Melodic Tonic '16, vol. 4

Welcome to this week’s serving of new music cocktails! Last week’s theme was one-word bands; this week we’re featuring several strong female voices. The one exception is this second single from a supergroup of veteran male alt/indie rockers, so let’s get started.

Beverly – “Victoria” (Brooklyn, USA)

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Beverly – the indie dream-pop duo of Drew Citron (vocals, guitar) and Scott Rosenthal (bass/guitar) – will release the follow-up to their 2014 hit debut album, Careers, in a few months. The pair co-wrote this track with Kip Berman (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) during a snowy session in upstate New York. Despite its origins in those wintry conditions, “Victoria” positively shines with summery pop radiance. The Blue Swell drops May 6th via Kanine Records where it is available for pre-order. Beverly will tour the U.S. in February and March (including a stop at SXSW Festival in Austin, TX) before heading to the U.K. in May.

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End of Love – “Let It Go” (New York City, USA)

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We at The Revue are suckers for a good supergroup, and the formation of this collective called End of Love is no exception. That’s the new group of indie alt-rock/Americana superstars featuring members of Big Star, Sonic Youth, and Wilco, just to name a few. So what happens when that caliber of talent is harnessed into a collaborative project? It’s a sweet storm of swirling guitars across a rock & roll landscape. The lineup includes the likes of Jody Stephens (Big Star) on drums and Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) on guitars, along with Django Haskins (Au Pair), Chris Stamey (the dB’s), Jay Deegan, and three members of Wilco: Nels Cline on guitars, John Stirratt on backing vocals and production, and Mikael Jorgensen on keys. And that’s still not the full roster. If you love cranked-up music in your ears while enjoying a frosty adult beverage, then “Let It Go” is your soundtrack. Ghosts on the Radio released digitally last December via Devise Music on iTunes and will be available on CD from Amazon on February 19.

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Lucy Dacus – “Strange Torpedo” (Richmond, USA)

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You could call Lucy Dacus the younger American version of Courtney Barnett, and the comparison still wouldn’t do justice to this emerging singer/songwriter from Virginia. At just 20 years old, Dacus certainly has the younger part down. And her songwriting style – as narrator of everyday situations – echoes Barnett’s with its sagacity. On this single, she tackles the very adult theme of witnessing another person’s self-destructive behaviors. Lyrics like “I’m more surprised every time you’re alive when I check for breath in the morning” have more depth than one would expect from a singer barely out of her teens. But listening to Lucy Dacus, you get the impression that she’s an old soul with plenty more stories to tell. We look forward to hearing them when her debut album, No Burden, releases February 26 via EggHunt Records. It is available for pre-order from the label.

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Margaret Glaspy – “You and I” (Brooklyn, USA)

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“You and I have been a mistake / I let it linger too long” sings Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Margaret Glaspy on this new single. “You and I” is a pragmatic breakup song from an artist who wastes no time getting to the point on this perfectly succinct tune. She lets nothing linger too long here, keeping the jangly guitar riffs tight throughout. This is perhaps not so much her outlook on a relationship’s end as her no-nonsense approach to life. Glaspy is an artist who has pursued her dream of being a musician since childhood, moving from California to Boston for music school then to New York City for her career. Now that she’s been signed to ATO Records (home to Alabama Shakes and My Morning Jacket), she is one step closer to becoming a household name. With her fierce determination and songs like this that display her musical prowess, we think 2016 will be a great year for this newcomer. Her debut is due out this summer from ATO Records.

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Wyvern Lingo – “Letter to Willow” (Bray, Ireland)

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There must be something in the waters of Ireland’s Co. Wicklow that gives magical vocal powers to its singers. Take for instance that tall crooner who goes by the name Hozier: those pipes of his are now known worldwide. As it turns out, he’s friends with the members of Wyvern Lingo, an emerging indie alt-pop female trio from his hometown of Bray. Karen Cowley (vocals/bass/keys) sang with him on his award-winning debut album, while she and Caoimhe Barry (drums/vocals) joined him on his recent international tour. Now the trio (including Saoirse Duane on guitar/vocals) is currently touring with him on his sold-out winter tour, undoubtedly bringing them much exposure. The release of their upcoming EP next month should bring them even more deserved attention. “Letter to Willow” is packed with powerful harmonies and sassy, R&B-influenced hooks. It’s from their upcoming sophomore EP of the same name due out March 4 on Rubyworks Records. You can get the single now from Amazon and iTunes.