The Happy Hollows

Finally, I discover this fascinating band but it was well worth the wait.  The first time I saw them there was a strange but compelling noise to begin the song and I was interested so I peered closely at the band as the song began to unfold, that is then when I observed the singer, Sarah, pick-tapping on her Gibson SG. Needless to say was I was instantly enchanted.  As the song progressed, I heard the strong arrangement of the tune and Sarah's unique and beautiful voice and I knew then I had gone one step beyond love at first listen and entered worship territory.  Definitely worth checking out over and over again.

Artist: The Happy Hollows
Origin: Los Angeles, California U.S.A.

NIN - Hesitation Marks

Took me a long time to get to this album and I have to admit I was very hesistant and

even reluctant to hear it due to the last few NIN releases which by my standards I considered weak.  Still, I gave it a chance today based on some positive comments of friends, and I am happy to report this album is a indeed an impressive return to the upper echelons of  the musical stratosphere for Reznor's project.   The album features a very good balance of buzzing, droney synths those which I could describe as sort of a sonic companion to floating on delicious caramely syrup, this blissful syrupy feeling is punctuated and conjoined with these sort of absolutely scrumptious, glitchy clicks and beeps of the sort you would hear after just turning on a brand new technological toy right out of the box.

Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Origin: Cleveland, Ohio USA

Lorde

It is not too often I scan the frequencies of normal FM radio.  Fortunately Today, I was travelling with a companion who identified this song as one of her favorites.   I gave it a single listen and was instantly a fan. This song features extremely intricate vocal harmonies that swell and grow alongside the literally powerful and imaginative lyrics.  The steady, simple pounding of the 808 Kick drums are the perfect beat to match the majestic touch that this tune has.  The most amazing thing about the songwriter is that she is so young!  She is only 16 years old, as I write this entry.  Definitely take a moment to bow down and listen to this Lorde, she is something special.

Artist: Lorde

Origin: Devonport, New Zealand

Melody's Echo Chamber

Candles, perfumed air, fine cuisine and charm of the night, you now have a new companion with this collection of songs.  This time we are gifted with a bevy of tunes from the amazing mind of a French woman whose name is Melody!  This album sure does have lots of fabulous morsels of melody in it.  You will hear the tracks have elements of Broadcast, crossed with a dreamy yet sophisticated elegance that could only be brewed up in conjunction with the pulse of  the ultra-romantic City of Lights.

Artist: Melody's Echo Chamber
Origin: Paris, France

Daughter

I highly recommend this album, the whole thing...every track is worth hearing, in order.  Daughter features a very unique and talented female vocalist and a refreshing approach to production which pushes boundaries yet without jolting the listener at any point during the listening experience.

Artist: Daughter
Origin: London, UK

The Blow

This act provides a case study for this site's long held theory in which music creation is directly and heavily influenced by an artist's physical and emotional environment. Listening to this track, one can just about visualize the scenesters of Williamsburg bobbing their noggins in approval.  In fact this track is so preov- approved, that the web is already over saturated with the mention of the 7 year lay off , yadayadayada.   This track does not appear on TionTunes do to any of the hype, however.  This track simply appears because it has a high quality catchiness that is delivered inside an envelope of low quality music development. This writer has always had an unquenchable thirst for the type of alchemic auditory mix this track provides. Press play and drink up, fellow thirsty experimental pop audiophiles.

Artist: The Blow
Origin: Brooklyn NY, USA

Waxahatchee

Ahh Summer, tis' the time of a myriad of performances and festivals in music.   This powerful 3 piece rocker that caught my ears and eyes comes to you from the Pitchfork Music Festival!   Sometimes I just need music with a big sounding "Engine" to get my motor running and step out on the highway as someone used to say. This track made this phenomenon happen for me tonight and thus captured TionTunes' coveted August featured video slot.

Artist: Waxahatchee
Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA