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Best New Releases, Week of May 1st, Vol. II – Reptar, Ane Brun & First Aid Kit, The Mowglis, Polica, Father John Misty, Patrick Watson

Earlier today, we published Vol. One of the Best New Releases for the week of May 1st, featuring great lead singles from new albums by Lower Dens, Ramona Falls, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spinto Band, Sea of Bees and others. That said, let’s jump right into Vol. II.

Reptar is an Athens, Georgia indie rock quartet of college drop-outs who released their debut album this week, Body Faucet. It’s full of crazy jams, thunderous drumbeats, psyched out synths, and Afro-pop influenced hooks, including sing-along anthems produced by Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Washed Out). Last year, Reptar broke through with their exuberant EP, Oblangle Fizz Y’al, containing the single, “Stuck in My Id.” RIYL: Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot.

“Sebastian”Reptar from Body Faucet on Vagrant Records
Song via TheDadada blog

Double-shot: “Orifice Origami”Reptar from Body Faucet on Vagrant Records

anebrun

Ane Brun and First Aid Kit on New Single, “Do You Remember”

The new-to-us artist Ane Brun has made an instant blip on our music radar thanks to the fantastic single, “Do You Remember,” in collaboration with the band First Aid Kit. Whoever’s idea it was to have these musicians record together, good call. The single is from the new album It All Starts With One.

“Do You Remember (feat. First Aid Kit)”Ane Brun from It All Starts With One on America

“Wind Blows Cold”Howth from Newkirk

mogwli-sound-the-drum

Southern Cal Indie Rock Band The Mowgli Drop Debut Album

The debut album Sound the Drum from California septet The Mowgli was released this past week to little fanfare, but we really dig the lead single, “I’ve Been Around,” and a couple of other tracks we listened to online.

Sound the Drum was preceded by The Mowgli’s seven-inch single, San Francisco, and endless touring, which introduced indie rock lovers to the band’s distinct mixture of blaring brass, hard-driving guitars, cheery hand-claps, catchy vocals, and song themes about love, friendship and companionship. As a result of the band’s collectivist approach, and a couple of years of writing and recording, Sound the Drum debut is a sonic treat of energetic, folk-tinged indie pop that oozes with catchy hooks, summer-loving melodies and beach party, soulful rhythms.

The band have a CD Release party May 8th at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California. We don’t see upcoming shows as of yet, but we’ll let you know.

“I’ve Been Around” – The Mowglis from Sound the Drum

policiagivetheghost

The next single, “Lying In State,” is unabashed pure pop with joyous choruses, shiny hooks and danceable rhythm from the band Island Twins. It’s great to hear a good band coming out of Queens, New York, since so many are based in nearby Brooklyn. The fuzz-pop, lo-fi indie quartet is a band we’ll surely keep tabs on over time. The new album Give You The Ghost album by Polica. The band consists of members from the 80’s rock-influenced indie band Gayngs. While there is still an 80s vibe to the new album, but it also has a distinct synth pop feel throughout.

“Lying In State”Island Twins from single

“Lay Your Cards Out” (with Mike Noyce from Bon Iver) – Polica from Give You The Ghost

Rufus Wainwright Records with The Dap Kings; Plus, Father John Misty and Patrick Watson

Out of the Game, Rufus Wainwright‘s seventh studio album is out today via Decca. Fans can hear Wainwright’s track-by-track discussion exclusively on Spotify.

The Mark Ronson (Kaiser Chiefs, Adele, Amy Winehouse) produced album has come with great praise including from the The Los Angeles Times, which stated: “…Out of the Game glimmers with magical arrangements, strange structural U-turns, surprising solo accents, gospel-choir exclamation points, fuzzed out guitar lines and an overall sense of creative confidence that comes with experience and enthusiasm.”

The Dap Kings, known for their support of Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse, were the backing band for Wainwright’s newest release. Other contributors included Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nels Cline of Wilco and Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow.

The highly acclaimed singer-songwriter dropped their newest album this past week to rather good reviews, although we’ve only heard the singles. Next is the indie folk rock band, Father John Misty, who appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman last week, released their debut album and have been gaining ground in the buzz market. Other new singles we are featuring this week come from new albums by Patrick Watson, Father John Misty, Siddhartha, The Spring Standards, Mystery Jets and more.

“Into Giants” – Patrick Watson from Adventures In Your Own Backyard on Secret City

“Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”Father John Misty
from Fear Fun on Sub Pop Records

“This Is the Beginning” Boy from Mutual Friends

“The Fire Next Time” Siddhartha from If It Die

“Only Skin” The Spring Standards from yellow/gold

The Texas indie band Mystery Jets made a splash with their album, Serotonin, released in 2010. Now the band is back with a new album released this week – Radlands. The lead single, “Someone Purer,” is pure pop glory, without overdoing it.

“Someone Purer”Mystery Jets from Radlands
Track via SideOneTrackOne.com

  • We get tons of music from musicians and bands across the U.S. and Canada mostly, but throughout the world as well. So much so that we can barely keep up with it all. That’s why were always looking for more writers willing to listen to DIY and barely known artists, and if they are note-worthy, write up a mini profile that will then be included in one of the special playlist posts.