Led by the exuberant melodies of cross-tapping guitarist Marcos Mena, the LA duo Standards make meticulous instrumental math-rock whose effervescent riffs teem with sunny enthusiasm. On the band's debut full-length, Fruit Island, Standards deftly retool math-rock's unforgiving, challenging tendencies into a style that is both danceable and compositionally profound. Drummer Forrest Rice's boisterous chops complement Mena's unpredictable melodies, grounding the unusual self-dueling riffs and balancing the bright compositions with tasteful fills and immaculate syncopations. more info→
Despite never having met IRL, the Montreal, QC- and Marquette, MI-based quartets Gulfer and Charmer have joined together for a split release, via Topshelf, Royal Mountain, and No Sleep Records. Currently separated by a closed border and the pandemic, the two veteran... more info →
When writing about a song or album, the convention is to use the present tense. A piece of music, although representative of and influenced by the era in which it was created, is ultimately always experienced in ~the present~. We built this website while pondering ways that we could, at every turn, focus on discovery by bringing music we released years ago relevantly back into the present, challenging how we collectively talk and think about “new” music. Discovering new music is exciting, but so is discovering music that’s simply
new to you.
It’s our hope that you'll enjoy digitally crate digging through this online home of ours, finding and connecting with the 231 albums we’ve released with 139 artists from all around the world over the last 15 years. Directly below are a few of our favorites to get you started.
However you’ve found yourself here presently, thanks so much for stopping by! We couldn’t do this without your support and enthusiasm.
-Mack, Kevin, Sarah, Seth, & Will
Clair de Lunarette is a split EP release with Babe City records, and is the band's first foray into the spotlight since the dissolution of Gingerlys. Striving for release, both personal and communal, Lunarette lean into the pop sensuality of their polished, electronic world. Lush, swirling guitar layered over dynamic, jingling synth melodies fill the atmosphere of their debut EP. Harkening to late night drives, and the carefree sentimentality of future nostalgia, lead single “Austin St.” beckons listeners to swap the serious for a waking daydream.
more info →
Drawing on influences of jazz improvisation, minimalist composition, and punk rock ethos, the Boston-based band Really From dismiss traditional genre and formulae in favor of explorative, indie rock amalgamations. Since 2014, their ever-evolving sound has incorporated stylistic touchstones from math rock to ambient, exploring themes of place, self, and culture through a dialect entirely their own. more info →
Explosive, agile emo serves as the backdrop to guitarist and vocalists Vincent Ford and Joe Therriault's honest and vulnerable lyricism, with the two sharing the writing process on a record that tackles human nature; exploring self-doubt, resentment, complex relationships, climate change, and the waning of youth. The band never lose the sense of playfulness and fun that is omnipresent in their live show, an undeniable, electric energy that stems from being a group of close friends before all else. more info →
On "Ghosts" Kaplan light-heartedly confronts the nuanced fear and apathy towards commitment between two people. read more →
"Here are some songs that we got into from this past year, a year we obviously did not expect. Each of us got into sounds that have informed our evolving musical perspectives, and while varying, I find that they all feed off each other." read more →
Ratboys have announced Fall dates co-headlining with Wild Pink & tickets go on sale this Friday! These shows will precede their Spring tour supporting Julien Baker in Europe. read more →
"The whole idea of finding a band because another band you like has some kind of connection with them is a cool way to get your hands on new music. When I first got familiar with labels like Topshelf and Count Your Lucky Stars, I would always make sure to check the splits they would put out. It was a cool insight into what was happening in the scene in the States at the time - what bands were interacting with each other and who was supporting who." read more →
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