Rhye have released another stellar album this year. There have been many changes from the debut of Woman, Rhye (Mike Milosh) is now collaborating with multiple composers on the latest release as prior member Robin Hannibal left. Rhye also parted ways with Polydor records and has independently released Blood.  It’s also been almost 5 years since we were graced with […]

Whether through their five records or front man Andrew Savage’s foray as a solo artist, Parquet Courts have covered pretty much every ground within the indie-rock spectrum. Their sixth album, Wide Awake!, however, sees the Brooklyn quartet wade through new territory thanks to the deft guidance of Brian Burton – a.k.a. Danger Mouse. There is still plenty of garage-rock and […]

Leon Bridges released Good Thing as a follow up to 2015’s Coming Home. We hear a nice evolution from the Fort Worth, TX native. On this album he had help from producer Ricky Reed, (Twenty One Pilots, Halsey, Meghan Trainor and Maroon 5). Bridges’ debut album was pure 60s soul and we see a nice evolution which crosses between retro […]

Kurt Vile released Bottle It In a couple of months ago. Maybe the album name is because it’s been a while since his last solo album (2015’s b’lieve i’m goin… down). It also seems like he has a lot to say yet all without revealing too much. One of the endearing things about Kurt Vile is that it’s almost like […]

First Aid Kit released Ruins earlier this year – actually at the beginning of the year. This might be the first time we’ve included a favorite album and a favorite EP by the same artist/band. Tender Offerings is also one of our favorite EPs. Ruins is a beautiful release by the Swedish duo of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg. The […]

Fickle Friends released their debut album,You Are Someone Else, this year, and the band from Brighton created one irresistible, upbeat, synth-pop compilation. This record is your immediate go to for needing an instant lift, as each track successfully forces you to want to move. You Are Someone Else kicks off with the perfect opener, “Wake Me Up”. It builds, becomes […]

David Byrne has never been one to shy away from turning awkward lyrical content into a chorus that you just can’t stop singing (“Psycho Killer”, “Burning Down The House”). It’s no surprise that the legendary Mr. Byrne does it again on American Utopia. The album is a mix of unique and chaotic tempos yet when the chorus drops, you can’t […]

Twin Fantasy by Car Seat Headrest Twin Fantasy was originally recorded in 2011 and released on Car Seat Headrest’s Bandcamp page. It’s part brilliant for the witty lyrics and parts of the ebb and flow of energy combined in each track. The original songs were recorded when Will Toledo was just 19. The album is just 10 tracks, but two of […]

Black Honey – Black Honey (self-released) After releasing a myriad singles, we finally have a proper debut album from the very talented, Brighton-based quartet, Black Honey. Their self-titled debut ranges from spaghetti western-tinged rockers to disco infernos to intimate pop ballads, and each track features a story that belongs on the big screen. Black Honey’s debut album showcases their range […]

 Attention Seeker is a great follow up to The Regrettes‘ debut album, Feel your Feelings Fool!, which also made one of our 2017 lists. The energetic, retro-inspired, female-fronted band are creating rock ‘n roll with an attitude and plenty of personality, and all this despite an eventful year that included a few line-up changes and their tour bus getting […]

Public Service Broadcasting quietly released White Star Liner last year without much fanfare. The trio has consistently tackled historical themes including space exploration to coal mining so it’s only fitting that they tackle the massive sinking of the Titanic. “The Unsinkable Ship” takes a grand turn as we hear a man recount the wonder and awe that he experienced as […]

Minus the Bear’s Fair Enough EP was released in October and is the last recording for the band that started as a joke in Seattle. MTB has always been under the radar for many years with an enthusiastic fan base, and they sadly announced their break-up this summer and just wrapped up their final tour in their hometown. Minus the […]

A Deeper Sea was a nice surprise from Everything Everything. The band released the EP specifically for the first track, “The Mariana” which the band shared “we felt inspired to write a new song dealing with male identity and depression.” The lyrics state “Someone has to be the man”. The track is simple yet profound and adds another reason to […]

Moonlight Baby EP by The Dig Moonlight Baby was released this year by The Dig. The band is creating really catch indie rock with a bit of a psych flair. It was actually a hard decision of which EP to nominate, as they also released the EP Afternoon with Caroline which was part of their El Dig playlist of 2018 […]

The Matinee ’18 December 10th is the last Monday playlist of 2018. It was hard choosing just 6 so here is a nine track playlist to get your week started off right. We hope you find your new favorite song or band. Artists today are representing New Zealand, The US and The UK today. Calva Louise – “Tug Of War” […]

The Matinee ’18 December 3rd includes 6 brand new tracks to get your Monday kicked off right. As we move into the end of 2018, we hope you find your new favorite song or band today. We have a mix of sound today from singer-songwriter, synthpop as well as indie rock.   Artists are representing Canada, The US and the […]

The Matinee ’18 November 26th includes six eclectic tracks to get you on track for another work week. We hope you find your new favorite song or band today. Artists are representing Canada, Slovenia, The US and the UK today. American Authors – “Say Amen” (feat. Billy Raffoul) (Brooklyn, USA and Leamington, ON, Canada) RIYL: BANNERS, James Bay, The Unlikely […]

The Matinee ’18 November 19th includes 6 eclectic tracks to kick off your hopefully holiday filled week for those of you that are state side. We have a mix of indie pop/rock as well as a little singer-songwriter fare. We have artists representing the Canada, The US and the UK today. Aviator Stash – “Shot Song” (San Diego, USA) RIYL: […]

The Matinee ’18 November 12th includes 6 new tracks to kick off your week. We have a nice mix of punk inspired rock as well as exciting synthpop as well. We hope you discover your new favorite song or band today. Artists are representing Canada, The US and the UK today. 36? – “so what?” (Calgary, Canada) RIYL: Animal Collective, […]

It’s been a few weeks since Weekend Two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival came to a close, and it was once again another amazing year. It was still a bit warm in Austin and we missed the torrential rain that caused flooding by one day so the festival was luckily dry and sunny for all three days.  This […]