The Felice Brothers - "Cherry Licorice"

Summer is near and the latest single from folk/country band The Felice Brothers has it coming a little nearer with 'Cherry Licorice”.

Accompanied by some twangy vocals akin to Bob Dylan at closest example. The real stars of the tracks are the fun loving vibes that are altogether silly and full feelings of young love of life. The Felice Brothers deliver on a distinct feeling of a band you'd want to see live on an outdoor band stand on a brutally hot day their music acting like a cool breeze. For all the happy feelings the song brings, the lyrics bring an unsuspecting dark edge talking of the roughness of the past; the message really comes down to wanting only the sweet things in life like cherry licorice.

Mikal Cronin - "Shout It Out"

Multi-instrumentalist, Ty Segall collaborator, and songwriter Mikal Cronin has a new album on the way via Merge Records in May, and "Shout It Out" is the first track to drop from it. It's a sweet and slightly lo-fi piece of pop rock that feels simultaneously sentimental and thrilled. Enjoy!

Black Moth Super Rainbow- "Spraypaint"

The neo-psych pop project Black Moth Super Rainbow is back with a new tune and an album announcement via SoundCloud. Stream the track "Spraypaint" above, which is, to me, one of the prettiest songs I've heard come out of the project. It features the usual set of punchy beats and breathy, heavily manipulated vocals, but the end result is very serene gentle.

Stream the New Penguin Prison Album

Armed with strong hooks and pop sensibilities, New York singer-songwriter Chris Glover has released a new album under the name Penguin Prison. The album is out now on Downtown, and is streamable via the widget above. Though a lotta pop music as been wearing its welcome with me lately, the melodies Glover writes feel a little less fleeting than what I usually hear.

The dude knows how to build nice transition and segues around a verse-chorus song structure, making things a little less boring and a little more groovy.

Puro Instinct- "Stilyagi" ‡ MP3

Some jangly and dream-inducing pop from Puro Instinct on the single "Stilyagi." Even Ariel Pink hops in on this track and helps out with a little background vocals and production.

The track is from the project's forthcoming album, Headbangers in Ecstasy, which is due for release on Mexican Summer. Enjoy:

MP3: Puro Instinct- Stilyagi -

Generationals- "Trust" ‡ MP3

One of 2009's catchiest songs was written by Generationals. Of course, I'm talking about "When They Fight, They Fight." The album it came from, Con Law, didn't amaze me as much as several tracks from it did, but I'm still expecting big things from this outfit. They have a timeless pop sensibility that follows sweet sounds instead of trends.

That was true on their debut, and it's true on this new track from the band's forthcoming EP, Trust. Surprisingly, the band recorded these four tracks with Sunset's Bill Baird. Look for this EP on Nov. 9th on Park the Van and stream / download the title track below:

MP3: Generationals- Trust -

Doug Paisley- "What I Saw" ‡ STREAM

In the midst of all this new technology, music, and studio trickery, it's hard keeping touch with the basic and simple magic of songwriting. Of course, there are guys like the Mountain Goats and the Tallest Man on Earth holding it down for us, and let's one more to the pile: Doug Paisley. His approach may be simple, but it's earnest and down-to-earth like blue-collar worker with a heart of gold.

On "What I Saw," the light bass, drums, and organ quietly complement Doug's kind vocals and small, finger-picked flourishes of acoustic guitar. If the backup vocals are familiar, well, it's because it's Feist. The song is from Doug's upcoming LP, Constant Companion, which is due 10/12 via No Quarter Recs. Stream a track below and let me know what you think.

Stream: Doug Paisley- What I Saw -

Bare Wires- "I Love You Tonite" ‡ VIDEO

Video from the Cali garage trio Bare Wires. Their new album is Seeking Love, and it's out now on Castle Face.

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