BAnanas Symphony - "To Love Somebody"

It's always a delight to find something from Alchemist in my inbox. As usual, I'm super pumped about one of their artists - Philly native Yohsuke Araki, aka BAnanas Symphony.

BAnanas Symphony - "To Love Somebody"

His sound is described as being full of arpeggiated synth and drum explosions, snaking guitars, claps, clicks and exquisite melodies with a voice fit to deliver them. It's a pretty accurate description, but there's also a quirky sense of melody there too that's unique but oddly familiar. Regardless, this is good stuff - check out the track and judge for yourself.

Aeropsia - "That I Feel"

San Francisco's Aeropsia just sent over a funky jam called "That I Feel." I'm instantly reminded of acts like Old Arc, Hard Mix, or Star Slinger, but there's a unique edge here that's hard to deny.

that i feel by AEROPSIA

In other words, they manage to forward a dub/breakbeat influence while still keeping things dreamy. Regardless, there's certainly something to be said about an act that can sound original amidst a barrage of similar producers.

Hear Hums - "Toward Above"

The folks at Digital Protein just released a video of Florida's Hear Hums, the rising psych meets ambient meets visual meets awesome act, as they play Psyche Cycles cut "Toward Above." Download the rest of the album here, and be sure to catch the group as they play shows up and down the east coast this spring/summer.

Hear Hums - Toward Above from Digital Protein on Vimeo.

SéanceIntheSun - "Luna"

Kevin from San Diego's SéanceIntheSun sent over this noise-pop track yesterday, and ever since it's been growing on me like crazy. He described the group as a two-piece "beach-punk" act; "Luna" certainly validates his description but also suggests why they're not yet another "beach-punk" band.



Let's face it: the whole lo-fi, beach-inspired pop MO is becoming a cliche and will likely suffer the same fate as chillwave or some other fad sub-genre. But "Luna" seems to transcend any easy label by incorporating a range of sounds and styles. It's beachy, yes, but it's also inspired by everything from shoegaze to classic grunge. It's a short and simple tune but definitely worth a listen. Keep your eyes peeled for more from this rising West Coast act.

Plastic Flowers - "White Walls Painted Black"

I'm excited to post this video from UK/Greek duo Plastic Flowers. The visuals are just as trippy and ambient as the song itself; they float by and blend as the song takes ambient twists and turns. It reminds me a lot of tracks from USF's first full-length, Ocean Sunbirds - and that's a very good thing. Wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the email this morning, but "Whit Walls Painted Black" was definitely a nice surprise. Check their bandcamp for more tracks.

Plastic Flowers // White Walls Painted Black on Vimeo.

Childhood Bedrooms - "Lost"

Childhood Bedrooms just released a 4-song EP, Lost, that can accessed for free on their bandcamp page. It's a mellow, meandering collection of songs with some interesting and impressive vocal work; the title track is especially impressive with its layered vocals and shifts between the electronic and organic. There's a vibe here that recalls everyone from Antony Hegarty to Paul Simon - perhaps even Yo la Tengo? Or is it wholly unique? You decide.

Lost - Childhood Bedrooms from Jan Buchczik on Vimeo.

DannielRadall - "Fleeting Romance"

After an impressive debut, the vintage, genre-bending La Femme EP, DannielRadall is set to release what he calls a "mini LP." The album, Pardo, will be released March 11th via AMDISCS - but in the meantime, he's offered the excellent first single, "Fleeting Romance."

DannielRadall - "Fleeting Romance"

Like the (killer) cover art suggests, Radall's sound is now noticeably more rooted in 80s synth-pop; still, there's something slightly dark and ambient just below the surface. I told him the track sounds at times like the Heathers score. Anyone else agree?