When I heard the lead and title track of Johnny Lloyd’s new EP, “Pilgrims,” I swore it was a cover song. It was so incredibly familiar. But it’s not. It’s just so good, so comfortable, that it feels like your favorite sweater.

The other songs on the EP are generally slower, and some (particularly “Tomorrow”) are even folky.

I’m loving this EP. I don’t know anything about the dude, but he makes some damn fine music.

All-girl post-punk power pop.

They’re not from Texas.  They’re from Australia.  Syndey, to be precise.

If Patti Smith had a record label, she’d sign these ladies. High energy, great hooks that cross the line between the ’90s pop of Elastica and the growlier menace of L7.

Get it here.

This entire record would be worth recommending even if S-22 were the only song on it. S-22 is the perfect summer song. It’s got a vaguely reggae riff, it’s sweet and swaying, it’s sung with a gentle bop, and it has a great hook.

Seriously, check it out. It’s awesome.

And the rest of the EP ain’t so bad neither.

Pretty cool. Cool enough for me to forgive the bad apostrophe…But dudes, mind the grammar.

Wow.

This is very, very cool indie rock. It’s got that “old” (i.e., early 2000s) indie sound that’s vaguely country blues wrapped in cloudy smoke and echo. Like My Morning Jacket, before they got picked up by a major label. But it’s also got a groovy hipsway vibe–with airy harmonies. Like The New Pornographers. Or Death Cab. And the guitar work–light accents–like the Grateful Dead. But only a little. And on the single, No Mystery in That, the chorus hits you like a 1970s AM hit.

It is awesome.

It’s an EP, but it feels as full and complete as any record.

Here’s a stream of the single, and then a few direct download mp3s from the band’s earlier release, Lamplighter.

Deep in Your Bones (mpfree)
Modern Gods (mpfree)