Tag Archives: Empress Of

In The Pharmacy #97 – Late March 2016

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Nineteen new tracks from the US, UK, Niger and Denmark. Garage punk, indie rock, dreampop, powerpunk, indiepop, psych pop, shoegaze, electronic pop. New music from Sheer Mag, Big Deal, CFM, Bleached, Bob Mould, Darkstar / Empress Of, Bombino, Frankie Cosmos, Keeps, Quilt, Hipshot Killer, Holy Wave, Adult Books, Beverly (pictured), Silences, Baby In Vain, Cullen Omori, Big Ups, Attic Abasement, and Eddi Front.

Sheer Mag ‘Nobody’s Baby’
Philly garage punks with the closing track from their their third 7” EP, III (out now, Wilsuns RC).
[Sheer Mag]

Big Deal ‘Say Yes’
Superior grunge-noise pop title track from the forthcoming third album (June 17, Fat Cat).
[Big Deal]

CFM ‘Glass Eye’
Bay Area garage-punk-revival mainstay Charles Francis Moothart II is a frequent Ty Segall collaborator (with the Ty Segall band, Pervert, Fuzz and GØGGS) as well as having formed Moonhearts with Mikal Cronin. Now he’s going out on his own as CFM. This is taken from the debut album, Still Life of Citrus and Slime (April 8, In the Red).
[CFM]

Bleached ‘Sour Candy’
LA based sisters Jen and Jessica Clavin delivered one of 2013’s best albums with Ride Your Heart their Shangri-Las-meets-garage-pop debut as Bleached (they’d previously played together in Mika Miko). The follow up finds the Clavins bringing bassist Micayla Grace into the songwriting and recording with veteran producer Joe Chiccarelli, who cut is teeth with Frank Zappa and has recorded everyone from Poco to Spoon to My Morning Jacket and the Front Bottoms. This second preview track from Welcome the Worms is driven by simple girl-group inspired rhythm, fuzz guitar and a topped by the vocal melody and the repeated hook of “I’ve been giving in, in to giving up, up to nothing but trying to kill time / you’ve been missing now, out on everything, everything is passing you by” (April 1, Dead Oceans).
[Bleached]

Bob Mould ‘The End of Things’
While Bob Mould’s post-Husker Du solo career may lack the sheer ambition and scope of Grant Hart’s sporadic output, he’s done a good job of playing to his strengths, especially since he’s been releasing records on Merge. This classic slice of fuzz pop with Mould’s inimitable vocals is the second taste of Patch The Sky (March 25, Merge), following on from January’s excellent Workbook-like ‘Voices In My Head’, and serves to raise expectations for another excellent album.
[Bob Mould]

Darkstar Featuring Empress Of ‘Reformer’ [Radio Edit]
The London electronic trio preview their forthcoming EP with this collaboration with Lorely Rodriguez.
[Empress Of]
[Darkstar]

Bombino ‘Timtar (Memories)’
After recording his last album Nomad (2013) with the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Tuareg guitarist Bombino prepares to release his new album Azel (April 1, Partisan), this time produced by The Dirty Projectors’ David Longstreth.
[Bombino]

Frankie Cosmos ‘On The Lips’
Another track from Greta Kline’s second album under the Frankie Cosmos name, New Thing (April 1, Bayonet).
[Frankie Cosmos]

Keeps ‘I Don’t Mind’
Breezy psych pop tinged shoegaze from the Nashville duo’s debut album Brief Spirit (out now, Old Flame Records).
[Keeps]

Quilt ‘Roller’
Anna Rochinski takes lead vocals on this stand out track taken from the Cambridge, MA indie folk /psych pop band’s latest album Plaza (out now, Mexican Summer).
[Quilt]

Hipshot Killer ‘Gimme Something Better’
Power punk from the Kansas City, MO band’s They Will Try To Kill Us All album (out now, Throwing Things Records).
[Hipshot Killer]

Holy Wave ‘She Put A Seed In My Ear’
From the El Paso, TX band’s Freaks of Nurture album (out now, Reverberation Appreciation Society/Burger Records).
[Holy Wave]

Adult Books ‘Firewalking’
From the Orange County band’s lo-fi shoegaze meets new wave / surf pop album Running From The Blows (out now Burger Records / Lollipop).
[Adult Books]

Beverly ‘Contact’
Brooklyn indiepop band led by Drew Citron with another track from their forthcoming second album Blue Swell (May 6th, Kanine).
[Beverly]

Silences ‘There’s A Wolf’
Armagh band project fronted by singer-songwriter Conchúr White with a track from their third EP Luna (out April 15, Decisive).
[Silences]

Baby In Vain ‘Martha’s View’
Stoner-grunge from the Danish three-piece’s forthcoming For The Kids EP (April 29, Partisan Records).
[Baby In Vain]

Cullen Omori ‘Synthetic Romance’
Following on from ‘Cinnamon’ another track taken from the former Smith Western man’s forthcoming solo album, New Misery (March 18, Sub Pop).
[Cullen Omori]

Big Ups ‘Capitalized’
From the New York punks album Before A Million Universes (out now, Tough Love / Exploding In Sound).
[Big Ups]

Attic Abasement ‘Statuesque Mess’
Following on from ‘Guarantee Jesus’ (ITP #95) another track from the lo-fi Rochester, NY band’s first album in six years Dream News (May 27, Father/Daughter Records).
[Attic Abasement]

Eddi Front ‘Play Ball’
Eddi Front was first featured here four years ago way back on ITP #14 with the gorgeous ‘Gigantic’, this track is taken from the long awaited debut album, which also records a remixed version of ‘Gigantic’ (out now, self-released).
[Eddi Front]

In The Pharmacy #88 – October 2015

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Eighteen new tracks from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. New music from Two Cartoons, Chvrches, Girls Names, Sports, Widowspeak, Cristobal and the Sea, US Girls, Robert Forster, Fidlar, Joanna Newsom, Baio, The Decemberists, Empress Of, Soda Shop (pictured), Black Honey, PWR BTTM, Family of The Year and Lust For Youth.

Two Cartoons ‘Males’

Catchy garage pop from ex-pat Dunedin duo. Taken from their forthcoming debut album Happiness isTrouble (Far South, release date tbc).
[Two Cartoons]

Chvrches ‘Bury It’
Their disappointing and bloated debut album was only rescued by a couple of great singles and some excellent live shows. Album number two Every Open Eye (out now) is much more the ticket and finds them ramping up the songwriting and cutting down on the filler. This is one of the highlights.
[Chvrches]

Girls Names ‘Dysmorphia’
More dark rock n’ roll from the Belfast band’s third album Arms Around A Vision (out now, Tough Love).
[Girls Names]

Sports’ Get Bummed Out’
Following on from ‘Saturday’, ‘Washing Machine’ and ‘Reality TV’, this is the fourth track to be featured from the Ohio band’s still-not-quite-out yet second album, All of Something (Father/Daughter records, 30 October). Can’t wait to finally hear the whole thing.
[Sports]

Widowspeak ‘Borrowed World’
Brooklyn dreampop duo with a track from their latest album All Yours (out now, Captured Tracks). Unlike previously featured track ‘Girls’, this one features Robert Earl Thomas on lead vocal.
[Widowspeak]

Cristobal and the Sea ‘Counting Smiles’
Opening song from the Anglo-Spanish-Portugese-Corsican quartet’s debut album Sugar Now (out now, City Slang). Starts off as a simple percussion-free indie folk number before the flute and drums kick in, raise the tempo and it becomes an irresistible piece of dance floor psych pop.
[Cristobal and the Sea]

US Girls ‘Window Shades’
Third track featured here from the experimental popster Meghan Remy’s 4AD debut Half Free (out now). Funky, electronic pop with orchestral flourishes.
[U.S. Girls]

Robert Forster ‘A Poet Walks’
Former Go-Betweens legend with a track from his first solo album since 2008’s The Evangelist. Songs to Play is an excellent album, it finds Forster at the top of his game as both songwriter and performer. A warm and charming collection of songs that couldn’t have been made by anyone else.
[Robert Forster]

Fidlar ‘Why Generation’
Psych pop verses and garage pop chorus from the LA band’s second album Too (out now, Mom & Pop).
[Fidlar]

The Drink ‘Roller’
One of the more straightforward tracks from Capital the absolutely brilliant first-album-proper from the London-based post-punk-folk three piece (Melodic, November 13). You can get a download of the whole album now if you pre-order the physical edition direct from Melodic.
[The Drink]

Joanna Newsom ‘Leaving the City’
Over five years on from magnum opus triple album Have One On Me, Joanna Newsom returns with her fourth album Divers (Drag City, October 23). This is the second preview track from the album after August’s ‘Saponkanikan’.
[Joanna Newsom]

Baio ‘I Was Born In A Marathon’
Vampire Weekend bass player with a track from his excellent debut solo album of electronic dancefloor pop, The Names (out now, Glassnote).
[Baio]

The Decemberists ‘Fits & Starts’
Surprising garage punk number from the new Florasongs EP (October 9, Atlantic), 5 songs recorded at the same sessions that produced this year’s excellent What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World album.
[The Decemberists]

Empress Of ‘How Do You Do It’

Following on from ‘Water Water’ back in May (ITP #78), here’s Brooklyn-based electronic pop artist Lorely Rodriguez with another highlight from her debut album (out now, Terrible / XL).
[Empress Of]

Soda Shop ‘Wistful Past’
New York indiepop duo with a track from their charming self-titled debut album (out now, Velvet Blue Music)
[Soda Shop]

Black Honey ‘Corrine’
Brighton buzzband with new single about having a row with your best friend who then quits their job, sells their phone and moves to the other side of the world before you can make up.
[Black Honey]

PWR BTTM ‘I Wanna Boi’
Another great track (the fourth featured here) taken from the New Paltz queer punk duo’s brilliant debut album Ugly Cherries (out now, Father/Daughter Records / Miscreant).
[PWR BTTM]

Family of The Year ‘Hey Kid’
Lovely downbeat number from the LA sunshine indie pop band’s self-titled album (out now, Nettwerk).
[Family of the Year]

Lust For Youth ‘Better Looking Brother’

Swedish electronic trio led by Hannes Norrvide successfully channel 90s Depeche Mode on their new digital only single (available now, Sacred Bones).
[Lust For Youth]

In The Pharmacy #78 – May 2015

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Nineteen new tunes from the US, Australia, Sweden, Norway, the UK, and Canada. Indie pop, experimental pop, electronic pop, psych pop, garage punk, shoegaze, dreampop etc. New music from Django Django, Best Coast, Sharon Van Etten, Pale Honey (pictured), Titus Andronicus, Tame Impala, Future Islands, Power, Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld, The Lovely Eggs, Alessia Cara, Vexx, Misun, Jenny Hval, Cheena, Empress Of, Chelsea Wolfe, Joanna Gruesome, Valet.

The Lovely Eggs ‘Ordinary People Unite’

Lancashire spousal pop from Holly Ross and David Blackwell, taken from their new album This Is Our Nowhere (out now).
[The Lovely Eggs]

Django Django ‘Giant’

Opening track from the band’s new album Born Under Saturn, psych tinged, groove-centric, electronic indie pop.
[Django Django]

Best Coast ‘In My Eyes’
Best Coast’s second album was terrible, but they followed it up with the fantastic Fade Away EP. Their new album California Nights builds on that momentum and all the horrible affectations and weaknesses of The Only Place have been blasted away and replaced with surf pop songs of superior quality and catchiness.
[Best Coast]

Pale Honey ‘Fish’
Gothenburg duo of Tuva Lodmark and Nelly Daltrey play guitar and drums indie pop with retro flourishes. This is taken from their rather excellent eponymous debut album (out now).
[Pale Honey]

Titus Andronicus ‘Dimed Out’
Killer punk tune about turning it up to 10: “I turned it up to four I couldn’t feel it / I turned it to five it wasn’t real yet / turning it up to six wouldn’t reveal it / seven was secret / eight was reaching / nine was decent but I really liked it when it dimed out!” taken from the New Jersey band’s forthcoming The Most Lamentable Tragedy 93-minutes-long concept album (Merge, July 28).
[Titus Andronicus]

Tame Impala ‘Eventually’
Another new track from the eagerly awaited third album Currents. Smooth, soulful psych pop with filthy fuzzed out bass.
[Tame Impala]

Future Islands ‘The Chase’

First new material since last year’s breakthrough Singles album follows in the same footsteps. Soulful synthpop (available digitally now and on 7” vinyl June 30).
[Future Islands]

Power ‘Slimy’s Chains’

Melbourne heavy rock garage punk. Taken from the forthcoming Electric Glitter Boogie EP (Cool Death Records).
[Power]

Sharon Van Etten ‘I Don’t Want to Let You Down’

Title track from SVE’s new EP.
[Sharon Van Etten]

Colin Stetson / Sarah Neufeld ‘Won’t Be a Thing to Become’

Post rock meets modern classical with hints of Radiohead from the horn and violin players’ excellent collaborative album (out now, Constellation).
[Colin Stetson / Sarah Neufeld]

Alessia Cara ‘Here’

Maybe much of the appeal of this track is down to familiarity – it basically consists of the same Isaac Hayes ‘Ike’s Rap II’ sample that Tricky and Portishead used over 20 years ago for their ‘Hell Is Round the Corner’ / ‘Glory Box’ tracks respectively. But the the 18 year old Ontario born Def Jam signed artist sing-raps over the top about having a shit time at a party with no little charm.
[Alessia Cara]

Vexx ‘Black White’

Olympia, WA punks fronted by Maryjane Dunphe, taken from their new four track 7”, Give and Take (available as a name-your-price download from their bandcamp page).
[Vexx]

Misun ‘After Me’
Laidback electropop, with great vocals and lovely, fuzzy guitar that kicks in at the three minute mark. Taken from the DC band’s Feel Better EP (out May 29).
[Misun]

Jenny Hval ‘Heaven’
Another stand out track from the Norwegian experimental pop artist’s Apocalypse, Girl album (out June 9 on Sacred Bones).
[Jenny Hval]

Cheena ‘Did I Tell You Last Night’
Another Sacred Bones signed artist. Five guys raised in NYC’s underground punk scene getting together to stretch their wings on something less shouty and more melodic and coming up with something mid-70s post-glam-proto-punk in sound and feel.
[Cheena]

Empress Of ‘Water Water’

Brooklyn-based electronic pop artist Lorely Rodriguez, first featured here two years ago with ‘Hat Trick’ and ‘Tristeza’ (ITP #28 & #30) returns with the first track from her debut album (tbc, on Terrible / XL).
[Empress Of]

Chelsea Wolfe ‘Iron Moon’

Last featured here with her King Dude collaboration ‘Be Free’ (Feb 2014, ITP #51), the LA doom / drone / folk singer songwriter returns with the first track from her forthcoming fourth album Abyss (Sargent House, August 7).
[Chelsea Wolfe]

Joanna Gruesome ‘I Don’t Wanna Relax’
Another slice of MBV-indebted noise pop from the Cardiff-based band’s excellent forthcoming second album Peanut Butter (Fortuna Pop! / Slumberland / Turnstile, May 11).
[Joanna Gruesome]

Valet ‘Nature’
Shoegaze / dreampop title track from the solo project of Portland experimentalist Honey Owens (out May 25, Kranky).
[Valet]