DJ White Shadow - I'm Killing Me

DJ White Shadow, also known as Paul Blair, just released his first official EP of original work.  At just over thirty minutes long, I'm Killing Me is a beat driven blast of energy.  You may know White Shadow from his collaboration with Lady Gaga on her third album Born This Way, where he took the role of writer and producer on one of the year's biggest albums.  You can hear his distinct elements on both projects, but this album touches new areas that weren't seen with Gaga.  While he already had a reputation for putting on a massive DJ set, I'm Killing Me shows the mainstream music world what DJ White Shadow is capable of.

I'm Killing Me is available as a free download over on DJ White Shadow's website.  If you want to hear more of DJWS' work, you can check out some of his mixtapes and remixes here.

Eolune - Tiny Oceans

Eolune, the genre blending band from Boston, are back with the follow up to last year's Canvas EP.  I wrote about Canvas way back in March of 2010.  I was fond of the band's ability to create a tight sound that successfully merged various styles of music.  Some bands claim that they incorporate influences from other types of music, but Eolune actually does it.

Their new EP, Tiny Oceans, is very much a sequel to Canvas.  It possesses the same elements as their debut and builds off of them.  The vocals are very Clash-esque at times.  At other moments, such as during the intro to "Ghost Departure", they remind me of Fleet Foxes, echo-laden harmonies.  Although these comparisons, which may sound bizarre, are helpful when finding a reference point for new listeners, Eolune doesn't depend on another band's work.  They know their strong points and they stick to them.

If you stripped every song on this EP of the electronic based sounds, you would be left with an articulate guitar driven album.  If you instead took away every organic instrument, you would have a heavy beat driven, yet melodically ambient, record.  That's what I like about the album.  You can dig beneath the layers for a different perspective.

Eolune have released Tiny Oceans as a "pay what you want" album.  Any and every amount that you do pay for the record will be directly donated to the American Red Cross in order to aid Japan.  It's an honorable and incredible move on their part, so please do purchase the album here to help.

The Pretty Reckless - EP

I wrote about The Pretty Reckless when they released their debut single, "Make Me Wanna Die".  This new rock band is led by the young Taylor Momsen.  Their self titled EP, which was released today, contains the band's lead single along with three new tracks that give The Pretty Reckless an even more promising future.

The first track, "Make Me Wanna Die", is the obvious choice for a single.  It's very radio friendly for modern rock stations.  For a more in depth review of the song, check out my post about it, here.  The second song is "My Medicine".  This song shows off Momsen's vocals and presence much better than the lead single.  The attitude in the vocal performance is enough to make it my favorite song on the EP.

The third song is "Goin' Down".  It's much heavier than the previous two.  Being very similar of 90's hard rock and grunge, the band, specifically the drummer, really shines through on this track.  With the lyrics, "Hey there father I don't wanna bother you, but I've got a sin to confess. I'm just sixteen if you know what I mean, do you mind if I take off my dress?", you can really see the young, rebellious, and more dangerous side of Momsen.

The final song, "Zombie", can only be found on the physical version of the EP.  It's definitely worth skipping iTunes for this song.  It's similar to "Make Me Wanna Die" in terms of theme.  "Zombie" is dark and heavy.

The Pretty Reckless will release their debut full length album, Light Me Up, later this year.  I would, without a doubt, give this EP a listen.  The physical disc containing "Zombie" is available only on the Warped Tour and at Hot Topic, but the extra song is a good incentive to pick it up.  The Pretty Reckless have quickly become one of my favorite new bands.  If they can match the power of this EP on Light Me Up, then you're in for a great album.

La Bella Charade - Self Titled EP

Pop-punk music is usually made up of big sing-along choruses and overly emotional vocalists.  The songs are short and fast, little bits of uncontrollable energy.  Not often do you find an album of the genre that flows together as one piece.  La Bella Charade's debut self titled EP does just that.  From the beginning to the end, the EP sounds, and feels, like a complete album.

The five song EP is a great intro for the St. Louis based quartet.  They establish themselves in a crowd among well known names such as Fall Out Boy and Paramore.  The album is actually very reminiscent of Fall Out Boy's debut, Take This To Your Grave.  It's exciting and raw.  If they keep this style instead of transitioning into a pop-rock band, then they could gain a following of listeners who are striving for this musical style.

In many of the songs, harmonizing is key.  This technique is something the band has utilized to it's potential.  While the vocals could use some fine tuning, they're strong enough to stand out among other similar bands.

I would check out La Bella Charade if you enjoy bands such as Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, and Paramore.  Pop-punk fans should be prepared for this band.  They have the potential to rise above the masses.  To find more info on this band, check out their website, here.

Eolune - Canvas

Alternative rock and electronic are two completely different genres.  Not often are they compared or used together.  Bands such as Nine Inch Nails combine metal and electronic styles, but not entirely alternative.  What would happen if they were combined?  Eolune has merged elements of the two genres to create the Canvas EP.  Does this experiment truly work?  It their case, it does.

The main elements that are taken from the electronic style are the synths and beats.  The majority of the synthesizers that are used are in the bass range.  While an acoustic drum kit is used, the beat patterns are very reminiscent of a more digitally contrived production.  Similar vibes can be felt from the guitar work on tracks such as "Tangled".

At six tracks long, the EP gives a good taste for the band's sound.  They definitely have something different going on.  When I first heard the vocals on "Billboard", I thought of Isaac Brock, of Modest Mouse.  There is a similar tone between the well known alternative singer and Eolune's Corey Wade.

Because of the merge of two genres, Eolune's music appeals to more than one crowd.  Fans of alternative band's such as Silversun Pickups, Metric, and as previously mentioned Modest Mouse will find something here.  Also, listeners of acts like Imogen Heap, Ratatat, and Nine Inch Nails might enjoy the album.

To find more info on Eolune and download the Canvas EP (pay as you wish), visit the band's website, here.  This is an impressive debut album that could put the band on the map.  I see Eolune as a future alternative band to look out for.

The Appreciation Post - Work/Sleep

Sometimes you just want to listen to some fun poppy music, right?  You're not in the mood for anything to heavy or serious.  If you're feeling like this, then you should hear The Appreciation Post.  This band from Boston makes fun synth filled rock music with a pop twist.  You might even want to call it power-pop.  Earlier this year, they released their EP, Work/Sleep.  From the start to the end, this album is packed with so much energy, you won't know what to do with it.

The album, which contains seven tracks, kicks off with "The Beating Of A Lifetime".  The synth laden song is a good start for the EP.  It correctly sets the sound for the following songs.  The album continues at a good pace.  Each song is a chunk of adrenaline pumped pop-punk.  This continues until "Better My Future", a short interlude.  I actually think that this track is one of the album's most memorable moments.

The band has definitely established a signature sound.  On every song you'll hear a quirky synth keyboard. They mix the pop-punk genre with a synth-pop, or electro feeling.  I like the sound.  They don't take the keyboards to an extreme, which is great.

I would check out The Appreciation Post if you like Weezer, Anarbor, The Academy Is..., or maybe even Hellogoodbye.  Their style is comparable to so many other bands.  You should definitely give the Work/Sleep EP a chance.  You can download the entire album from the band, for free, here.

Pet Lions - Soft Right

Pet Lions is and indie rock band from Chicago.  Their EP, Soft Right, is full of fun upbeat music.  Their sound is extremely similar to The Strokes.  The only difference is that the EP is a little more on the pop side.  Although they sound heavily influenced by the band, they don't sound like they're copying them.  Upon first listen, I loved the opening song, "Roman History".  The synth bleeps in the chorus add so much to the song, very catchy.  The next song, "Propeller Plane", is a bit slower.  The vocals of Karl Østby are much more versatile in this song.  The entire album is very consistent.  "I Will Track You Down" is a standout song, and quite interesting, along with the opening track.  The songs vary from each other and keep your attention, something every album should do.  I would check out this EP if you love indie pop and rock, especially The Strokes, as I mentioned before.  The EP is really impressive.  The entire five song album is available to download, for free, on Pet Lions' website here.