Today's Hotness: Hellier Ulysses, Lacing

>> This reviewer thought that this day might come, when an indie rock release would cross his path and defy all efforts to categorize or "name" it (well, not _all_ efforts. -- Ed.). It arrived earlier this spring: Prime Example, the sophomore set from Atlanta's Hellier Ulysses, is exactly that. Issued on cassette in mid-March via Brooklyn's OSR label, the set offers up seven jazzy, minute-long post-punk cubist head-scratchers that nevertheless remain catchy and pack enough ideas to power an hour-long double album. Comprised of musicians "Advantage Fire, Humidity Ott, Pit Moder and San Forest," the Georgia quartet operates at the frontier of imagination and musicianship. During preview track and collection highlight "Genesis Is Dispersion" the group funks through a tough, Stax-styled guitar intro before sidelining into a brief, country-fried blues verse and a helium-voiced response, before the sweetly sung hook "I just can't let go" floats over three breezy chords. The warm, vintage-sounding and playfully overdubbed words and effects that pepper this tape call to mind '60s pop experimentalists like Godz, The Mothers of Invention and The Velvet Underground at their most unhinged and quirky -- a rarely employed inspiration within more conventional indie rock that works great here as deployed with mathematical precision by Hellier Ulysses. "Eat the Police," another highlight, balances clattering No Wave dissonance with bizarre time-signature fret runs and a hip-shaking disco beat. Really. In an age where so much new art seems to build upon the past, it is striking how much fresh humor, expression, originality and economy these four musicians conjure seemingly out of thin air. Prediction: in 40 years, a group of kids at the vanguard of 2060's youth culture will name-check Prime Example, and the world will have finally caught up to Hellier Ulysses' level of invention and hyperactivity. Get in on the ground floor now: order the cassette or grab the digital files from OSR right here. Hellier Ulysses' debut collection Hellier Ulysses was self-released by the band in 2013 and issued on cassette by Egg Paper Factory a year later. According to a statement at its web site, nine-year-old OSR is winding down operation in 2016; the outfit's commitment to releasing innovative music is commendable, and we hope the label's proprietors will remain involved with identifying and exposing talent in some fashion going forward. Stream Prime Example via the embed below. -- Edward Charlton



>> Whispered, mysterious, bruised and grinding: that's the way we prefer our classic shoegaze, and Chattanooga's Lacing seem to have -- in some sort of "Weird Science"-esque scenario -- taken those qualities and used them to create a pristine swimsuit model version of the sound. This, folks, is the stuff. On the quartet's four-track, self-released debut cassette Honey Glow, Lacing assaults the senses with tidal waves of distorted and treated guitar, crashing drums and barely-there vocals, creating crescendos of impressionistic melody all along the way. Ever since the twinned landmark albums of 1992 -- The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa's Susurrate and Lilys' earth-shaking In The Presence of Nothing -- this reviewer has pined for similarly hushed and alluringly veiled music that retains a live, practice-room exuberance. Honey Glow deliciously scratches that very specific itch. A lone, flanged guitar ignites opener "Gloom" (a guitar effect rarely pulled off tastefully, we might add) before the figurative skies figuratively open up and thunder and rain flood the stereo field. The drumming, in particular, gives these songs a spirited immediacy, and echoes the sturdy gallop of post-'gaze groups like Hum. Collection highlight "Needle" switches primarily between two sections in the style of My Bloody Valentine, but does so with such manic fervor that its three minutes feel like one. And, after three short and pounding doses of noise-pop perfection, Lacing closes its abbreviated set with an epic title track. The tune offers 11 minutes of glistening sheets of suspended-animation guitar notes that accumulate into sense of time-traveling curiosity. Everything about Honey Glow leaves the listener wanting more; in our modern age of over-sharing and lack of subtlety, the EP offers a powerful and addicting experience and marks Lacing as one of the most vital concerns of 2016. Buy the cassette now from their Bandcamp wigwam here -- at press time only seven of these gems remained. To circle back on the Lilys record briefly: Frontier Records strongly hinted here in March that it will reissue In The Presence Of Nothing this fall. Keep your fingers crossed. -- Edward Charlton

Today's Hotness: Football, Etc., Diocese, Goodly Thousands

>> Houston emo veterans Football, Etc. have been a known quality around Clicky Clicky HQ for quite some time, and yet here we are just now finally devoting some virtual column inches to them. Over the course of a six-year history, the trio has issued a series of well-received 7" singles and LPs on respectable labels Texas Is Funny and, more recently, the un-eff-withable Count Your Lucky Stars. Across those releases the group chased and most often found a familiar and comfortable sound, one that draws equally from late '90s emo stars like Rainer Maria and the precise brilliance of The Spinanes' early output. And along the way Football, Etc. has proven itself one of the most consistent acts, and as a result its profile continued to rise as those emo revival trend pieces start to pile up. Count Your Lucky Stars this week released Football, Etc.'s latest effort (at least digitally, read on), a very potent EP titled Disappear EP. The four-song 7" contains the three-pieces' strongest work to date, although it doesn't attempt to recreate the wheel. What Disappear delivers is four urgently melodic numbers that glide along fronter Lindsay Minton's clean Telecaster tones despite the persistent unease in her lyrics. Ms. Minton's voice is devastatingly poignant on the opening cut "Sunday," a tune in which she imagines erasing herself to feel better. Everything seems to fall into place on Disappear, which was recorded with the legendary J. Robbins. Stream the entire EP via the Soundcloud embed below, and order it from CYLS right here. The 7" -- which is available pressed to classic black or milky-clear-with-orange-and-blue-splatter media -- was slated for release this week. However, according to the label, pressing plant delays related to the bothersome Record Store Day glut has pushed back the shipping date about a month, which means the band will likely have already been overseas for its short Japanese tour and back before the 7" records ship domestically. In the meantime, fans who made the trek to Austin for the annual South By Southwest branding confabulation had a few chances to catch the band, and Football, Etc. is planning additional U.S. tour dates for the summer. -- Dillon Riley



>> In reviewing its debut LP Detergent Hymns here in January, we noted that Swings are a prolific bunch. This was even more true than we realized at the time, as it turns out that two of the Swings cohort, fronter Jamie Finucane and drummer Dan Howard, log time with another act based out of Oberlin College. The act is presently called BBC America, and we hesitate to call it a Swings side-project as the aforementioned dudes make up the act's rhythm section. Notably, an older and very short-lived iteration of BBC America art-rocked most steadfastly under the name Diocese; was fronted by a woman named Mia Rosenberg; and recorded a self-titled debut that has been making the rounds among the indiescenti of late. Ms. Rosenberg and her singular, elastic voice has migrated west to pursue more pastoral pastimes, a precipitating factor for the name change, but what Diocese left behind after a scant four months shuffling off this mortal coil is a strong eight-song document that relies on some of the same slow-burn intensity and loose instrumental interplay fans have discovered on Detergent Hymns. The sonic freak-out that punctuates the coda on the stunning second track "Matthew Walker" pulls off seething rage in a way few bands that play, moody atmospheric rock such as this can. Stand-out tune "Spoken To" deconstructs before your very ears, but is practically on fire when riding a charged 5/4 meter whose ol' push-and-pull drops off a cliff at the tune's sudden end. Diocese's electric and meandering self-titled effort is being issued posthumously by micro-indie Como Tapes in a limited edition of 75 hand-dubbed, teal cassettes (ask your moms how they work yo) and digital download; order the former here or get the latter for zero American dollars here. And while you can no longer experience the wonder of seeing Diocese live, BBC America (remember them, from the beginning of this paragraph?) are alive and kicking, with guitarist Mike Stenovic up front singing in place of Rosenberg. The act kicks off a short tour tomorrow alongside the also aforementioned Swings. There are two college shows in the Boston-ish area at the end of March (approaching!), so you oldsters start applying your Just For Men now. Inspect all of the tour dates below, and hit the stream of Diocese below that. -- Dillon Riley and Jay Breitling

3.20 -- Gambier, OH -- Kenyon College w/ Sports, Sidebitch
3.21 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- w/ Sidebitch, Glowworms, Blod Maud
3.22 -- Harrisonburg, VA -- Crayola House
3.23 -- Washington DC -- w/ Two Inch Astronaut, Rye Pines, Something Sneaky
3.25 -- Montclair, NJ -- House Show w/ CAVE WETA (NO SWINGS)
3.26 -- Brooklyn, NY -- Aviv w/ BIG UPS, Kissing Fractures
3.27 -- Somerville, MA -- Tufts University w/ Vundabar
3.28 -- Worcester, MA -- Clark University w/ Amanda X



>> The glistening sound of '80s UK guitar pop is alive and well, well, just across the Irish Sea. Dublin trio Goodly Thousands, which formed five years ago in Dundrum, Ireland, exhibits a persistently bright jangle on an EP set for release later this month. The four-song collection is titled Sunshine Hair and its title track is just as its name suggests: breezy and beautiful. The tune succeeds in a big way on the strength of restless and sparkling 12-string guitar picking, crisp drumming and fronter Colm Dawson's emotive tenor. Along with "Sunshine Hair," the EP offers the tunes "Walking Home," "Kiss Me Upside-Down" and "Ponytail." Shelflife will release the Sunshine Hair EP March 24 in a limited edition of 300 vinyl 7" records and as a digital download, and you can pre-order a copy right here. Goodly Thousands' debut single "Honest" b/w "I Wish" was issued by Shelflife in 2013, and is nearly sold out at this point (although different versions of those two tunes and two others are available for free download at Goodly Thousands' Bandcamp right here). Stream the irresistible "Sunshine Hair" via the Soundcloud embed below.

Today's Hotness: Ahuizotl, Glish, Ultimate Painting, Enchanted Hunters

>> It's been more than two years since we first turned onto Cologne, Germany-based noise pop band Ahuizotl. Back in early 2012 we were significantly jazzed by the foursome's Lice EP, and we've been eagerly awaiting new material ever since. Our patience is finally being rewarded, as the quartet at long last announced last week that its debut long-player Integrity Is Overrated will be released Oct. 24 on the Cologne-based imprint Tumbleweed Records. The first preview of the forthcoming set is the quasi-title track "Movie," a compact and downcast slice of strummy guitar-pop that reiterates the best aspects of the tunes on the Lice EP, namely foregrounded guitars, precise rhythms, dreamy synth and yearning vocals. This is not to say that Ahuizotl doesn't have any new tricks up its collective proverbial sleeve. We've had a secret listen to another album track, "I Wanna Be Ignored," an ambitious, eight-minute pop suite that finds the band pushing at the boundaries of its sound in exciting ways. Looking at the 10-song track listing for Integrity Is Overrated, it appears two tunes from Lice also made the cut for the new collection, "Slide" and "Self-Made." All of which adds up to our being very stoked to hear the new set. Stream "Movie" via the embed below, and we'll make certain to alert readers when pre-orders begin for Integrity Is Overrated.



>> While many shoegaze fans hold the synthetic and textured sounds of landmark records such as My Bloody Valentine's Loveless and Slowdive's Souvlaki to be the highest ideal (and justifiably so), this reviewer prefers his dream-pop to work in the scrappier, home-grown vein. The smashing new single from New Orleans five-piece Glish hits right in that mythical sweet spot and is one of the best tracks of its kind to arrive this year. "Stu Hunkington," from the quintet's debut self-titled full-length out on Texas Is Funny Nov. 4, is an exercise in punky, whammy-bar delirium. The tune operates in a joyous, full-bore manner the likes of which have not been heard since perphaps the Swirlies' colossal 1993 full-length album Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (the actual pinnacle of the genre -- wink). Opening with a choppy, oblong two-chord riff, the song launches into a whirlwind of hardcore-influenced drumming, close-but-far vocal harmonies and a clean drum production style geared more toward capturing Glish's house show-styled combustibility more than any attempt at a delicate, dream-like environment. The best part of "Stu Hunkington," though, is surely what's going on in the left speaker. There, the lead guitarist's squealing and squelching lead notes not only drive the composition, but they inject just the right amount of chaotic danger to offset the open-vowel singing and skyrocketing kit. Think of it as a lone, unpredictable gale force wind interrupting the serene drift of a high-altitude balloon. Watch the Texas Is Funny digital storefront here for details on how to order Glish, as those details certainly should be cropping up soon. Stream "Stu Hunkington" via the embed below. -- Edward Charlton



>> We're pretty dang excited for the debut full-length from Ultimate Painting, the London superlative-earning duo of Jack Cooper from Mazes and James Hoare of pace-setting pop heroes Veronica Falls. The pair recently shared a new track from their upcoming self-titled debut, which is due Oct. 28 via the wonderful Trouble In Mind records. That new song, "Winter In Your Heart," provides still further evidence that Ultimate Painting's album will be a real gem. While there is really nothing new to add to our prior report beyond this new tune, we felt compelled enough by its gentle, breezy savoir faire to highlight it for our readers. Similar to what we said about the Ultimate Painting's title track in July, "Winter In Your Heart" explores the group's keen grasp of Velvet Underground-styled pop dynamics. Indeed, "Winter" has the same pure, undiluted warmth that makes the VU's self-titled third album such a timeless treat. It also sticks closely to a formalist song structure, while the up-close texture to the guitars (you can see the strings) and the simple, assured backing vocals lend the song a communal, happily-stoned jam-session vibe that eschews the seriousness of a lot of contemporary indie music. Keep your eyes peeled for the album pre-order details here, and we'll promise to do the same. While you wait, stream the terrific cut "Winter In Your Heart" via the embed below. Incidentally, we're growing impatient for news of new music from Veronica Falls, whose outstanding Waiting For Something To Happen was one of our favorite records of 2013. Here's hoping that, after the Ultimate Painting album cycle is complete, it is not a long wait for news of something new from Veronica Falls. -- Edward Charlton



>> Gdansk, Poland's Enchanted Hunters recently issued to the wilds of the Interzizzles its Little Crushes EP, an exotic, loungy indie-pop offering that sits just right as the lazy days of summers reach a final, comforting end, martini in hand. The four-piece is following up 2012's Peoria album with the new collection, which showcases a unique, woodsy spin on very European music. The tune "Hel" juxtaposes brushed drums with faraway, reverberated finger slides and a wordless vocal melody. Enchanted Hunters go all-in at the end of the track, too, when some unexpected jazz flute closes out the charming piece. EP highlight "Topiellica" makes room for chorused electric guitar, which glides underneath the gorgeous (and presumably Polish-language) layered vocal melodies. The combined effect transports one to a back alley jazz club, as if led by the hand of Bjork or Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier. As with the aforementioned Stereolab, Enchanted Hunters dwell on -- even delve into -- the little details, such as the watery, synthesized strings that play about during the verses of that song. Opener "Sonny" relies on the patterns and figures of various non-percussive instruments to anchor catchy vocals, culminating in a breezy sing-along during the final 30 seconds. It's in moments like these, it becomes apparent that the band is confident enough in its songcraft to not only be mindful of such subtleties, but also keep listeners intrigued throughout all of Little Crushes. Listen to the entire EP below, and buy it right here. -- Edward Charlton

Today's Hotness: The Hush Now, Brunch

>> Boston dream-pop institution The Hush Now disclosed late last week that it will self-release its long-awaited fourth full-length, Sparkle Drive, next month. The act, now operating as a quartet, has issued to the wilds of the Internet an appropriately sparkling preview track, the mid-tempo strummer "Arthur Come On, Really You Can't Be Serious." The tune gives lead guitarist Adam Quane a turn at the microphone; long-time fans will remember Mr. Quane's vocal debut with The Hush Now was on the jaunty bouncer "Cameraphone," which graced the band's terrific third LP Memos, which we reviewed here in 2011. "Arthur Come On, Really You Can't Be Serious" carries Quane's characteristic quavering vocal and is anchored by rich bass tones and layer upon melodic layer of the band's big guitars. As strong as "Arthur" is, it isn't even the best Quane-sung tune on Sparkle Drive; the album opens with the darker, more ethereal composition "Panda" --which touts a spectacular, glistening outro in its final minute -- which we think will connect strongly with fans when the album is released Sept. 23. The Hush Now has been quiet, but not entirely quiet, in the three years since the release of Memos. Among other things, readers will recall founder Noel Kelly picked up his guitar to write a response to the Boston Marathon bombings, and more recently he memorably covered Neil Young's "Motion Pictures" to promote a show over the summer. Information about a proper Sparkle Drive release show has not yet been revealed, but you can watch the band's Facebook outpost for further bulletins. In the meantime, stream "Arthur Come On, Really You Can't Be Serious" via the Soundcloud embed below.



>> The Internerds went all aflutter a couple weeks back with the news that Krill's dearly departed drummer Luke Pyenson had joined a band in London, that the band was good, and that the quartet had a pretty great song in the fuzzy gem "Sea Toad." All of the above is, in fact, true. But by the time Brunch -- that's the name of the band -- dropped its self-titled debut EP last week, much of the Internerds had already moved on. Which is too bad, because it turns out *all* of the noise-pop upstarts' EP is terrific. "Sea Toad" is a fine calling card, yes, flexing scritchy riffage under a high and lonesome lead guitar and fronter Sean Brook's pliable and evocative baritone. However, the best tune of the short stack is its anthemic centerpiece "Tidal Wav." The tune touts an oversized and yearning vocal hook in the chorus, with verses that remind this reviewer of the patient plod of The Velvet Underground's "Lady Godiva's Operation," while the huge chorus echoes the more contemporary outsidery crunch of Dark Blue or even the shadowy London act Black Seas. The succeeding number "Cordial I" slows the tempo and thins out the sonic picture for quiet verses that set up the aggressive choogle of the tune's final 90 seconds. Surprisingly, Brunch plans to come to the U.S. in late September/early October (according to the act's Bandcamp page) to play some shows, and we're very hopeful we'll see the band right here in Boston playing with Krill, because, you know, that seems like a really obvious thing for them to do, and because we like rock and roll music. You should spend time with the Brunch EP, it's time very well spent, and if you pony up the £3 asking price for either the download or handmade CD, you'll be helping in an albeit small way to get the band across the pond for the aforementioned U.S. shows. Stream the entire EP via the embed below, and then click through to purchase.