Wednesday, November 27, 2024

"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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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.




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Bandcamp for Deep Below

Various links to pre-order Deep Below

Friday, November 15, 2024

"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

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Thursday, November 14, 2024

"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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Bandcamp for Whispers in the Speech Machine

Slumberland Records page for album

Various links to order album

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

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.


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Soundcloud for Lawrence of Suburbia (select tracks)

Matinee Recordings page for Lawrence of Suburbia

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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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Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

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.