The first thing that jumps out listening to Seattle's Maiah Manser is her loping, almost acrobatic vocals. But as the session goes on, it's just as impressive to see how her electronic compositions work themselves around her evocative voice to create swirling, hypnotic sounds. Joining D…
Howe Gelb's multiple-decade catalog is hard to pin down, but the one current that runs through it all is the Tucson, Arizona musician's warm-burning songwriting. The sometime Giant Sand leader pares down to a piano for his latest record, Future Standards, and accompanied only by a bassist, Gelb d…
The epic debate that unfolds on the cover of this unassuming collection of Jamaican music from the '70s and '80s pretty much speaks for itself. Apparently the only thing that stirs the college radio station pot more than the sweet sounds of ABC is the idea of a reggae compilation in heavy rotation.…
Larry Rose brings you a fun, genre-hopping mix that is the perfect soundtrack for enjoying warm summer days or heading out on your latest Pokemon Go adventure. 1. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – First World Problem 2. Alice Bag – He's So Sorry3. Blood Orange – Augustine4. The Amazing – Ambulance5. Croc…
Antisocialites, the second album from Toronto's Alvvays, takes all of the charms of their stellar 2014 debut and sharpens them - the songs are catchier, the band's interplay is more sleek, and Molly Rankin's hooks are the kind of emotional echoes that cut deeper than their gauzy swe…
Right before their KEXP in-studio, DJ Cheryl Waters caught the Montreal band BRAIDS in a group hug. It was a sweet moment that defines this young group's history: vocalist Raphaelle Standell-Preston and drummer Austin Tufts met on the playground at the tender age of twelve; together, they met multi…
Iska Dhaaf's Benjamin Verdoes recently released a solo album called The Evil Eye. It is an auto-biographical record responding to the myriad trials he's experienced in his personal life. The album is sweet, poignant and wonderfully composed, even using Somali words to help express his thoughts. KEX…
Even though the clouds are moving in, it's always beautiful blue skies with all the great music on KEXP! 1. Cloud Cult - No Hell 2. Mercury Rev - The Queen of Swans 3. Natasha Kmeto - Grind (Feat. Tunde Adebimpe) 4. John Grant - Down Here 5. Low - No Comprende 6. Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky 7. Ma…
Fresh off her tour with Radiolab, Thao Nguyen and The Get Down Stay Down are streaming their new album We The Common. Featuring a collaboration song with Joanna Newsom, "Kindness Be Conceived", the album is catchy but surprising - Thao can easily move from sweetness to roaring in a jump and a skip.…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Mo…
Normally, you wouldn't find a local band with only one EP to their name playing the Main Stage at the Sasquatch Music Festival. Then again, Sloucher, who played The Gorge on Friday, aren't a normal band. Their debut EP, Certainty, is an exceptional collection of introspective indie-pop gems, equal …
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song is 'Soft Stab' by Dre…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning…
If Fanfarlo's right, there'll be a definite beauty in our demise. Their third album, Let's Go Extinct, looks at both the big and small pictures of our lives -- who are we? what are we made of? what are we doing? where are we going? how will we end? And by the sound of it, there's a joy in singing a…
The Black Angels are gearing up to drop a brand new EP just in time for Record Store Day (April 19). Clear Lake Forest will include seven fresh tracks that will be pressed on limited-edition clear vinyl. The Austin outfit have shared a tasty little tease called "Diamond Eyes," the EP's first sing…
DJ Kevin Cole invites you to sharpen your sense of wonder with a cascade of sweet new music from local faves Sean Nelson, Laura Veirs, and Rose Windows, alongside out-of-townies Superchunk, Love Language, Light Heat, and more! 1. Sean Nelson – Make Good Choices 2. Love Language – Calm Down 3. SPL…
