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For fans of: Classixx, Ghost Beach, Tourist

During these cold, polar vortex-y times, there’s no better feeling than listening to some chill music to take the edge off while you warm up in front of a nice warm fire. Yumi Zouma’s (Charlie Ryder, Josh Burgess, and Kim Pflaum), new self-titled EP is the perfect soundtrack to this winter wonderland from start to finish. The EP’s first track, “A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers,” is a throwback to the late 80’s with soft keys and faded synths. Next up is “Salka Gets Her Hopes Up,” another throwback track, but this time the New Zealand-based band shows their love for disco. “The Brae” has a darker feel than the Kiwi’s former tracks, whistful lyrics sighing, “I don’t believe you an me…it’s suddenly gone the wrong direction, turn. Don’t get burnt, you’re my girl, I need the deep affection too…” Lastly, Yumi Zouma wows with “Riquelme,” a reverb-heavy track that showcases the trio’s silky harmonies and superb instrumentals. Let’s hope we get more from them soon!

Track Listing:

1. A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers
2. Salka Gets Her Hopes Up
3. The Brae
4. Riquelme

The post Yumi Zouma – Yumi Zouma EP appeared first on JamSpreader.

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For fans of: Cayucas, Mogwai, & Ringo Deathstar

Get your shoegaze-lo-fi-synth-pop fix this Tuesday with the new Lilies on Mars album, “Dot to Dot” via Saint Marie Records! The UK duo consisting of Lisa Masia and Marina Cristofalo, channel their inner space-cadets with 13 tracks that will have you floating. Masia’s high-pitched, Grimes-esque voice blends seamlessly with Cristofalo’s dark vocal undertones that provide the perfect pairing to the out there, floating instrumentals. The first stand-out track is the opening “See The Sun,” a slightly eerie tune that mixes the reverb of Cayucas and the dreamy tone of Mogwai. Setting the tone for the entire album, “See The Sun” is perfect for a rainy day reading binge in your favorite cushy chair. “Side Abcd” will whisk you away to a whimsical land of sunshine before surprising you with heavy, tone-changing guitar chords. While I could easily compare the change to a bucket of icewater being thrown on a sunbather, the diversion from the album’s first couple of songs is a brilliant ear-opener. Finally, be sure to check out “Sugar Is Gone,” a track that combines chillwave and EDM to make a trippy tune that is as deep as it is addictive. Overall, “Dot to Dot” is an experimental trip to the stars that will have you begging for more.

Track Listing:

1. See You Sun
2. Dream of Bees
3. Side Abcd
4. No Way
5. Entre-Temps
6. Oceanic Landscape – featuring Franco Battiato
7. Interval 1
8. Impossible Child
9. So Far Dear America
10. Interval 2
11. Sugar Is Gone
12. For the First 3 Years
13. Martians

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If you’re looking for some EDM-techno-ambient-rock-calypso, look no further! Mokadem has just released their self-titled EP, filled with four tracks that will take you on the journey of a lifetime. The EP fades in with the Pretty Lights-esque “Pretend Ur Mine,” which nearly overwhelms with it’s genre-blending skills. “Pretend Ur Mine” takes listeners back with a 90’s techno feel mixed with light, airy vocals and floating synths. “Anaesthesia” is next, and goes in a  near-dubstep direction with a slight drop and repeated, layered vocals.  The beat is perfect for anywhere from a crowded club to a serene spa, and will have you dancing in no time. Following “Anaesthesia” is the chaotic “You & Her,” which is the only real low-point on the EP. “You & Her” comes off as scattered and disorganized, and does not to the vocals any justice with a truly unfortunate amount of unnecessary autotune. The disarray luckily does not last long, though, and the EP’s final track, “Dunt U” comes off as polished, minimalist techno masterpiece that is simply begging for a remix. Keep an ear out for Mokadem in the future, the sound is undeniably gorgeous!

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BRITNEY IS BACK, BITCHES!

Everyone’s favorite pop princess, Britney Spears, is back with her brand-spankin’-new album, “Britney Jean,” and it’s FABULOUS! Deeply rooted in EDM with steady doses of hip-hop, Britney more than holds her own with powerful solo tracks as well as incredible collaborations with greats such as Will.I.Am, T.I., and little sister Jamie Lynn. The first track that really stood out to me was “Tik Tik Boom,” which, thanks to T.I., catches ears with a hook that doesn’t stop and a bass that will blast your speakers in seconds.  “Body Ache” is a straight up rave track, complete with a drop that will make you want to rage face for hours, while Britney shows her softer side in “Hold On Tight.” Lastly, be sure to check out her collaboration with Jamie Lynn, “Chillin’ With You.” While Jamie Lynn is currently making a name for herself in the country scene, she fits in perfectly well with the hip-hop beat and pop bridge.  Overall, a solid 8th album that shows growth and maturity, well done Brit Brit!

Track Listing:

1. Alien
2. Work Bitch
3. Perfume
4. It Should Be Easy
5. Tik Tik Boom
6. Body Ache
7. Til It’s Gone
8. Passenger
9. Chillin’ With You
10. Don’t Cry
11. Brightest Morning Star
12. Hold On Tight
13. Now That I’ve Found You
14. Perfume (The Dreaming Mix)

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Paws up, Little Monsters, because Lady Gaga is BACK!

Lady Gaga’s long-awaited album “ARTPOP” has finally landed, and it’s out of this world! After a psychedelic opening track, “Aura,” where Gaga asks “Do you wanna see the girl behind the Aura?” “ARTPOP” dives into songs that tell the story of a willing addict to infamy. Gaga, who has long been accused of ripping off other artists, seems to play up the image by paying musical homage to the greats throughout. Tracks like “Venus” are reminiscent to David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” days, albeit with a more in-your-face approach. Overtly sexual tracks like “G.U.Y.” and “Sexxx Dreams” pay tribute to Madonna, who has perhaps been the artists Gaga has received the most grief for allegedly copying.  “ARTPOP” is – surprisingly enough – not all peppy pop songs, with Gaga showing off her voice with the truly stunning, “Gypsy,” which starts as a Celine Dion-esque piano ballad before jumping off into Cher-territory with a hearty dose of disco.  Perhaps the most impressive difference from the Gaga we all know is “MANiCURE,” which is full of gnarly guitar riffs that will, quite frankly, melt your face off. Well done, Gaga. You deserve all the “Applause” in the world for this one!

Track Listing:

1. Aura
2. Venus
3. G.U.Y.
4. Sexxx Dreams
5. Jewels N’ Drugs
6. MANiCURE
7. Do What You Want
8. ARTPOP
9. Swine
10. Donatella
11. Fashion!
12. Mary Jane Holland
13. Dope
14. Gypsy
15. Applause

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Katy Cats, rejoice! Katy Perry has released her highly-anticipated new album, “Prism,” and it’s FANTASTIC! The pop princess wows with beats from nearly every genre – delving into hip-hop, rock, and even tribal sounds. For an artist that is not known for straying from the pop norm, Perry pulls off the new genres with grace, and will have you dancing in no time. Tracks like “Legendary Lovers” sounds like  more of a toned-down MIA meets Beats Antique, while “Dark Horse” is an instant hip-hop classic with help from rapper Juicy J. The albums first single and first track, “Roar,” is a power pop anthem for the ages, with Katy belting: “I’ve got the eye of the tiger, a fighter / dancin’ through the fire / cause I am a champion / and you’re gonna hear me roar.” The songstress pays homage to her Christian music roots in “By The Grace Of God,” a soft piano ballad that serves as a well-deserved break to the previous bangers.  Overall, this is by far some of Perry’s best – and most personal – work yet. Meow!

Track Listing:

1. Roar
2. Legendary Lovers
3. Birthday
4. Walking On Air
5. Unconditionally
6. Dark Horse
7. This Is How We Do
8. International Smile
9. Ghost
10. Love Me
11. This Moment
12. Double Rainbow
13. By The Grace Of God
14. Spiritual
15. It Takes Two
16. Choose Your Battles

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Singer/songwriter Karen Hudson has released her third album, “Sonic Bloom.” An album funded entirely off grants and financing through a fiscal sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Hudson explained that recording helped her “think about how my work affects people and continues a legacy—whether by being an activist in song, or interpreting old folk songs, or, like me, being just another struggling artist who sings about her dead alcoholic dad.”

“Sonic Bloom” is much more than just songs about her “dead alcoholic dad,” showcasing Hudson’s supreme understanding of all things roots, americana, blues, country, and rock. Karen calls out to the men in her life in songs like, “Dead Letter File,” a deceptively chipper track where she steaks her claim as a grown woman. Another noteworthy track is the twangy “The Beauty of the Now,” which was written by guitarist Steve Antonakos. Backed with a catchy 12-string guitar hook, Karen croons, “You don’t have to work so hard, open up let down your guard . . . all you gotta do is be.”

A good message to go with a great sound. Rock on, Karen!

Track Listing:

1. Late Bloomer
2. Call Me
3. Better Half Of Me
4. St. John’s Isle
5. Mama Was A Train Wreck
6. Better Days
7. A Woman Knows These Things
8. Daydream
9. Dead Letter File
10. Baby’s Tune
11. The Beauty Of The Now

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Everyone’s favorite definition of “boyfriend material,” Gavin DeGraw, has just graced us with his fifth studio album “Make A Move,” and it’s amazing.

Me (and my multiple personalities) hearing the album.

Gavin is just as romantic as ever, managing to make listeners everywhere swoon with his heartfelt lyrics, soft mix of piano and guitar, and dreamy voice.  The album does raise a couple of questions though, such as:

1. Why isn’t Gavin DeGraw my boyfriend?
2. Who inspired the songs about heartbreak? I’ll beat her ass.
3. Is it technically considered stalking if I just hide out in his bushes? I wouldn’t be a bother, I promise!

While the entire album is fantastic, one of the best tracks is “Finest Hour,” which follows a drunken one night stand that turns to romance (just make sure to not get any ideas…don’t do anything SpaceJam wouldn’t do!) “Finest Hour” shows Gavin’s still got his range from years ago along with his quirky sense of humor. Another track to check out is the dubstep-inspired “Different For Girls,” which is an adorably clueless take on how crushing is different for both sexes. Lastly, be sure to crank your speakers to “Leading Man,” a track reminiscent of oldschool Gavin with a hard rock edge (and really, who doesn’t like a bad boy?)

In conclusion: Gavin…

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My fellow classic rock lovers…today is our lucky day. German rockers Zodiac have just released their sophomore album, “A Hiding Place,” (via Prosthetic Records,) and it’s a blast to the past! Rooted in blues rock,  Zodiac channels a modern-day mixture of Eddie Vedder’s vocals, Hendrix-inspired riffs, and roaring percussion to create a sound that has rarely been heard since the early 70’s. The production on this record is especially good:

“In producer Martin Meinschafer (Henrik Freischlader, Donots) the band found a veteran of the genre, who after the debut also imbued the second album, ‘A Hiding Place’ with a warm and clear sound. Having partly been recorded live in the studio, ‘A Hiding Place,’ successfully brings together modern technology and the sound of the 70s.”

Particularly noteworthy tracks are “Moonshine,” which sounds like a perfect combination of ZZ Top and Alice In Chains, along with “I Wanna Know Part 1,” which is reminiscent of both Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath. Overall, “A Hiding Place” is a diamond in the rough and should absolutely be heard by both old and new music lovers alike. Rock on, Zodiac!

Track Listing:

1. Downtown
2. Free
3. Underneath My Bed
4. Leave Me Blind
5. Moonshine
6. Believer
7. I Wanna Know Part 1
8. I Wanna Know Part 2
9. Cortez The Killer

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It’s inevitable for the Aussie rock group Pond to be compared to their older sibling Tame Impala. The bands share two members, and it’s likely for Pond to seem like a side project , despite their new album Hobo Rocket being their fifth release. Hobo Rocket is a short album, consisting of only seven tracks, but Pond stirs up something memorable in this edgy, heavier album. The album’s first single, “Xanman”, consists of full force, crashing cymbals and wailing guitars with a psyched-out overtone. “Aloneaflameaflower” shows a more metal-inclined side of Pond with much darker and heavier riffs, while “Giant Tortoise” is a psychedelic, spaced out trip with queasy vocal effects and guitar fuzz that swooshes in and out.

Pond’s Hobo Rocket is definitely a cosmic journey, even though the journey is only 34 minutes long. The schizophrenic tracks are fearless, as loopy and weird as they sound. There’s a lot to discover on this album, and as usual, the discoveries are fairly odd.

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