Various Artists - Shelter

We have proudly featured a number of releases by Chicago's Sunday Records, and here is another we regard as very special. Aptly titled Shelter, it is a compilation consisting of seven songs by artists who have releases out on the label. And Sunday is making the record available for free digital download to help you pass time sheltering in place.

We suggest that you take Sunday up on the kind offer and download the album. But if you like the tunes, note the links on the Bandcamp page to the artist's own albums. Check those out and perhaps you will find some new favorite albums.








Bandcamp for Shelter

SUPER 8 - Head Sounds

Upbeat, good-natured tunes to entertain us while staying at home and maintaining social distancing? Right here, right now with Head Sounds by Super 8. The project of UK musician and songwriter Paul Ryan, Super 8 crafts melodic, upbeat songs that infuse our days with fun and sunshine. This album consists of nine of Paul's own songs recorded over the past year, plus a cover each of a John Lennon tune and a Brian Wilson tune. He does justice to both covers, but we were drawn more to the original material. Three of our favorites are below, but we encourage you to find your own bliss at the Bandcamp link.

Head Sounds is available now in CD and digital formats via Subjangle.








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Myrkur - Folkesange

There is no musical direction that Amalie Bruun could take that would surprise us, and no musical genre that she would fail to master. Her roster of projects includes black metal, electronic, pop, rock and folk. But our favorite Bruun guise is her Nordic folk recordings as Myrkur (a name she also uses for black metal recordings). Her latest record for that project is Folkesange. Playing Nordic folk with Gothic and Celtic shadings in some tracks, some classical choral elements and employing traditional Scandinavian instruments, she had created an album of exceptional beauty and emotional resonance, and has completely captivated our ears. We humbly suggest that you need this in your lives.

The album was produced by traditional European folk musician Christopher Juul. Folkesange is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats.









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Bandcamp for Folkesange

Leisure Suite - Overture

We first heard the lovely electropop of Melbourne's Leisure Suite in the fall of 2014, and have been fans ever since. Then a trio, and now a duo, the band is calling it a day. But before exiting the stage, they have created a lovely final album titled Overture. Twelve tracks of evocative melodies and sultry vocals, it reminds us of why we loved them in the first place. Perhaps less suited for sunshine in the park and late at night, it thrills and seduces in equal measure.

Mitch and Bridget - thanks for the good tunes, and good luck in the future.








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Bandcamp for Overture
Soundcloud for Overture

Siv Jakobsen - Fight or Flight

Siv Jacobsen's voice is delicate and pure, but her songs have a quiet, unwavering power and sense of purpose. The Oslo, Norway artist has just released the two song digital single Fight or Flight, consisting of the title tracks and "Only Life".  "Fight or Flight" is a sparkling contemplation on the meaning of lifetime commitment and enduring love. We find it a peacefully perfect way to end our day. Time to give the spouse a kiss and turn out the lights. Well, maybe we will listen just one more time.

Siv's next album, A Temporary Soothing, is scheduled for release in August.



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Bandcamp for Fight or Flight
Various links for Fight or Flight

Dayflower - Popping Candy EP

Alex, Chris, David, and Simon are the good folks that comprise Dayflower. The Leicester, UK band crafts sugary dream pop that will put a smile on your face. Their new EP Popping Candy is the perfect dessert after every meal, and is available at the inviting 'name your price' level. Help a band out in these trying times and help yourself feel better at the same time.




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Bandcamp for Popping Candy EP

Las Kellies - Suck This Tangerine

Sometimes when listening to Suck This Tangerine, the new album by awesome Argentine duo Las Kellies, we say to ourselves "this dance rock sounds like garage rock". Other times, we say to ourselves "this garage rock sounds like dance rock". But even we were smart enough (eventually)  to stop torturing ourselves and realize that this album simply is the best dance rock album we have heard in a very long time, and the garage touches, and the incredible dub bass platform, just make the entire confection just more incredible. This is supple, sexy, slinky, and swaggering music that never fails to make us happier than we were before we started playing it (and given how much we stocked up on beer and wine before our virus lockdown, we usually are pretty damn happy before we press "play"). Almost four years since the band's last album, this one is their best so far and well worth the wait.

Las Kellies are Cecilia Kelly (bass/guitars/vocals) and Silvina Costa (drums/percussion/vocals). Suck This Tangerine is out now in vinyl, CD and digital formats via Fire Records.








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Fire Records page for Suck This Tangerine

Lilla Parasit - Lilla Parasit

One could wonder which Are Steinsholm is more favored by our ears, the Are Steinsholm of Swedish sensations Melby, or the Are Steinsholm whose other project, Lilla Parasit, has just released their self-titled debut mini-album. But we won't fall into that trap, because our musical hearts can love both. However, today we will focus on Lilla Parasit to celebrate their new record. We shared the magic with our readers by featuring early singles "Gaslights" and "Feather Soul", sparkling, upbeat pop tunes that herald a fine new solo voice on the scene. The other five songs on Lilla Parasit maintain the high quality, while expanding the scope to darker moods and folk pop expression and indie rock modes. We strongly urge that you check out this album -- it will help pass the virus isolation spell, and cast spells for you for a long time thereafter.

Are wrote all of the songs on the album. The performers are Are, David Svedmyr, Jessica Lindgren Klingsell, and Amanda Lindren. Lilla Parasit is out today via Stockholm's Rama Lama Records.








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Bandcamp for album
Various links for the album

"Grateful" by Nat Vazer

New singer songwriter talent Nat Vazer deserves our attention. Her performance alone on her new song "Grateful" would earn our ears, but he songwriting is even more impressive. Addressing the role of women in society and honoring the role models who pave the way for other women, the lyrics are sharp and concise. The single is out now as a digital release, by the young Melbourne musician will release an album later this year via Hotel Motel Records.



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"Temporary Day" by Junk Drawer

It is nice to meet new people, but we need to be careful with the new social distancing recommendations. Since we are in Seattle, we think it is safe to get to know Belfast's Junk Drawer. Here is their recently released "Temporary Day", which takes on mental health, sexual identity and eating disorders, and wraps it up in a terrific rocking package.

The band's album Ready for the House will be released April 24 via Art For Blind Records.



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Bandcamp for Junk Drawer's music

"Qute" by Guds Pengar

Stockholm's Rama Lama Records is assembling a mighty roster of fine indie bands. One of their more recent signings is Guds Pengar (which translates as 'God's Money'). Their debut album, Granar som flyr staden, is due in May. We featured the debut single last fall (link), and we are pleased to share another album track today. "Qute" is a rousing song that gives us good vibes (the song's theme is self pity, but we don't speak Swedish, so we cannot assess the lyrics). We are playing it loud on repeat right now. And it may be played all morning.

Guds Pengar are Evelina Nerstrand, Olof Strid, Liam Amner, and Anton Jansson.




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Various links for "Qute"
Bandcamp for album