2018 has been an incredible year for Lucy Dacus, who earlier this year collaborated with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers under the moniker boygenius to release one of this year’s most incredible EPs. Her own solo album, Historian, is similarly a remarkable feat. The record is not merely a personal account of the 23-year old singer-songwriter’s life, but how the world has […]

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 […]

In their early days, Danish post-punk quartet Iceage were a furious and hard band. Their initial releases were filled with teenage angst, but their third album, Plowing Into the Field of Love, revealed a change in tone and approach. It represented a band maturing and whose perceptions grew to account for the world as a whole and away from the […]

boygenius by boygenius Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus are undeniably three of the most exciting and talented young singer-songwriters of the decade. When news broke the three were working on a project together, it was impossible to not take note. The result of this collaboration is boygenius, which is undeniably one of the year’s best releases – EP […]

The Matinee ’18 November 27th – Part 1 features mostly uplifting tunes, many of which belong on the big screen or should be heard in an arena. There is a wide range of genres, so there should be something for everyone. Once you’ve finished listening to these seven songs, check out Part 2 for another lucky 7 tracks. That mini-playlist […]

On the other half of our doubleheader, The Matinee ’18 November 13th – Part 2 traverses many dimensions. There are cosmic tunes, a wall-shaker, and a song that is perfect for a wedding. Then there are a few tunes that belong on a film soundtrack plus another that features one of the best voices in the business. If you haven’t […]

This week’s Melodic Tonic ’18 September 12th edition has lots of soul. That’s because of our first song. The rest of today’s mini playlist is a mix of indie bedroom pop, indie rock, and indie alt-country. So crank these tunes and give your mid-week slump the swift kick it deserves! Let’s get right to it with an instant classic from an […]

The Matinee ’18 August 17th edition is a blustery affair – for the most part anyway. Raging rockers, hip-shaking pop anthems, and one dazzling ballad fill up the mini-playlist. We begin, though, with the return of one of the great singer-songwriters of the past decade. Kurt Vile – “Loading Zones” (Philadelphia, USA) RIYL: Kurt Vile The biggest surprise yesterday came […]

Another wide-ranging set of nine songs is featured on The Matinee ’18 June 12th. The mini-playlist commences with the return of one of indie rock’s great bands of the past two decades who set the tone for what comes after. Interpol – “The Rover” (New York City, USA) RIYL: Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Wolf Parade It’s hard to believe […]

The Matinee ’18 May 17th features nine artists whom we’ve been quite bullish about in terms of their potential. All of them are long-time favorites. Similar to yesterday’s Melodic Tonic, this mini-playlist is dominated by women. As we like to say, women are music’s future now. Annabel Allum – “em(ily)” (Guildford, England) RIYL: Nadine Shah, Eliza Shaddad, Miya Folick Nearly […]

Nearly a decade ago, Danish punk-rock outfit Iceage arrived with the fury of a category five hurricane. Their initial releases – the self-titled EP and 2011’s debut LP New Brigade – were unrelenting, head-charging punk records that equally rattled walls as they blew away minds. They continued to unleash fire and brimstone on 2013’s You’re Nothing before changing pace and […]

A younger Yo La Tengo would have used the current political climate to deliver music equivalent to a surging hurricane. Angular guitars, oft-kilter melodies, walls of feedback and reverb, crushing drums, and poignant lyricism were their trademarks with no two songs sounding alike. Their 15th album, There’s a Riot Going On, however, isn’t the typical YLT album. It is the […]

 Lucy Dacus is only 22 years old, and she has a lot to say. And we are listening. Very few people her age let alone twice her senior are able to passionately and expressively articulate their emotions and experiences as Dacus does on her triumphant sophomore album, Historian. The record is not merely a personal account of Dacus’ life, […]

Earlier today we shared the World Edition of The Matinee, which you can find here. Now it’s time for The Matinee ’18 February 15th – North American Edition. Six more songs featuring all-time favorites and a couple of new ones. We get started with one of the great indie artists of the past fifteen years.   Eleanor Friedberger – “In […]

The Matinee ’18 February 13th rocks. Literally, the nine songs are predominantly rock tunes – or have basis in rock ‘n roll, indie rock, punk rock, or folk-rock. There is one song, however, that’s beyond categorization. For the most part, this mini-playlist will get the blood flowing, so you can skip that second or third cup of coffee and opt […]

The Matinee ’18 February 8th features forward-thinking artists and those rekindling the past with majestic aplomb. This mini-playlist features art-rock; old-school R&B, soul, and dream-folk; ’90s-inspired indie rock; ambient psychedelia; catchy jangle-pop; and some old-fashion slacker rock. We start things off, however, with the surprised new single from a college radio legend.   Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – “Middle […]

The Matinee ’18 January 18th is filled with songs from artists who either were on Artists to Watch list or one of our 61 Most Anticipated Albums. There are, of course, one newcomer and a couple of bands that we didn’t have on our radar when it came to new albums. Dr. Dog – “Listening In” (Philadelphia, USA) RIYL: My […]

The long-awaited sophomore album from Memphis, Tennessee’s Julien Baker, Turn Out the Lights was released last week. It was long-awaited because her debut, Sprained Ankle, was one of the best debut records in years. Sprained Ankle was full of heart-wrenching songwriting, from heartbreak to depressive thoughts, Baker’s music hits direct to the heart. It was such a strong release that […]

When I think of laid-back guitar rock, it’s hard to beat Courtney Barnett’s Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit. Unless you’re talking about Kurt Vile’s Wakin’ On a Pretty Daze. Luckily, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile have joined forces on Lotta Sea Lice, their first record together. The result is an album loaded with wonderful, quirky […]

Today’s mid-week serving of new music features a global flavor. Featuring artists from Australia to the UK, these six songs offer equal amounts of bright pop and darker electronica. We start with good news from one of our favorite Glasgow bands.   Belle and Sebastian – “I’ll Be Your Pilot” (Glasgow, Scotland) RIYL: Belle and Sebastian You can’t really call Belle […]