2020 Release Review: Hindsight is 2020
In a year that was far from anything normal, we are proud to present our 2020 Release Review. It has been a difficult year, but we are very proud of our bands and the music we helped them release this year. Despite the pandemic, the bands still came together to make great art despite the circumstances. In 2020 The Record Machine released music from 12 different bands on 17 different releases. In a normal year, that’s a lot for us this year, and it was more than surprising to look back on. We felt like we had records constantly coming out, and that was a joy to continue to work while everything else was going on. Considering everything, we are happy to have been busy and productive with music that we love. Looking forward to 2021, things are also looking bright. We already have 6 releases planned and new signings to announce soon. Thank you to all of our amazing bands, and thank you to you for listening to their music.
The Republic Tigers
2020 saw the long-awaited return of The Republic Tigers. We released their long-shelved second album, Mind Over Matter, and the new single Risky Business just came out a few weeks ago. In 2021 look for Mind Over Matter to finally be released on vinyl and a new EP on the horizon.
The Republic Tigers - Risky Business
The Republic Tigers - Mind Over Matter
Coby and the Prisoners
Coby and the Prisoners are back with their third and fourth release since 2016. Coby released the beautiful and underrated full-length album I Imagined A Window back in October. It’s 10 new songs from the last year recorded mostly at their home studio over the last year and finished during the pandemic. Looking forward to 2021, it will also bring I Imagined A Window to vinyl, and we are excited about its arrival. Earlier this year, they released Two New Songs composed of 2 B-Sides from previous sessions that showed a glimpse behind the curtain of what could have been.
Coby and The Prisoners - I Imagined A Window
Coby and the Prisoners - 2 New Old Songs
Soultru
Terrance Banks is best known as Iowa based hip hop meets soulful crooner Soultru. After releasing them as a handful of consecutive singles Soultru, we packaged them as The Truth: An Acoustic EP. The Truth consists of five deeply personal and mostly sparse songs. Look for Soultru to not rest on his laurels as he is prepping a new release with hip hop producer Progeny and working on new solo material.
Soultru - The Truth
Sally Haze
Wet Dream is the second EP from Sally Haze and their first for The Record Machine, the DIY project from the trans-continental couple, Will and Jessica Wright. The EP finds the couple pulling on a range of influences, from Disco to Shoegaze, to carry their Pop melodies and vulnerable lyrics that address the multi-faceted nature of intrapersonal relationships. The result is six bombastic and rhythm-heavy tracks that maintain an ethereal quality and perfectly showcase Sally Haze’s unique brand of Bedroom Post-Punk.
Sally Haze - Wet Dream
The Fey
2020 found The Fey in the mid-album cycle for their new album Palm Tree Shade that will come out in 2021. So far, we have released two singles from it “Tear It Off” and “Back Home To You.” Both show the new album's growth and maturity while maintaining the deep roots in vintage sounds The Fey are known for. Look for the next single to drop early in 2021.
The Fey - Tear It Off
The Fey - Back Home To You
Various Blonde
Simply put, there isn’t a group releasing music that is quite like Kansas City's favorite, Various Blonde. After releasing 2 EPs (titled 3’s 1 and 3’s 2) this year under The Record Machine, the group has shown themselves to embrace and thrive on the darker, glossier, and more experimental sides of pop, funk, and rock.
3s 2
3s 1
Monta At Odds
When Stars Grow Old is the first single from their upcoming album, Peak Of Eternal Light, for Monta at Odds, their first release under The Record Machine, the art-rock group lets loose the spacey, ethereal track featuring sweeping production and toeing the line between human and replicant in their vocals. Not to be outdone, they are dropping a surprise EP, A Great Conjunction, on the winter solstice, December 21, to celebrate when Saturn and Jupiter will be aligned for the first time in 800 years.
Monta At Odds - A Great Conjunction
Monta At Odds - When Stars Grow Old
Pala Zolo
As Featured by Spotify on their Fresh Finds playlist, electronic wizard Pala Zolo truly brought it with “You Can’t.” Bringing a catchy rhythm and a wide sonic landscape, founder Eric Davis has curated and manifested a can’t miss sound for those looking to delve into the electronic pop scene.
Pala Zolo - You Can’t
The Noise FM
The two-pack of singles released by The Noise FM have only led to more excitement for their long-awaited album and made some noise on major streaming platforms. Featuring hints of new wave, electronic rock, and synth-pop, among other genres. These two singles should be played on repeat to tide you over.
The Noise FM - Cooler Heads Prevail/ Who’s Watching Who?
Hi-Lux
In a year of social unrest, Hi-Lux’s single Revolution was our soundtrack. At the crossroads of soul and funk, one might find Kansas City product Hi-Lux, led by singer Julia Haile's charming yet powerful voice. The group released the pairing of Revolution & Get What you Give with The Record Machine in March, right before the pandemic hit.
Hi-Lux - Revolution/ Get What You GIve
Jaenki
Drawing on new wave, vaporwave, and pop influences, Jaenki, released their sleek single, Girls This Cool, in early April. The chemistry between the synths and vocals makes for a very satisfying listen.
Jaenki - Girls This Cool
Spooky Wilson
Wide-ranging pop group Spooky Wilson released the four-song EP, Keep Feeding Each Other, on The Record Machine in late February. Full of great sounds and samples, there is certainly something for any listener on the project.
