MARS WATER — As the Tide Rolls In (Here We Are, 2011)

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Mars Water makes smooth, surf jams that feature vocals that have been completely soaked in reverb. The echoey effect appropriately matches up with the songs’ lyrics, which tend to be pretty beach-centric. The songs are lo-fi but the guitar lines are silky smooth and give a certain edge to the overall tone of the song. These are more ‘night-time-beach’ to me, versus the ‘day-glo’ vibe usually found in surf music.

Download Mars Water’s album, Here We Are, at their Bandcamp for whatever price you see fit.

WOODS — “Pushing Onlys” (Sun and Shade, 2011)

Woods have shared a new track called “Pushing Onlys” from their upcoming album, Sun and Shade. The song starts off with a simple count off and then explodes into the upbeat sunshiney mood that the band is incredible at creating. Falsetto singing bounces atop the strumming of layered guitars, adding to the overall energy of the song. Hope this track is an indication of what the rest of the album will sound like.

Sun and Shade will be released on June 14 via their own Woodsist record label.

LONESOME GHOST — “My Dear” (None Of These Songs Are About You EP, 2011)

Dallas natives Lonesome Ghost make lazy, sunny tunes that seem to be heavily influenced by the sounds of surf pop and the feelings associated with the genre. “My Dear” starts out slow and quiet, kind of crooning in a yesteryear kind of way. Then the smooth surfy guitars slide their way in and the song takes a turn towards the beach, yet still retaining the calm vibes from the beginning. It’s more ‘beach at twilight’ vs. ‘beach at high noon.’ The vocals are vaguely reminiscent of Dent May, which suits the sound quite nicely.

Lonesome Ghost’s EP, None Of These Songs Are About You can be downloaded for free via Bandcamp.

BILL CALLAHAN — “Baby’s Breath” (Apocalypse, 2011)

If you’ve never heard any of Bill Callahan’s work, you should give his new album a listen. “Baby’s Breath” is the second song on the album - it’s sparse and sad, sounding worn and distinctly ‘old west.’ It’s a really interesting style of folk that is vaguely cinematic that really feels good on rainy days like today.

Apocalypse is out April 5 (originally out April 19, bumped up a week!) via Drag City.

MANTA RAYZ — “African Jam” (2011)

Since she emailed me yesterday, Manta Rayz’ track “African Jam” has been my jam. She says that what she does can be considered DJing but she ultimately “tries to create an environment instead of just playing the songs. I use a lot of found sounds and different effects.”

The result is a vibrant and colorful venture into tropicalia dance music. Hand drums roll tribal beats throughout as samples of traditional African songs shine through the leafy jungle that is “African Jam.”

Download the radiant “African Jam” and other songs (including an awesome Panda Bear mashup) from Manta Rayz’ Soundcloud page.

Artwork originally done by Elegant Elephant; used by me as artwork since none was attached and because not only is the collage stunning, but it fits so well with this song.

PANDA BEAR — “The Preakness” (KEEP Cassette, 2011)

A new, unreleased track from Panda Bear was released on the Internet today called “The Preakness.” It’s a mellow track that is exclusively on the KEEP Cassette that comes with the shoes that the band designed for KEEP Shoes. It’s a shame that this didn’t make it on Tomboy because it really is beautiful.

It’s more in the line of “Ponytail” than “Surfer’s Hymn” in that it’s subdued and more introspective. The vocals for every new song we’ve been hearing from Panda have always seemed to be the best we’ve heard so far, and this song keeps up with that. It’s very minimal but the layering tells of a far more complex, brilliant construction.

MOON TIDES — “Swimming” (2011)

Warm weather inevitably leads one to start longing for days spent at the beach, warm sand under your toes and the water only a few steps away. There’s nothing better than swimming at the beach… You can go for a dip, get the heat off of you for a little bit and ride the waves in to shore. Then you can run back up to your blanket and lay in the sun for a while. Rinse, repeat.

Moon Tides, of Colorado, is back with a new single called ‘Swimming.’ It’s a garage-rock / surf pop gem that will immediately transport you to those summer days we are all dying for a dose of right now. Lo-fi, scuzzy guitars launch the track headfirst into the more surf-pop inspired licks that carry the tune.

Download ‘Swimming’ for free from Moon Tides’ Bandcamp.

Previously: Moon Tides - ‘To Be’

PANDA BEAR — “Surfer’s Hymn (Vinyl Rip)” (Tomboy, 2011)

“Out on the water, a rider can get ready; the waves come crashing, a good board can steady”

The folks over at Collected Animals were able to get their hands on a copy of the Surfer’s Hymn 7” (apparently a few copies were in Other Music today) and have uploaded a rip of the A-side, “Surfer’s Hymn.” The song is absolutely heavenly, with its soaring harmonies and layered vocals. The beat is loud and strong, plodding along underneath the kaleidoscopic marimba-like sound that pinwheels in the background throughout the track. The song eventually dies down and is overtaken by the sound of waves washing ashore. “Surfer’s Hymn” is easily the most reminiscent of Person Pitch of the songs we’ve heard thus far.

It’s a pretty high-quality rip, but it should be noted that this is Panda’s mix, not the final album version.

UNOUOMEDUDE — “Frequency II” (Frequency 7”, 2011)

Unouomedude is back after almost seven months with his latest record called “Frequency” - it’s a 7”, so it’s just two songs but the time taken between releases shows in the meticulously well-crafted nature of the songs.

Am I infinitely late on this one? Perhaps, but who cares - these songs need to be heard by the masses. A lot of attention was given to “Frequency I,” which I totally understand since it’s a killer summer-vibed jam but I think I’m feeling “Frequency II” a little more. The song has a vaguely hip hop feel to it. The beat is slow-burning and smoldering, as Unouomedude’s smooth crooning coasts easily across it.

More night time slow jamz than beach-front rocker. Equally as pleasing.

Download Unouomedude’s Frequency 7” over at Bandcamp or at his own website.