Birthwater // Wet Water

I really wish I had known that this Birthwater album came out this past summer because the sound that they capture here perfectly encapsulates the feeling of hot, lazy afternoons spent inner tubing down a meandering river. Listening to it I should have guessed that these guys are from New Jersey because their sound is delightfully reminiscent of the Underwater Peoples crew. I definitely feel some Real Estate/Family Portrait/Julian Lynch vibes going on in there.

So the album is called Wet Water and I am pretty much in love with everything about it. It flirts perfectly with jam band territory without any of the cheese that usually accompanies bands of that ilk. And with ten super solid tracks this album is a shocking steal because the guys have put it up on their bandcamp for free. There is literally no downside to grabbing this thing. So download it and spread it around because it really is that good.

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BANDCAMP | MYSPACE | TUMBLR

 

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Dorean // “Darling”

I would like someone to show me what Dan Abary (Youth Castles, Four Visions) can do wrong because so far I can’t find anything and it’s sorta pissing me off. How can one person deviate between genres so effortlessly while I haven’t a shred of musical ability? Whatever. I guess I’ll just have to swallow that bitter pill while listening to this unashamedly summery pop song.

Dan sent me this track a few days ago and mentioned that his intent was to write music with some “perfect summer vibes.” Now if I’m not wrong then I’d have to say that he succeeded brilliantly with his new project Dorean’s track “Darling”. Everything about this track is dripping with the sun-warmed, salty water of the ocean. The guitars seem to bubble up from whatever crafted them on the ocean floor and Dan is there collecting them like a beach bum would scour the sand for seashells after the ocean tide.

Grab this track fast from his bandcamp and join me in hoping that there’s more to come from Dorean before summer’s end.

Check ‘em out: BANDCAMP

 

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unouomedude // Frequency 7”

unouomedude is easily one of my favorite artists. I’ve worked with him on a few mixtapes and he is a seriously cool dude. I’m so glad that he has announced that he’s working on some new music.

I can still remember this past summer when the blogs belonged to him as they all counted down the moments until Marsh debuted. His music so perfectly captured the bittersweet feelings of summer’s end as no one was really ready to let go of the sweet warm weather. On his newest digital 7”, Uno perfects his fuzzy guitar pop sound and unleashes Frequency at the most opportune moment. Winter has far outstayed its visit and pretty much everyone is ready to see it go. On these two track Uno is doing his part in escorting the cold out the door. He brings the warmth and the camaraderie that we’ve come to associate with his music.

You can download Frequency on his bandcamp or on his website. And make sure you follow his blog so that you can keep up with news on his upcoming projects.

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check this: “Frequency”

 

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High Pop // Bong Rips EP

HIGH POP GIVE ME MORE! Seriously, though these guys are totally infectious. It’s crazy that their total playtime in my iTunes only adds up to like 5 or 6 minutes. It doesn’t matter though, because they are great.

I know the lo-fi surf rock thing has more or less been done to death, but none of that even registers when I listen to High Pop. Spinning their first EP, Bong Rips, they sometimes remind me of early Wavves (and I mean that in the best possible way). Their brand of scuzzy fuzzed-out surf rock bleeds the searing heat of the summer sun. Even though the EP is so short, they have the skateboaring-with-ripped-knees-and-pizza-with-friends aesthetic down pat.

Download it for free (RIGHT NOW) on their bandcamp. Good stuff, folks.

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goodness gracious: “concrete surfer”

 

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Hausu // EP

Hausu is a new band from Portland. Members of the band have also been in groups such as The Young Friends and Herr Jazz. Although they only have three songs to their name (a two-song EP and a single), they’ve already established a great sound. Using the influences and experience that they’ve gained from being in other bands, Hausu is prepped to make their mark.

The niche that the kids in Hausu have carved out for themselves is definitely a summery, beachy one. I would hesitate to call this surf pop though. It has a certain nostalgic 1980’s pop quality to it. They probably share some of the same record collection that Wild Nothing was listening to when he recorded his album. There is a welcoming warmth to their music. A sense of familiarity. The sort of feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know that you are finally going to reunite with your best friend after being separated for months. And really, who doesn’t like that feeling?

Check out their song, “She’s a Babe” below and then skate on over to Cool Things I Find today to hear another track from the promising Portland outfit.

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wowee zowee: “She’s a Babe”

 

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There is no shortage of band’s with drug-inspired names dominating my iTunes. I’ve got Run DMT, Truman Peyote, Meth Teeth, Weed Diamond and just plain Weed. Well, I can now add New York’s Weed Hounds to that list.

The band crafts some dreamy summer pop similar to the excellent Eternal Summers. It sortof recreates the distinct feeling of taking a nap on the beach and is just all-around really great summer music. Head to the band’s tumblr to download some of their music for free. If you like what you hear, you can buy some merch from them there too.

mp3: “Beach Bummed”

 

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