John Craigie offers up fourth album preview track

Another day, another new song; proving he's no slacker, California folk singer John Craigie offers up "Boston in November" as part of his song-a-day album preview. The new track marks the first track off the upcoming album October is the Kindest Month that is vaguely upbeat. And it's a nice change of pace. Here's hoping there's more uplifting tracks on the new album but if there's not, that's okay too. Enjoy Craigie's ode to autumn and the one that got away "Boston in November":

John Craigie previews album with third single

John Craigie's song-a-day streak is going strong. Today he releases "So Many Lives", the third single for upcoming album October is the Kindest Month. While listening I noticed it sounded kind of familiar. Then I remembered: He's played this song live. So if you've seen Craigie live (which you totally should, if you haven't already) you've most likely heard this song. Enjoy "So Many Lives":

Pitstop: North Highlands

Last night I had a incredible honor of being able to see ARMS live. And yet as amazed and awestruck I was to see the objects of my months of obsession up close and in person, one of the night's most delightful surprises was co-headliner North Highlands. From the moment the precocious five-piece took the stage, the hall was full of good vibes, beautiful music, and concert-goers dancing with reckless abandon. And for all the good reasons. The gentlemen and lady of North Highlands were good-natured, talented, and their songs were so dance-able they should be illegal. Many of their songs were composed of multiple parts, dramatic shifts in groove, and were all linked by a deep sense of primal joy. North Highlands; music style is hard to describe exactly. Equal parts afro-pop rhythms, twee melodies, unassuming indie dance-pop, and circumstantial chamber folk.

Last night North Highlands announced an upcoming album Wild One which I hope will be out soon. It's bound to be an instant favorite.

Don't believe me? Check out some of their newest tunes "Steady Steady" and "Hiking".

Matty Fasano - Unkind/Unusual

Chances are if you've read my seemingly endless ARMS obsessed posts you know who Matty Fasano is. That guy who sings all those creamy upper-register harmonies in ARMS songs? That's Matty Fasano. And he does a damn good job of it. So when ARMS posted a two song solo debut from him, I jumped on that bandwagon so hard. It's obvious from how dead-on his falsetto is during ARMS songs that Fasano is a talented singer who knows what he was doing.

There's a certain amount of predictability to voice/piano acts; That's a given. And yet with two songs Fasano manages to escape some of it with small vocal ornamentations like the occasional out of nowhere vocal glissandos. The songs are rather minimalistic, featuring driving beat-keeping piano chords along with some texture-giving percussion. And yet that's what makes them good. The full focus is more-or-less on Fasano's pillowy vocals,which isn't a bad focus at all. "Unkind" could very well be an ARMS song if it really tried to be but it's not and sounds lovely just the way it is.

John Craigie continues album previews with "Black Swan Lullaby"

Yesterday Californian folk singer John Craigie started revealing tracks from his upcoming album October Is The Kindest Month, and today he's thrown up another one. Another melancholic tune by the name of "Black Swan Lullaby".





October Is The Kindest Month is due out August 20th so mark your calendars folks, it's bound to be a good one.

John Craigie to release new album, gives album previews

For one week only, California folk singer John Craigie is releasing a song a day in preparation for his upcoming album October Is The Kindest Month. Today, Craigie begins by offering up the first single from the album "All of July".

Known (at least to me) for his guitar and harmonica accompanied style, "All of July" adds in numerous other instruments and guests like violin, piano (played by Zach Gill), and drums to give some flair to the somber, moving ditty.

Listen: Laura Marling - "Sophia"

When I saw Laura Marling last month, one of the songs that was without a doubt the most delightful to hear was "Sophia", and apparently Laura Marling thinks so to. Earlier today she revealed "Sophia" to the world in all it's recorded splendor on the airwaves of Zane Lowe's Radio 1 on BBC. And thanks to the always prepared Listen Before You Buy, non-UK-listeners can get a taste of the new song.

"Sophia", off her upcoming album A Creature I Don't Know, places Marling is almost startling new context. Her crystalline vocals are ornamented by bits of reverb and channels the wanton poppiness of Alas I Cannot I Swim, while still retaining the astounding mature lyricism of I Speak Because I Can. And yet regardless of what past work she's tapping into one thing remains the same: "Sophia" is just darn good. Enough to give my previously unchallenged Marling favorite "Ghosts" the good heave-ho. "Sophia" is my new favorite song. At least until Laura Marling one-ups herself again. Until that moment, enjoy the loveliness that is "Sophia":

Laura Marling - Sophia by ListenBeforeYouBuy


EDIT: Updated Non-Radio Rip from Laura Marling:


And this September Laura Marling embarks of a North American/UK tour.
9/17 Bimbo's 365 Club - San Francisco, California
9/18 Masonic Temple - Los Angeles, California
9/20 Troubadour - Los Angeles, California
9/22 Lincoln Hall - Chicago, Illinois
9/23 The Great Hall - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
9/24 Corona - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
9/25 Brighton Music Hall - Boston, Massachusetts
9/27 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue - Washington, D.C.
9/28 Webster Hall - New York, New York
10/14 Exeter Cathedral - Exeter, United Kingdom
10/15 Winchester Cathedral - Winchester, United Kingdom
10/17 Guildford Cathedral - Guildford, United Kingdom
10/18 Gloucester Catherdral - Gloucester, United Kingdrom
10/21 York Minster - York, United Kingdom
10/22 Sheffield Cathedral - Sheffield, United Kingdom
10/24 Manchester Cathedral - Manchester, United Kingdom
10/25 Bristol Cathedral - Bristol, United Kingdom
10/26 Westminster Central Hall - London, United Kingdom
10/28 Liverpool Anglican Cathedral - Liverpool, United Kingdom
10/29 Birmingham Cathedral - Birmingham, United Kingdom