Milk! Records 2015 - Free mini album

The kind label bosses at Milk! Records in Melbourne are offering a free download of six of their favorite songs from the label's 2015 releases.  Featuring songs by the inimitable Courtney Barnett (who, with Jen Cloher (track three) is one of said label bosses), Fraser Gorman and other artists you really should get to know.



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Ette - Special Occasions

What kind of idiot would feature a special edition Christmas single the week after Christmas?  That would be me.  In the rush of getting ready to slide down snowy slopes across the border Christmas week, I failed to tell you about the double A-side Special Occasions by Ette.  The two songs are "Spending Christmas With My Boy" and "Birthday".

Ette is a solo project of Carla Easton of TeenCanteen, with the able assistance of Joe Kane (Dr Cosmos's Tapelab).  This release isn't a one-off, however, as Ette's debut album Homemade Lemonade will be released in 2016 by Olive Grove Records.  On the lead track Carla's vocals recall your favorite '60s girl-group while the lyrics and chiming effects infuse holiday spirit.  "Birthday" is a sweet little tune bound to provoke a smile.

Special Occasions is available as a digital download or a limited edition Christmas bauble with a download code.





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Dead Boy Robotics - New Cells

The Edinburgh trio of Dead Boy Robotics, consisting of Gregor McMillan, Mike Bryant, and Paul Bannon, craft dark, noisey synth rock anthems begging for late night audiences comfortable with an aggressive noir and big arena volume.  Their latest album is New Cells, out now via Brothers Grimm, and it is an excellent introduction to their sound.  Jump and writhe to it on the dance floor or just let the pulsating waves wash over you, this is compelling pop music in a playfully sinister wrapper.  A few tracks are provided below.  You can listen to the entire album on Spotify and iTunes.





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"Flowers" by Dot Dash - Video and Free Download

One of our favorite spring albums this year was Earthquakes & Tidal Waves by Washington, D.C. quartet Dot Dash.  Terry Banks (vocals/guitar), Steve Hansgen (lead guitar), Hunter Bennett (bass) and Danny Ingram (drums), vets of Julie Ocean, Minor Threat, Swervedriver, The Saturday People, Youth Brigade, Modest Proposal and others, brew a muscular concoction of power pop, jangle and post punk.  They have just unveiled a video for album track "Flowers", and in a generous spasm of anti-commercial sentiment, are offering it for free download here.  See the video below, and take the time to check out the full album at the Bandcamp link below.




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Video for "Boyfriend" by Goon Sax

Of course a band named after budget boxed wine will film a video of their single that took ten minutes to write in a college studio with the band and the videographer taking all of the roles.  But the thing of it is, "Boyfriend" by Goon Sax is a sardonic delight, and the video does it justice.  So here you are --


The song now is available as a digital single, and will be on the band's upcoming debut LP, Up To Anything, which will be released by Chapter Music in April.

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"Big Girls" by Sophie and The Bom Boms

I must admit that when a press agent sent me a song that is described as part Sleigh Bells and part Jackson 5, my inclination was to ignore it.  But I listened to "Big Girls" by Sophie and The Bom Boms (which usually is only Sophie Stern) and came to two conclusions: Accuracy should be rewarded; and damn, that is a catchy song.  So here for the pleasuring of your ears is "Big Girls.


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Breakfast Muff - Rainbow Yawn

We want to address a serious issue.  Seasonal affective disorder cripples many young adults just as they should be building their careers.  Winter comes, days get short and we withdraw, get depressed and underachieve.  The personal and societal cost is immense, and the tragedy unnecessary.  Through diligent trial and error we at WYMA have developed strategies to beat this affliction.  Today, we unveil our favorite ("favourite" for our Glasgow friends) approach:  Daily Breakfast Muff.  Yes, we have found that a dose of Breakfast Muff starts the day out with the proper frame of mind, a bounce in the step, a feeling of accomplishment, and perhaps a bit of sweat on the upper lip to let you know you started the day with … well … a bang.

Glasgow's Breakfast Muff delivers distortion, with, lyrical gutter fantasy in seven garage punk songs on Rainbow Yawn.  No tentative debut, this.  It says love us or fuck off, or at least buy us a beer, in no uncertain terms.  It is the product of the delightfully flawed minds of Cal (Youngstrr Joey/Spinning Coin), Eilidh (FROTH) and Simone (FROTH), and you can listen to brief stories about Satan, who is not down to fuck, horny people, and other topics of interest.  The tunes are good and the energy infectious.  Stream some or all of it below, and see the Bandcamp link to make it your very own.  Make a note of it: Breakfast Muff is what the body needs.

Rainbow Yawn is out on December 19 via Fuzzkill Records, which seems to be a destination for a number of exciting acts in Glasgow.  The record is available as on cassette and as a digital download.







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Catholic Easter Colors - Not The Silence That Was There Before

Catholic Easter Colors are an indie pop band from Birmingham, Alabama.  They recently released a very nice set of reflective songs titled Not The Silence That Was There Before via their Bandcamp page.  You can stream the EP below, and it is available to own on cassette or as a digital download.  The digital version is name your price, but as the band recently suffered a loss due to a car break-in while touring, it would be wonderful - especially this time of year - to actually pay a bit for the download.




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"Falling To Believe" by Doug Tuttle

Doug Tuttle is a master of lo-fi psychedelia, mining that aurally rich channel cutting between psychedelic pop and acid folk.  Since the demise of his prior band Mmoss, Tuttle has been working under his own name.  On February 19, 2016, he will release his second solo album, It Calls On Me, via Chicago's Trouble In Mind Records.  Here is the first single, with hints of Kurt Vile and The Byrds, and a jaunty '70s guitar solo.  Lovely stuff that sticks in your mind like the image of your favorite crush smiling at you.  Yes, it is that good.




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Michael Knight - Physics Is Out To Get Me

How are you dealing with Monday?  We're dealing with it with some orchestral, '60s influenced indie pop via Michael Knight, and their new album is Physics Is Out To Get Me.  Cue it up the instruments swell, the choruses soar, and your spirits lift as if the weekend hadn't abandoned you like your last girlfriend/boyfriend - and the girlfriend/boyfriend before that one.  Comparisons have been made '60s popsters the Left Banke and to the more recent Canadian band Hidden Cameras, or perhaps the Magnetic Fields on uppers, but whether they remind you of past favorites or not, this album is an excellent way to get holiday cheer without actually listening to holiday music.  That alone should earn a nomination to the Nobel Peace Prize.

Michael Knight was founded by Richard Murphy, an Irishman transplanted to Berlin, Mike Cleare, Henrike Rabe and Martin Petersdorf.  But you don't make orchestral pop with just a few musicians, and many friends helped with Physics Is Out To Get Me, adding strings, horns and additional vocals to the duo's already varied and vibrant creations.

Physics Is Out To Get Me is out via Jigsaw Records, and is available to stream/obtain at the links below.









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"Spectres" by De Rosa

Scottish band De Rosa received critical acclaim for their two albums in the '00s, Mend and Prevention, both of which were released by Chemikal Underground.  When the band split up in 2009, fans assumed that there would be no more music from De Rosa.  Understandable, but wrong.  The original line up of frontman Martin John Henry (guitar and vocals), James Woodside (bass) and Neil Woodside (drums) will release a new album, titled Weem, in 2016 via Rock Action Records.  "Spectres" is the first single from the LP, and it demonstrates why the band's return will be eagerly welcomed by indie rock fans.



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Persian Rugs - This Is OK For Now

Toronto's Persian Rugs cover the floor from wall to wall, window to door.  Noise pop, jangle pop, dream pop, punk, and a dose of twee.  Their album, This Is OK For Now, was released in 2014, but it doesn't seem to have received the coverage it deserves.  The tastemakers at Jigsaw records discovered it on the internet, and offered to re-release it.  So all eight tracks now are available in digital and CD formats.

The album kicks off with a rush of noise pop via "Bedhead".  "I Wanted Something More" delivers bubbling pop with a current of jangle.  Standout track "Naked" brings '60s girl group sounds up to current status.  The mood becomes sweet for "Cotton Candy", then picks up for an ode an affliction of the young - "Underemployed".  The album closes with three dreamy jangle pop gems: "Falling Through The Floor" and "Comic Book Dreams".  This is a wonderful little album to brighten you mood.  You deserve it, don't you?





Persian Rugs are Ali, Ian, Kaye, and Matt.

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Eyes of Others - Nightwalking EP

I just lifted my head up and looked out my office window.  What I see is cold rain, driven by a stiff wind.  And despite being on the 33rd floor, I can't see much because of the fog and low-hanging clouds.  This requires the infusion of synth pop to maintain an even keel until beer-thirty (which according to the powers that be, will in fact occur at 5 pm today).  Specifically, I have turned to the Nightwalking EP from Edinburgh's Eyes of Others.  Artfully blending '80s electronica with bubbling synth pop, Eyes of Others is interesting, soothing and infuses me with a cool, calm while watching the torrents of rain.

Eyes of Others is the work of composer/producer John Bryden.  You can stream all the tracks below, and listen to two previous singles at the Bandcamp link.





Nightwalking is a digital release via Club Fandango/INgrooves, so check your favorite digital source.

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The Creeping Ivies - Your New Favourite Garage Band

We are fans of truth in advertising, so we heartily endorse the name of the new release from Glasgow's The Creeping Ivies.  Yes, the title of Your New Favourite Garage Band tells you what the goods are, and you'll be happy about that.  The Creeping Ivies are a three-piece band who combine garage and roots rock with attitude and energy.  Ian Duncan on drums and Mark McLaughlin on provide a sturdy rhythm that makes this record a must for anyone's party soundtrack while reminding us of The Ramones and Bo Diddley.  Becca Murray on vocals and guitar is an absolute force of rock and roll nature, projecting attitude, fierce confidence and passion in one fiery package that will accept no second place in any comparison.  The trio manages simultaneously project stylish grit and side street menace, while giving you a wink and a good time.  If, I mean when, you get this album you'll play it over and over.  You may feel guilty that you are ignoring other albums.  But then you'll remember the great sounds of The Creeping Ivies, and listen to this album again because, as you will correctly conclude, this is why we listen to rock and roll.

Long-time fans may have a number of these tracks via previous EP and singles releases, but many are available on CD for the first time with this album, all conveniently assembled by Glasgow label Flowers In The Dustbin as a digital download or CD.  See the Bandcamp link below for a full album stream.

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Postal Blue - Of Love & Other Affections

True indie pop fans know that art has no geographic boundaries.  Jigsaw Records proves it with Of Love & Other Affections, the latest record from Postal Blue.  Founded in the late '90s, the Brazilian project has released several EPs and one LP.  Most of the material has been classic indie pop, but their first LP included some bossa nova inspired songs and their third EP marked recording in the band's native Portuguese. Originally a four-piece, Postal Blue now lives via Adriano, who continued after the other members left for other projects.

The ten songs on Of Love & Other Affections are indie pop at its best.  Sweet vocals with an Edwyn Collins warble, unabashedly jangling guitars, and arrangements that recall classic Scandinavian pop, as well as Postcard Records and Sarah Records bands.  At times uplifting, other times melancholy, it consistently draws smiles and sighs.  One listen in, I'd added it my my favorite playlist.  Choosing a favorite song to showcase the album is like having to publicly declare your favorite child.  But the three below serve the cause well.

The album is available from Jigsaw Records as a digital download and a CD.  Ordering and full streams at the Bandcamp link below.







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KiDD - Hotchpotch

If you have followed Scottish pop over the years, you have heard Stuart KiDD, even if you haven't heard any of his work under his own name.  He has been a member of several bands, including the venerable BMX Bandits, St Deluxe, Harmony Springs, The Store Keys, and The Wellgreen, and he has played with Jonny, Linden and Pearlfishers, among others.  We are fans of his work, and featured some of it three years ago (link).

KiDD's label, The Barne Society, has released a limited edition cassette of songs Stuart has recorded in recent years.  The songs were picked by Stuart himself, and provide an excellent and varied listening experience.  Among the highlights are the '60s pop of opener "Alfie" (did The Beach Boys mislay this one when mixing Pet Sounds?), the roots/psych of "4 Leaf Clover", the Beatle-esque "Win Or Lose", the shuffling plea to a lover who intends to leave of "Win Or Lose", the pastoral pop of "Turquoise" and "Leave Me Here I'm Sleeping" (which bring to mind Fleet Foxes), the country pop "Ring the Belle", and the dreampop "Rooftop Cityscape".  You can stream, and order, the entire album at the Bandcamp link below.







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The Ocean Party - Light Weight

We try to be helpful here at WYMA, so today I'm going to make a gift recommendation for the number one indie pop fan in your life.  The identity of that person probably looks back at you when you stand in front of the mirror, so no postage will be required.  However, if you have friends who like indie pop, you can give this gift as well.  In fact, as psychologists say that the best gifts are those that reflect the tastes of the giver, you probably should give this gift to all of your indie pop-loving friends.  The gift is Light Weight, the new album from Melbourne's The Ocean Party.

This record succeeds on so many fronts.  Because multiple members of the band write, there is incredible freshness to each song.  And perhaps due to an understandable, if unconscious,  competitiveness, each song is a self-contained gem.  One might expect that an album representing this many voices would provide a disconnected listening experience.  But in fact, the album is a coherent aural presentation of introspection set in spacious arrangements.  The songs are gorgeous, bathing your ears in delightful melodies and subtle instrumental details.  It all goes down so easily that your first impression could be that Light Weight is, well, light weight.  But each successive listen will reinforce the perfection of the music, the discipline of the performance and, most of all, the heavy weight lyrical punch.  Of course, that means we hear disappointment, regret, insecurity and revealed flaws.  But the nuanced wording and honesty of expression make the hearing a joy, rather than a bummer.

Three great tracks are below, but try to find and stream the title track and "Real Life" as well.  Hell, stream the whole thing.  Better yet, buy it and listen to all of the songs over and over.  By the way, there are no geographic excuses to not buying Light Weight.  It is released in the United States by Austin Town Hall Records (which is related to the excellent Austin Town Hall music blog), in Australia and New Zealand by Spunk Records, and in the UK and Europe by Caroline Records.







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Hooton Tennis Club - Highest Point In Cliff Town

Tennis, anyone?  OK, that isn't the most original lead-in, and Liverpool's Hooton Tennis Club most likely has heard it more than a few times.  But often you get what you pay for, and I write for free.

Hooton Tennis Club, which is named after an actual tennis club is comprised of Ryan Murphy, Jaes Madden, Callum McFadden, and Harry Chalmers, long time friends whose demos attracted the attention of Heavenly Recordings.  Signatures on the dotted line led to recording The Highest Point In Cliff Town -- twelve tracks of swaggering indie rock that sounds like a cross of '90s Britpop and Scott & Charlene's Wedding.  Breezy in attitude, loose at the edges, and muscular when it needs to be, it varies among powerpop anthems, woozy jams and party sing-alongs.  We found it a very satisfying album, and if you like well constructed and good-natured guitar rock as much as we do, you owe it to yourself to check this album out.  I expect it will be on a few year-end lists, and I think it may make mine.








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"Underprotected" / "Chocolate and Salt" by Paddy Hanna

We've featured the music of Dublin's Paddy Hanna recorded under his own name, and with other projects.  Today, we are bringing you the two songs on his new "Underprotected" single.  Available as of December 4 (at the Bandcamp link below), it reveals Paddy to be a musician of formidable talents.  The lead track is a perfect mini-epic to our ears, and then the b-side steals the scene.  We are reminded of Edwyn Collins here, and that's no bad thing at all.

For this recording, the players are Paddy Hanna (guitar/vocals/keys), Mark Chester (guitar), Bobby Aherne (bass), and Enda Canavan (drums).



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The Hermit Crabs - In My Flat

Every being has its nature.  Hermit crabs stay out of sight much of the time, and then scuttle into view in all of their cute glory.  They thrill for a while -- especially other beings who like to consume them -- and then they are gone until the next fortunate sighting.  Such is the case with Glasgow's land-based version, The Hermit Crabs.  Melanie Whittle formed the band in 2003.  Since then, there have been one LP and several EPs, with various additional temporary crabs supporting Mel.  True, not a massive output, but what do you expect from hermit crabs?

Happily, the band has emerged into the sunlight again with In My Flat, which I think is the band's best work yet.  Recorded in Idaho with Jeremy Jensen and Jake Hite of The Very Most (with whom Mel collaborates as Baffin Island), it comprises eight songs pop songs featuring Whittle's delicate and pristine voice, appealing melodies, and uncomplicated but interesting instrumentation.  And as always is the case with a recording from The Hermit Crabs, Whittle's compositions are a star of the proceedings.  Personal, intimate, revealing, feisty and witty, she paints evocative little portraits of life in a manner reminiscent of Scottish indie pop peers Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura.  This record does what good indie pop should do -- make you sigh, may you smile, and prompt you to tap your foot or even dance around the room.  If mixtapes still are a thing you do, a few of these may end up in the hands of your special friends.  The Hermits Crabs are back in the sunlight, get yourself some.

In My Flat is available in CD or digital formats via Matinee Recordings.







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"When The Poor Can Reach The Moon" by The Chills

Closely following their triumphant release of Silver Bullets (our feature here), their first album of new material in nearly two decades, on December 11 The Chills will release another single from the LP.  Most would consider it among the best songs on the album, and undeniably one of the catchiest, "When The Poor Can Reach The Moon" is suffused with hope for the less fortunate.  Have a listen via the charming video.  The single will be available via Fire Records.

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The Deadline Shakes - Zealots

Glasgow's The Deadline Shakes have been burnishing their reputation as one of Scotland's most promising young bands single by single for the past few years.  Content to patiently work on their sound and sharpen their writing, they now have presented Zealots, their debut album, for fans to decide whether they have delivered on the promise.  And as someone who has followed the band from their first releases, my one word summary is "congratulations".

Initially a band whose first impression was hook-filled scrappiness, albeit one with a knack for a well-crafted musical story, The Deadline Shakes as of late 2015 is now a much more complete outfit.  The compositions are more ambitious, the sound fuller, the instrumentation more robust and detailed.  The various faces the band presents include a familiar jangle, a sharp edge, changes of pace, and a romantic or yearning sigh.  Moreover, as these faces often share space in the same tune, the songs unspool as a series of mini epics.Yet the band has retained their ability to present pop tunes that are emotionally accessible and unafraid of vulnerability.  There is a good dose of polish in the production, but it never feels too slick or over stuffed.  Three of my favorites are available to stream below, but you can listen to the entire album at the Bandcamp link below.







Zealots is out now in digital and CD formats via Flowers In The Dustbin.  The Deadline Shakes are Greg Dingwall (vocals/guitar), Iain McKinstry (vocals/guitar), Martin McLeod (bass), Thomas Booth (drums), Michael Muir (violin/banjo), Kiera Pollock (vocals/guitar), and Sam Clark.

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"Pull My Arm" by Flowers

London three-piece Flowers is a favorite around WYMA headquarters, so we were thrilled to learn that their next album, Everyone's Dying To Meet You, will be released via Fortuna POP! on February 12.  Test out the goods with opening track and first single "Pull My Arm".  The purity of Rachel's vocals, teamed with the energetic arrangement and sweet hooks are a winning combination.



Flowers is Sam Ayres, Rachel Kenedy and Jordan Hockley.

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Stutter Steps - Stutter Steps

Ben Harrison's regular job is as a curator at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh where, among other things, he is responsible for booking musicians to perform at the venue.  To do a job like that well, one needs to have good taste, and a good sense of what fits.  It appears that Mr. Harrison has those traits.  But in addition, Harrison is himself a musician.  He played in a band years ago, and has continued to write songs while working and raising two children with his wife.  And he now has made the commitment to step up a level, and record and release his songs under the name Stutter Steps.

The self-titled album, in my opinion, is one of the better debut releases this year.  Our curator/musician has drawn from his bands like Yo Ya Tengo, Velvet Underground, Luna, The Bats, and Bill Callahan to make an album of evocative melodies and satisfying guitar textures.  But Harrison isn't just making a patchwork quilt of worthy influences.  He is blending them together to make his own statement via a warm and instantly familiar set of songs.  Sometimes sounding recalling New Zealand post-punk, sometimes The Feelies or Galaxie 500, and sometimes a bit of dusty Americana.  And then, there are the vocals.  Ben has a gravelly but melodic baritone that brings to mind DIY godfather Calvin Johnson.  When paired with the female vocals from Cindy Yogmas, the result is magic.  You don't have to have been a fan of Beat Happening to celebrate this pairing, but it will make your appreciation that much greater.

In addition to Yogmas, Harrison fleshed out the songs with Jeff Baron (Essex Green/Ladybug Transistor) on guitar.  Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500/Luna/Dean and Britta) also contributed guitar for the recording.  The recording band included Sean Finn (drums), David Horn (bass), who with Harrison, Yogmas and Phil Jacoby (guitar), form the band for live shows.





Stutter Steps is released via Pittsburgh label Wild Kindness Records.

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"Boyfriend" by The Goon Sax

As teenage Brisbane trio The Goon Sax inch towards the release of their debut LP,  Up To Anything, which will be released in April 2016, they had provided another song from the album.  On "Boyfriend" Riley Jones, Louis Forster and James Harrison  address young love, teenage crushes  and heartache, with self-deprecatory wit and plenty of pop smarts.  The single is available from Chapter Music, which also will release the album

And for those hoping that the meaning of "goon sax" would be smutty and outrageous, be advised that the term is slang for the shiny plastic bag inside cask wine.  Although I suspect that its mention could still get you slapped in some places with the right inflection.



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Cherri Fosphate - We Didn't Come Here To Say Goodbye

Over two years ago we featured (link) a little EP from a Scottish band named Cherri Fosphate, suggesting that they were a band to watch for the future.  However, since we know what lazy slackers you all are, I expect that most of you haven't really been watching.  Well, that's your mistake, because the band has released their debut full length, We Didn't Come Here To Say Goodbye, and it is even better than I would have predicted based on that fine earlier record.  With vocals that recall Frightened Rabbit and a bit of Maximo Park and The Futureheads (if the latter two had been from a bit further north and west), guitars that evoke The Strokes in their prime, and pace and energy that recall Dogs Die In Hot Cars, this is a bundle of melody and muscular energy with a heavy Scots accent.  The band proves more than adept in a few songs with a more relaxed tempo, but if you are like me it is the up-tempo songs that will keep a smile on your face and We Didn't Come Here To Say Goodbye on your playlist for quite some time.













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"Depth of Field" by Sea Pinks

I count myself as a firm fan of Belfast's Sea Pinks, so I'm pleased to report that their new album, Soft Days, will be available in early 2016.  The first release from the album is the melodic and dreamy "Depth of Field".  The video and audio streams are below.  I think Sea Pinks is one of the finest guitar bands around, and I'm expecting Soft Days to brighten an otherwise dreary and wet January.

Sea Pinks is Neil Brogan, Davey Agnew, and Steven Henry.  Soft Days will be released by the Brogan's own CF Records.







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Young Fathers - White Men Are Black Men Too

While refining my list of notable albums for end of the year awards, I discovered that one of the albums in my likely top 20 list had not been featured.  I suspect the reason is that I received my copy while recovering from an accident, but I nevertheless feel that the omission should be corrected, so here it the belated feature for White Men Are Black Men Too, by Young Fathers.

With a wide scope concept of pop music, versatile compositions, tons of ability and an insistence on delivering their art on their own terms Young Fathers are, in my opinion, one of the more exciting bands indie music.  Previously, the Edinburgh trio released two EPs (Tape One and Tape Two) and an LP, Dead, which won the Mercury Prize.  White Men Are Black Men Too finds the band continuing to tighten their musical expression while testing boundaries, both musical and thematic.  The lyrics are clear-eyed and direct.  The breadth of possible musical cousins, if not influences, such as TV On The Radio, Arcade Fire, Dirigible Planets, R&B and neo-soul illustrate why Young Fathers confound those who would put them in a genre box and try to explain their music from a single perspective.  It seems to me that all one can do is let the music wash over you and tell the world what you hear.

And what you hear are strong pop melodies, aggressive bass and percussion and plenty of frills filling in at the higher register.  Each song is like unwrapping a present, unraveling at its own pace and in its own unique way.  As a whole, it is a big sound born of big ambition teamed with breathtaking talent.  The best pop music is made by having something to say, and then saying it well.  Based on this album, Young Fathers are near the head of the class in pop music.

For those unfamiliar with the band, they call themselves Young Fathers because each of them is named after his father.  Based in Edinburgh, Graham 'G' Hastings was born in that city, while Alloysious Massaquoi is from Liberia via Ghana, and Kayus Bankole grew up in the United States, but his parents were from Nigerian.










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Joey Kneiser - The Wildness

There is a chance you missed it, but the southern rock album of the year was released today.  The artist is Tennessee singer-songwriter Joey Kneiser, who has released solo work as well as being a major engine of The Glossary, a country rock band with a tendency towards soul.  Joey's new album is The Wildness -- ten songs consisting of pacey southern rock and gentle, slow burners, and released by This Is American Music.  Joey's vocals are in fine form, and I caught myself wondering whether this is how Van Morrison would have sounded if he'd been raised in east Tennessee.  But the real star is the songwriting.  This is classic American rock and roll composition, packed with sharp observations and poignant reflections, and then played with energy, conviction and love.  This is what put Springsteen, Petty and The Band high in America's musical consciousness, and The Wildness earns Joey a listen as well.  Just start at the beginning with the adrenaline rush of "Run Like Hell", followed by the mid-tempo country rock of the title track (A 'callous on my heart'? Preach it, Joey!).  You want more, don't you?  You can spin the whole thing at the Bandcamp link, which also makes it easy to buy.  You also can find the album on iTunes and Spotify.

The Wildness is an album made by a man who loves rock and roll, for listeners who love rock and roll.  What more do you need?




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This Is American Music

Strawberry Whiplash - Stuck In The Never Ending Now

Strawberry Whiplash is one of the projects of the prolific jangle pop  royal, Laz McCluskey.  In this one, he plays the instruments while Sandra provides the vocals, creating sweet-sounding pop songs that recall The Monkeys, The Cyrcle, British Invasion, early '80s Glasgow guitar pop and Sarah Records.  Their second full album, Stuck In The Never Ending Now, finds the band musing about the passage of time over the course of 12 hook-filled songs.  The band has an incredible knack for crafting the perfect aural nuggets, with just the right amount of instrumentation and spot on vocal nuances.  Each song is distinctive, but they are so similar in quality that I would have been hard pressed to choose which to use as streams for this post.  I'm saved this task by having only three songs available to share.  And they are great songs.  But as good as they are, I think there may be several equal songs on the album.  The rambunctious "Halcyon Morning" and the '60s shaded "Fly Me Over The Rooftops" never fail to get a replay hit from me, and the reflective "Ride The Waves to Shore" and "This Is All We Have" invariably produce happy sighs.

Stuck In The Never Ending Now is available this week via Matinee Recordings.








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Matinee Recordings page for Stuck In The Never Ending Now

Wreckless Eric - amERICa

Wreckless Eric (the performance name for Eric Goulden) climbed into the consciousness of many of us indie rock fans as a musician we considered very British.  British like Ray Davies, Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Astor and Nick Lowe.  Like many "facts", the truth is a bit different.  Eric is, in fact, a bit less British in current physical form, as he has lived a number of different places over the years, and if my usually casual research is correct the man now is living in upstate New York.  And for those not inclined to research, the latest Wreckless Eric album is titled amERICa, and the cover announces "Made in the USA Using American Parts And Labor".  So if you want to 'buy British', I think the man's work still qualifies, but if you want to buy American, I think you can be comfortable.

Now, after that background the relevant questions is whether the album is worth your time and money.  Our answer is"yes".  The album contains eleven eccentric nuggets of personal stories and societal observations, packaged in Eric's adept songcraft and recorded with a chugging style that oozes both rock and roll spirit and the feeling that the author doesn't quite fit in society's well-defined boxes.  And for those of us in America, it is interesting to see our country through another's eyes.

amERICa is out now via Fire Records.





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Fire Records page for album

"Fade to Fade" by Optik Nerve

We won't have many words about Optic Nerve, because we don't know very much.  They are self-described as an audio-visual project from London/Amsterdam/Edinburgh.  There are two members and, at least on "Fade To Fade", the vocals are provided by the female member.  That's all we have, except that the referenced song is a lovely tune.  Enjoy both the audio and visual below.





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Introducing: The Obleeks

The Obleeks are two brothers, Andy and Lee Ketch, plus Nick Harris.  The Chicago trio plays power pop and bar rock with energy and verve.  A self-titled four song EP was released in March, and it is available for 'name your price' at the Bandcamp link below.  The Bandcamp page has links to other releases by the band.

To our ears, The Obleeks have the rock and roll fever, and will happily infect you as well.







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The Jackals - People

The Jackals are an Edinburgh four-piece whose brand of warm, psychedelic indie rock sounds as at home on the American west coast as it does in their home city.  Their new album People features soulful vocals, jangling guitars and melodies that range from dusty psychedelia to surf to foot-tapping country rock.  Some of the songs, such as "Ghost Soul Traffic", are perfect for racing down the highway with the top down.  Some are better for late at night.  But the boys don't put a wrong foot forward over the course of this album, and the quality begs for a wide audience.  Unfortunately, no major label has stepped up to do assist with that task, so it fall to fans like WYMA.  Check out a few tracks below and then hit the links.








The Jackals are Scott Wilson (vocals/guitar), Paddy McMaster (drums/vocals), David Panton (bass/vocals), and Gary Quilietti (guitar).  People is available in digital and vinyl formats from the Cartel page and other outlets below.  The cassette version is available from Burger Records.

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Burger Records 

"Soak" by Mt. Doubt

Mt. Doubt is an Edinburgh-based band that plays dark, brooding indie rock.  The frontman is Leo Bargery, who writes the songs and them brings them to life with the band.  This is perfect music to play late at night when finishing your last drink before bed.  There are some similarities with American band Pela (now defunct) and its successor, We Are Augustines:  Good writing; and sincere performances.  Their recent song "Soak" can be streamed and downloaded below.

You can buy a physical copy of the band's EP My Past Is A Quiet Beast here.  If you are satisfied with digital, a number of their recent songs are available for free download at the Soundcloud link below.




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"My Right Hand" by Peter Astor

This week's primo good news is that Peter Astor will release a new LP in 2016 via Fortuna POP!.  Astor, veteran of The Loft and the Weather Prophets, as well a considerable solo work, has featured on these pages several times this year for his single Mr. Music (link) and his single with Keith Negrus for a project titled The Fairlight Myth (link).  The album, named Spilt Milk, will include Mr. Music, as well has "My Right Hand", which can be streamed below.  The album was recorded at the home of James Hoare (Veronica Falls, The Proper Ornaments, and Ultimate Painting), with James providing much of the instrumentation.  Based on what we have heard so far we think we will love this album.



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The Moonlight - The Moonlight

The Moonlight may never be well-known outside of New Zealand, but if such is the case it won't be my fault.  Their recently released self-titled album is superb guitar pop, and I intend to sing their praises to anyone who will listen.  Softly sung harmonies riding jangling guitars over a chugging rhythm section, sometimes dissolving into swelling dream pop.  Songs with appealing melodic structures and gentle but insistent hooks, then painted in melancholy shades.  For fans of jangle pop we could just write "New Zealand" and folks would nod knowingly.  But true fans know that there is no template, and while hints of other bands are audible here, the trio of Tim Lewton, Nich Cunningham and John Crocker are mining their personal existential vein in their own vision.  And it is well worth your ears.  And speaking of worth, a digital download is only ten New Zealand dollars.  Test out three tracks below and stream the entire LP at the Bandcamp link -- where you will be prompted to buy.  And which you will do ...







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Wimps - Suitcase

Aspiring punk and garage rockers must always remember to KISS.  Yes, 'keep it simple, stupid', is the mantra.  And if they are looking for the principle in action, they need look no farther than Wimps.  The Seattle trio's brand of rock is rapid fire, with downtrodden slacker themes, the right amount of attitude, and no distracting frills.  To be perfectly honest, the musicianship is much better than usually is found in this genre, and the keepers of the secret punk rolls may be tempted to kick them out because they really are too good.  But to be blunt about it, that is the Wimps' problem (or they might say that is a problem for wimps).  As fans, we can just be happy to have a really good punk and garage band on the scene.

Wimps latest effort is the 12-song Suitcase, the band's second full album  Channeling the cynicism, boredom, angst and drudgery of life in concise nuggets of self-effacing lyrics and chugging punk and garage rock, it is the band's best work and among the best punk to be released this year.  Guitarist Rachel Ratner shout-sings and tosses of angular riffs, while Matt Nyce's bass and Dave Ramm's drums provide energetic drive to the proceedings.  The songs are varied, with plenty of pop hooks and a good dose of humor leavening the sharp observations of life in the hipster city.  The video version of the opening track and a stream of the title track are below.  But because the band, the label, and WYMA are all very nice people, a full album stream is provided as well.  It is almost Friday, rock on, crash, and then line up to purchase a suitcase.

Suitcase is out tomorrow, November 13, via Kill Rock Stars.  And Seattle fans should note that the band's release show is at the Funhouse Lounge with Stickers, Mombutt, and Boyfriends.  The following night they will play at The Know in Portland.








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Chorusgirl - Chorusgirl

I take no credit for Chorusgirl. But I will take the time to point out that I was on this bandwagon early, as just short of two years ago I featured the band based on a couple of demos (here).  Twenty-three months later the London-based outfit has presented us with their self-titled debut LP for evaluation of their progress.  After multiple spins, and noting that we are most of the way through 2015, my verdict is that Chorusgirl is a top fifteen album for the year.  Consider all the promise we've heard in the best tracks from emerging indie guitar bands in recent years (I won't mention names), and imagine a greatest hits compilation.  Wait, no need for such speculation.  Just get a copy of this album and let the fuzz pop, new wave, alt-rock and '60s revival tunes with layered harmonies and walls of sound make sweet love to your ears while the rhythm section knocks the air out of your lungs.

There are many reasons why this album feels special, starting with the high quality of the vocals and musicianship.  But that should be expected of an album worthy of review.  What Chorusgirl brings to the party to put them near the top is tight, fresh songwriting and a palpable joy in performing.  The lyrics have weight and, in some cases, an edge, but the music always lifts you up.  German-born Silvi Wersing, a musician in other bands, composed most or all of these songs on her laptop, and then recruited a band to bring them to life.  The name of the project is a wry nod to her prior roles.  And maybe that background goes part of the way to explain the euphoric sound the band produces.  Silvi is now doing her own thing.  And we're very glad for that.







Chorusgirl is Silvi Wersing (vocals and guitar), Udo Westhoff (bass), Michael Boyle (drums) and Diogo Oliveira (lead guitar).  Chorusgirl is out this Friday, November 13, via Fortuna POP!

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Fortuna POP!

Introducing: Cloves

Another day, another new talent to follow.  Cloves is a young singer songwriter from Melbourne, Australia, with an undeniable knack for singing the song you wish you could sing after your heart has been broken.  And thank goodness she does it so well because in those situations we are usually too busy sobbing to try and sing a note, so we're happy to delegate.  The arrangements are simple: Cloves and a piano or guitar, and some percussion.  But what a voice!  She's toured in the UK and US, and has a vinyl-only three-song EP titled XIII.  Three songs are below - listen and weep, with joy.








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