My hope was to have a new format of Weekly Roundup ready to go, but there's still some kinks to work out. Nevertheless, here are some cool songs and videos for you.
-This is a video heavy week, starting with You Can Be A Wesley's "Old in Florida." I'm a big fan of long single takes that have some camera movement and well-planned choreography, so this journey through a house with many different things going on was right up my alley. Doesn't hurt to have a cool indie rock song with some nice vocal interplay, either. Band website here.
-Here's an artist you are going to want to remember: Lightyear. I'm really digging this song "It Beats," from the forthcoming All of the Miles EP, due 11/1. The track assembles bits of folk, classical, electro, and pop into a delightful construction. I also like the message about taking comfort in your heart and its beat, no matter what else is going on. It's sometimes easy to forget that basic fact but powerful to remember. You can find out more here and preorder the EP.
Lightyear::All Of The Miles from Lightyear on Vimeo.
-I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need some heavy, take-no-prisoners blues rock. Thick riffs, pounding drums, that sort of thing. Enter Band of Skulls to satisfy that craving. They will be releasing a new album on Vagrant in early 2012, and after hearing "The Devil Takes Care of His Own," I'm excited. It's a face-melter. Check it below and here's the band's website.
-It may be a departure from the last track, but the latest from First Aid Kit is no less compelling. Their new album The Lion's Roar will be out January 24, 2012. This advance title track is quite awesome, a waltzing number that doesn't hesitate to be brutally honest. The line "And I'm a goddman coward, but then again so are you" goes straight to the bone, doesn't it? It sounds like the sisters Soderberg are making a big leap forward. Here's their website.
First Aid Kit – The Lion's Roar by Wichita Recordings
–For All The Girls has made a video for the track "Phylicia." There's lots of confetti and a lengthy credit sequence that makes me hungry for watermelon. It's a nice visual complement to this catchy pop song. Check out the bandcamp and facebook pages for more information.
-Happy to have some new music from Seattle's Kris Orlowski to share this week, coming after the absolutely amazing performance video of "Your Move" from a few months ago. His new EP Warsaw is due 11/22/11 and it should be another great release. The newest lineup of his band has added some multi-instrumentalists, and I like how the sound is more expansive yet still very intimate and powerful. This is an impressive songwriter, be sure to check out his website.
Kris Orlowski – Way You Are by krisorlowski
–PAPA has released a video for "I Am the Lion King" (a second lion title reference this week, interesting) and it's really great. The song is just as enjoyable and hooky as "Ain't It So," and I dig the energetic black-and-white performance, which mixes in a few flashes of color and a blend of dramatic slow-motion shots of playing with at-speed charmingly goofy dancing. If you haven't already, go here to get the latest EP.
PAPA: "I Am The Lion King" from Hit City U.S.A. on Vimeo.
-Finally, one last video from Ohbijou. It's for the song "Niagara," and it uses some neat visual effects to give the clip a very interesting aesthetic. Musically, "Niagara" proves that "Anser" was no off-the-cuff lark; this band has figured out a way to fuse a lot of disparate elements into a very intriguing and unique sound. Their new album is out, you should be sure to pick it up here.