Obscure Sound — Manchester-based duo Barely Strangers enamor on their new track “Mess Around,” strutting a yearning vocal drive alongside a melodic sound that bridges ’80s jangly nostalgia with a modern, hooky charisma. Inspirations like The Stone Roses and Th... more info

Stereogum — Whitney, the Chicago duo comprising former Smith Westerns members Julien Ehrlich and guitarist Max Kakacek, are ramping up to the late-summer release of their second album Forever Turned Around. From the sounds of the songs we've heard so far -- open... more info

Obscure Sound — Released today, “City Girl” is a new single from Orange County garage rockers The Caracals. The follow-up to their track “In The Dark”, “City Girl” details a summer romance in its use of lyrical nostalgia. The twangy, “city girl,” hoo... more info

Obscure Sound — FETES – the project of Sydney singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cristian Campano – impresses on new single “Waiting For You” with a sound that soars. The track’s primary hook and initial verses fondly resemble Smith Westerns’ sh... more info

We All Want Someone To Shout For — The Nursery hail from Toronto but makes 80s-esque electronic rock that sounds like it comes straight out of a movie. Take their track “Timeless Eye,” a track that creates Blade Runner like sounding synths with some lush melodies that remind of so... more info

Obscure Sound — Gente Bien churns out melodic garage-rock with psych and ’70s pop influence, sang in Spanish. The style reminds of a cross between Smith Westerns and Os Mutantes. Fond of contagious pop melodies under three minutes that hook immediately, Gente Bien... more info

Obscure Sound — Dublin-based act Young Earth showcase a shimmering sound on new track “Worth It”, with a jubilant chorus being the center feature in a twangy, nostalgic rock vein that reminds of Smith Westerns. Following up on successful first single “Got A Se... more info

Obscure Sound — Hailing from Perth, Australia, HYLA are a quartet with a crisp and accessible take on dream-pop. Their submerged layers of guitar and placid vocals resemble shoegaze to an extent, though with a more pop-driven shine also relatively reminiscent of sha... more info

Stereogum — Sir Elton John is a big fan of Whitney, the Smith Westerns offshoot that released their debut album Light Upon The Lake back in June. After a friend recommended it to him, John says he “just fell in love with the music. I went on the website and I ... more info

Obscure Sound — London-based Gypsy Cabs have a great track to lift you out of the Monday blues, entitled “Blue Skies”. With a summer-y and twangy chorus featuring carefree ooh-ing back vocals and a sharp lead, the track hooks easily, reminding of Smith Westerns�... more info