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 […]

The Melodic Tonic ’17, September 27th edition provides the perfect antidote to the mid-week blues – a.k.a. hump day. Most of the tunes will leave you in a relaxed state, and we’ve included the video to one song as it’s a must see. Happy Wednesday everyone.   Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile – “Continental Breakfast” (Australia/USA) Lotta Sea Lice by […]

The Matinee August 17th edition features nine songs to delight your senses – and some will bring you to your knees. You’ll want to dance and shimmy your shoulders, rock out, and even laugh out loud at times. So sit back and enjoy these new music treats. The first one, though, requires you to be sitting down with the tissues […]

Two years ago, Algiers announced themselves to the world with their raw but fiery debut album. Algiers introduced us to the intercontinental band’s kaleidoscopic sound that was unlike anything released that year or even in this decade. Elements of gospel, soul, post-punk, New Wave, blues, and indie rock were masterfully blended into a maelstrom of combustible sonic energy. Algiers’ brilliance […]

On his remarkable album, 2014’s No Bright, Mike Hadreas unveiled a different side to Perfume Genius. He was vulnerable, assertive, commanding, and proud, and No Bright was the pinnacle of his canon. It was simultaneously a sermon and an enlightening for all willing to hear his message. Three years later, Hadreas has returned with a new record that still requires […]

The Matinee April 28th is like a high school reunion, as each of the nine artists / bands featured today have occupied past playlists and/or have had their albums reviewed. This is a first for us. Algiers – “The Underside of Power” (Atlanta, USA) RIYL: TV on the Radio, Benjamin Booker, Leon Bridges Atlanta-based indie rockers Algiers are one of […]

There has been a trend among indie-rockers of using rainbow colors to signal youthful optimism and blissful psychedelic confusion. So maybe to new fans, the cover of Spoon’s new album might look like something synthy, fun, and perky. But the moment you dive into the multi-chrome skull, you realize you’re listening to the kings of lean, sinewy pop-rock. Any of the […]

The Matinee March 23rd once again features nine songs, and each one will intrigue you in different ways. Some will make you laugh while others will have you thinking about your place in the world. Whatever you’re feeling like today, hopefully the mini-playlist will satisfy your mood.   Perfume Genius – “Slip Away” (Seattle, USA) RIYL: Arcade Fire, Future Islands, […]