lo-fi

The 20 Essential Pavement Songs

The 20 Essential Pavement Songs

This stroll down memory lane’s shady lane only underscores how a collection of Stephen Malkmus’ sharpest turns-of-phrase comes off like a veritable Bartlett’s Famous Quotations for the Gen X indie set.

Joe Kaplow Vents Gentrification Frustrations on “February Prorated Rent” (premiere)

Joe Kaplow Vents Gentrification Frustrations on “February Prorated Rent” (premiere)

Indie folk's Joe Kaplow premieres his new single "February Prorated Rent", a profoundly haunting and affecting song.

‘Transgender Street Legend Vol. 2’ Finds Left at London “At My Peak and Still Rising”

‘Transgender Street Legend Vol. 2’ Finds Left at London “At My Peak and Still Rising”

"[Pandemic lockdown] has been a detriment to many people's mental health," notes Nat Puff (aka Left at London) around her incendiary, politically-charged new album, "but goddamn it if I haven't been making some bops here and there!"

Sneaks’ ‘Happy Birthday’ Begs Us to Reconsider Musical Definitions

Sneaks’ ‘Happy Birthday’ Begs Us to Reconsider Musical Definitions

Sneaks' Happy Birthday is a worthwhile release for its insistence upon being categorized as music without a category.

Bill Callahan’s ‘Gold Record’ Offers Snapshots of Moments in Time

Bill Callahan’s ‘Gold Record’ Offers Snapshots of Moments in Time

Former Smog songsmith Bill Callahan offers sparse and dry-recorded acoustic portraits on Gold Record.

SHOCKEY Makes the Perfect Pandemic Stoner Song with ‘”HIGH” (premiere)

SHOCKEY Makes the Perfect Pandemic Stoner Song with ‘”HIGH” (premiere)

Los Angeles' SHOCKEY goes in for a bit of glam rock mixed with lo-fi, slacker pop on an ode to the joys of being "high".

‘Eight Gates’ Is Jason Molina’s Stark, Haunting, Posthumous Artistic Statement

‘Eight Gates’ Is Jason Molina’s Stark, Haunting, Posthumous Artistic Statement

The ten songs on Eight Gates from the late Jason Molina are fascinating, despite – or perhaps because of – their raw, unfinished feel.

‘Can You Spell Urusei Yatsura’ Is a Much Needed Burst of Hopefulness in a Desultory Summer

‘Can You Spell Urusei Yatsura’ Is a Much Needed Burst of Hopefulness in a Desultory Summer

A new compilation online pulls together a generous helping of B-side action from a band deserving of remembrance, Scotland's Urusei Yatsura.

Porridge Radio’s Mercury Prize-Nominated ‘Every Bad’ Is a Wonderful Epistemological Nightmare

Porridge Radio’s Mercury Prize-Nominated ‘Every Bad’ Is a Wonderful Epistemological Nightmare

With Every Bad, Porridge Radio seduce us with the vulnerability and existential confusion of Dana Margolin's deathly beautiful lyricism interweaved with alluring pop melodies.

Lou Barlow’s ‘EMOH’ Is Another Quiet Triumph in a Long History of Humble Genius

Lou Barlow’s ‘EMOH’ Is Another Quiet Triumph in a Long History of Humble Genius

Re-released on vinyl to celebrate its 15th anniversary, Lou Barlow's EMOH offers a wide array of indie rock charms.

Power Pop’s Lewis Says “Bathe Clean” (premiere)

Power Pop’s Lewis Says “Bathe Clean” (premiere)

Former Kinison frontman Christopher L. Lewis releases Son on the Floor in August, and shares the infectious new single, "Bathe Clean" today.

2nd Grade Go From ‘Hit to Hit’ with Indie Power Pop Delights

2nd Grade Go From ‘Hit to Hit’ with Indie Power Pop Delights

Some sincere goofiness would feel glorious right about now. 2nd Grade, a power-pop group from Philly, have the goods we need in heaps on their full-length debut, Hit to Hit.