I’m back with the reviews and want to keep it that way. Just to give everyone a brief overview of my recent adventures, I just moved to Los Angeles to pursue my passion for music business. It has been tough with plenty of restless nights thinking about my parents and friends. However, since being here, I have learned how important it is to do what you want. Through the course of a lifetime, there isn’t a single person out there that will agree with your decisions 100 percent of the time. Not your parents, your best friend, nor even your dog will see your decision making as clearly as you do. While many may support, they may not agree with it. I believe that it is incredibly important to follow a dream that you think you can follow through with. For me, I took that leap and want to make the most out of every opportunity and every hardship while I am 3,200 miles away from any safety net. Just do it.

Now I am going to give you a list of some essential singles, EPS, and full length projects to help to press onward for 2017.

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Cloud Nothings

Album: Life Without Sound

Label: Carpark Records

Summary: Cloud Nothings come back with their 4^th studio LP in nearly 3 years.  They return with a heightened sense of tenacity and haven’t lost their lo-fi identity. I may be biased because I listen to CN daily, but this is arguably one of their most intuitive records yet. Their fully flaunted dedication to their well-produced garage rock craft easily makes this as my favorite project to start off the year.

Recommended Tracks: “Enter Entirely” “Modern Act” “Sight Unseen”

Sounds like: Wavves, Cymbals Eat Guitars

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Cherry Glazerr

Album: Apocalipstick 

Label: Secretly Canadian
Summary: Cherry Glazerr has been on the scene since 2014, but their debut album Haxel Princess, left a Sunday morning hangover taste in my mouth. It seemed rushed and recorded without much effort. I would like the record to show that she was in high school at the time, but nonetheless, possessed all the characteristics of an undeveloped group. However, it was evident that their debut with new label, Secretly Canadian, invested much of their budget to get this band seen and heard. To illustrate my point, there were even a couple of billboard advertisements in Los Angeles with the album artwork on it (you usually don’t see that from an indie). Now, Cherry Glazerr are on their way to build a following fan base.

Recommended Tracks: “Moon Dust” “Humble Pro” “Lucid Dreams”

Sounds like: Bleached, The Aquadolls

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Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever

Label: Sub Pop Records

Summary: This band is on my MUST WATCH LIST FOR 2017. I have seen this band pop up on multiple playlists from respected indieheads and music bloggers. Additionally, you can see them on Spotify playlists like, “New Music Friday” and “Indie Songs for Slackers.” The Australian natives released a 7 song project in 2016 that left multiple music researchers salivating for more. In the past couple of months, RBCF has dropped two singles that can visibly allude to a full length project in the near future. The ambience of each record has jangly guitars and effective edgy undertones. The particular sound that comes from this group resembles the end of the 60’s and into the 70’s.

Recommended Tracks: “French Press” “Clean Slate” “Wide Eyes”

Sounds like: Punk bedroom rock, Chook Race

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Alex Lahey

EP: B-Grade University

Label: Dead Oceans

Summary: Continuing on the trend that Aussies are dominating the indie market, Alex Lahey caught my eye just the other day when I was doing some listening. Having never listened to her, I played “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” and was instantly hooked. Her charm, charisma, and clever lyricism seem to be distinctly aligned with come up indie superstar, Courtney Barnett. Alex self-funded her first single “Air Mail” by pawning off her beloved 1999 Toyota Corolla. That is dedication. If I were Dead Oceans, I would go full steam ahead after funding that first EP. She clearly has a talent and I would expect a full length LP to be out within 2017.

Recommended Tracks: “Lets Go Out” “L-L-L-Leave Me Alone” “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me”

Sounds like: Courtney Barnett, The Courtneys

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Swimming Tapes

Label: Hand in Hive Independent Records and Management

Genre: Bedroom Rock, Indie Jangle Rock

Summary: London is often associated with gloomy weather and busy streets, but Swimming Tapes can bring anyone to a breezy day at the pier. Swimming Tapes clearly possess all the elements that would make them a “surf rock” group. However, for the sake of this point, many artists don’t like to be associated with that specific label, but rather “jangle dream pop.” This group is very early in their development stage (no label, primary songs mainly on SoundCloud). They are surfacing on multiple playlists throughout the community, but have a long way to go. Definitely keeping my eye on them in the meantime, nonetheless.

Recommended Tracks: “Set the Fire” “Tides” “Souvenirs”

Sounds like: Beach Fossils, EZTV

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Julie Byrne

Album: Not Even Happiness

Label: Ba Da Bing!

Genre: Indie Folk/ Singer Songwriter

Summary: Every time I listen to her new album, it calms me down and brings me to a much simpler environment. An environment where the sun sets at the latest possible hour. Even after releasing her album only last week, she has gained a multitude of recognition for her emotional, yet effective work. Her gentle voice and folk drenched melodies allow the listener to escape to a much simpler place.

Recommended Tracks: “Follow My Voice” “Melting Grid” “Sleepwalker”

Sounds like: Weyes Blood, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen

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Also on my list for 2017 listens:

Thundercat: “Show You the Way feat. Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald”

Mac Demarco: “This Old Dog” “My Old Man”

Real Estate: “Darling”

Priests: Nothing Feels Natural

This photo is also hilarious: