Each week we’ll be selecting music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bringing it to you, for free, as our Indie Spotlight Download. Cass McCombs has been on more than a few critics’ lists over the past few years, thanks to his tightly written, evocative way of spinning together intimate lyrics with minimalist pop. This track from his latest, Wit’s End, is like a heartbreaking Philly soul number as envisioned by a melancholic. Sweet, seductive, and amber-tinged, "County Line" delivers all the emotional ups and downs of a summer love affair.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
The debut album from these shoegazers from Down Under, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride, doesn’t have a superfluous song in its 11-song mix — and even flaunts a few dreamy alt-country jams that bring to mind mid-’90s David Lynch cinematography. Like the engravings on a memorial, Scott Von Ryper and Aimee Nash’s haunting and unintelligible lyrics are subtle etchings upon an escarpment of droning guitars layered with chilling effects. It’s music with a story, but it doesn’t force its narrative on the listener.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Jarabe de Palo have been going strong since the mid-’90s, when they rose up out of a Barcelona scene that let their heart-on-sleeve mixture of soul and jam-oriented rock flourish. Now they’ve returned with ¿Y Ahora Qué Hacemos?, and you can check out the strident, riff-driven "Para Enredar" now.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. We’re pretty sure all record-store employees have dreamt about going from selling other people’s records to selling their own. For indie-rocking An Horse, the dream was realized with its 2009 debut, which also helped the Australian duo earn a spot on Tegan and Sara’s recent U.S. tour. The opening track from An Horse’s follow-up, Walls, sounds like the pair is trying to knock down all walls within earshot. On “Dressed Sharply,” the wall-of-sound-like blasts from Kate Cooper’s guitar radiate melody — accompanied by her slightly quirky accented vocals and drummer Damon Cox’s cooed harmonies.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Our Discovery Download puts the focus on a different artist each week, offering up a free track we think is worth your attention. Founded in Orange County and now based in Los Angeles’ creatively thriving Silver Lake neighborhood, this fledgling modern rock quartet already sounds impressively accomplished. On “Leaving On the 5th,” singer/guitarist David Dennis’ voice goes from nonchalant at the front end to freely impassioned by the final measures. Guitarist/keyboardist Anthony Aguiar, bass guitarist Phillip Munset II, and drummer Kurt Allen provide a steady and colourful rhythmic foundation that constantly drives the song’s kinetic energy.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we’ll be picking selecting music from an independent artist who we’re excited about and bringing it to you, for free, as our Indie Spotlight Download. Though synth-pop suffers from a cold computerised stigma, Metronomy squeezes vintage keyboards for natural warmth, the way Giorgio Moroder did, and adds the spatial elasticity of Autechre. The result is an electronic groove that clicks on multiple platforms: the fashion-show runway, the crush-on-you playlist and the last 100 meters of a run. Check out this free Metronomy single, which appears on their latest album, The English Riviera
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
