Category: New Releases

The Shout Out Louds return with their third album, Work, that will be followed by an extensive European and North American tour, including a sold out show next week at New York‘s Music Hall of Williamsburg. Shearwater are back with a new album, The Golden Archipelago, and the featured track, “Black Eyes.”

Denmark‘s experimental pop band Efterklang released their new album, Magic Chairs, and will kick off a U.S. tour next week. The recently disbanded The Fate Fictions dropped their final album today, and the long-awaited new album from San Francisco’s Brian Johnstown Massacre also dropped today. Another San Francisco band, Man/Miracle, released their new LP, Shape of Things, today. The band will perform tomorrow night as part of the city’s 18th annual Noise Pop festival.

We also have new singles from fresh releases from Blood Feathers, Wolf People, Toro Y Moi, We Are Wolves, Holy Fiction, Xiu Xiu, Quasi, Holly Miranda, The Exhibition and others. Enjoy.

“Life Coach” – Fang Island from s/t debut
“Daisy” – Fang Island from s/t debut
Fang Island on MySpace

“Walls” – Shout Out Louds from Work
Shout Out Louds official website

“Black Eyes” – Shearwater from The Golden Archipelago
Shearwater official website

“Hot Sprawl” – Man/Miracle from Shape of Things
Man/Miracle official website

“Modern Drift” – Efterklang from Magic Chairs
Efterklang on MySpace

“Parallel World” – The Fake Fictions from Magic Infinity EP
The Fake Fictions official website

“Let’s Go F**king Mental” – Brian Jonestown Massacre from Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?
Brian Jonestown Massacre

“Don’t Know You at All” – Blood Feathers from Goodness Gracious
Blood Feathers on MySpace

“Repulsion” – Quasi from American Gong
Quasi on MySpace

“October Fires” – Wolf People from Tidings
Wolf People on MySpace

“Blessa” – Toro Y Moi from Causers
Toro Y Moi on MySpace

“Gray Death” – Xiu Xiu from Dear God, I Hate Myself
Xiu Xiu official website

“Iron Eyes” – Holy Fiction from Hours From It
Holy Fiction on MySpace

“Colors” – April Smith & The Great Picture Show from Songs For A Sinking Ship
April Smith & The Great Picture Show

“Waves” – Holly Miranda from The Magician’s Private Library
Holly Miranda on MySpace

“Rapture” – Elaine Lachica from I Think I Can See the Ocean (feb 23 via
Elaine Lachica on MySpace

“Half Truth” – Dead Leaf Echo from Truth
Deaf Leaf Echo on MySpace

“Bright New Worlds” – The Exhibition from s/t EP
The Exhibition website

We realize that all of this music is a bit overwhelming, but it would be a disservice to our regular visitors, subscribers and new visitors to exclude certain tracks for the sake of creating a smaller list of releases – we feel all of the tracks we represent are worth the space they consume. While we do filter which tracks from new releases to present to you all (many do not “make the final cut”), we also try to be as thorough and eclectic as possible, and let you decide which songs you like the most in an effort to help you decide which albums you want to purchase for your music collection.

Reminder: You can stream continuously all of the songs in any of the playlists featured on IRC – while you do other things – just by clicking on the first song.

Next Week: Rogue Wave, Dinosaur Feathers, Portugal. The Man, The Whigs, Butterfly Explosion, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Peasant, Kiki Pau and more.

Previous New Releases Mixes

2/16/10: Music Bear Hands, Local Natives, The Hush Now, Field Music, Son Lux, The Good Listeners

2/9/10: Music Showstar, Yeasayer, Hot Chip, Galactic, Vinca Minor, Drew Danburry, FM Belfast and More

2/2/10: Music from Midlake, The Album Leaf, King of Prussia, Seth Augustus, The Heligoats and More

1/26/10: Music from Beach House, The Magnetic Fields, No Through Road, Woodpigeon, Retribution Gospel Choir, Citay, Boy Genius and More

Los Angeles band The French Semester top today’s featured new releases. The band craft jangly and sunny tracks with an unmistakable 1960’s pop influence. Guitarist and vocalist Riaz Tejani says the band formed in 2007 after discovering they had a common interest in writing and recording songs “derivative of the sixties and nostalgic for the eighties,” but with “a subtler approach to the roots while trying to say something new.” It is no surprise then that TFS include among their biggest musical influences Guided By Voices, Syd Barrett, Neutral Milk Hotel, Donovan, Leonard Cohen and The Rain Parade.

In a short period of time, The French Semester have built a following across the globe, and found themselves opening for bands like Vampire Weekend, Olivia Tremor Control, The Zombies, The Rain Parade and Apples in Stereo. That’s an impressive track record for a band that is only two years in the making. The French Semester’s new album, Forces Afield, is out today and follows the release of their critically acclaimed LP, Good Friends Only I Could See, that came out earlier this year.

“The Large Bouquet” – The French Semester from Forces Afield (2009)

“What’s in the Bag” – The French Semester from Forces Afield (2009)

“Backwards Rolling” – The French Semester from Good Friends Only I Could See (2008)

The French Semester’s official website

Long Beach’s Avi Buffalo, officially release their 7″ inch vinyl single today via the legendary indie label Subpop Records, with the B-side “Jessica.” You can order the 7″ inch vinyl from the Subpop website. Last week, Avi Buffalo announced they will be touring in January with Final Fantasy. AB were an IRC band of the week back in October, and will release their debut LP next spring.

“What’s In It For?” – Avi Buffalo from 7″ single (2009)

Avi Buffalo’s official website

“Phoneme” – STS9 from Ad Explorata (2009)

STS9’s official website

Other releases out today include a new track from The Smashing Pumpkins, Midnight Masses and two vinyl releases from Arctic Monkeys and Sigur Ros.

“A Song for a Son” – Smashing Pumpkins via Stereogum from Teargarden in Kaleidyscope (2009)

“Walk On Water” – Midnight Masses from Rapture Ready, I Gazed at Bodies (2009)

“Cornerstone” – Arctic Monkeys from 7″ vinyl (2009)

“Gobbledigook” – Sigur Ros from 7″ vinyl (2009)

New releases today include LPs from Brimstone Howl, Sunset, Tahiti 80, and others, plus recent worthy releases from Doveman, Old Canes, System and Station, and more. Of all of the releases dropping today, the following are definitely cafe favorites. Don’t miss recent (in the past month) releases we recommend that were not previously highlighted in the New Releases series.

“Suicide Blues” – Brimstone Howl from Big Deal. What’s He Done Lately? (2009)

“Pocketful of Debt” – Sunset from Gold Dissolves To Gray (2009)

“Green Truck” – Sunset from Gold Dissolves To Gray (2009)

“Unpredictable” – Tahiti 80 from Activity Center (2009)

“She Cuts His Hair” – Essex Channel from Love is Proximity (2009)

“The Art Teacher and the Little Stallion” – Holopaw from Oh, Glory. Oh, Wilderness (2009)

“Passagrille” – Chromatic Flights from Sunset Bell EP (2009)

“Diamond Skull” (Lucid Bus) – Chromatic Flights, unreleased (2009)

“Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Boy” – Loney Dear from Citadel Band (2009)

“Breathing Out” – Doveman from The Conformist (2009)

“The Sound” – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson from Summer of Fear (2009)

“Little Bird Courage” – Old Canes from Feral Harmonic (2009)

“Love, Etc.” – System and Station from I’m Here to Kill EP (2009)

At IRC, we send our respect to all veterans who have fallen in service of our country, and our thanks to all of those who serve with honor and loyalty every day. Regardless of whatever one’s political ideologies, it is appropriate on this day before Veteran’s Day to begin today’s playlist with a free MP3 from this touching film.

The Way We Get By is a story about troop greeters — a group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to thank American soldiers departing and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The Trapper” – Zack Martin from The Way We Get By (2009)

Other highlighted MP3s today include fresh tracks from the following artists and bands:
Anders Ponders, Tommy T, Pants Yell!, Dragon Turtle, Loch Lomond, The Orange Peels and The Olympic Symphonium.

“Slowest Motion Miracle” – Anders Ponders from Nodes of Overtones (2009)

“The Response” – Tommy T from The Prester John Sessions (2009)

“Cold Hands” – Pants Yell from Received Pronunciation (2009)

“Darkest Summer” – deVries from Death to God (2009)

“Island of Broken Glass” – Dragon Turtle from Almanac (2009)

“Wax and Wire” – Loch Lomond from Night Bats (2009)

“We’re Gonna Make It” – The Orange Peels from 2020 (2009)

“Intentions Alone” – The Olympic Symphonium from More in Sorrow than in Anger (2009)

“Burnout” – Ox from Burnout (2009)

Recent Releases You Might Have Missed:

“Love Sick Teenagers” – Bear In Heaven from Beast Rest Forth Mouth (2009)
“Kids” (MGMT) – The Kooks, single cover version (2009)
“Shattered Shine” – Crystal Stilts from Alight of Night (2009)
“You Cried Me” – Jookabox from Dead Zone Boys (2009)
“Gloomy Monday Morning” – The Black Hollies from Indian Summer (2009)
“Life Magazine” – Cold Cave from Love Comes Close (2009)
“The Fall Companion” – Afternoon Naps from Parade (2009)
“Pigs” (featuring a marching band) – DM Stith from Heavy Ghost

There is no shortage of impressive new releases today, so we’re not going to do any lengthy review. Instead, we’ll just let the music speak for itself. Check back again later for awesome new music from bands to watch and bands that make blips on the indie radar, plus more indie and alternative Halloween playlists, and a special edition of great really indie music from 08 you may have missed. In the meantime, enjoy today’s new releases, and if you like something, show your love and buy the LP or EP. These are all free and legal MP3s. Enjoy.

“The Trouble with Flying” (w/Billy Squier) – Orba Squara from The Trouble with Flying (2009)

“50s Film” – The Da Vincis from from See You Tonight (2009)

“In These Arms” – The Swell Season from Strict Joy (2009)

“In The Dark” – The Whigs, single release (2009)

“The Colloquialism is Simply ‘Gas'” – I Love You from Bell Ord Forrest (2009)

“In A Strangeland” – Talk Normal from Sugarland (2009)

“Love, Etc.” – System and Station from I’m Here To Kill EP (2009)

“One More Time” – Lullwater from Forest for the Trees (2009)

“The Season of Flowers and Leaves” – Pugwash from Giddy (2009)

“Colossal” – Levi Fuller from Colossal (2009)

“Zombie” – Fela Kuti from The Best Of The Black President (2009)

“Double Knots” – You and Yourn from It Would Make Things Worse (2009)

“Like a Diamond” – Glass Ghost from Idol Omen (2009)

“Nobody Told Me” – Barzin from Notes to an Absent Lover (2009)

Releases Earlier this Month Worth a Listen:

“Hell” – Tegan & Sara from Sainthood (2009)

“One Fast Move Or I’m Gone“ – Ben Gibbard and Jay Ferrar from Music From Kerouac’s Big Sur (2009)

“Lovesick Teenagers” – Bear in Heaven from Beast Rest Forth Mouth (2009)

“Swollen and Halo” – Baroness from Blue Record (2009)

Other Posts and Playlists You May Enjoy:

New Indie Releases from Roman Candle, Brimstone Howl, Brazos, Josh Rouse, Nirvana, Memory Tapes, Say Hi & More

New Indie Releases This Week: Altas Sound, Spring Tigers, Sufjan Stevens, Port O’Brien, Neon Indian and More

Bridge School Benefit Concert Brings Out Wolfmother, Monsters of Folk, Fleet Foxes, No Doubt, Chris Martin and Others

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol VIII: Bat For Lashes, CANT, Crocodiles, Beirut, No Age, Sunset Rubdown, Fields & More

Indie Cover Songs, Vol. IV: Beck and the Record Club, The Very Best, Alberta Cross, Spinto Band, Spoon, The Kooks & More

Bradford Cox, of Deerhunter fame, has a new album, Logos, out today under his musical project and moniker Atlas Sound. The track below, “Walkabout,” is one of the albums highlights, with Animal Collective‘s Noah Lennox (aka, Panda Bear) pitching in with his famously echoy, dreamy vocal delivery and feel good electronic musical arrangements. The song is clearly one of the best indie duets of 2009.

Next up is a catchy “new to us” indie pop band called Spring Tigers, who just so happen to be from Athens, Georgia, the birthplace of Bradford Cox. Today also marks the official release of Sufjan Stevens‘ BQE (nope, nothing to do with barbequing), which is basically an all orchestrated LP – and a good one at that. But there are still many of us who really hope he will pick back up on his ’50 state’ album concept; even a total of 10 would be an accomplishment. The idea came about in reaction to both critical and fan reaction to the albums Illinoise and Greetings From Michigan. (In the meantime, we started a playlist series that includes songs about states called the State of Music. More on that soon, so stay tuned).

Today’s other indie releases include new material from Sufjan Stevens, Spiral Stairs, Port O’Brien, Neon Indian, F**k Buttons, The Hush Now, Abdelkbir Marchane & Ahmed Baqbou, Jon & Roy, Hawnay Troof, The Parlour Steps, The Wheat Pool and others. Some of the albums in this mix were released last week.

“Walkabout” (with Noah Lennox) – Atlas Sound from Logos (2009)

“Just Suggesting” – Spring Tigers from s/t debut (2009)
Double-shot: “New Improved Formula” – Spring Tigers from s/t debut (2009)

“Movement VI—Isorhythmic Night Dance with Interchanges” – Sufjan Stevens from BQE (2009)

“Maltese Terrier” – Spiral Stairs from The Real Feel (2009)

“Sandiya” – Abdelkbir Marchane & Ahmed Baqbou from Ouled Bambara: Portraits of Gnawa (2009)

“My Will Is Good” – Port O’Brien from Threadbare (2009)

“Deadbeat Summer” – Neon Indian from Psychic Chasms (2009)

“And I” – Hawnay Troof from Daggers at the Moon (2009)

“Hoping and Waiting” – The Hush Now from Constellations (2009)

“Olympians” – F**k Buttons from Tarot Sport (2009)

“Hold On” – Former Ghosts from Fleurs (2009)

“Little Pieces” – The Parlour Steps from Hidden Names (2009)

“This Is It” – The Wheat Pool from Hauntario (2009)

“Self-Taught Learner” – Lissy Trulie from Self-Taught Learner (2009)

“Another Noon” – Jon & Roy from Another Noon (2009)

“Come Out, Come Out” – I Was Totally Destroying It from Horror Vacui (2009)

Today’s playlist kicks off with one of the best songs of 2009 from one of the best albums of 2009, “The Blackest Purse” from Why?‘s long-awaited release, Eskimo Snow, which officially drops tomorrow, September 22. Also featured is a recent single from Why? recorded with the band Themselves.

Following Why? is the title song from The Pains of Being Pure At Heart’s new EP Higher Than The Stars. Next up is a London teen band – and latest buzz band from UK – known as The XX with their song “Basic Space,” off their debut LP due out tomorrow, and their new cover version of a Womack Womack tune.

Guster chimes in with a cover version of Belle & Sebastian‘s classic indie pop song “Boy With the Arab Strap.” Also check out an acoustic alternative take from Beck‘s Modern Guilt, and a Beck cover of a classic Velvet Underground song.

Plus, check out fresh tracks from new releases by French garage rockers Jack of Heart and songs from Fool’s Gold, Hunters Run!, The Mary Onettes, First Rate People, The Music Tapes, Hallelujah the Hills, The Get Up Kids, Rollercoaster Project, Panther, Forro in the Dark, Will Hoge, Beaujolais and more.

“The Blackest Purse” – Why? from Eskimo Snow (2009)
“Canada” – Why? and Themselves (2009)

“Higher Than The Stars” – The Pains of Being Pure At Heart from Higher Than The Stars EP (2009)

“Basic Space” – The XX from s/t debut (2009)
“Teardrops” (Womack and Womack) – The XX, single (2009)

“Boy With The Arab Strap” (Belle & Sebastian) – Guster from archive.org

“Gamma Ray” (Acoustic) – Beck, acoustic versions from Modern Guilt (2009)
“I’ll Be Your Mirror” (Velvet Underground) – Beck (2009)

“Jack of Heart Wicked Guy” – Jack of Heart from s/t debut (2009)

“Surprise Hotel” – Fool’s Gold from s/t debut (2009)

“If I Had Half a Chance” – Hunters, Run! from EP2 (2009)

“Puzzles” – The Mary Onettes from Puzzles (2009)

“For the Planet Pluto” – The Music Tapes from Clouds and Tornadoes (2009)

“Classic Tapes” – Hallelujah the Hills from Colonial Drones (2009)

“Perro Loco” – Forro in the Dark from Light A Candle (2009)

“The Rain Becomes the Clouds” – Emanuel and the Fear from s/t EP (2009)

“Sufferer” – Devon Williams from Sufferer (2009)

“Holiday” – The Get Up Kids from Something To Write Home About (2009)

“What Happened” – Rollercoaster Project from Revenge (2009)
“Hoods Up” – Rollercoaster Project from Revenge (2009)

“Love Is Sold” – Panther from Entropy (2009)

“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Will Hoge from The Wreckage (2009)

“All My Exorcisms” – Beaujolais from Admiration (2009)

“Locked in the Basement” – Fredrik from Trilogi (2009)

“Goodbye Sweet Youth, Goodbye” – Greycoats from Setting Fire to the Great Unknown (2009)