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Meltt

Life cycles through birth, death, and rebirth. Flames reduce objects to dust only for the wind to sweep them into the ether in another eternal form altogether. Meltt’s music resembles this natural sequence. The hum of distorted guitars dissolves into bright melodies carried by shimmering synths and soaring vocals. The Vancouver band—Chris Smith [lead vocals, guitar, bass, keys], Jamie Turner [drums, percussion], James Porter [guitar, keys, bass, vocals] and Ian Winkler [bass, keys, guitar]—enable rock, alternative and psychedelia to coexist in one ecosystem with airtight instrumentation and deft songcraft on their second album, Eternal Embers [Nettwerk]. 

In the wake of the 2017 Visions EP, the group spiritually and sonically aligned on their full-length debut Swim Slowly, which yielded “Love Again,” “On Your Own” and “Fool Of You.” Then, throughout the pandemic, the band wrote what would become Eternal Embers in sessions, formulating ideas separately.  Eventually, they spent a month in a remote cabin where they wrote and shored up the foundation of the record. They shared five tracks as part of the 2023 Another Quiet Sunday EP that would only contribute to a larger statement on the new LP.

“We want you to go on a journey with this album,” Jamie concludes. “Even though we deal with darker themes, it ends on a positive note. I’d like for you to have this big cinematic ride but end in a positive place. There’s always light at the end.”

Low Hum

Low Hum

Low Hum, the kaleidoscopic creation of artist Collin Desha, lives in a Lo-fi meets Hi-fi futurism: a mixture of heavy fuzzed-out riffs, oceanic tranquility, and pop sensibilities, juxtaposed alongside melodious synth and vocals with refreshing punch. Desha, the Hawaiian native, has carved out an impressive niche in the indie rock world with his ability to compose soundscapes with subtle psychedelic arrangements and honeyed, haunting vocals. Since the release of Room to Breathe, his 2019 debut full-length album, Low Hum has garnered praise from tastemakers like NPR, KCRW, Clash and Relix Magazines, with Flood Magazine describing the album as “floating in similar sonic atmospheres as Tame Impala and High Fidelity legends, Beta Band.” The new full length album Nonfiction — out now on Last Gang Records— has been building at college radio in recent months.

Stand out tracks “Model Me” & “All I Know” showcase Low Hum’s groove forward, low end loving energy.