January 2016 Roundup – A Mixtape

Jon Doyle — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:29:47 +0000

Here’s the January 2016 roundup, a mixtape featuring every artist we covered last month. Due to the holiday break and various end of year lists, it’s not as long as usual, but we are positive you’ll find something that tickles your fancy. Click the artist name in the tracklisting to be taken to the post in question.

Tracklisting:

1. Amerika – Wintersleep
2. Born Confused – Porridge Radio
3. Catchyalater – Frog
4. Water – Opals
5. Listerine – Foxall
6. Nightmare Song – Oscar Lush
7. October Mirage – Island Eyes
8. Past is Personal – West America
9. Roller – Quilt
10. Unattached – Two White Cranes
11. On the Nights You Stay Home – Donovan Woods
12. Call Out – Minor Moon
13. Consolation – The Chairman Dances (Lit Links)
14. First I’m Sorry – Haley Heynderickx
15. Waitress – Soft Lions
16. Vanitas – Hanging Hills
17. Waiting – Faint Peter
18. Farewell Navigator – Naomi Pop
19. Gifts – Real Swell
20. Future Wife – Jacob Faurholt
21. Wall – Slows Down
22. Olly Oxen Free – Creature Speak

P.S. On the subject of roundups, make sure you read about our favourite albums of 2015, our favourite songs and favourite free music.

The post January 2016 Roundup – A Mixtape appeared first on Various Small Flames.

Song Première : Hanging Hills – ‘Vanitas’

Liam Doyle — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:33:25 +0000

Hanging Hills are a folk-rock band based in Philadelphia but originally from Connecticut. In true folk tradition Hanging Hills are a band with understatedly lofty aims, saying they aim to “craft songs that are rooted in the past but maintain a steady foothold in the present… constantly bridging the gap between nostalgia and innocent wonder”. This mission statement captures Hanging Hills rather nicely, their lush compositions and erudite lyrics built on a bedrock of time-old folk/country.

The band are soon to release a new EP, Sewn, their first release since 2014 full-length The Great Divide. Today we’re very happy to present ‘Vanitas’, the first single from said EP. Holding true to the above motto, the track’s sound is rich and warm and country-dusted, strummed acoustic guitars like a warm breeze through everything. The vocals are distinctive, neither smooth nor gravelly, delivering philosophical lyrics about life and our perception of ourselves within it, how we create the stories of our time on earth and learn their lessons the same.

“In the evening when dusk comes rambling rolling in
And voices whispers, at bedsides vespers ring
Out to what power? I don’t really care to know
Prosed existence the universe is a dark show “

Sewn is due for release on the 2nd of February. I’ve heard it already and can confirm that the quality continues throughout the whole release. Be sure to keep on eye on the Hanging Hills Bandcamp page and website for pre-order details, and look out for our full review nearer release.

The post Song Première : Hanging Hills – ‘Vanitas’ appeared first on Various Small Flames.

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January 2016 Roundup – A Mixtape

Song Première : Hanging Hills – ‘Vanitas’