New Tracks

The Devine Xperience – “Completely in a Trance”

The Devine Xperience tout some lofty ambitions throughout their eponymous debut self-titled album. Their tracks touch on topics you certainly won’t find in mainstream electronica. Diving into underground politics, aliens, and “various other controversial and

The Vaporettos – “Fortress”

EP by The Vaporettos The Vaporettos are a rock group from Vancouver that sound relatively similar to early Blur, but with an added post-punk punch. These Canadians showcase a bevy of talent throughout their debut

Mangoseed – “Brix-Tone”

Reggae music is often associated with hazy, relaxed days on a beach. The trickling feel-good vibe is certainly emphasized by some of the genre’s more popular artists, such as Bob Marley and

Michael Rault – “Lost Something”

“Lost Something” is a bouncy psych-rock gem from Michael Rault, who previously wowed with the excellent “Too Bad So Sad“. The Canadian singer-songwriter’s track is an upcoming peek at his band’s new EP, Living Daylight,

Ocean Hands – “Pictures of What”

Ocean Hands deliver a polished mix of anthemic indie-rock and riveting electro-pop, with a sound comparable to The Helio Sequence, Passion Pit, and Local Natives. Formed two years ago, the San Diego-based

Christina Rubino – “Pending the Last Soul”

Christina Rubino’s smoky vocals and personal lyrics for a engrossing experience throughout her new album, Alive from the Scrapheap. Touching on a variety of topics – from losing parents to artistic struggle

Obscure Sound: Best of April 2014

April’s compilation is a tidy one, with thirteen tracks clocking in at an accessible 50 minutes. I was probably a bit more selective than usual this month, but that’s OK — I

Snowblind Traveler – “Lobster”

I featured Matt Dorrien/Snowblind Traveler last year, noting how his rich and soulful intermingling of acoustic-pop and soulful rock reminded me of a twangy Wilco crossed with the solemn folk of Elliott Smith.

New Albums

Darker Lighter – ‘Darker Lighter’

The self-titled debut album from Los Angeles-based project Darker Lighter captivates with a cathartic, melodic rock immersion. Songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Salar

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The Kanz – ‘Alienation Party’

Captivating with its blend of pop-punk nostalgia and modern electronic infusions, Alienation Party is the debut full-length album from London-based band The

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