Category: EPs

June EPs and singles: Freddy Monday, Stonedog, Michael Slawter, It’s Karma It’s Cool, The Stone Souls

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The romantic balladeer Freddy Monday provides us with “Passing By Hours,” a sublime and melodic single that I can’t resist. Check it out on Apple Music—next, a shout-out to Stonedog, with a freebie that hits the sweet spot on its opener, “Time Machine,” and the late 70s guitar riffs come out on the impressive “Hourglass.” The always-interesting Michael Slawter has an EP with experimental power pop, and it’s worth your time. All the songs are cool, but check out the jangling “Down to Witness” and rocking “Little Mind” to get a taste. It’s Karma It’s Cool are back with some summer music and we get those buzzing “Autumn Recruits.” The Stone Souls have a few singles out, and this is the latest, a surf-styled tune with horns on “No Sense of Time (It’s Alright).” Enjoy that summer sun and the music, it’s June!




May singles and more: The Martial Arts, Speedfossil, Goodman, Vanilla, Sad About Girls, The Fuzzy Berries

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The Martial Arts‘ new album, is due in August of this year. The Martial Arts is Paul Kelly, who for over 15 years has been a mainstay of the Scottish music scene as a member of BMX Bandits (nice pedigree). “No Victory” is the first big single. Speedfossil is also back with a cool EP, all good songs, so check out “Magic Trick.” NYC’s own Goodman also returns with a new single, “Only Testimony,” from his 7th album. Vanilla continues to grow Pish Posh, and I enjoyed the yacht rock groove of “She Loves Me Not.” Another crunchy EP is Sad About Girls, check out the Keith Moon drum rolls on the epic “As Another Minute Passes By,” Finally, Melbourne kids The Fuzzy Berries will simply charm you with those melodies. Listen to “Clarence In Wonderland.” A great start to May!




Tax day singles: Lindsay Murray, Orbis Max, Fallon Cush, Tony Marisco,The Krayolas, Tommy Keene, The Blusterfields

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“Fields” features Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel) and Orbis Max with drums by Daniele Silvestri. Neil Christie (Emperor Penguin) produced the video. The song compares the end of a relationship with the shifting of a landscape and how even the most permanent landmarks crumble to time and “progress.” Fallon Cush returns with a lively blues-rocker “Sweet Johanna” and Tony Marisco has a sweet EP of jangling songs, fans of The Byrds will certainly enjoy this, check out “Sleepwalker.” The Krayolas honor Dwight Twilley with a classic cover of “I Hear You Knockin’.” The late great Tommy Keene is always worth revisiting, a new digital EP was recently released so don’t hesitate to check it out. A new band to me is The Blusterfields, “Everyone is Dead” fits well with this group, with some jangle and harmonies. Finally, a freebie — RumBar Records After School Special is a 5-song EP with pop-punk artists like Pavid Vermin, J. Prozac, The Cretins, WiMP!, and The Glimmer Stars. Enjoy!





Marching on more EPs and Singles: Kanak, The Second Summer, Round Corners, Nerd Magnet, Tony Low, Big City

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New Jersey band Kanak, produced by the legendary Ed Stasium (The Ramones, Talking Heads, Motörhead) made a good impression – and their new EP is out next week. One of the best EPs I’ve heard is The Second Summer, with each song a winner from their debut undertow. Fans of The Posies and Teenage Fanclub will love this highly recommended EP. Round Corners is Greek artist Elias Papastamatiou with a slick 70s-styled pop on “How Do You Do?” Japanese band Nerd Magnet attracted me to their new single “Take A Walk.” Native New Yorker Tony Low returns with an EP of Covid-inspired songs (that was a while ago, right)? Finally, New York City’s Big City has a terrific alt-rock swagger and cool on “Full Service” a very Thin Lizzy-inspired band.





March singles: Luke of Ulysses, Willie Dowling, The Amplifier Heads, Chaft, Softjaw

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New month, and new singles! ‘Car Trouble’ is the debut solo single from Luke of Ulysses (UK Psych-Glam revival pioneers Ulysses). Luke played all the instruments and sang, except for a guest spot from his wife, Lily, as a hot French alien in the video. See the Bandcamp below for more! Willie Dowling has another single (“The Cure”) from his upcoming album to share (as a freebie), and The Amplifier Heads turn up the guitars and sax as it’s more rockin’ aliens. I had never heard of Chaft before, but I will be looking into this smart pop rocker from Norfolk, Massachusetts. Each of these 3 songs hit the mark, beautifully written and mixed. Finally, a solid single from California band Softjaw. “Waiting at the End” is a meat-and-potatoes power pop song along with a second single, “Pleased With Me” completed this month. Both deserve to be heard, and I hope a full-length LP is in the works.