Angel Olsen [Strange Cacti CS, Bathetic Records]

When it comes to folk music I can't really explain why I like an artist or album over another. For me, its either I'm into or I'm not, straight up black and white. So if I were to explain at length why Angel Olsen appeals to me I don't think I would be able to say enough to convince someone else to like it or even spend hard earned money to buy it. I believe that is just the nature of the beast that is folk music; it can sound really good or really bad, soothing or irritating. I truly love the honesty that consume Olsen's lyrics, she's open and passionate about her songs and with each emotion she brings out, one can feel the pain or joy that goes along with it.

Angel Olsen - Creator, Destroyer

Angel Olsen Part 1 from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

The cassette can be picked up here

video [via]

Erasers [Summer CS, Solid Melts]

Eraser's Summer is another sweet cassette release coming from the good folks over at Solid Melts. I first heard this band on the Solid Melts summer compilation and have been a huge fan of the band's sound since. The duo of Rupert and Rebecca hail from Perth in Western Australia and while only recently performing a handful of live shows and generated some buzz with their previous EP CD-R and 7'' single. The band layer many different elements into their songs; Rupert performing the instrumentation looping together guitars, keyboard synths and drum rhythms while Rebecca keeps cool on vocals to maintain the flow of the track.

Autumn Trees

The tape is due out August 3rd and can be picked up here, limited to 50 copies

Yu(c)k [Daughter Music Video, Mirror Universe Tapes]

New video from the band Yu(c)k for the song "Daughter". The tape can be picked up here. "Daughters" was done by Phoebe Eason whose amazing work can be found here

The Super Vacations [ Guacamole CS, 5nakefork Records]

Phil from 5nakefork Records sent over The Guacamole cassette from the Super Vacations and I couldn't be more happy with it. The tape is a collection of psychedelic pop songs, most of them under 2 minutes, which include tracks from their latest LP (Thicker Milk) as well as contributions from several OOP releases, the Henry 7'' and their first full length release. The first track of 11 song compilation starts off like an old 60's radio program and has an in-studio or live feel to it. The tape will surely satisfy the nostalgia of retro psychedelia as well as any fan of Super Vacations looking for some out of print material. The packaging for the tape is quite stunning with the artwork done by the band's Roberto Ulsh.

The Paradise

Beehive

The tape can be picked up here.

Arches [Arches CS, Curatorial Club]

A few months ago, I covered this band when they were still in school and looking for a label to release anything. Their song, "It Won't Take Long" was on repeat during that time and I was hoping that someone would pick them up soon. Now the duo have graduated, moved back to Jersey and have been playing shows during the past month and getting more exposure. But today, Chocolate Bobka announced the release of the band's debut self-titled cassette release, on the Curatorial Club which can be pre-ordered here

[via]

Kevin Greenspon [Bracing, Family Time Records]

Kevin Greenspon is an artist; what he creates musically will either hit one immediately or the concept behind the songs will keep one sitting there replaying the track over and over, while during each play something new is found that went unnoticed only minutes before. The music is a blend ambient melodies and pop with noise elements thrown in. The songs on his latest, "Bracing" are mostly instrumental with some vocals, but the arrangement of the tracks is engaging and never really sound the same after each listen. Most of Kevin's catalog can be found over on his label, Bridgetown Records as well as some of the other artists he distros (Ancient Crux, Vehicle Blues and soon Weed Diamond)

Sundowner Lane

Softened

The cassette can be picked up here or here

Michael Tapscott [Sunny California OST]

Sunny California is the new solo release from Odawas frontman Michael Tapscott. A lot of the elements that make Odawas a great band show up here this new record; synthesizers, drum machine beats, acoustic guitars and Michael's stunning vocal abilities. The songs on this cassette release were also used as the soundtrack for the indie short film, Sunny California, directed by Neil Blakemore. More info on the film can be found here

Sunny California Theme

End Titles

The cassette can be picked up here