Berated

Zach Condon makes music that sounds bigger than it truly is. This fact is made apparent throughout The Rip Tide, Beirut’s first new LP in four years. And while the band’s previous works have had a ‘world music’ quality to them, the new album is focused on American locales and could even be considered to be a “Zach Condon album” more than anything else.

There are legions of folk artists influenced by the genre’s early roots, from Appalachian groundwork to intersections of bluegrass and jug bands. Some are committed to the influences that struck them the most growing up, passionate artists with little more than a guitar and coarse vocals, to the point where any recent production trend that [...]

The NYC duo Chappo received some recognition last year with “Come Home”, a summertime psych-rock jam with a shimmering quality reminiscent of alt-rock groups like Teenage Fanclub and The New Radicals. The track was an excellent expansion of several genres; jangly guitars provide the power-pop background, while hints of Neil Young-inspired southern-rock lead just prior [...]

Jay brings us another summer compilation, this time featuring new material from the likes of Woods, The Stepkids, Girls, and The Belle Brigade. As we near the end of summer, these are some efforts that should allow listeners to relish any and all heatwaves that come their way.

If you own a computer or a TV, odds are you have heard pop-punk band The Drums. With numerous songs featured on commercials and on TV, the media has rapidly turned the Brooklyn-born band into a sensation. Guitarist Jacob Graham speaks with me about making music in New York City, his influences, and what we can expect next from The Drums.

July provided us with a massive compilation, boasting 18 tracks that span over an hour. As expected with a compilation of that length, there are plenty of interesting stylistic pursuits inside. The Stepkids nod to the ’70s by tackling a genius fusion of soul and psych-rock, while the ’80s make an appearance with several artists [...]

The stripped-down sound of Warm Speakers provides an excellent example of modern-day bedroom pop. Long Island native Patrick Berlinquette follows in the footsteps of names like Washed Out, Neon Indian, and Toro y Moi in crafting a sound full of nostalgia, with ‘80s electro-pop meshing with several electronic fusions from the ‘90s onward. For Warm [...]

The stripped-down sound of Warm Speakers provides an excellent example of modern-day bedroom pop. Long Island native Patrick Berlinquette follows in the footsteps of names like Washed Out, Neon Indian, and Toro y Moi in crafting a sound full of nostalgia, with ‘80s electro-pop meshing with several electronic fusions from the ‘90s onward. For Warm [...]