The Black Bear Affiar

The Black Bear Affair - Glisten by the black bear affair

The Black Bear Affair - Breaking Wave by the black bear affair

The Black Bear Affair are a two man bedroom lo-fi pop band from Sarasota, FL.  Their songs employ the tried and true method of proper fuzz and a catchy guitar line.  "Glisten" is a slower number with a hook that reminds me of Pixies, though I can not exactly figure out why.  "Breaking Wave" is a more straight up rock track, with a fuzzy lo-fi feel.  I personally prefer "Breaking Wave", probably because the guitar line reminds me "Weird Fish" by Radiohead.  These guys are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Southern Shores

Southern Shores - 03 Tangier Winds by CASCINE

I am not sure if this is Balearic, chillwave, or some other subgenre - all I know is that it is a great song.  It is specifically a great August song, something for those nights where it finally dips below 80 degrees.  "Tangier Winds" is from the Atlantic EP recent released on Cascine records.  I look forward to hearing more from these guys, really fantastic stuff.  Enjoy!

Prince Rama

  Prince Rama, "Rest in Peace" by The FADER

I haven't posted some straight up sprawling psych awesomeness in a while, so here is the new Prince Rama track.  This thing starts in high gear and then just kicks it up from there.  "Rest in Peace" is the kind of song I always want Gang Gang Dance to make, but they never do.  This thing is a swirling lava lamp of psych rock, middle eastern tunes, and drums.  Good lord those drums are epic.  They have a new album, Trust Now, coming out October 4th on Paw Tracks.  They also formed a super group with Sun Araw called Prince Sunarawma with that album coming out soon.  So they are staying busy.

Balam Acab

  BALAM ACAB - Apart by TriAngleRecords

  BALAM ACAB - Oh, Why by TriAngleRecords

I am still not totally sold on the drag/witch house genre, but Balam Acab brings it with these tracks.  He has a new album, Wander/Wonder, coming out August 29th on Tri Angle Records.  The two tracks above are from the new record.  I personally prefer "Apart" - it keeps a stronger bass/drum track.  "Apart" would mix nicely with a couple tracks by The Weeknd, for one of the strangest late night cruising mixes in history. "Oh, Why" is a slightly quieter and more ambient track.  If these two tracks are indication of the material on the album, it should be one of the best of the year.  And just for good measure here is "Sea Birds (Moon)".

  See Birds (Moon) by BALAM ACAB

Tobacco/Black Moth Super Rainbow

  TOBACCO "Heavy Makeup" by Black Moth Super Rainbow

  TOBACCO "Streaker" feat. Notrabel by Black Moth Super Rainbow

Recently, I have been listening to a lot of Tobacco and Black Moth Super Rainbow.  So, I was pumped when I saw that not only are they back, but also touring and coming to Boston.  I am not as big a fan of Tobacco's solo work as I am of B.M.S.R.  However, the two Tobacco tracks on the bands soundcloud are fantastic. They have that perfect acid crunch beat.  "Streaker" is heavier than just about anything you will hear this year.  "Heavy Makeup" is a little less heavy and has that almost disco beat that Black Moth does so well.  Anyway, check out the tracks, Tour dates after the jump, Get Excited!

Arc In Round - Brighton Music Hall

Slow Ceiling by Arc In Round

On Tuesday I saw Arc in Round at Brighton Music Hall.  The show was headlined by Woods and Kurt Vile, but unfortunately I had a big meeting at work the next day so I had to go early.  Arc in Round put on a solid performance though.  Their sound really comes alive on stage, everything gets room to breathe and expand.  They play a nice style of propulsive shoe gaze.  They have a new album out now, Diagonal Fields.  I posted two of my favorite tracks off the album, the album closer "Slow Ceiling" and the album opener "3 A.M. All the Time".  Definitely worth checking them out if they come by your town.  More photos after the jump!

Fool's Gold

  Fool's Gold - Street Clothes by iamsoundrecords

Fool's Gold are favorites of Noise Verse Noise, so I was excited when they announced a new album was on its way.  Leave No Trace is due out on August 16th.  You can check out the first single above.  Sounds like another groovetastic affair.