Over the years I have come across certain artists whose work really resonated with me. Unfortunately, many of these bands are relatively new to the scene. While having fewer albums out doesn't make a band any less good than a band with more, it can often create a great deal of anticipation in my life. As a reviewer of music, I think it is very important to see growth throughout music careers. Unfortunately, this often leaves people like me waiting for albums that never actually happen. While it breaks my heart that certain bands live between the development and breakup stages, there are many bands who I continue to watch for in case my dreams ever happen to come true. Here is a list of five artists who I will always hold out for.
1. Clive Tanaka y su Orquesta
In 2010, an electronic project known as Clive Tanaka y su Orquesta released their eight song album titled “Jet Set Siempre 1°.” This album consisted of a Side A (Titled “For Dance”) and a Side B (“For Romance”). Influenced largely by cassette tapes given to Tanaka by his sister during a long period of isolation, these tracks are filled with a nostalgic sense of wonder. “Neu Chicago” became somewhat of a blog sensation a few months after the release of “Jet Set Siempre 1°,” and many listeners were excited at the prospect of more music to come.
While not much is known about this project’s whereabouts, the band’s website appears to have been taken down. There has since been no word regarding anything new anytime soon.
2. Dirty Gold
Dirty Gold’s 2011 “Roar” EP showed a lot of promise. Bright, sun-bronzed guitars shone throughout this five song EP. From the happier, more upbeat tracks like “California Sunrise,” to their pseudo-dreampop ballad “The Quiet Life,” “Roar” hyped listeners up for the idea of a Dirty Gold LP that could have been a go-to for summer adventures.
Today, this San Diego-based band maintains a Facebook page that gets updated every few months but shows no sign of any new releases in the near future.
3. Twinsy
In 2012, music blogs were at the height of elevating many small indie artists to reach both national and international acclaim. Many artists like Twinsy offered fresh perspectives on sub-generes like Chillwave. On Twinsy’s four song tropical electronic EP, every song has the potential to be the listener’s favorite. Between “Back of My Car,” “Keeping It Together,” “Water Bombs” and “Take Me Home,” no track on the EP is a weak song. This made the wait for a full-length album even more suspenseful.
While many mixtapes and remixes have been released, it is currently unclear if this Australian supergroup will ever release a follow up to their 2012 self-titled EP.
4. Galapagoose
Trent Gill is an electronic music producer who excels in the art of sound synthesis. Under the moniker “Galapagoose,” he creates trippy and sometimes disorienting landscapes in his music. Whether he is using Frank Sinatra samples or distorted woodwind sounds, Galapagoose creates surreal yet danceable music. Tracks like “Don’t Break The Spell,” “Municipalities” and “One Who Can't Move” made his 2012 debut LP “Commitments” a gorgeous exploration of Gill’s unique sound.
Early this year, Gill released a collaborative album he made with Dylan Mitchel under the name Gil Mitchell. While this is enough to satisfy listeners’ needs for the time being, a sophomore Galapagoose LP is much needed.
Psychic Babble
Wrapping up the list of artists who continue to make me wait hopelessly for a new release is Pennsylvania-based indie rocker Psychic Babble. A solo project by Circa Survive group member Colin Frangicetto, Psychic Babble is a warm, dreamy step away from Frangicetto’s alternative rock roots. His 2011 debut LP “My Brother’s Ears/My Sister’s Eyes” included tracks “Nothing Familiar,” “Crocodile Tears” and “Follow Your Bliss.” Each track on this album conveys sincere messages from the perspective of the singer. Filled with an estival warmth and plenty of reverb, “My Brother’s Ears/My Sister’s Eyes” was thought to be the beautiful start to a long line of Psychic Babble works.
Sadly, Frangicetto hasn’t updated the Psychic Babble Facebook page in almost a year. At this point, it may be hopeless to hold out for new music from Psychic Babble, but the prospect of an eventual release will forever invade my thoughts.
