MF Tomlinson shares the album's centrepiece and 9-minute title track, ‘Die To Wake Up From A Dream’. Sonically drawing from the work of John Martyn, Talk Talk and My Bloody Valentine, Tomlinson tells us of dreams of monsters in his childhood, before drifting into long days and nights of weary work. The new album 'Die To Wake Up From A Dream', is out 11th July on PRAH Recordings.
“It speaks to the sensation of drowning in the years. Scenes flash by so fast we soon know that we are in a dream, then a nightmare," he says.
As the song’s steady pulse builds to an unholy crescendo - digital effects warp and distort like the walls of the world crumbling. But – "When you die in a dream you are safe. When you die in a dream you dream another dream. This is the deus ex machina for us all to remember - that for most, when things seem darker than ever, happiness still exists beyond the tiny parameters that we have set for it. In realising your own power you set yourself free - not one day, but right now. This song is a treatise on resilience, hope and the frankly wildly psychedelic experience of being alive," Tomlinson says.
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The Berlin-based producer collective, Hippie Flowers, has entered its first phase of transformation, a true changing of the guard, as originally envisioned. As a result, the music will take a fresh direction, deviating slightly from their previous singles. The new style is also reflected in the artwork, signaling a new beginning.
The collective’s first release under this new chapter is the single Happy Happy Joy Joy, a vibrant blend of progressive house, future house, big room, and EDM influences. The track’s lyrics reflect a positive, carefree outlook on life, embracing the moment and enjoying life as it comes. Let the music take you on a journey of joy and freedom.
In the musical melting pot of Berlin, a producers group of sonic adventurers known as Hippie Flowers are stirring up a delicious brew. Their eclectic mix swirls with the vibrant flavors of Euro House, Dance Pop, Tropical House, and Electro Pop. Over the years, they've been musical chameleons, releasing tunes under a myriad of monikers across a smorgasbord of labels. But in the flower power of Hippie Flowers, they've found a common ground where their preferred dance beats harmoniously blend. They're armed with a volley of singles, just waiting to be catapulted into the musical stratosphere. Who knows where their individual paths will lead or if they'll intersect again? It's as uncertain as a choose-your-own-adventure novel.
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| Photo - Brittany Rose Queen |
Boston, Massachusetts-based punk/indie outfit Little Low release Sunshine Guilt via Sell The Heart Records (U.S.), Thousand Island Records (Canada), and Waterslide Records (Japan) on May 9. The band has also shared the single, "Dark Beer Archives".
With their introspective lyrics, twinkly and melodic guitars, and heart-on-sleeve delivery, the band draw inevitable comparisons to emo pioneers like The Get Up Kids, Hey Mercedes, and Jimmy Eat World. Simply put, Little Low deliver a cathartic and hook-filled sound that is equally reverent of its forefathers while bringing to the mix some magic that is unmistakably their own.
Formed by Christine Atturio of Save Ends and Mike Assatly of Beartrap, the East Coast outfit ire completed by Tom Ciesluk and Brad Rheault, both of Save Ends and No Trigger. Their fiery debut LP, Sunshine Guilt, was recorded at Anchor End by Trevor Reilly of A Wilhelm Scream, and offers a vibrant discovery of love, loss, and the bittersweet moments that linger long after they’ve passed. Sunshine Guilt reminds listeners that sometimes it’s OK to feel a little low—but it’s a lot harder when signing along to these songs with the people you love.
“This song is about learning the hard way that when it comes to drinking there is a fine line between things being fun and things getting out of control,” says Atturio. “I’m always trying to find a balance in life, and it remains a constant struggle. But what I eventually realized was that at the end of the day, it’s always going to be on me. I can be my own best friend or my own worst enemy.”
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Franklin Gothic - Echoes (Album).
It's a real pleasure to feature Franklin Gothic's second album. Musically I just cant easily pin this beautiful collection down, one moment you are mellowing out, the next your energy levels are soaring. Either way the craftsmanship is superb and makes this a must hear album in full.
Franklin Gothic's second full-length album Echoes is the musical project of Portland-based songwriter Jay DiBartolo. Weaving melodic indie pop with atmospheric shoegaze and noisy dream rock, Echoes emerges as the perfect soundtrack to first kisses and tear-filled goodbyes. With the help of producer Erik Blood and drummer Alex Westcoat (Pickwick), DiBartolo crafted an album that centers on themes of repetition and self reflection, delving into the emotional cycles and internal struggles he often finds himself revisiting.
DiBartolo fell in love with music while watching skateboarding videos as a kid in New Jersey and never looked back. He was inspired to teach himself to play guitar and began writing his own songs, producing, and self-releasing bedroom recordings throughout high school and college. After graduating, he put a band together and toured the Northeast while working as a recording engineer for music festivals and televised performances.
Soon enough, DiBartolo made the journey to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Seattle, WA. He started a new band and released a record with Michael Benjamin Lerner of Telekinesis. Then the pandemic hit, that band dissolved, and Franklin Gothic was born. This was his first time teaming up with Erik Blood to release the debut LP Into the Light (2022), which received critical acclaim from KEXP, BBC, Bandcamp, and more.
On Echoes, DiBartolo embraces growing pains, reminding us that sometimes it's necessary to step into the discomfort. A touch melancholy yet so damn catchy, it’s the idealized mixtape that summons the emotions of long-forgotten moments that went on to shape our lives. Languid echoes of post-rock, skating on the edge of innocence, Echoes puts everything in its right place.
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