Brillboard: 2-apr
Today’s snow in Boston? April Fool’s joke. This week’s Brillboard? Not an April Fool’s joke. Enjoy.
Swans [White Kite]
Swimming in synth and the smooth vocals of White Kite’s Louis Shadwick, Swans is a poppy present that leaves us desiring more and more from this London trio.
Exhale [Treasureseason]
Exhale is a heartfelt, dreampop treasure. It’s the breeze, the wave of chill you get when you breathe slowly (exhale). A beautiful lull of whistling and xylophone by UK’s treasureseason.
Money [Step Rockets]
Putting the rock in Step Rockets, Money jams out with an anthemic chorus, a don’t-care attitude, and a shredding guitar solo that could give some of the best guitarists a run for their money. Glad to see a new Step Rockets track, especially one with such killer album artwork.
guarded [flor]
I could describe flor’s latest song for you, but honestly you should just watch the music video to fully appreciate it.
Feeling [COIN]
Another work of wonder off COIN’s forthcoming sophomore EP, How Will You Know If You Never Try. “I’m feeling you can you feel it too?” Yes, we’re definitely feeling it COIN. Feeling’s distinctive sound is packed to the brim with extra soul, creating an upbeat track that everyone can get down to.
Oh Love [Misterwives]
The biggest surprise of Iron Man 3 (for me) was Walk The Moon’s Big Bad Wolves. It was rock, and I didn’t expect Anna Sun to give me full-on rock. But Misterwives? Oh Love is basically rock, and more than that — it’s really good rock. Misterwives, the band that gave us poppy gems Reflections and Our Own House, is versatile as hell. Mandy Lee can bash heads with the best of them.
Without Words [Joseph Of Mercury]
ICYMI: Your Future Is Not Mine is one of my absolute favorite songs — and that is largely because of Joseph of Mercury’s vocals. It left me wanting more sounds from or featuring this brilliant man, and about a month ago he released Without Words. Gorgeous vocals and a minimalistic yet orchestral soundscape that collectively construct a song so great it leaves me without words.
Wild Honey [Jessie Early]
The titular track off Jessie Early’s EP. Honestly, any song off this EP could be on here, because it’s just an astoundingly amazing anthology. But I like this one because of all the violins. Check it all out (Body Can’t Hold is still one of my favorites), and check out our coverage of Jessie Early here.
Hypnosis [Charles Fauna]
Charles Fauna entrances and enchants with his newest single, but my real fascination with Hypnosis is its lyricism. Moving from romanticism to a state of vulnerability, Hypnosis explores what it means to be in love, and what it means to live life without one’s love.
Heart Beats [Gentlemen Hall]
Gentlemen Hall’s punctuated vocals, sharp woodwinds, and strong kickback all form the heartbeat of this head-bopping track, but the Great Good Fine OK-style interlude of electronica is perhaps what we’ll remember most.
