Author: acute.pop

[song] Wine Pride – 12:01 A.M.

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Before releasing their forthcoming EP Lost Years, North Carolina-based band Wine Pride unveiled “12:01 A.M.” as a preview, a dreamy and hazy number that gets stuck in your head immediately.

It is out now through the Brighton-based independent label Crafting Room Recordings (home to ELLiS·D, SoftTop, Hualun). The track’s unsettled atmosphere originates from addressing an unhealthy way of living, as Aaron Felger from the band explains:

“The person telling the story is struggling to understand whether their desire to party is fueled by their lust for life, or addiction. The outro, “life like, a dream you live” represents both celebrating your life, feeling like you’re living a dream and a washed up, sense of denial about your clouded reality. 12:01 AM symbolises the first minute of the new day and all the possibilities for change that come with it. You could be embracing it as you’re enjoying time with your friends or dreading what comes next”.

Stream below.

[song] Rats-Tails – Flowers

acute.pop
Photo by Brennan Bucannan

Making a comeback with their first release of 2024, the South East London ‘Dream Rock’ quintet Rats-Tails present today their new song “Flowers”.

Starting slowly, it is a big number which builds at a steady pace to a cathartic, surging crescendo boosted by the noisy guitars, galloping drums and emotive vocal performance. The track masterfully combines the elements of psychedelic folk, dream pop, and indie disco into a definitive 2024 banger.

Listen below.

[video] The Lemon Twigs – How Can I Love Her More?

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Having teased us already with some great new singles, The Lemon Twigs have shared another new cut “How Can I Love Her More?”, a vintage musical journey filled with guitars, charming vocal harmonies, and complete with two drum sets, an adventurous bass part, theremin, flutes and harpsichord.

All released songs would be a part of their upcoming new album A Dream Is All We Know (set for release on May 3 via Captured Tracks), which was recorded completely to tape and mixed and mastered by Brian and Michael themselves on of-the-era equipment.

The music video for the new track was helmed by The Lemon Twigs, who also handled the editing. It depicts the band embarking on a journey through Central Park and museum row, interspersed with playful and mischievous moments around New York City.

Check it out below and pre-order the record here.

[video] China Aster – Memories

acute.pop
Photo by IR

China Aster (aka London-via-Guernsey solo artist Joshua Moore) is sharing today his new single “Memories”. It is an instant earworm and a beautiful gem of a song which features infectious dance rhythms, soulful melancholic singing, and a chilly depth that effortlessly mixes coolness with pleasant nostalgia.

The song was produced by Oliver Marson and mixed by Joshua Rumble (Black Country, New Road, Do Nothing, Fraulein, Anteros). It is also out with the DIY music video, in which Moore is depicted using a metal detector to search for pieces of scrap along the beaches of his hometown, Guernsey.

Watch below.

[album] Eyesore & The Jinx – Jitterbug

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Jitterbug, the debut record by Eyesore & the Jinx, is a haunting exploration of the complexities of health set against the backdrop of personal tragedy and societal turmoil. Recorded in the aftermath of Josh Miller’s (vocals, bass, lyrics) significant loss and the realization of his mortality, the album serves as a testament to resilience and the human capacity for rebuild and transformation.

With vibrant, angular rhythms and tight guitars, the LP delves deep into the darker recesses of the human psyche, offering a raw and introspective journey through the gloom and despair that have characterized the past few years. The production, helmed by Daniel Fox from Gilla Band, is top-notch, perfectly capturing the raw energy and intensity of the band’s sound.

All songs here are true gems, which teeter on the brink of collapse yet captivate with their fragile beauty. Such smashers as “No More Nails” and “The Itch” are destined to be anchors of the band’s upcoming live shows, and it is great to have the classic “Sleepless” in its definitive form. “What Doesn’t Kill You” is also a standout, a brooding, fantastic closer with brilliant lyrics.

Overall, it is a punchy, vulnerable and sad album. But also it’s the one that somehow gives hope and power to change things, and reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.

Stream below and purchase the LP here.