Melenas

Melenas | Ahora | 3hive.com
Melenas | Ahora | 3hive.com

Melenas are back with a magnificent new album titled Ahora. This quartet out of Pamplona, Spain have it all dialed in – I’m talking jangly guitars, pulsing synths, fuzz, gaze, gauze, noise, you name it, it’s probably in there.

Ahora is (as I said in a previous post) 10 tracks of kraut-meets-Stereolab, electro-pop goodness. Check out “Bang” below; it’s so rad, I find myself humming or whistling it all day.

Ahora comes out on Friday (09/29/2023) via Trouble In Mind Records. You can get it on vinyl from us or from Trouble In Mind. Just get it! Enjoy.

Melenas

Melenas | K2 | 3hive.com
Melenas | K2 | 3hive.com

We are so excited for the new Melenas album that we are sharing their latest single “K2” ahead of our review of their upcoming LP Ahora.

“K2” is a synth driven, bouncy, kraut-meets-Stereolab, electro-pop tune that sticks to your brain like pine tar. This is the best kind of earworm. Check out the stream and video below.

Ahora is out on September 29 via Trouble In Mind and judging from the three available singles, it will be on lots of year end lists. Enjoy.

FACS

FACS | Still Life In Decay | 3hive.com
FACS | Still Life In Decay | 3hive.com

Chicago’s FACS have unleashed their behemoth 5th long player Still Life In Decay upon the world. It’s another bludgeoning of noisy, shredding guitar work, over one of the tightest and heaviest rhythm sections out there. There’s an understated elegance to this album as well (which is quite lovely) as they ease you into said bludgeoning on several tracks, BUT the weight and dominance of Still Life In Decay never falls off.

If you’ve been sleeping on these guys over the years —WAKE UP!

Still Life In Decay is out tomorrow, April 7, via Trouble In Mind Records. It really is an amazing album and has rocketed to the top of my favorites of 2023. Enjoy.

Partner Look

Partner Look | By The Book | 3hive.com
Partner Look | By The Book | 3hive.com

Melbourne-based Partner Look consists of German sisters Ambrin and Anila Hasnain and their partners Dainis Lacey and Lachlan Denton. Their debut album By The Book is 12 tracks of incredibly catchy jangle-pop, mingled with hints of post-punk and just a touch of added twang for good measure. I was lucky enough to receive an early preview of the album and I have listened to it at least once a day since – I can’t get enough of it.

The band just released their third single “Right Here” today and we are pleased to be able to share the video for it below. They had this to say about the song: “‘Right Here” takes inspiration from the sound associated with Melbourne via Geelong label, Anti Fade. Referencing the paintings of Albert Tucker and the broadway flop Leonardo The Musical, “Right Here” draws upon a patchwork of corruption, greed and loss that lead to Australia’s involvement in Nauru and it’s inhumane treatment of refugees. Dainis stole the song name from one of Lachlan’s songs.” You can listen to their previously released singles (and you’re going to want to) “Rodeo Tragic” and “Partner Look” as well.

By The Book is being released on February 4 via Trouble In Mind and Spunk/Osbourne Again. We will have it for sale on vinyl in our store or you can cop it from Trouble In Mind’s Bandcamp or from Spunk Records/Osbourne Again Records in Australia.

FACS

FACS | Present Tense | 3hive.com
FACS | Present Tense | 3hive.com

Chicago trio FACS are barely a year removed from releasing their incredible Void Moments and are already back with another brooding masterpiece titled Present Tense.

From its opening track “XOUT” to the final “Mirrored”, Present Tense bludgeons the ear drums with pounding drums, shrieking guitars and chugging bass lines. This album is meant to be played loud. Check out second single “General Public” (below), it’s a great example of said bludgeoning.

FACS has quickly become one of my favorite bands and Present Tense doesn’t disappoint; it’s their strongest release yet and a sure contender for album of the year. Present Tense is out now via Trouble In Mind Records. We will also have it available at the 3hive Record Lounge. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS ALBUM.

Nightshift

Nightshift | Zoe | 3hive.com
Nightshift | Zoe | 3hive.com

Nightshift didn’t let the pandemic stop them from creating their sophomore LP Zöe. In fact the Glasgow band took full advantage of quarantine and separation to create their most ambitious music to date.

The common denominator throughout Zöe is the pounding drums and driving bass lines which move the tracks along and blend nicely with the use of clarinet, and the jangly guitar work. I think “Power Cut” (below) is the best example of this.

Zöe is a strong album that only gets stronger with every listen. You can snag it now via Trouble In Mind and I highly recommend that you do. Enjoy.

FACS

FACS | Void Moments | 3hive.com
FACS | Void Moments | 3hive.com

Chicago trio FACS are back with their third release in three years (2 LPs and 1 EP) entitled Void Moments. It’s dark and menacing and could be the soundtrack to one of those nightmares where you are endlessly chased by some unseen being with certain doom inevitable. I can’t stop listening to it. Check out “Teenage Hive” (below) for a sample.

Void Moments is out now via Trouble In Mind. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS RECORD, snag yourself a copy on vinyl from the 3hive Record Lounge.

En Attendant Ana

En Attendant Ana | Julliet | 3hive.com
En Attendant Ana | Julliet | 3hive.com

Parisian quintet En Attendant Ana are back with their sophomore release Juillet. It’s jam-packed with all kinds of bouncy indie pop that’s sure to cure any winter blues. Check out “Do You Understand” below for an example.

Juillet is out on January 24 via Trouble In Mind, I highly recommend it.

Sunwatchers

Sunwatchers | Illegal Moves | 3hive.com
Sunwatchers | Illegal Moves | 3hive.com

New York quartet Sunwatchers bring their A-game on their newest LP “Illegal Moves” (out now via Trouble In Mind). Their brand of jazz-psych meets noise-rock swirls and hypnotizes and just before you’re lost in their psychedelic haze they punch you right in the mouth. Give “Beautiful Crystals” and “Greeneyed Pigmen (Get The Blade)” a spin below to see what I mean.

Olden Yolk

Olden Yolk | Olden Yolk | 3hive.com

Olden Yolk | Olden Yolk | 3hive.com

Olden Yolk, I have done you wrong. Your debut, self-titled, album has been my favorite album of 2018 since it landed on my front porch back in February. I started this post (back in February) to tell the world all about your psychedelic, sometimes shoegazey, all the time rock ‘n’ roll goodness, but I could not find the words to describe the greatness of your 10 song masterpiece. I apologize.

Hello World, if you have not acquainted yourself with New York-based Olden Yolk, now is the time to do it. Their debut album is a solid slab of psych-rock/psych-folk/psych-pop, mingled with just enough fuzz and gaze to make it stand out above all the rest. Give “Vital Sign” and “Takes One To Know One” for a spin below to see what I mean. Olden Yolk is available now via Trouble In Mind Records. I highly, highly recommend it.