Skela - Hella

All I've ever wanted was you
Someone whose life was the same shade of blue
All I've ever wanted was someone to drink with
But now that you're here, I can't stop fucking drinking

So pour it up high, talking real low
Pulling at the collar of your sweater
Wrapping my roots all around you
Don't be so selfish with forever
Come on baby, let me tell you what we're supposed to do

Sexy and sultry, yet detailed and devoted, this song reminds me of the popular track "Starving" by Hailee Steinfeld (w/Zedd). Unlike the Southern California actress/singer, Queens-raised Brooklyn-based Skela fashions herself a musician/poet/writer and is hoping to put an "intellectual, nostalgic spin" on modern pop music. We'll see. But any way it pans out for her, this is a repeat-worthy mellow summer jam. 

RIYL: Alessia Cara, Daya, Hailee Steinfeld, Vanic

Upcoming Shows

Big Thief - Shark Smile

She was a shark smile in a yellow van
She came around and I stole a glance in my youth
A vampire
Evelyn shown quiet as roses sting
It came over me at a bad time
But who wouldn't ride on a moonlit line?
Had her in my eye, 85 down the road of a dead end gleam

Adrianne Lenker has a remarkable voice and style that pairs perfectly with Big Thief's low fidelity indie folk sound. Their latest, Capacity, is terrific with a few stand out songs, especially "Mythological Beauty" and today's Most Important "Shark Smile".

RIYL: M. Ward, Frankie Cosmos, Kevin Morby, Mitski

Upcoming Shows

The Districts - Violet

What doesn't last will get remembered
What doesn't last is good to miss
What doesn't last is stuck in your throat
What doesn't last gets swallowed whole

I've been digging the new tracks coming out from Pennsylvania band The Districts. This time around they feel a bit more indie and less alt-country and it's a good look for them. I like all the new tracks, but the latest "Violet" is my current favorite.

RIYL: Heartless Bastards, Wilco, Delta Spirit, Dr. Dog, Pinegrove

Upcoming Shows

Mount Kimbie and King Krule - Blue Train Lines

Six pounds in my pocket
I threw another man's change
Lose another man's six
I guess he might have seen it all

I've been wanting to share this one for a couple weeks now, but it's been too damn sunny and hot here in Austin, Texas. 'Blue Train Lines" is a powerful sound from post-dubstep duo Mount Kimbie. They're here doing their thing, but the real highlight are the gritty, snarling vocals of Archy Marshall, aka King Krule (yeah, the Donkey Kong villain). It's a song best reserved for nighttime, rain and maybe subway trains. It's a dark and stormy day here in Austin, so this will do just fine. If you like this check out "Easy, Easy" and the rest of King Krule's stuff.

RIYL: Burial, The Streets, King Krule, Slow Hallows

Upcoming Shows

Good Old War - Part of Me

We've got to run
If you're holding on the seams will come undone
And you'll only get part of me
We don't want to catch a break while we're playing it safe
You'll only get part of me

File this new cut from Good Old War under "mellow" and then hit play. Good Old War has had a few songs cross my radar over the last couple years, and I recently heard of them again as they were the backing effort to Anthony Green's (of Circa Survive) tour, which seemed a bit odd at first, but after some listening, ok a lot of listening, began to make sense. "Part of Me" is a pretty song and perfect for a chill Sunday morning.

RIYL: Pinegrove, City and Colour, Manchester Orchestra, Blind Pilot, Horse Feathers

Upcoming Shows