Azure Blue -Night of the Stars

 

In our opinion, one of the immutably timeless genres in pop music is Nordic synth pop. It always satisfies and, at its best, its soaring sounds inspires and comforts in equal measure. And when engaging with the best of Nordic synth pop, Azure Blue earns a prominent place. The project of Sweden's Tobias Isaksson, Azure Blue has just released its sixth album, Night of the Stars, and it compares favorably to his best work. The warmth of the arrangements is match by the lyrical content, creating a coherent and consistent message of human interconnectedness and interdependence. Readers not familiar with the delights of Tobias' artistry will likely find some appealing reminders of New Order. But for those of us who have been following the man, Night of the Stars is yet another highlight in his discography.

Night of the Stars is out now in vinyl, CD and digital formats via Hybris, Matinee Recordings, and Anna Logue Records.

Matinée Recordings · Azure Blue - The Night Of The Stars

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Matinee Recordings page for Night of the Stars

"Running" by King Husky

 

King Husky's debut single "Running" is just what we need for the mid-week blahs, although we intend to keep playing it daily. The cool pop tune is the brainchild of Norwegian Vidar Landa. Perhaps this turn will surprise some who know Vidar as the guitarist and songwriter for Norwegian metal band Kvelertak, but "Running" reveals that his pop sensibilities are sharp and genuine. As runners, we appreciate that the song is about running, as well as other things. But quite frankly, it would still be a good tune if it were about sweeping the front walk.

Vidar sings and plays guitars. Arthur Berning plays bass, guitar, and synths. Borge Fjordheim plays drums, electric Taisho harp, synthbass, glockenspiel, and backing vocals. Anne Lise Frokedal contributes backing vocals, guitar, and string arrangements.

The single and upcoming album are released via Hype City Music

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Various links for "Running"

Three singles by Rats on Rafts, new album in January

 

Rotterdam's fine forward thinking rock band Rats on Rafts is back in our view finder with three new singles and a soon to be released LP titled Deep Below. Famed for their upfront, highly charged art rock, the Rats on Rafts of 2024 - 2025 have shifted musically. The singles are comprised of moody shadows and shards of ice. And the passion previously worn on the sleeve seems to be simmering internally. while no less intense, the quartet seems to be wrestling with big concepts and the unease born of uncertainties and questioning previous conceptions. Of course, this is a three-song snapshot and our views will be updated when the full album drops on February 7. But all it took was one listen to "Japanese Medicine" to pencil the full album in for coverage.

Deep Below will be release via Fire Records.

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"Song for Vultures" by The Psych Fi's

 We recently posted the first two singles from Canadian collective The Psych Fi's The collective is Toronto musician and 18 other musicians playing psychedelic indie rock/country. It is relaxed, intriguing, and  hypnotic. The lovely third single, 'Song for Vultures is out now and you can enjoy it below. The singles are taken from the five-track Can Con album which is due December 6 via Bobo Integral Records.

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"High Beams" by The Laughing Chimes

 

Ohio's young The Laughing Chimes are back with a stellar single and news that they will release an LP title Whispers in the Speech Machine in early 2025. The new single is "High Beams" an effervescent slice of indie pop that sounds like a Glasgow band auditioning for the '80s Flying Nun roster. And in our humble opinion, they absolutely nailed the audition. This band has always tickled our jangle loving hearts, but the keys and the vocals carry this song to the heights.

The Laughing Chimes are Evan Seurkamp (vocals/guitar), Quinn Seurkamp (drums), Avery Bookman (bass), and Ella Franks (guitar/keys). Whispers in the Speech Machine will be out January 31 via Slumberland Records.

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Bubblegum Lemonade - Lawrence of Suburbia

 

We do love our reliable delights here at WYMA. And one of our reliable delights for nearly the entire time this blog has existed is the music of one Lawrence "Laz" McCluskey. Recording as Strawberry Whiplash and -- the subject of this post -- Bubblegum Lemonade, Laz vibrant and melodically delightful guitar pop. But on the new Lawrence of Suburbia (nice title!) augments his jangle and 12 string core competency with washes of grittier, rocking elements. The album has depth, variety and delivers the melodic heights and memorable choruses we expect from Laz.

This album has rapidly become one of our most played LPs this year. Lax may have become a man of suburbia, but suburbia has not extinguished the musical muse. Treasure it, folks. By the way, the album has 13 tracks but you can test drive it with the sampler below.

Matinée Recordings · Bubblegum Lemonade - Lawrence Of Suburbia

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Dreams Expire" by Dropkick

 

At certain stressful times all we want to eat is comfort food. And because we write a music blog, at stressful times we want to listen to comfort music. For us, a good bit of jangle in a warm tune is about as close as we can get to total aural comfort. So a big WYMA thank you to Scotland's Dropkick for their new single "Dreams Expire". It is just what we needed two days after the U.S. election. The song's title is apt for the day as well.

Dropkick are Andrew Taylor, Alan Shields, and Ian Gier. "Dreams Expire" is the first single from upcoming album Primary Colours, out February 7, 2025, via Bobo Integral

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The Smashing Times - Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys

 

Our friends at The Smashing Times have a clever musical time machine that permits them to package their delectable jangle and chime creations with an infusion of '60s - '80s British guitar pop. Perhaps they regard themselves as a Liverpool outpost on the banks of Chesapeake Bay, but whatever the backstory, the music on their new album Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys is sublime. And by sublime we mean that is a perfect balance of references to the kind of music guitar pop fans treasure from the past and original takes on pop music. The album is generous as well, with 14 tracks. The best one sentence summary for us would be "The Television Personalities are back with new energy and new ideas -- hooray!"

Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys is out now via K Records.

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Jim Nothing - Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn

 

They say things become clearer with the passage of time. While we aren't sure that is true (and by the way, who are "they" anyway?), but mid-October the candidates for our favorite album list are becoming clearer. And Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn by Auckland, New Zealand's Jim Nothing is certain to make the list. Boasting nuanced storytelling and observations of everyday life packaged in some of the best garagey powerpop we have had the pleasure of cuing up in a long time, it is an exhilarating listen from start to finish. If you are enough of a fan of New Zealand guitar bands to have perused the recent book Needles and Plastic, or better yet have a collection of the past gems from the island nation, you will be able to identify influences such as The Clean, The Bats, The Verlaines, and even a touch of Tall Dwarfs. But Jim Nothing isn't a nostalgia play. The music here is fresh and immediate, the creators just have a preference for the same style of music that draws is in whenever it is well done. Buy this album -- you deserve it.

Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn which is out now via Meritorio Records (most of the world) and Melted Ice Cream (New Zealand). Jim Nothing is James Sullivan and some talented friends

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"Summer's Right Around the Corner" by The Psych Fi's

 The Psych Fi's are a Canadian collective playing psychedelic indie rock/country rock that is intriguing and peaceful. You can hear nine minutes plus of their work below via "Summer's Right Around the Corner". If you are feeling the vibes like we are then you will want to play all 13 minutes of the glorious "Alone In A Room Of Mirrors / James Cagney". Both are taken from the five-track Can Con album which is due December 6 via Bobo Integral Records.

This project is helmed by Jerry Leger and 18 musicians contributed to the recording of Can Con. To use a term from our youth, these songs are a head trip.

Bandcamp for Can Con

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"Caught Onto You" and "Death of a Dog" by The Great Divides

 

Bright guitars, captivating stories and a DIY ethos? That's what we like! Check out the first two singles by Melbourne's The Great Divides. "Caught Onto You" and "Death of a Dog" are both taken from the band's upcoming LP, (i'm sure). Expect to be charmed. Expect to be entertained. Expect to make a note that the album drops on November 15 via Spoilsport Records.

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Slack Times - Gone Things EP

 

How about some jangle and chime perfection for a mid-week pick up? Yes, just what our moods needed. We introduce you to the Gone Things EP by Birmingham, Alabama's Slack Times. It consists of four tracks that will fill you with that indie pop bliss we all crave.

Slack Times are Chris McCauley, Abby Anderson, and Stuart Norman. Gone Things is out now in digital and cassette formats via Meritorio Records.

Bandcamp.com for Gone Things