(S)up(?)date, Upd(So very l)ate, Upd(new m)ate(s).

Pretty sure I speak for the entire "Stratosphering Team" (lolz) when I say that college is a really, really busy time. Sorry dudes. I'm trying, though! (See, aren't I posting right now? That must count for something.) I think about you every day. It's just that my phone has been on the fritz, and, oh my god, the other night, I was literally just about to call you, and then I remembered there was this paper I had to write, and... well, I just want you to know, I'm here for you, no matter what. I still love you baby... wait, this is Amanda, right? Oops. Aaaaawwwwkkward.

Anyway, I keep returning to this goddamn place (which somehow manages to continue attracting more "followers"! Thanks dudes!) because I'm noticing that there aren't really many blogs that are still consistent in their coverage of "semi-mainstream" (but still "edgy", or "hip") indie leaks as well as upcoming bands with like five listeners on last.fm. Not saying there aren't any blogs like that, but they're way harder to find than they were about a year ago. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places? (Then again, there's also the matter of blogs getting shut down -- because, you know, posting free music, without permission, and all that...)

Oh, right. This post isn't just about me. It's about you, Amanda dear readers! Without feather adew, Here are some links I've had for a while, but nary the time to post them - UNTIL TODAY.

Actually, right before I get started, I just want to mention that this post (and, erm, the font change) was partially if not entirely inspired by BUTTER x FACE, a blog I found on some other blog's blogroll (can't remember which one! bummer), that has apparently been mentioned on Pitchfork (pretty legit), and also has been linking to Stratosphering for who knows how long without asking for anything in return. In any case, I spent my entire morning downloading shit from there, and so far all of it is killer. I might post some of it here eventually. I basically figured I owed them a new post for reppin' us, so here it is, you know? Those ladies probably have all this shit already, though -- that's how cool they are. And, ladies: If you're reading this, I'm single.



Desolation Wilderness - New Universe - (Myspace/BUY HERE) - You're probably anticipating a full-length album from Real Estate as much as I am. That's forthcoming, right? Anyway, this should tide you over - reminds me of them, mixed with somewhat of a "nu-gaze" (that's a trendy new genre, right?) influence, but mostly this is just high-quality dreamy indie. I'm listening to this album right now, and all I can think about is this time last year, when I was still in community college, going on field trips to the beach with my Oceanography class. And walking all the way up the staircase to the top of the lighthouse behind this one girl with a really great butt. That was a good day.



Gold Panda - (Myspace / BUY HERE) - this link contains both Before and Miyamae EP. No Quitter's Raga, though. Sounds like scratchy samples and sweet heavy beats. According to last.fm, very similar to...



Teengirl Fantasy - CD-R - (Myspace) - I won't lie, I actually discovered both Teengirl Fantasy and Gold Panda through their respective "Rising" features on Pitchfork. Sue me, dude. In contrast with the GP's chill lo-fi nature, TgF is way busier, and almost more immediately party-able - which isn't to say it is more accessible. Maybe I sound like I'm trying too hard to describe this, so I'm going to stop now. Note: That's probably not the real cover art.



Hey!Tonal - Hey!Tonal - (Myspace / BUY HERE) - Pretty ridiculous collab. Cut-and-paste drums from Kevin Shea, who I am familiar with through his work with Storm and Stress. The guitar sounds were devised by Dave Davidson, of Maps & Atlases, and Theo Katsounis, who has played with Joan of Arc. They were also cut-and-pasted, as well as overdubbed, and the result is almost disorienting in its complexity. Kinda lends the recording an IDM-esque quality. I'm tempted to say the album veers toward the noisy side of math-rock, but there are nice twinkly parts as well. Most of the noise actually comes from Kevin Shea. I heard he has, like, five arms. Underhyped.



Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport - (Myspace / BUY HERE) - Overhyped? Probably. IDC, man - it's still totally killer. Like a noisy version of the Field, or Bromst but without vocals. Or possibly the only similarity between the three is that they all employ repetition to an effect that is no less than mind-altering. If you're getting GP and TgF, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't get this.