Portland band Radiation City have come a long way since their cassette-exclusive underground releases, tapes that quickly earned praise for their vintage stylings, pleasant dream-pop explosions over 60's harmonies and sways, synth parts that sound like what people thought 1984 would sound like before 1984. Some of these elements have remained, and even on their recently released third album, Synesthetica, you can hear some of what one review called "Jetsons-era doo wop" on tracks like "Come and Go." But the band has refined their vintage-futurist synth-pop sound on their third album, leaving behind some of the devil-may-care youthful fun for a more economical, straight ahead appeal. There are subtle layers of drum machine, more headbanging stop and starts, a more deliberate rotation through their carousel of talented vocalists, evoking cleaner, multi-gendered version of bands like their labelmates STRFKR. Recently, Radiation City stopped by KEXP's Audioasis with DJ Sharlese to talk about their new album, their progress on an upcoming fourth, and their personal favorite Brazilian bossa-nova records. Watch it here:
Who would have thought a "Big Black Coat" could be so inviting? The album of that name is the first in nearly five years for KEXP favorites Junior Boys, and it comes not just as a return to form but a revisitation of the pop sounds they've cherished for some time - house, techno, soul, disco and R&…
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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Mid…
Fifty fans christened KEXP's live room during an exclusive tear-soaked performance with José González, all to benefit KEXP's New Home. The Swedish singer-songwriter, whose history with KEXP dates back over a decade, broke listeners' hearts for a full set of gorgeous, heartbreaking bliss, while shar…
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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Mor…
