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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"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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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.

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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.

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Pop Filter - Ray and Lorraine's

 

Pop Filter is one of the most refreshingly unconstrained bands to which we pay attention. With all members writing songs and performing, the menu of songs on their albums represents each songwriter's best efforts. The results are a diverse set of songs that becomes wider in musical and thematic scope with each outing. Their most recent album -- the 13 track Ray and Lorraine's -- delivers synth pop, guitar pop, tender ballads ("Exactly Where I Want To Be" may prompt some happy tears), and other styles. That said, the album reflects and increased emphasis on bass, synths and beats, all of which add increased depth to Pop Filter's already stellar pop songwriting. A group of musicians who have been together this long (most were members of Ocean Party before this band was founded) have had many life experiences, revelations and transformations. The ability of the men of Pop Filter to illustrate their life moments in music is a treasure you should enjoy.

Ray and Lorraine's is out now via Bobo Integral and Osborne Again Music.

Bandcamp Ray and Lorraine's

Best Bets - The Hollow Husk of Feeling

 

We are music fans, not critics, which is why we don't post negative news. So you can be sure that if we publish a post about a song or album, we truly like it and have picked it from among our many submissions and discoveries. However, even among all of our favored musical "children", some work stands out. And that brings us to The Hollow Husk of Feeling, the second full length album by New Zealand's Best Bets. From a sturdy, broadly conceived power pop platform the band delivers 12 tracks stretching from the edge of jangle pop to the border of alt rock. Guitars jangle, chime slash or describe tangled figures as the material requires, and the rhythm section controls the pace with power and finesse. But this set of songs is more than solid gold sounds, as Best Bets features three songwriters with a feel for melody and a talent for lyrical craftsmanship. If you are only going to have room for ten guitar pop albums this year, make certain that The Hollow Husk of Feeling is one of the ten.

Best Bets are Olly Crawford Ellis, James Harding, Matt Phimmavanh, and Joe Sampson. James and Olly are members of Transistors and Joe has been in Salad Boys, T54 and other projects (including the label Melted Ice Cream). The Hollow Husk of Feeling is out now via Meritorio Records and Melted Ice Cream.

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"For Me" by Pop Filter

 

"For Me" is the final single from the upcoming Ray and Lorraine's by Australia's fine Pop Filter. Dominated by synths and a dubby rhythm, it is an enchanting two minutes. Quite unlike past tracks by Pop Filter, it suggests that the gang are continuing to push their boundaries.

Ray and Lorraine's will be out October 4 via Osborne Again (Aus/NZ) and Bobo Integral (rest of the cosmos).

Bandcamp for Ray and Lorraine's

Birdie - Some Dusty

 

Perhaps this opinion is a lonely one in today's world, but we believe that the world needs a lot more baroque pop. While our self image certainly embraces the robust, rough edged western outsider, we yearn to swoon to sounds offered by Beirut, Van Dyke Parks, St. Etienne, Belle & Sebastian and other bands that focus on melody, texture and, often, broader instrumentation (if that makes us more of Ralph Lauren western man than Marlboro western man, so be it). And in our view one of the finest albums of that genre is Some Dusty. Charm, melody, melancholy and sunshine are all on offer and presented with a perfect, and sincere, touch. The lovely artifact from 1999 was the happy musical and romantic union of Debsey Wykes (Dolly Mixture) and Paul Kelly (East Village) as Birdie. The songwriting is top shelf, and the instrumentation includes guitars, keys, brass and strings. Echoing and at least equaling other indie pop bands crafting baroque pop, the band also reflects just enough of the sort of gloss that characterized a lot of '60s pop hits outside of the garage and British Invasions sub genres.

The album has been resurrected by Slumberland records, and is available now in vinyl and digital formats. This music is timeless, you need it in your life.

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Slumberland page for Some Dusty

Bubblegum Lemonade - Love's Young Nightmare EP

 

We previously have shared a couple of singles from the upcoming Lawrence of Suburbia by Glasgow jangle pop master Laz McCluskey, AKA Bubblegum Lemonade. We now have a double treat: (1) Third single "Love's Young Nightmare", and (2) An EP with that album track packaged with two non-album tracks "Sad Comedian" and "America Calling". The lead track is an upbeat jangle anthem. For the second Laz slows the pace for a lovely, thoughtful tune. The third amps up the pace again and adds the vocals from Sandra, Laz's mate from the Strawberry Whiplash project. Bubblegum Lemonade has always displayed a deft knack for melody and is locked into what made '80-'90s guitar pop special The three-song EP is titled Love's Young Nightmare and is available digitally via Matinee Recordings.

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Dummy - Free Energy

 

We recalled Los Angeles' Dummy as a punky noise pop band of considerable skill and great appeal, at least to our ears. But their change of direction on new album Free Energy has us amazed and excited. The pop bent isn't gone, but it has been chopped, diced and spliced with plenty of new directions and experimental avenues. The result can vary among shoegaze, dreampop, trip hop (but with big drums) and noise pop. Of course that means that each succeeding track may sound different than its predecessor, but the surprise (and invariable delight) is part of the charm. Listening to Free Energy we felt like we were on a journey with the band traipsing through the rooms of a curious mansion. We can quite honestly write that there is not a single song on this album that we skip. Moreover, our favorite songs also seem to shift on repeated plays. We hope this album gets the wide listening it deserves.

The members of this Los Angeles band are Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan O'Dell and Joe Trainor. Free Energy is out now via Trouble In Mind Records.

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"Wildflowers" by Jim Nothing

 

We are listening to Nothing, and it sounds great! No, we haven't given up music, we are just enthralled with "Wildflowers" by Auckland, New Zealand's Jim Nothing. The guitar fuzz in our ears and the thumping in our chest is an ace reminder of why we love guitar pop. The song is the fifth single from the 13-track Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn which is due October 18 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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Emma Russack - About The Girl

 

Emma Russack is a gifted songwriter and performer. But in our opinion what puts her above many of her contemporaries is her ability to evince curiosity and vitality in her music. And these qualities are at the forefront of her new album About The Girl, whether voicing a slow tempo vamp like "I Know You Feel It Too" or an up tempo pop should-be-a-hit like "About The Girl" and "Everything Is Big". Sophisticated yet accessible -- perhaps this is what it is like if the girl next door becomes a top flight musician but still chats over the back fence and hands you a beer on a hot summer day. She tells you about her day, and then tells you about her year. The words are direct and honest, but with perspective and humor.

We're are sure we'd stay for a second year and another round of stories if invited to do so.

About The Girl is out now via Dinosaur City Records.

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"Säbä" by The New Tigers

We have long been fans of The New Tigers, and more recently we have lamented their absence from the recording studio. But the Finnish fuzz guitar band are back, and have followed the sage advice that if you are going to resurface after an extended hiatus, it is best done in a way that assures attention (somewhat like this blog beginning to post again after a week off). Their new single "Säbä" echoes the familiar TNT with a spot-perfect guitar arrangement. But in an startling move, the vocals feature no members of the band, but rather the voice of Jani Nyberg (Finnish ice hockey player, we believe) speaking in Finnish. We admit that we don't speak the language, but the overall effect is very pleasing to us. It is somewhat similar to Public Service Broadcasting, a UK band of which we are fond.

The single is out now via Helsinki's Soliti Music, and consists of two tracks: "Säbä" with the vocals and an instrumental-only version. Give it a try and broaden your musical experience.

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WUT - Mingling With The Thorns

 

If you like things that are sweet, crunchy and bold tasting, we suggest that you new musical soundtrack should include Mingling With The Thorns by Vancouver, BC's WUT. The sound may remind you of the Shop Assistants, Flatmates or other C86 bands. But the lyrics are this trios own, addictive brand of humor mixed with sharp commentary. It is a breezy, euphoric listen packed with elements we search for in new music. It is the sort of album that you can play over and over without any complaints from others in the household/office, and if you don't believe it, try it yourself.

WUT is Tracey Vath (bass/vocals/guitar), Kaity McWhinney (guitar/vocals), and Lauren Smith (drums/vocals). Mingling With The Thorns is out now in digital and vinyl formats via HHBTM Records.

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"Exactly Where I Want To Be" by Pop Filter

 

The Northern Hemisphere shuffles towards autumn, and the Southern Hemisphere embraces spring. But both haves of the world await the upcoming Ray and Lorraine's. A new bistro? Book? Meme? No, silly, as we have written before Ray and Lorraine's is the new album by Melbourne's Pop Filter. The third single is "Exactly Where I Want To Be", a touching tune of contentment and commitment. May we suggest that it is the perfect song to end your day. Perhaps a musical mantra for keeping our heads straight.

Ray and Lorraine's will be out October 4 via Osborne Again (Aus/NZ) and Bobo Integral (rest of the cosmos).

Bandcamp for Ray and Lorraine's

"Spooky Signals" by Best Bets

 

Of the upcoming albums on our schedule one of the best bets to makes us smile and earn repeated replays is The Hollow Husk of Feeling by, coincidentally, Best Bets. It will be the New Zealand band's second album and is due on September 27 via Meritorio Records (Eur/USA/Can) and Melted Ice Cream (NZ/rest of the universe). The second single is the amusingly sinister "Spooky Signals, featuring a festival of wiry and jangling guitars and some abuse of beer cans. Our only criticism is that it appears much beer was spilled in the filming.

Best Bets are Olly Crawford Ellis, James Harding, Matt Phimmavanh, and Joe Sampson. James and Olly are members of Transistors and Joe has been in Salad Boys, T54 and other projects (including the label Melted Ice Cream). 

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Chime School - The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel

 

Fall is coming and San Francisco's Chime School is back in session for its new course offering The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel. The materials feature an eleven song syllabus at a very appealing tuition rate. The work of jangle and chime melody master Andy Pastalaniec, the songs are not just top quality indie pop, although they most certainly are top quality indie pop. They also reflect the last several decades of paisley flecked UK guitar pop. The obsessive fan may even experience Deja Vu as memories of Smiths, Teenage Fan Club, La's, or Oasis run through the brain pan. But rest assured, these songs are no covers but rather distinct gems constructed by a man that knows exactly what makes this music rock our world.

We have it on good authority that Andy won't be giving any tests to those who sign up, so grab the album without any worries. The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Slumberland Records.

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Quivers - Oyster Cuts

 

One habit that our fellow indie pop obsessives sometimes fall into is the belief that their new-found and completely wonderful indie pop band should never change, but rather should continue to record similar songs for the duration. And why not? We love those songs and we want to hear more of them -- that's why we are indie pop obsessives. Right? And each of these fans can probably justify their beliefs by citing bands that disappointed them by changing and became worse. But we are here to sing another tune (metaphorically speaking, we don't sing well, we write).

So, friends, today's story is about a band that blows the narrow belief discussed above off the stage. When we first met Melbourne's Quivers they were one of those precious jangle and chime bands that we keep close to our hearts and collect. And in addition to the jangle and chime, their songwriting had a depth and humanity that put them a cut above 99 percent of bands (citation omitted) and they are sincerely good people. If you are an indie pop fan, you should have a copy of their debut Golden Doubt. We still play it regularly three years later. But now comes their second album, Oyster Cuts, and we are confronted with a changed Quivers. Oh, there still is plenty of jangle and chime. But there is plenty of rocking guitar riffs, more shared vocals and a very appealing penchant for enthusiastic all-hands-on-deck choruses. Somewhat improbably, the songwriting is even sharper, fearless and open-hearted than the debut, with a wider range and more nuance to match the increasingly detailed musicianship and production. They can make you laugh and dance, they can bring tears (try the lovely "Grief Has Feathers"), and they can make you laugh through your tears. Oyster Cuts is an album with heart, guts, brains and soul, and you deserve it.

We congratulated the front man Sam Nicholson when we learned that Quivers signed to Merge Records. Now that we have heard Oyster Cuts, we would like to congratulate Merge Records for being able to sign Quivers.

The band is Bella Quinlan (vocal/bass), Sam Nicholson (vocals/guitars/keys/songwriting), Michael Panton (vocals/guitar/tape loops), and Holly Thomas (vocals/drums/percussion). The album is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats.

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Tony Jay - Knife Is But A Dream

 

Taking an aural trip through Knife Is But A Dream is like one of those pleasant afternoon naps where you shift between semi-awake daydreams, actual dream-filled sleep, and that fuzzy, gauzy space in between -- pleasing and rewarding, but ephemeral and just beyond your grasp. And interspersed with those moments are hushed lullabies, all brought to you by San Francisco musician Tony Jay. Mixing his gorgeous guitar tones and intimate vocals with ambient soundscapes, he delivers 15 tracks of inner space brilliance, simultaneously warm and mysterious. It must be said that he can't take all the credit, as his cat is said to have provided some guitar muting, keyboard playing and background vocalizations (we will have our paralegal check to see if "Penny" is credited on the copyright paperwork).

Tony Jay is Michael Ramos, who also participates in other Bay Area projects, including Cindy and Flowertown. Knife Is But A Dream is out now via Paisley Shirt Records, Slumberland Records, and in Japan by Galaxy Train.

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Galaxy Train's Bandcamp.

"Bus" by Naked Roommate

 

Depending on the living arrangements you have had throughout your adult life, the notion of a naked roommate might be thrilling or frightening. But today we bring you an exciting (and completely non-threatening) Naked Roommate. The occasion is "Bus", the first single from the upcoming LP Pass the Loofah. And while non-threatening, it strikes our ears as sexy as hell and our feet can't stop moving. We cued it up first thing this morning and all our morning activities have been completed in record time. We may use the race shoes for the morning run!  Freewheeling and beat heavy, like Lizzy Mercier Descloux merged with Australia's No Zu.

The Oakland outfit's new album is due October 25 via Trouble In Mind Records.

TroubleInMind · Naked Roommate - Bus (Trouble In Mind Records)

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"Guts, Brains" by Wut

 

"Guts, Brains" makes us about as happy as we can be on a Tuesday. Beat Happening meets riot girls meets softies meets Shop Assistants in an effervescent gem. The message of the song is listen and learn, don't just trust your guts and brains. The impact is pure musical pleasure. The proud parents are Vancouver trio Wut, consisting of Tracey Vath, Kaity McWhinney, and Lauren Smith (who variously also ply their trade in Knife Pleats, Love Cuts, Tough Age and Jock Tears).

The song is taken from the upcoming LP Mingling With The Thorns, which will drop in a couple of weeks via HHBTM Records.

HHBTM Records · 06 Guts, Brains

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"Fragile" by Pop Filter

The always terrific collective Pop Filter has cooked up another album titled Ray and Lorraine's. We featured the first single "Life Downstream" a few weeks ago, and now can share lead track "Fragile". The song commands attention with a weighty beat, accented by bass, synths and vocals. It is a bit of a change up from the former members of Ocean Party and other venerable acts, but it is energetic and intriguing. We are excited to learn what other treats will be revealed when the album drops.

Ray and Lorraine's will be out October 4 via Osborne Again (Aus/NZ) and Bobo Integral (rest of the cosmos).

Bandcamp for Ray and Lorraine's

"Colour Me Out" by The Gabys

 What do we know about the UK duo The Gabys? Well, most of what we know is in the preceding sentence. The rest of what we know you can discern for yourself by listening to "Colour Me Out". But to justify our existence, you will hear sweetly voice but almost weary-sounding vocals peeking above a gentle folk-pop arrangement. We find it quite captivating and we are eager to hear more. The song is taken from their upcoming self-titled four-track EP which will be out August 23 via Fruits & Flowers.

Bandcamp for EP

"Love the Way You Love" and "Lover's Vow" by Claude Fontaine

 

We are fast falling in love with the unique blend of reggae and vintage French Pop crafted by American Claude Fontaine. She has just released two more tracks from her upcoming LP La Mer. It appears that love is in the air, and in our ears. Enjoy "Love the Way You Love" and "Lover's Vow" below, and look for the album on September 6 via Innovative Leisure.

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