to it like it always does,” grow and progress into immensely beautiful compilations filling your need for tracks to ache to. psst… there’s a free download of the whole thing, too! Now, that’s not so sad. Enjoy:

Punk Rock! Burgerama III Music Fest Announced: 3 New Mac DeMarco Jams + Black Lips + Hunx & His Punx

Burgerama IIIYou’re familiar with Burger Records, right? They’re the Orange County-based independent record label that loves to write EVERYTHING IN CAPS and use an inordinate amount exclamation points!!! That, and their charming, eccentric and eclectic, grungy/punk/garage/power pop rock artists also make them the quirkiest record label out there. LA Times said it best by stating the label focuses on “Trashy punk with a bubble gum streak.”

Sean Bohrman and Lee Rickard, members of the power pop band, Thee Makeout Party, formed Burger Records back in 2007 and have since transformed it into a blooming, audacious label, record store, and various punk rock music fests. That said, they’ve just announced the sweetest lineup for their 2-day Burgerama III music fest, March 22-23rd. The only downside? It’s in Orange County. Whomp whomp (Sorry, OC folks). If you’re in the mood for sunshine, freeways and outdoor malls, a road trip may be in order. Otherwise, I’m bringing a lil bit of Burgerama to you:

Mac DeMarco is everyone’s favorite goofy crooner. The fun-loving, Viceroy smokin’, ripped jeans wearin’, guitar slingin’ Canadian has been on what seems like a never-ending whirl-wind tour since the release of his second album, Marc DeMarco 2, back in October 2012. As hoped for, the dude’s got some new tunes that are due out in April of this year and he gave CKUA a glimpse into his forthcoming album with three lovely new tracks, “Treat Her Better” (song below starts a 4:13), “Salad Days” (starts at 8:18), and “Let Her Go” (listen at 11:30). Enjoy:

Mac DeMarco – Treat Her Better, Salad Days & Let Her Go live at CKUA

Topping Burgerama’s bill is the infamous 4 piece Atlanta-based rock group of misfits, Black Lips. Their forthcoming album, Underneath the Rainbow, was recorded with the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, and is due out March 18 via Vice. According to bassist Jared Swilley, “it’s roots music.” Here’s a glimpse with the release of one track, “Boys in the Wood” and it’s as smooth as ever. They’ll be “extensively touring all six inhabited continents in support of the new record” including the SXSW circuit this year, as well as Austin psych-fest in May (okay, now let’s discuss a road trip!)

Black Lips – Boys in the Wood

There’s no way I could talk about Burgerama and not include a Hunx and His Punx jam – the epitome of punk and bubblegum. They’re the San Francisco-based “Queercore” garage punk rock group made up of Seth Bogart (formerly of the gay pop group Gravy Train!!!!), Shannon Shaw (from my faves: Shannon and The Clams) and Erin Emslie. They released their 4th album, Street Punk back in July of 2013 and it’s rippin! Sadly, the entire album is under 20 minutes long (I suppose you can only scream for so long), but it’s filled with quickie 30 second raging gems like, “Everyone’s a Pussy (Fuck You Dude)” and “Don’t Call Me Fabulous.” Listen to up your punk cred:

Hunx and His Punx – You Think You’re Tough

Hunx and His Punx – Bad Skin

Breakout Bands You Shouldn’t Have Slept on Pt. 2: FUZZ + Melt Yourself Down + SALES + Jamaican Queens

Jamaican Queens

Jamaican Queens. Photo by: Gretchen Robinette

If you didn’t see part one of this post, you may be sleeping on more than just bands. Wake up, my friend! But, hey, I’ll give you an out… this time. This series (which could be endless, really) covers various new and amazing bands you may not have given a listen at first sign of momentum, ‘cus you know, you were listening to other amazing bands and stuff. Anyway, ain’t no thang, you’re here now. So let’s get listening:

Say, you’re a fan of the beloved Bay Area “garage punk prodigy” Ty Segall? Well, lucky you, he has a rockin’ psychedelic project called, FUZZ, alongside his guitarist Charlie Moothart and Roland Cosio. FUZZ is loud, yet dreamy, and feeds your need for some serious rock and guitar riffs. Plus, you get to experience Segall on drums, and he’s unsurprisingly good. Apparently the trio tried to remain anonymous, yet Segall’s recognizable vocals, and a mention in a SPIN Magazine interview linked Segall and FUZZ to the masses. They released a self-titled debut album this year via Trouble in Mind Records, which received an agreeable review from Pitchfork.

FUZZ – What’s in My Head?

FUZZ – FUZZ’s Fourth Dream

Wow, Melt Yourself Down takes music to a righteous level. It’s an explosion of sounds, beats and genres of music that somehow work perfectly together. The London, UK-based group combines, Jazz, punk, Afrobeats, heavy brass, and some seriously fiery funk that makes you wanna get up and dance for days. The group released their first single in 2012 and have picked up major momentum in 2013 while releasing a fun and infectious self-titled debut album. Have a listen:

Melt Yourself Down – We Are Enough

SALES is a new Orlando, Florida-based project composed of Jordan Shih and Lauren Morgan. Sales’ sound is a fusion of wistful lo-fi and indie-folk, all of which can be found on a 7″ they released this year. The duo, particularly with their addicting and beautiful track, “Renee,” has charmed music lovers thus far and people are eager to hear more. Enjoy:

SALES – Renee

Jamaican Queens is an interesting “trap-pop” four-piece out of Detroit, MI. They self-released a debut album, Wormfood this year, which is composed of catchy pop hooks, dancey hip-hop beats and brutal lyrics, all of which makes them so intriguing. Looking forward to hearing more from this eclectic group:

Jamaican Queens – Water

Breakout Bands You Shouldn’t Have Slept on Pt. 1: Courtney Barnett + Speedy Ortiz + Tweens

Tweens

Tweens

Everyone in the music realm, particularly amongst new music fanatics and the blogosphere, loves to use the phrase, “Don’t sleep on this band.” What the hell does that mean? In layman’s terms it means, “Listen to this band right fucking now ‘cus they’re gonna be huge, and if you don’t, you’ll be sorry, you’re a sucker, and you don’t have any music credibility,” or at least, that’s how I take it.

But you know what? Sometimes you’re just too obsessed with several other breakout bands that you don’t have time to give every amazing new band equal attention. So what do you end up doing? ZZZzz… Sleeping on that band! But it’s OK, your music cred is still intact… for now. Should you have slept on that band? Nah, but we all do, ‘cus guess what? Life and other bands happen, and it’s never too late to join the music partay.

So with that, here is part one of a series (yes a series) of mostly breakout bands from the last year (and are ready to rumble in the next) that you may have possibly slept on. You’re forgiven… once you start listening. Now enjoy:

Courtney Barnett is a Melbourne, OZ based singer/songwriter with an amazing, refreshing and interesting matter-of-fact, conversational approach to her music. Barnett’s 2012 EP, I’ve Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris, put her on the map, then her presence at the CMJ Music Marathon this last year wowed and wooed music lovers alike. Since then, her name has been sprinkled on “Musicians to watch” lists to an endless degree, and for a good reason. Barnett released a double EP this year, A Sea of Split Peas. Listen for a good time:

Courtney Barnett – Avant Gardener

Speedy Ortiz is the Massachusetts hailing pop punk band everyone loves to rave about post-sleep. It’s as if Speedy Ortiz slapped us silly with their rippin’ punk rock and we were astonished with the revelation that we’ve been sans-Speedy all this time. Originally starting out as front woman Sadie Dupuis’s solo project while working at a song writing summer camp, the band has flourished into a successfully loud four-piece. And, this year has been a rockin’ one for the group indeed. They signed to Carpark Records and released a roaring full-length, Major Arcana which landed them a “Best New Music” label via Pitchfork… if you want that to mean anything. They’ve also just announced a new EP, Real Hair, on the bill for February, 2014. Can’t stop ’em now!

Speedy Ortiz – Everything’s Bigger

Speedy Ortiz – No Below

Can’t get enough punk? Meet: Tweens, the scrappy, ragin’ “trash pop” trio from Cincinnati, Ohio who want you to be mean. They have just a handful of jams, but they’re gnarly enough to land the band on several “breakout band” lists across the punk rock land. Word on the street is that they’ll have a full length LP due out early 2014. Well, that’s certainly sweet for some mean tweens:

Tweens – Be Mean

Coco Stereo’s Top 50 Tracks of 2013

Coco stereo's top 50 tracks of 2013This year has been one full of new friendships, experiences, and unexpectedly, love. It’s also been a year full of disappointment, self-doubt, and a healthy dose of heartbreak –  Sounds like a year well spent. However, if there’s one thing that remains consistent, it’s that coasting along with us through the ebbs and flows that is life, there is music. So to celebrate the ups, downs and in betweens of 2013, I present to you 50 of the best tracks that have been with us through it all.

To accompany the top 50 tracks, here are a few musical highlights to round out our nostalgic look back of the year:

Note: All tracks are in alphabetical order (‘cus ranking them is just something I’m not into). Also subscribe or have a listen to the entire playlist on Spotify. Enjoy:

Active Child – Evening Ceremony
Angel Olsen – Sweet Dreams
Austra – Home
Autre Ne Veut – Play by Play
Banks – Waiting Game
Baths – Miasma Sky
Bibio – À tout à l’heure
Blood Orange – You’re Not Good Enough
Blue Hawaii – Try To Be
Braids – In Kind
Chromatics – Looking for Love
Chvrches – The Mother We Share
Diana – Born Again
Disclosure – White Noise feat. Aluna George
Empress Of – Hat Trick
FKA Twigs – Water Me
Fyfe – Lies
Gems – Sinking Stone
Haerts – Wings
Haim – The Wire
Helado Negro – Dance Ghost
Jackson Scott – Evie
James Blake – Life Round Here
Jenny Hval – Mephisto in the Water
Jessie Ware – Still Love Me
Josef Salvat – Every Night
K-X-P – Magnetic North
Keep Shelly In Athens – Recollection
Lorde – The Love Club
Majical Cloudz – Childhood’s End
Mortar & Pestle – U.V.
Mozart’s Sister – Mozart’s Sister
Museum of Bellas Artes – Abyss
No Joy – Hare Tarot Lies
Phosphorescent – Song for Zulu
Psychic Twin – Dream State
Pure Bathing Culture – Dream the Dare
Rhye – Open
Sean Nicholas Savage – You Changed Me
S O H N – Bloodflows
Still Corners – Berlin Lovers
Summer Camp – Fresh
Teen – Carolina
The Holidays – Voices Drifting
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – So Good at Being in Trouble
Vampire Weekend – Step
Wet – Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Lamia
Young Galaxy – New Summer
Yuck – Rebirth

New Tracks + Debut Soon! Painted Palms – Forever, Spinning Signs

Painted PalmsIt’s funny to think you’ve been listening to and watching a beloved band for a couple of years, only to realize they’ve never actually released a full-length album. Brilliant EPs and superb singles surprisingly and happily hold fans over for some time. This is the case for psych-electro-pop San Francisco music darlings and cousins that make up Painted Palms.

The duo released their addicting EP, Canopy back in 2011 (which caught the eye of Kevin Barnes from of Montreal), a 2-track 7″ titled Carousel back in March of this year, and their Nothing Lasts EP in June of this year. Painted Palms has also done the tour circuit, opening for bands such as of Montreal, Braids and STRFKR – All of this without a full length? Well, time to give praise the music Gods, as Painted Palms will be releasing their debut album, Forever, on January 14th, 2014 via Polyvinyl.

Luckily for us, they’ve also leaked two singles from their forthcoming album, “Forever,” and “Spinning Signs,” both of which seriously channel The Shins meets The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. And, if you’re in the San Francisco bay area, Painted Palms will be playing/having an album release party on January 17th, 2014 at the Rickshaw Stop accompanied by Soft Metals and Melted Toys. Enjoy:

Painted Palms – Forever

Painted Palms – Spinning  Signs

New Track + Music Video: Angel Olsen – Forgiven/Forgotten

Angel OlsenOh, Angel Olsen, how everyone adores thee. How could one not? The Chicago-hailing singer/songwriter’s unique voice and raw lyrics are the epitome of compelling.

Speaking of compelling, Olsen recently released a new single, “Forgiven/Forgotten.” The track can be found on her forthcoming album, Burn Your Fire For No Witness, out 2/18/14 via Jagjaguwar, and is a major switch up for Olsen; it’s rockin’, fuzzy and meaty compared her usual freshly wounded heart fragility. To accompany the track, Olsen’s released a music video directed by Zia Anger (Julianna Barwick and Jenny Hval).

The video’s simple, but it doesn’t take away from the impact of the jam – Keep on rockin’ on Angel! Enjoy:

Angel Olsen – Forgiven/Forgotten