POLYVINYL PRESS UPDATE
September 2020
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Hey Everyone!
It's been a far busier summer than any of us anticipated to say the least, but here we are! Things won't be slowing down all that much either, as we've got another big surprise coming next month. Anyway, I digress...
This past month, we enjoyed new covers from Palehound (Elliott Smith) and Xiu Xiu (Galaxie 500). Jeff Rosenstock popped up on a big 'ol billboard in Los Angeles that features some excellent font choices. Hazel English released the stunning new video for "Five and Dime" and appeared on World Cafe on NPR. We watched Owen's heartstring tugger of a video for "I Should've Known" and read his excellent discography retrospective interview with Larry Fitzmaurice. We listened to Matt Pryor wax nostalgic on the old DIY days of The Get Up Kids for Apple Music Hits new program, and watched him perform for the National Harm Reduction Coalition's Artists Against Overdose benefit, alongside Chris Farren and Josh Hodges of STRFKR.
Speaking of which, we released STRFKR's inaugural foray into ambient synthscapes, announced an amazing new Shy Boys album, introduced everyone to the reimagined stylings of Yumi Zouma, welcomed IAN SWEET to the family, celebrated the 1 Year Anniversary of Jay Som's Anak Ko by releasing this fun little album art puzzle (1 Year is your Puzzle Anniversary, right?), and unveiled a massive compilation that we've been secretly working on since the earliest days of quarantine...
More info on that below!
Happy Autumn,
Polyvinyl 🍃
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ANAMANAGUCHI - "Everyday, Everynight (Feat. Planet 1999)" (Out Now)
"...Anamanaguchi is still determined to keep fans fed with a steady stream of new music, visuals, video game streams and whatever else they can think of." -PAPER
On the heels of their pulsating "Styla, " the frenetic bounce of "Kei, " their remix of Porter Robinson's "Get Your Wish, " and the punky chiptune throwback "Vancouver, " our beloved Guchi boys are back with the next installment of their 2020 Summer Singles Series. "Everyday, Everynight (feat. Planet 1999)" is truly a summer bop, appropriate for listening wherever you're currently wading through these warm and weirder days. |
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IAN SWEET - "Dumb Driver" (Out Now)
"It’s a lovesick break-up song, longing for at least a sense of responsibility in place of the new aimless monotony." –FLOOD Magazine
Polyvinyl is excited to welcome LA-based songwriter Jilian Medford (better known as IAN SWEET) to the family! IAN SWEET has been the source of and solution to many of Medford’s deepest anxieties. Her signature frenetic rock has been warped, manipulated and choreographed over time, allowing her to lean into the unconventional desires and practices that drive her ambitious spirit. It couldn't be more apparent on her brand new single, " Dumb Driver," which Uproxx calls "a shimmering dream-pop track." The kind folks at Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, Under The Radar, and Paste all have the scoop as well.
Look for more news and details regarding the follow-up to her magnificent 2018 release, Crush Crusher, in the months to come. |
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STRFKR - Ambient 1 (Out Now)
"The uniquely transcendental album blurs the line between an electronic album and a meditation soundtrack. The experimental side of STRFKR on display is surprising and satisfying." –New Noise
STRFKR's sound has morphed over the years through variations of hyper catchy, danceable pop, but on Ambient 1 – the band's first fully instrumental album – they have achieved something very different. For a little shy of an hour, Ambient 1 drifts through softly glowing electronic instrumentals that extract the synth core from the group's well established synth pop sound. It's patient, playful, and calming music that travels through passageways of chaos and anxiety on a journey towards healing.
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SHY BOYS - Talk Loud (Releasing 9/25)
"This time around, the formerly guitar-focused band lets synths, auxiliary percussion, and colorful vocal deliveries do most of the heavy lifting, resulting in the Kansas City natives’ most playful and experimental record yet." –Consequence of Sound
Recorded primarily at Jackpot Studios in Portland, OR, with additional mixing and overdubs done at the band's home studio in Kansas City, MO, Talk Loud is both fun and scary at the same time. The Kansas City quintet push themselves artistically at nearly every turn, crafting 11 songs that explore new instrumentation, intricate vocal harmonies, and endearing, yet at times dark lyrics resulting in some of the band's best work to date.
Their new music video for "View From the Sky" was recently premiered by Consequence of Sound, who called the track "charming as hell." Look for more new music in the coming weeks from Shy Boys!
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VARIOUS ARTISTS - Exquisite Corpse (Out Now)
Polyvinyl Record Co. is proud to announce the release of Exquisite Corpse – a real-time sonic experiment featuring 45+ musicians across the PV family tree, past and present, reconfigured into new and unexpected collaborative projects. This uniquely meta "Various Artists" compilation includes 11 tracks & album artwork created in the spirit of the 'Exquisite Corpse' game, where each player adds to a shared drawing.
With contributions from longtime label signees like Xiu Xiu, Braid, American Football, and Mark Duplass of Volcano, I’m Still Excited!! to more recent roster additions such as Palehound, Kero Kero Bonito, Jeff Rosenstock, Yumi Zouma, and Anamanaguchi – Exquisite Corpse captures the spirit of kinship and community that is foundational to Polyvinyl’s Midwest roots. Special thanks to the kind folks at Brooklyn Vegan and Pitchfork for sharing the news!! |
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YUMI ZOUMA - Truth Or Consequences (Alternate Versions) (Releasing 10/28)
"There's plenty to keep you guessing and pondering how many different directions a song can take and still, in some sense, remain the same song from the same creative font." –Tower Records
New Zealand alternative pop band Yumi Zouma recently announced their Truth or Consequences (Alternate Versions) album, due out October 28th. The re-imagined version of Truth or Consequences is a breathtaking response to that lost opportunity to re-contextualize and explore the boundaries of the original album through live fan engagement. With a new song being released every week, fans can now check out the mesmerizing lyric video for album closer "Lie Like You Want Me Back" and the lush "Magazine Bay. "
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POSTPONED / RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES
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As expected, much of the Polyvinyl roster has had their touring plans disrupted by COVID-19, and as a result, their booking agents are carefully working with venues and promoters to reschedule and plan new tours to happen as soon and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience!
In the meantime, Polyvinyl urges you to take a few minutes out of your day to check out both the National Independent Venue Association and the National Independent Talent Organization – both of whom are working diligently to get the attention of US lawmakers to deliver financial aide to our venues.
Every voice counts!
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