Last week, Brooklyn-based trio Apollo Run welcomed their new album, “Here Be Dragons, Vol. III”, a full-length follow up to their two EP’s, “Here Be Dragons Vol. I” and “Vol. II.” Accompanying this release was a new video for track, “The Inevitable Small Rebellions” which not only fans but CMJ were very excited to share. The festival’s website premiered the video to introduce the record and to highlight Apollo Run as an official CMJ artist. Featuring the band on cardboard instruments and children in animal-themed face paint, the song sets the stage for a theatrical video based loosely on George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” The album’s opening track also represents Apollo Run’s affinity for creating layered compositions rather than one-dimensional songs, and “HBD, Vol.III” is no exception. The band is gearing up for a fall tour and will be playing Union Hall on October 10 and CMJ on October 17 at Bowery Electric. – Meijin Bruttomesso
Ambient and slightly androgynous, the duo Belle Mare released their dreamy debut EP “The Boat of the Fragile Mind” earlier this spring. The EP resonates with somber tones and almost whale-like howls, unraveling soft acoustic guitar, simple piano melodies, and occasional subtle drones. The title track features the quivering vocals of Amelia Bushell, one half of the Belle Mare duo with guitarist Thomas Servidone, painting a dreamscape portrait of longing. Charade (streaming below) gently develops an unexpected blue melody that can lull you into the deepest of sleeps - I've heard of people dreaming of sleeping, in NYC. The duo met at an open mic night in Brooklyn and recorded the album in Servidone’s apartment, but notwithstanding the DIY approach, the record is full of character and the sound mature. With their mix of rich surrealism and an almost gothic aura, these song sounds as if played through an antique phonograph inside a parlor room... located in the deepest of our subconscious. While “The Boat” could easily draw comparisons to other dream-poppers Beach House, Belle Mare’s subtleties and extreme sparsness create a stronger emotional drive and more nostalgic appeal. - Devon Antonetti
