Are You Out Tonight?

"Tonight I Have To Leave It," the new single from (yes, another) Swedish pop sensation Shout Out Louds is a terifically Cure-flavored jaunt complete with meaty acoustic guitars, Caterpillar clattering and a grand, playful string section. The song is one of the highlights of the band's new Our Ill Wills (out this fall on Merge Records). The one that really catches me, though, is "South America." It's moody, pretty, and humid- perfect for a stroll around the city at dusk. It also sounds faintly like it could fit into a new Broadway musical about lovelorn troubadours kids backpacking through, well, South America of course.

Next Up We Have The Jesus and Mary Chain + long lost Reid sister. On Little Pop Rock, the Sister Vanilla record, the Reid boys step back and let sis take on the vocals. I saw two separate occasions of spontaneous dancing to "Down" recently: one involved a goth girl and the other, what appeared to be an investment banker's wife/ girlfriend. Make of this what you will.

And finally, one of my favorite fists up jams of the last few months, Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim's call to arms, "It's A Fact (Painted Stained)." Please play this loud loud loud loud loud.

love & rock,
kevington