#maybemars

It's almost time for the second Maybe Mars release of the year, following Proximity Butterfly's Medusae. This time it's the debut from Hiperson, a five-piece from Chengdu, also like PB. It's called No Need for Another History and it's out on April 20, 2015 (420, Y'ALL). Here, have a preview:

Hiperson have been around for a minute now, making demos and playing a few choice shows. Can't say I've ever seen them live, unfortunately, but I enjoyed their demos, some of which get a re-working for this upcoming release. For whatever reason, not the least of which is that they're pretty good, they have been praised more than any new band I can think of. Here's an example, from their press release and Douban Music: "Though the band members have just entered their 20s, they have, in the wake of a steady string of successful live shows, unexpectedly garnered a wealth of sincere critical praise. As early as a year and a half ago, Douban Music said of the band: "Hiperson's songs have rich song structure, full-throated vocal presence, and an especially poetic lyrical spirit. In this increasingly methodical, fast-food generation, Hiperson emerges as a rare manifestation of the genuine spirit of rock'n'roll." What do you think?

No Need For Another History by Hiperson

That song, the album's first single, will have a music video released this week. Check it out on Youku here. Starting in the end of May, the band will also embark on one of those massive month-long China tours. So watch out for that. That's about all I can tell you right now about Hiperson's No Need for Another History. I like the first single, but I haven't heard the rest of the album. It was produced by Yang Haisong so it's probably in good shape structurally and sonically. That's something. 

 When I know more, you'll know more. Until then, tide yourself over with the band's appearance on The Sound Stage, in which they show off the song "He made up his mind to be a tourist" and submit a hilarious interview performance in which guitarist Ji Yinan states that he and lead singer Chen Sijiang are, "Falling in love." And then Chen makes this ambiguous facial expression while the camera lingers for a loooong time and the rest of the band laugh uproariously. 

On October 13, one of my favorite bands, Dear Eloise, will release a new vinyl LP enititled Farewell to the Summer. Dear Eloise is one of the many projects that PK14 frontman Yang Haisong is involved in. It is a scratchy, melancholic, blurry, painfully beautiful duo with his wife, Sun Xia, on vocals. This is a great album for fall, when the light and energy changes. I don't think I'm supposed to share the streaming link just yet, but check this previous track out in the meantime and look for the new vinyl coming October 13.