We were not previously familiar with Nina Winder-Lind or The New Eaves, the band of which she is a member. But we are quite taken with her new single "This Is Our Life". The song begins with restraint. But as it nears the first minute it opens up into a rousing folk pop romp. Coupled with an appealing video, we needed to play it through a half-dozen times to jump start our day. We will be looking forward to more gems from this Brighton-based Swede.
Today brings our ears "All Your Yesterdays" -- a perfect slice of jangle pop by London's The Hanging Stars. The vocals, guitars and introspective lyrics recall the warmth of Laurel Canyon guitar pop and makes us yearn for more. And more we will get, as this single is the second song shared from the band's upcoming LP Just A Day. If we participated in the betting markets, we would be tempted to bet that it will be one of our favorites this year.
The Hanging Stars are Richard Olson (guitars/vocals), Patrick Ralla (guitars/keys/vocals), Paul Milne (bass/vocals), and Paulie Cobra (drums/percussion/vocals). Just A Day will be out June 19 via Loose Music.
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As war continues in the Mideast, prices rise and the markets fall, we desperately needed a song to make us feel happy on this Monday morning. Fortunately, the boys of UK band Rural France came to the rescue with the irrepressible "Thirty-Seven Forever". With the universal theme of resisting getting old and meaty riffs and a dose of distortion, it brought a smile to our face and made us feel alive and resilient until our financial advisor called.
"Thirty-Seven Forever" is the second single from the band's upcoming Sloths album, which will be released May 8 via Meritorio Records and Safe Suburban Home Records.
Rural France are Tom Brown and Rob Frawkes. For this album they are joined by Jeff Hamm on drums. John Hare plays horns on two album tracks.
That scuzzy indie rock sound from Manchester never fails to excite. Today it comes to us via "Luck", the first single and title track from the forthcoming EP from Manchester four-piece Sumos. Melodic, tightly constructed and dynamic, the song suggests that the band has continued to build on its strengths since its 2023 debut LP Surfacing.
Sumos was formed by Joel Sloan and Kyle Tarbuck, and now also includes Siobhan McKnight and Andrew Kilroy. Luck will be released May 8 via Meritorio Records and Safe Suburban Home records.
Fresh from the UK, we have the new single by Rural France, and we think this song may resonate some music fans. The winners of the world get adulation, riches, and most of what everyone strive for. But who thinks of the losers? Rural France, that's who. "Lonely Hearts Pyramid Scheme" is an anthem for those of us unsuccessful at love (by the way, the "us" is the royal "us" -- we would never admit to being unsuccessful at love). "Lonely Hearts Pyramid Scheme" is a lively, soaring tune and the first single to be shared from the upcoming LP Sloths. We know we are going to love it.
Rural France are Tom Brown and Rob Frawkes. For this album they are joined by Jeff Hamm on drums. John Hare plays horns on this single and on one other album track. Sloths will be released May 8 via Meritorio Records and Safe Suburban Home Records.
Railcard are Peter Momtchiloff, Ian Button, and Rachel Love. Railcard is out now via Sumberland Records and Skep Wax Records.
We expect that immediately after arriving at the concept of heaven - a post death locale of eternal bliss and joy - mankind began to work on achieving heaven on earth. We also expect that such efforts mostly result in failure, or at best somewhat satisfying temporary slices of "almost heaven". Of course, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, everyone can judge for themselves whether they have grabbed a slice of almost heaven. For our part, we are here to announce that our little slice of heaven on earth has arrived in the form of the appropriately-named Highway to Heavenly, the new album from '90s indie pop darlings Heavenly.
It is the first Heavenly album in 30 years, but the members have been busy with other projects -- together and separately -- for much of the intervening years. There is much that is amazing, even magical, in the album. Instead of a nostalgia trip or a tentative venture to shake of the rust, Highway to Heavenly is manifestly of a band hitting full stride as if several album into a career on a sharp ascent. The performances are energetic and assured, the vocals by Amelia and Cathy are sweet and sassy, and there is strong thematic sense of clear-eyed perspective and wry humor. This is a band that can laugh at you, and laugh at themselves and their foibles even harder. While the band continues to flash its pop smarts, Heavenly also is quite clearly a rock band in this outing, and the album is stronger for it. Our favorite songs vary, but that reflects the overall strength of the offerings. We've included a selection of our current repeat plays below. This album earns a very strong recommendation, so we urge you to give it a listen.
Heavenly are Amelia Fletcher, Cathy Rogers, Peter Momtchiloff, Rob Pursey, and Ian Button. The album is out today in vinyl, CD and digital formats via Skep Wax Records.
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Yes, indeed, it is heavenly news to learn that beloved '90s jangle/twee poppers Heavenly is releasing a new album and embarking on a six-country tour. The album is titled Highway to Heavenly and it will be released on February 27 via Skep Wax. We invite you to test drive a couple of the album tracks below. In our view, the band has lost none of their trademark knack for indie pop melodies, wit, social observation and just the right amount of scruffy vibes.
Heavenly are Amelia Fletcher, Cathy Rogers, Ian Button, Peter Momtchioff, and Rob Pursey.
If you are an indie pop fan you probably will read about Scots duo The Cords in multiple publications. There is a reason: They have earned it. Sure, that is our opinion. But it also is the opinion of other music writers, concert promoters, and other bands. And when knowledgeable label heads like the boss at Slumberland Records and the veteran indie popsters Rob and Amelia (Heavenly/Talula Gosh/Catenary Wires/Swansea Sound/Pooh Sticks) at Skepwax Records sign a band for their debut LP, you can be sure that there is substance behind the chatter. And while sisters Eva and Grace Tedeschi can feel lucky to appear on those labels, we suspect that the labels feel lucky to have them on the roster.
And this leads us to their self-titled debut. Jangle and melody abound, and there is that welcome familiarity of the rush of vocals and guitar that we heard with Shop Assistants, The Vaselines, C-86 bands and Sarah Records favorites. But in our view the special ingredient is way that those familiar and cherished styles and sounds are molded into something present and now by two talented artists born much more recently. It is like going into a vintage clothing shop and finding garments you want with delightful and unexpected details -- an unusual contrasting collar, an offbeat color, or an unusual cut to the lapels. It all is delivered sincerely, but also a dose of wry humor and an understanding that indie pop songs are best at a breezy pace and don't stick around too long.
The Cords is out now via Slumberland Records and Skepwax Records.
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[Sigh] "When You Say Goodbye" is a song that is so perfect it should be delivered in a blue Tiffany box delivered by a uniformed footman. Although, since it is heartbreak pop, in our personal experience it might be delivered by a angry ex along with a hastily packed suitcase of our belongings and a command to get out of her sight. The song is the latest single from Grace and Eve Tedeschi, the impossibly talented Scots sibling duo known as The Cords. It is taken from their upcoming self-titled album due later this month from Skepwax and Slumberland. Have you placed your order?
Slumberland Records page for album (USA)
Skepwax page for the album (UK)
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Much of the music that we cover is sent to us in the hope (both on the part of the sender and WYMA) that we will have time to listen to it and write about it. But some music we stumble across while trawling the internet. We Are Not There But We Are Here is one of those discovery albums. It is the product of songwriter Neil Hill recording as Shopfires. Rather than a 'big statement' type of release, this album is a lovely collage of ordinary daily life and its experiences, challenges, and memories. The presentation is unpretentious and lo-fi, but expertly layered and shimmering. The quiet, sincerely-voiced lyrics impart an intimacy that draws the listener in and holds on tight from start to finish.
We Are Not There But We Are Here is a gem you will be happy to welcome to your library. For us, it is one we revisit frequently as it seems to give us a feeling of being grounded. But we would be remiss if we didn't mention that Shopfires also has an intriguing collection of recordings available, and we have included a link to Bandcamp where you can peruse the offerings.
We Are Not There But We Are Here is out now via Subjangle Records.
So if you haven't given Autocamper a listen, we recommend you do so. It is one of the better debuts we have heard this year, and it is out now via Slumberland Records.
Wendy and Simon comprise The Perfect English Weather, in which they create perfect indie pop. With memorable melodies and thoughtful arrangements supporting Wendy's sublime vocals, the husband and wife duo (also members of The Popguns) are at the top of their artistry with their delightful new release Just Beyond The Lights. The album is a set of songs that reflect locale and time. The locale is small-town south English coast, as well as Simon and Wendy's past residences. The time is the period of life where enough years and experiences have occurred to allow reflection, perspective and appreciation. The stories are deftly and warmly illustrated and adorned with restrained instrumentation. The first time listener may be first impressed by the simple beauty of the music, as were we. But in our view the full appreciation of Just Beyond The Lights comes with attention to the stories, reflections and remembrances.
The album is available via Bandcamp outside of the USA, and via Matinee Recordings In the USA.
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Yes, we enjoyed our time away from blog duties while traveling and reconnection with friends. But as we return to the lucrative business of blogging about indie music, it seems appropriate to make our first post about a band that has returned after over a decade away from the scene. Yes, Allo Darlin' is back to recording and touring. Their new album Bright Nights will be available July 11 via Slumberland Records in the US and Fika Recordings in UK/Euro. Do you want to know whether the band still has the indie pop chops? Of course you do, so check out recently released album track "Cologne" and the two previous singles, "My Love Will Bring You Home" and "Tricky Questions". We will tip our hand - this is sharp, evocative songwriting and assured performances. That all adds up to a very promising album.
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Supergroup is a term that music PR firms deploy a bit too loosely in our opinion. But when applied to Bighton's Jetstream Pony, whose members' resumes include The Luxembourg Signal, Trembling Blue Stars, Aberdeen, The Wedding Present, The Popguns, The Fireworks, The Dentists, and The Treasures of Mexico, we have no complaints. Not only have those projects gifted us with excellent music, but the past recordings from Jetstream Pony earn them the right to be considered a proper successor in quality. We are happy to report that the band will release a new album this Spring titled Bowerbirds and Blue Things. We know it will be good. How do we know? Because two of the songs are available and they are sharp, energetic, and bursting with melodic goodness. Check out "Bubblegum Nothingness" and "Captain Palisade" below.
Jetstream Pony are Beth Arzy, Shaun Charman, Kerry Boettcher, Tom Levesley, and Mark Matthews. Bowerbirds and Blue Things will be release on March 28 via Shelflife Records (US) and Spinout Nuggets (UK).
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.
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.
Soundcloud for Lawrence of Suburbia (select tracks)
Matinee Recordings page for Lawrence of Suburbia
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
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.
Our first Monday morning listen was the thrilling "Forgive and Forget", a shoegazy post punk tune by Stroud, UK's Wings of Desire. The song is taken from their three-track EP Shut Up And Listen. The EP will be out August 30 in digital and cassette formats.
The proceeds from the sale of the EP will support The Long Table, a community service organization in Stroud.
