Return of Hater

 

We are loving and cheery here at WYMA, even when the beer supply is low. But that doesn't stop us from becoming wildly happy to learn the Hater will be releasing a new album soon. This Malmo, Sweden four-piece truly is one of the finer guitar pop bands making music today. Their technical ability is top tier, but what really sets them apart is the quality of the songwriting. The themes are adventurous, the lyrics colorful and the insights sharp. And then there is the beauty of the vocals ...

You can sample two cuts from the upcoming LP below. The album is titled Mosquito and it will be released March 6 via Fire Records.

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Bandcamp for Mosquito

Fire Records UK

Fire Records USA

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"Abundance of Power" by Season 2

 

The "Abundance of Power" has what you want in an indie pop song: Melody, urgency, an abundance of bass, and is both listenable and danceable. The creators are Season 2, a band we have learned was formed a couple of years ago by members of a couple of Australian bands we followed (The Stroppies/Parsnip) and other projects. This song is the lead single from their upcoming LP Power of Now. If it is representative of the album, it will be on our 'must have' list.

Season 2 are Claudia Serfaly, Freya McLeod, Matt Powell, Charlotte Zarb, and Carolyn Hawkins. Power of Now will be released February 24 via Upset The Rhythm and Spoilsport Records.

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Upset The Rhythm's Bandcamp page for album

Spoilsport Records' Bandcamp page for album

Heavenly News!!!

 

Yes, indeed, it is heavenly news to learn that beloved '90s jangle/twee poppers Heavenly is releasing a new album and embarking on a six-country tour. The album is titled Highway to Heavenly and it will be released on February 27 via Skep Wax. We invite you to test drive a couple of the album tracks below. In our view, the band has lost none of their trademark knack for indie pop melodies, wit, social observation and just the right amount of scruffy vibes.

Heavenly are Amelia Fletcher, Cathy Rogers, Ian Button, Peter Momtchioff, and Rob Pursey.

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Bandcamp

Skep Wax

"The Autumn Leaves on 14th Street" by Knight's Ferry

 

"The Autumn Leaves on 14th Street" is a stirring gem of urgently-pace guitar pop, and also is one of the best opening tunes we have heard in some time. It is the creation of Knight's Ferry. While the band was unknown to us, member Mike Ramos is no stranger to these pages. As the leader of Tony Jay and member of Flowertown, Cindy and other musical ventures, he never fails to satisfy our musical appetites. This song is the lead track from the band's House Demos EP, which will be released in digital and cassette formats on February 6.

In addition to Mike (guitar/bass/vocals), Knight's Ferry are Clay Hunt (guitar/bass/vocals) and Richard Alex Olsen (drums).

Bandcamp for House Demos

"Stationary" by Fort Not

 

If we were to present a seminar on guitar pop, one of our featured bands would be Sweden's Fort Not. We loved their two previous albums and still play them regularly. This week brought the happy news that the 2026 will deliver another LP, You On Repeat. The announcement of the album was accompanied by lead single "Stationary". The song is about being stuck, but nothing about the execution says anything other than perfect, classic indie pop.

Fort Not was founded by Robert Carlsson and Fredrik Soderstrom. For this album the band is expanded to include Philip Gates, David Hansson, and Joakim Bjornberg. You On Repeat will be released on February 27 via Meritorio Records

Bandcamp

Meritorio Records page for album

Two more delicious singles from The Just Joans

 

The two most recent singles from the upcoming LP by Glasgow's The Just Joans demonstrate the band's versatility as well as their quality. With their typical humorous approach to the theme, "Oh Veronica, How Right You Are" lampoons a songwriter self-indulgently expounding on his lousy love-life. The preceding "Limpet" is a rousing slice of northern soul that moves our feet and cheers our soul.

And even more on the good news side (and lordy, we could all do with some good news these days), the band's new LP, Romantic Visions of Scotland, is due on January 23 via Fika.

"Oh Veronica, How Right You Are"

"Limpet"

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Bandcamp for album

Various album pre-order links

Fika Recordings

Bandcamp for past The Just Joans releases

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We're back!

 That was six weeks of vacation, stress, keeping promises, travel, and family (and a bit of work on real careers). But that is behind us now, and we are listening to and writing about new music -- all the better to help you spend your holiday cash haul wisely.