🌴 Slice of Paradise - ISSUE 04 - 11/12

Welcome to Stereo Field, the music newsletter dedicated to helping you discover new music.

Happy Saturday.

Let's start today's issue with some quick maths. Tomorrow, 1/4 of the Stereo Field Crew (Taylor) is moving 4,421 miles from HI to TN, and has spent the week packing 710 sq. ft. of stuff into 6, 50lb checked bags. Another 1/4 of our crew (Sam) is prepping for his wedding in 7 days. And with the holidays incoming, the other 1/2 of the crew (Jake and Julia) have had a lot going on too. All that adds up to a very busy week, and... this week's newsletter showing up in your inbox exactly 24 hours late. Sorry about that.

But no matter how busy things are, we're still here to help you discover some new music this week. Even if it's a day later than usual.

This week Julia shares a round-up and some photos from Briston Maroney's Paradise festival last weekend. Plus we've got the new releases you need to hear, and the old favorites and new discoveries we've been loving this week.

Let's get into it.

On the surface, there isn't a ton of new music out this week. Most of 2022's highly-anticipated releases have already dropped, with only a few scattered throughout the rest of November and December.

But luckily, you've got the Stereofield crew scouring the corners of the internet to dig up new music gems, just for you 😘. Here are a few of the new releases we'll be checking out this week, and you think you should too:

Albums

• Gold Panda: The Work

• Quadeca: I Didn't Mean To Haunt You

• Devon Again: PEE

• The Cool Greenhouse: Sod's Toastie

• Soul Blind: Feel it All Around

• Delivery: Forever Giving Handshakes

• The Last Whole Earth Catalog: There It Isn't

• S.C.A.B.: S.C.A.B.

• Jordana: I'm Doing Well Thanks for Asking

• Dumb: Pray for Tomorrow

• Smut: How the Light Felt

Singles

• Runnner: bike again

• BROCKHAMPTON: The Ending

• Current Joys: Cooking (Duster Cover!)

• Enola: Metal Body

• Benedikt: One Day at a Time

• Hatchie: Nosedive

• poolblood: my little room

• Parannoul: Insomnia

• Channel Tres: 6am

• Acre Memos: Birds Swam Away

• Ben Quad: You're Part of It

• Narrow Head: Moments of Clarity

Check Out Our Playlist With This Week's New Releases Here

ghost orchard - rainbow music

Note: With our crew being so busy this week, we were initially going to skip the album of the week. But this album is so good that we couldn't not share it with you.

When you're constantly listening to new music, things can often start to blend together. A playlist that you're shuffling can start out exciting, but quickly turn into background music; a nice but not particularly attention-grabbing soundtrack to whatever else has pulled your focus away.

But sometimes, something comes on that instantly pulls you and all your focus back. Something that sounds both different and good, in a sea of things that either sound good, but mostly the same, or that sound different, but are a little too out there.

rainbow music, the 4th full length from ghost orchard, is one of those pieces of music for us. Sam Hall has been making lo-fi pop as ghost orchard since 2005, but the 30-minutes of songs on rainbow music, filled with intimate acoustic guitars, glitchy breakbeats and hushed, pitched vocals, is by far his most unique, and best work so far.

I hear pieces of many of my favorite projects here. The lo-fi production and guitars of Alex G or Hovvdy. The hopeful isolation of Youth Lagoon's debut album. Glitchy, Aphex Twin-inspired beats. But it's all put together here in a way that sounds totally new and exciting.

Albums like this are the reason we love doing this. If you listen to one new album this week, make it rainbow music

Last weekend, Nashville indie-rocker Briston Maroney held the inaugural edition of his Paradise Festival in Nashville. Julia had the opportunity to photograph the festival, and this week is sharing some of her favorite photos from the festival, along with a few words about it.

‘Paradise’ lived up to the name. I only had the chance to go to the festival's second night (but I hear the first night was just as energetic as the second), which had an all-star lineup: Cece Coakley, followed by MICHELLE, Indigo De Souza, and finished by Briston himself.

The festival was held at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. If you've been there before, it's easy to see how would make an excellent spot for a festival. The venue features a bowling alley, multiple bars, a restaurant, photo booths, and most importantly: a giant room that sounds incredible from almost every spot on the floor. And the festival upped the experience with carnival games and even flash tattoos designed by Briston himself. It was one giant party.

Cece Coakley kicked the show off. She's one of my favorite rising artists in Nashville, and even playing alone in a large venue, her sweet acoustic guitar and voice captivated the crowd.

MICHELLE was up next. I had never heard anything about them, but they blew me away. MICHELLE is a 6-piece band with four lead singers, a percussionist, and a bassist - all with insane stage presence. The percussionist had some of the most chaotic but fun energy I’ve seen, and the vocalists effortlessly moved from trading solos to singing in perfect harmony. They gave off major Cheetah Girls vibes, and I mean that in the best way imaginable.

With much excitement in the room, Indigo De Souza and her band came on stage. Indigo is one of my favorite artists; her performance enthralled me. Her voice is light and ethereal but simultaneously gritty. Both she and her band are absolute powerhouses. This was the band's last show after almost a full year of touring, but even after being on the road for so long, they gave everything they had.

Briston and his band closed the night out. The band absolutely shredded, and had the entire crowd buzzing. The show had everything from eerie experimental solo vocals in between songs, to full-on mosh pits, with Briston’s dad even opening up the pit at one point. It was one of the most fun shows I have ever seen.

You could tell this festival was a far-off dream come true in Briston’s mind, and to see his genuine gratitude on stage for his fans and everyone involved was so tender. I’ve been to a handful of Briston’s shows, and every time, his ending message is something like, “You are loved, you are not alone, and people care about you just as you are.” It is simple, but when I see him perform, I feel a little more loved and a little less alone. Briston is a gem in the Nashville music scene, and it is incredibly lucky to have him.

Hear the artists from Paradise Festival on Briston's Playlist Here

Every week we curate a playlist of the new releases, old favorites, and newly discovered classics that we're listening to, and share our thoughts on a few of the tracks. Check out the whole playlist on Spotify, and find our thoughts below:

Check Out The Whole Playlist Here

That Funny Feeling - Phoebe Bridgers

This song hits hard this time of year. Phoebe’s cover of Bo Burnham's song is perfect. Burnham's satirical, absurd and existential writing fits with Bridgers's discography and voice. This song is daunting but comforting at a time when it seems like it is dark for 20 hours of the day. It indeed describes ‘That Funny Feeling.’

Ryuichi Sakamoto & Thundercat - Thousand Knives (Thundercat Remodel)

These days its easy to feel like we're living in the worst possible timeline, but now at least we have a Thundercat cover of Ryuchi Sakamoto to give us hope. If you're not already familiar, Sakamoto was the frontman of legendary Japanese electropop band Yellow Magic Orchestra, and an esteemed composer and producer in his own right. And Thundercat is, well, Thundercat.

Thousand Knives is the 9 minute, sprawling, instrumental electro title track off of Sakamoto's 1978 solo debut. Thundercat's Remodel keeps the extended keyboard solos of the original, but tightens it down to 5 minutes, gives it a little more structure, and adds some lyrics to the original song's primary melody.

Wormwood - Ritt Momney

"Her and All of My Friends" was Ritt Momney's debut LP, released in 2019. 'Wormwood' is the perfect introduction to Ritt Momneys intimate, indie pop, and slowly draws you into the experience of this album with high vocals and a dream-like melody that leaves you wanting more.

PULSE - MICHELLE

I can’t believe I went my whole life without knowing about MICHELLE. This song is addictive and so much fun. I would describe them as the better and cooler version of the Cheetah Girls. I know, big claim but seriously, give them a shot. You will not regret it.

Trade it - Slow Pulp

Slow Pulp's 2020 debut full-length, Moveys was one of our favorite albums of 2020, and it hasn't really left the rotation since. It's hard to pick a favorite on what's pretty much a no-skips record, but we'll go with the second track, 'Trade It'. After the opener, 'New Horse', draws you in with fingerpicked acoustics, psychedelic effects, and sputtering bass, 'Trade It' sets the tone for the rest of the album's slow, driving, anthemic indie rock.

Check Out The Whole Playlist Here

For the musicians out there, this week's meme of the week hits a little too close to home. Courtesy of legendary meme lord @bandmemes666.

Thanks for reading, if you liked this issue let us know below. And hit reply on this email to let us know what songs you liked, or if there's a great song, album, or artist we need to hear.