Andre Moran and Noelle Hampton of the Belle Sounds. Contributed/Barbara FG Photography
OUT THIS WEEK
Belle Sounds, “The Sea Within.” Centered around singer-songwriter Noelle Hampton and guitarist Andre Moran, the Belle Sounds have become one of Austin’s best pop bands since forming five years ago. “The Sea Within” has been a long time coming: Their last release was a 2014 EP that followed 2013’s self-titled debut. Working with producer David Boyle at his Church House Studio in East Austin, the band recorded 11 original songs that reach back to the classic sounds of 1970s FM radio, an approach that stands out today precisely because they’re not trying to board the indie bandwagon. The album’s title comes from the mesmerizing track “Innsaei,” an Icelandic word that translates to “the sea within” but connotes a deeper, zen-like sense of intuition and empathy. This is a very well-constructed and sequenced record: Five tracks build up, and then down, from “Legend of the Silver Moon,” a masterful eight-minute centerpiece that luxuriates in Moran’s brilliant atmospheric guitar soundscapes. Throughout, contributions from keyboardists Boyle and Emily Shirley, bassists John Michael Schoepf and Kris Nelson, drummer Evan Hutchings and cellist Brian Standefer make “The Sea Within” sound very much like a band record, not simply a duo project. Release show July 21 at One-2-One Bar. Here’s the video for the track “Like a Villain”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG30zW4oP_w&w=492&h=307]
Ume, “Other Nature” (Modern Outsider). Back on Modern Outsider after one record with the Dangerbird label, the magnetic trio featuring singer-guitarist Lauren Larson, bassist Eric Larson and drummer Aaron Perez sounds revitalized on these 10 cuts, their first new music since 2014. With studio ace Stuart Sikes (A Giant Dog, Black Joe Lewis) producing and Don Cento adding synth accents, the band mixes thunderous rockers with more contemplative material perhaps brought on by the Larsons recently becoming parents. Release show July 21 at Mohawk outdoor. Here’s the video for the leadoff track, “Crushed”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JE8kf7ucvo&w=492&h=307]
RECENTLY RELEASED
Cody Canada & the Departed, “3” (Underground Sound). Groove-heavy country rock from the transplanted Oklahoma red-dirt wrangler, whose band is pared down here to a trio with Jeremy Plato and Eric Hansen. A nice surprise is the inclusion of “Betty Was Black (And Willie Was White),” a hidden gem from early-’90s Nashville band the Bis-quits that was previously revived by Todd Snider. Playing July 22 at Antone’s. Here’s the track “Unglued”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ithf-FVCs5k&w=492&h=307]
COMING SOON
- JULY 27: Israel Nash, “Lifted,” release show July 27 at Scoot Inn.
- JULY 27: Cody Jinks, “Lifers.”
- JULY 28: Batty Jr., “Wormhole,” release show July 28 at Threadgill’s South.
- JULY 28: Ego Deaf, “I’ll Let You Know When It Gets Weird” EP, release show July 28 at Stay Gold.
- JULY 29: Madi Meeks, “For You” EP, release show July 28 at Carousel Lounge.
- AUG. 3: Kevin Galloway, “The Change” (Nine Mile), playing July 20 at Cactus Cafe, release show Aug. 3 at Continental Club.
- AUG. 9: Ben Ballinger, “Live at the Cactus Cafe” EP, release show Aug. 9 at Cactus Cafe.
- AUG. 10: William Clark Green, “Hebert Island,” playing Aug. 11 at River Road Ice House (New Braunfels).
- AUG. 17: Joe Ely, “The Lubbock Tapes: Full Circle” (Rack ’Em).
- AUG. 17: Nakia, “Blues Grifter,” in-store Aug. 17 at Waterloo Records, release show Aug. 18 at Saxon Pub.
- AUG. 17: Jeremy Nail, “Live Oak.”
- AUG. 23: Mike Schoenfeld, “Little Feet” EP, release show Aug. 23 at Kitty Cohen.
- AUG. 24: White Denim, “Performance” (City Slang).
- AUG. 24: Teddy Glass, “Nights and Weekends.”
- AUGUST: Saents, self-titled EP.
- SEPT. 5: Buhu, “Tenets.”
- SEPT. 7: Ghostland Observatory, “See You Later Simulator,” playing Bat Fest Aug. 18.
- SEPT. 14: Asleep at the Wheel, “New Routes.”
- SEPT. 14: Band of Heathens, “A Message From the People Revisited.)
- SEPT. 14: Gina Chavez, “Lightbeam” EP, release show Sept. 15 at Antone’s.
- SEPT. 21: Western Youth, self-titled.
- SEPT. 21: Will Courtney, “Crazy Love” (Super Secret).
- SEPT. 21: Jonathon Zemek, “Hillcrest.”
- SEPT. 28: Jerry David DeCicca, “Burning Daylight” (Super Secret).