Fat Tony and Taydex

I've been a fan of underground Houston rapper Fat Tony since catching him as SXSW 7 or 8 years ago.  Last month, he released a new record with LA producer Taydex.  Listen to the Negashi Armada assisted "Godly" below and get the "Wake Up" LP here from Carpark.

Sonic Boom

Former Spacemen 3 member Sonic Boom has a new album heading our way this summer.  Check out the hypnotic and lifting "Just Imagine" below and pre-order the "All Things Being Equal" LP here via Carpark.

Prince Rama

We've got a new EP out Brooklyn sister duo Prince Rama, which unfortunately appears to also be their final release as they are splitting up.  While their sound could certainly be an acquired taste (i have some friends who despised them), i loved their particular brand of weirdo electro-pop.  So they will be missed...at least at my house.  Check out "Love in Kontrol" below and get the "Rage In Peace" EP here from Carpark.

Greys

Toronto post punk band Greys are back with a new album of paranoid, disillusioned slices of noise.  "Age Hasn't Spoiled You" mines elements from punk, grunge, jazz, no wave, and more to craft a breathing and heaving slab of sound, something more moody and expansive than previous output.  Listen to "Arc Light" below and order the album here from Carpark Records.

Dent May - 90210

One of my very favorite things about quirky singer songwriter Dent May is the time years ago at SXSW when my friend (with no idea who he was) made like he was going to hit him in a crowd of festival goers, and May scurried away to then take the stage.  Good times.  But, as it turns out, his music is also consistently great.  Listen to future singalong "90210" below and get the upcoming "Across the Multiverse" LP in August from Carpark.

Toro y Moi - Boo Boo

Toro y Moi has a new album, "Boo Boo," out today via Carpark, and it's a slick and hazy collection of synth-driven, chilled, and dreamy pop grooves.  Stream the whole thing below, with accompanying video of Chaz Bundick (now going by Chaz Bear for some reason) hanging out and driving around the Bay Area.  It's kind of relaxing.

Cloud Nothings - Modern Act

Hey, a new Cloud Nothings song.  This wasn't on my radar at all.  The band continues to draw inspirations from classic acts like The Replacements, and that's a good thing.  Listen to "Modern Act" below and be on the lookout for the band's new record, "Life Without Sound," in January from Carpark.

Dent May - Face Down in the Gutter of Your Love

It feels like it's been a long time since we last heard from Dent May.  It's also been a long while since my good friend stared him down at SXSW like he was going to kill him, an event that will never cease to make me giggle.  Anyway, May is on Carpark Records now, and he just released a new and grooving single last week, the wonderfully titled "Face Down in the Gutter of Your Love."  It's a toe-tapper for sure, an infectious little earworm, perfect for a summer day.  Listen below and download here.

Prince Rama

I know numerous people, friends and acquaintances both, who cannot stand or even hate the band Prince Rama.  I don't get it.  Sure, the theatrics can be a little bit silly, all neon costumes, pomp, and pretentiousness, but it's just for fun.  And is it really that much more ridiculous than wearing makeup or spandex or dresses or corpse paint or anything else?  No.  No, it's not.  Taking cues from 80's pop, world music, techno, and just a whole lot weird, the Larson sisters craft bright, glowing dance anthems for the art school kids, the drama geeks, and the eternally socially awkward.  New album "Xtreme" (sigh...) is due next week on Carpark.  Listen to "Your Life in the End" below.

New Cloud Nothings

"I'm Not Part of Me" is the newest jam from Cloud Nothings, taken from the group's upcoming "Here and Nowhere Else" LP due on Carpark in April.  There's a real Replacements thing going on here.  I like it.

TEEN

Art-pop act TEEN was one of the surprises i came across during my week of drinking and music.  At times the girl group (three sisters and a friend) recalls elements of Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, or even The Bangles.  It's an enjoyable, dreamy, and trippy ride.  Listen to "Carolina" below from the upcoming EP of the same name due in May from Carpark.

Memory Tapes

Memory Tapes' music seems to flirt with almost prog-folk style arrangements as performed alone in a bedroom with synthesizers, sleek sounds mixed with occasional fuzz, trance, or afro-beats, with sporadic bursts synthetic symphonics and New Order pulse.  New album "Grace/Confusion" continues on that path, further distancing Dayve Hawke from the fading "chill-wave" scene.  Take a listen to "Neighborhood Watch" below, a great synth-pop song that feels like it's compiled from several different songs, yet still jives together.  Grab the record from Carpark next week.