Swell EP: ARMS - EP2 [indie rock / indie pop]

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ARMS is the solo project of Todd Goldstein, a Brooklyn musician and songwriter known for his guitar work with the now-defunct indie poppers Harlem Shakes, but more recently, for his excellent 2011 ARMS album Summer Skills, which was recorded with a full band and happens to be one of my favorite albums released in recent years. Since hearing my first ARMS song a few years ago, I can't help but liken Goldstein's voice to a melodramatic, singy version of the matter-of-fact vocal delivery of WHY?'s Yoni Wolf, which is definitely a good thing.

On EP2, along with his alluring voice, artful guitar strumming and wistful keyboarding, Goldstein crafts powerfully captivating (lyrically and musically) indie rock songs with the help of his drummer friend Tiacael Esparza. By scattering catchy guitar hooks and flourishes over the EP's five-song-span of melancholic melodies and Esparza's solid drum framework, Goldstein sets the stirring backdrop over which to lay his lavish labyrinth of lyrics, creating a complex web of sounds worth getting tangled up in, time and time again.

Stream the entire EP (out now on Paper Garden Records) below and follow the player's links to purchase digital and physical copies.

Just Rolled In: Son Lux - "Lost It To Trying" [orchestral pop / electronic / experimental]

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After getting his hands dirty arranging music for three feature films (including 2012's Looper), releasing two highly acclaimed albums and a collaborative EP with Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti (known jointly as s / s / s), producing numerous hip hop beats, and working with revered composers and ensembles, NYC-based Ryan Lott, aka Son Lux, is gearing to release his 3rd full-length record Lanterns out October 29 via Joyful Noise Recordings. The classically trained composer and electronic producer has left us with high expectations for the rest of the record after releasing the brilliantly epic debut single "Lost It To Trying".

Riddled with a frenetic array of live saxophones, flutes, and percussion and sister duo Lily and Madeleine's Sufjan-esque choral singing, Lott seamlessly throws in his production expertise in the form of hyperactive synths and thunderous drum programming to deliver the incredibly complicated, energetic, and triumphant masterpiece known as "Lost It To Trying".

Check out the single below and listen to and purchase Son Lux's previously released music on his Bandcamp.

Just Rolled In: Zachary Cale - "Wayward Son" and "Hold Fast" [folk / acoustic blues]

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Brooklyn-via-Louisiana bluesy folk musician Zachary Cale has just released two new singles from his upcoming fourth record Blue Rider entitled "Wayward Son" and "Hold Fast". Ditching the backing band present on his previous record Noise of Welcome, Cale sharpens the focus on his visual lyricism and intricate finger-style acoustic guitar playing, making it clear as to why his songwriting has been compared to that of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Elliott Smith. Cale's serene acoustic ballads coupled with his reverbed, mellow vocal delivery also bears a striking resemblance to Kurt Vile's more laid back songs.

Listen to Zachary Cale's two new songs below plus a great song from last year's Love Everlasting 7". Visit his Bandcamp page to download these two songs for free and to explore more of his extensive back catalogue until Blue Rider's release on September 24.