"Draggin' On" by Pink Chameleons

 

Finland may not be on the radar of most indie pop fans, but it has been on our radar for a couple of decades. Finnish artist produce memorable music in the pop, metal, and experimental spheres. One of our favorites is Pink Chameleons. This is a group that isn't tethered to their past -- having recorded fine pop and punk material in the past, it seems that they are adding psychedelia to the mix on their upcoming LP Harmony. And yes, they are as adept in psychedelia as the are in everything else. Treat your ears to "Draggin' On".

Harmony will be released on January 31 via Soliti Music.

Facebook

Instagram

"New album by The Chills, two songs available

 

One of our highly anticipated upcoming releases is Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs. The album collects 20 early-career, previously unreleased songs by brilliant songwriter Martin Phillipps of The Chills. Martin wanted the songs out in the world and had been working on this album when he unexpectedly died in 2024. With the collaboration of band members, family and friends his vision will be realized on February 28 via Fire Records. Album tracks "Dolphins" and "If This World Is Made For Me".

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp for album

X (if you must ....)

"Turning The Knife" by Shrapnel

 

Indie rock goodness arrives at the end of the month via Sedan Crater, the new album by Sydney-based indie rockers Shrapnel. Founded by former Day Ravies' main man Sam Wilkinson, we expect a full voltage display of the rock arts, and we know we will like it. Take it for a test spin with album single "Turning The Knife".

Shrapnel are Sam Wilkinson, Matthew Neville, Ben Schattner, Nick Johnson, and Toby Baldwin. Sedan Crater out January 31 via Tenth Court Records

Facebook

Bandcamp for Sedan Crater

Tenth Court Records

"Cats Go Car Watching" by The Laughing Chimes

 

As ably demonstrated by their previous recordings, the The Laughing Chimes can jangle and chime with the best of the indie pop bands. But prepare to be blown away for the Southeast Ohio's expanded sound on their upcoming second LP, Whispers in the Speech Machine. Blending elements of Athens, Paisley Underground and Dunedin in a way that is fresh and memorable. But more on the album when it arrives at the end of the month via Slumberland Records. For now, enjoy the dreamy appetizer: "Cats Go Car Watching".

Facebook

Instagram

X (if you must)

Bandcamp for album

Various relevant links for album

Rare material from Television Personalities coming soon!

 

2025 is shaping up to be a special year for indie music lovers. One upcoming release that has multiple stars next to it on our wish list is Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out - Radio Sessions 1980-1993. And just does one get in a recording with that mouthful of a title, you ask? One gets a double LP of radio sessions by indie pop legends Television Personalities. The material includes to BBC session and a WMBR session, as well as a bonus download of a WFMU session. The material is taken from the masters, and as this is a Fire Records release we can be sure that the LPs will reflect high standards. We look at this release as an unexpected and rare opportunity to fill out our TP collection with rare gems. To whet everyone's appetite, here is two of the tracks - "Silly Girl" from the John Peel BBC session and "Salvador Dali's Garden Party from the Andy Kershaw BBC session. Enjoy, and note that the release date for Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out - Radio Sessions 1980-1993 is January 17.

Bandcamp for release

Fire Records (UK) page for release

Fire Records (USA) page for release

Various relevant links including pre-order links

Hanemoon - Easy on the Wildlife EP

 

Last month brought us a new EP from Hanemoon, which is the name that German musician Hans Forster uses for some of his recordings (he also is a member of Seaside Stars and Man Behind Tree). the EP is titled Easy on the Wildlife and consists of six tracks. Hans' previous Rain or Shine album was a hit with us, so we were quite eager to cue up this new treat. We assure you that the pleasure was all ours. Hans has the golden touch with a guitar pop tune as evidenced by the seemingly effortless but memorable melodies on offer. And since he plays all of the instruments except for drums on track, he proves himself an ace arranger as well. Overall the EP has an early The Bats vibe, although Hans' vocal are closer to Neil Halstead than to Robert Scott. This record may be flying under the radar, but count yourself lucky if it lands in your collection.

Easy on the Wildlife is out in CD and digital formats via Subjangle.

Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp for EP

Soundcloud

Get ready for Prism Shores

 

While we continue to work through good 2024 releases, we also look ahead to the musical joys 2025 will bring us. So prepare yourself for an album from Montreal band Prism Shores that straddles jangle, shoegaze and power pop. If they were a dessert, they might be a Napoleon. But they aren't a dessert, so you will have to content yourself with an aural taste via singles "Holding Pattern" and "Tourniquet". In our opinion, they both are quite delicious.

The album is Out From Underneath and it will be released on January 17 via Meritorio Records.

Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp to order Out From Underneath

Various relevant links

X (if you must)

Where have we been?

 Yes, WYMA has been very quiet. Part of the reason is work pressures and holidays. And there is some concern about the ethics of continuing to use the X platform to notify the world of our posts. Frankly, we aren't fond of some of the company we are forced to keep by using X. We have a Blue Sky account now and gradually will transition when we get comfortable with using it. Meanwhile, we will commence posting again and grudgingly us X from time to time.

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

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

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

Instagram

Bandcamp for "Running"

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.

Website

Facebook

X/Twitter

Bandcamp for Deep Below

Various links to pre-order Deep Below

"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.

Bandcamp for Can Con

Instagram

Facebook for Jerry's band The Del Fi's

"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.

Facebook

Instagram

X/Twitter

Bandcamp for Whispers in the Speech Machine

Slumberland Records page for album

Various links to order album

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

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Soundcloud for Lawrence of Suburbia (select tracks)

Matinee Recordings page for Lawrence of Suburbia