August EPs and singles: Pretty Flowers, Tracy Shedd, Tony Molina, Lemonade Shoelace, Elephant Stone, RĂĄttanson

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It’s getting hotter out there. Love the Pretty Flowers new video, as the band will “rescue indie rock from the brink of extinction,” with their new single “Hit Nothing.” Look out for the album review soon! Next, Tracy Shedd has “Let it Ride” a summertime indie pop anthem about being patient and trusting your gut, with the soothing bassline and hypnotic rhythm. Tony Molina‘s melodic jangle-fuzz returns with a new album on the way, we get a preview with “I’m Not Down.” If you’re looking to expand your psych-pop horizons then check out the EP by Belfast’s Lemonade Shoelace. The spacey pop is akin to bouncing on clouds, as described in “Hopscotch in the Sky.” Another psych-pop mention is the new Elephant Stone single “Lost In A Dream.” A band that really deserves serious consideration is RĂĄttanson. These Swedish garage guitar masters light it up with the new EP “Trebled Region.” Lots of new releases to highlight, so stay tuned.





Salim Nourallah and Hurry

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Salim Nourallah

Salim Nourallah “A Nuclear Winter”

For Salim Nourallah, a songwriter and musician from Texas, “A Nuclear Winter” is his first full-length album since 2018. Nourallah worked with British guitarist, songwriter, and producer Marty Willson-Piper (The Church) on his 8th album. Nourallah here capitalizes on his world-weary vocal approach with this doomsday-themed album. Summer may still be here, but winter is coming.

The opener “Hazy Morning Glow” sets the stage, with financial disaster looming in each verse, it goes to a wonderfully catchy chorus “It’s just the way it is, yeah.” The instrumentation is sparse and lets Salim’s expressive vocals and composition do the work. Fans of Mark Oliver Everett (The Eels) will hear similarities in approach. Highlights include “Under Attack,” the mix of jangle and slide guitars on “I Don’t Know,”  the Tom Pettyesque “The Sound of Suffering,” and “Invisible Man.” One tune that really resonated with me was “I Can’t Take Another Heartbreak.” Plenty of gems make this highly recommended.

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Hurry

Hurry “Don’t Look Back”

Proof that I often miss great music isn’t a surprise, but Don’t Look Back is the 5th record by Philly band Hurry. Hurry has always been a good jangle band, and lead singer Matt Scottoline’s songs are certainly catchy, and the opener “Didn’t Have To Try” proves this with its effortlessly infectious chorus with harmonies bathed across its guitar lines. Influences here include The Byrds, Teenage Fanclub, The Lemonheads, and The Gin Blossoms. Fans of Scotland’s Dropkick and The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness will also love this album.

Scottoline’s lyrics and the emotional yearning for a failing relationship are also what makes these songs resonate so well. “Begging For You” and “Parallel Haunting,” as the latter asks “If you’re a ghost, and you’re not here, am I with you?” On “Something More,” Justin Fox’s lead guitar parts often crash through the strummed guitars, adding noise to the mix when the song needs to go epic. In some instances, the band feels constrained by its own limited theme and format. All the songs seem to be a gorgeous bummer, but things take a positive turn with “No Patience” and “The Punchline” with faster tempos and hope for starting something new. No filler here, and without a doubt highly recommended.

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August singles and EPs: Tamar Berk, The UniBoys, The Evening Sons, Kai Danzberg, Pretty, Julez and the Rollerz

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New month, new singles, and EPs. Tamar Berk has a video for her upcoming Tiny Injuries album and it’s a grower with layered guitars and her hushed vocal, as she dances around. Coming out in another week, and yes we will review it! The UniBoys are also coming back with their skinny-tie-inspired power pop, “I Want It Too” which has so many neat audio cues, I can’t wait for the rest of this one. The Evening Sons are also on Curation Records and impress with “Superspreader,” a solid hook-filled chorus. Myles Josephh & Kai Danzberg write a lovely ballad “On My Way” for a song contest (I voted for it), pick it up. Toronto band Pretty has a funk-punk time with “Coca Cola Deathsquad,” but I liked  “Food For The Moon” and its dense Soundgarden-like chorus. Finally, the sweet rocking Julez and the Rollerz from LA, deliver on this deserving EP. Check out “Sorry I’m Just A Waste of Time” and “Confess.” Cool!