Thomas Wilde

Ryley Walker definitely has potential and on his new record, Golden Sings That Have Been Sung (out 8/19 on Dead Oceans) he could just possibly land in our Top 50 of 2016. Following his excellent 2015’s Primrose Green, Walker continues to grow as a songwriter and Golden Sings is said to be a distinctly Chicago record and you can really feel the weight of that city’s influence upon first listen.

The video for his latest single “The Roundabout,” was directed, filmed and edited by Joe Martinez Jr. and is all about the fireworks. The video backs up the Chicago theme and probably will remind many of past 4th holiday celebrations!

Have you checked out Big Eyes yet? They are a punk band with pop sensibilities and can simply rock out a song. Their upcoming LP, Stake My Claim, is out August 19 via Don Giovanni Records. RIYL: Joan Jett, Weezer, The Clash, Bleached

Beth Orton has went back to her roots on her new album, Kidsticks, as it was inspired both by the wide-open nature of Los Angeles and the spirit of Beth’s earliest recordings (electronic work with producers like William Orbit, Andrew Weatherall and Kieran Hebden as well as groove-based music with Red Snapper).

Kidsticks was co-produced by Beth and Andrew Hung from F*ck Buttons. It was recorded with various musician friends of Beth’s in California (including George Lewis Jr. from Twin Shadow on electric guitars, Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor on backing vocals and bass guitar and Dustin O’Halloran from A Winged Victory for the Sullen who provided piano and string arrangements). Vocals were recorded by Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age/Mark Lanagan Band) and mixed by David Wrench (Caribou/Hot Chip).