Tame Impala- "Elephant"

Tame Impala drops a new track from its forthcoming album, Lonerism, which is looking at an October 9th release in the US right now via Modular People. The Australian band's throwback sound feels incredibly punchy on this new track titled "Elephant." The guitars keep a steady, rock hard groove with some fuzzy distortion on 'em. The drums sound fantastic, and make it impossible to sit still during this 3-minute piece of vintage stoner rock bliss.

The organ is a great touch as well, and the more I listen to the track, the more it grows on me. Yeah, I wasn't a huge fan of the band's last album, which is mostly due to how steeped in Beatles worship it was, but I'm ready to enjoy Lonerism if the tracks bring a nice variety of sounds and a more distinct angle.

RAJA- "That Girl" ft. Starchild

This is a nostalgic track done right. Everything about this song is oozing with flashbacks to another time, but the faded memory of that time. Even though that memory is old and faded it can still be remembered with a golden hue that makes it feel timeless and makes you wish you were there. The bass line and vocals done by Starchild are what really make this song have that impeccable effect that is so rare, done seemingly with ease here. The whole essence of the nostalgia washes over the listener like a wave and never lets go. This is helped by the tape edit, which delivers that extra retro vibe.

White Fence- "Green Balloon"

Lo-fi rock project, White Fence has released a new single for 7" on Sexbeat records. The song has plenty of trippy, nostalgic vibes to offer; however, the sentiments feel a bit sour. "Green Ballon" seems to simultaneously celebrate and parody the idea of psychedelic rock & pop from the 60s, embracing the sentiments of both the Beatle's Revolver and Zappa's We're Only In it For the Money. There is also a nice echo effect put on the vocals providing a density to the song that directly accents the old school psych rock feel that the track aims for. This is the fortunate kind of song that rather than reminding you of a specific band it is more of a throwback to a different era of music.

House of Wolves- "50's"

When I was first introduced to House of Wolves, I was confused. According to his facebook page, House of Wolves is a solo project of Rey Villalobos, a singer-songwriter from California. Although he's a man, I could have sworn that the vocals I was hearing when listening to House of Wolves' new album Fold In The Wind were female. They weren't, as it turns out.

Rather, like his contemporaries Sufjan Stevens and Mike Hadreas (a.k.a. Perfume Genius), Villalobos just happens to possess such an incredibly tender and fragile voice that he almost sounds feminine at times. This is by no means an insult, as it adds a formidable layer of humility and general personality to his songs, most of which are gentle indie folk musings culled from loss and personal sadness.

On "50's", the opening track from Fold In The Wind, Villalobos sets a nostalgic tone with his heartbreaking lyrics and reedy voice. On this song, which is available to download for free on the House of Wolves Bandcamp, the Perfume Genius comparison is particularly apt. While this track has a lot going for it musically, it is the impenetrably dark sound of the piano that really stands out. Like Perfume Genius did beautifully on last year's Learning, House of Wolves uses the piano and distant horns on "50's" to accentuate and complement the lyrics, leaving Villalobos' voice in the center.

The self-released album is available to download on Bandcamp for $8.

Purling Hiss- "The Hoodoo"

MP3

It's some fuzzy rock 'n' roll from the forthcoming Purling Hiss 12'', Lounge Lizards. Look for it in June via Mexican Summer.

This'll be the project's fourth LP, and it's packed with six songs that are sure to be as fuzzy as this one.

"The Hoodoo" sounds like a lost rock radio gem that was recorded to a filthy cassette in 1975, and forgotten about at the bottom of a box filled with Judas Priest and Kiss tapes. Now it's risen from the dead, and it's looking for brains to eat.

The vocals are really obscured, but it adds to the nostalgic sound. I'm really digging the guitars, though. They've got a rock 'n' roll sway to them I can't deny. It's a nice piece of power pop, for sure.