"The Gown" by The Bats

 

In our view, The Bats were magic in the early '80s and they continue to be magic in 2025. They don't do it with bombast, frills, gimmicks, or by following the style du jour. They do it with sharp songwriting, relatable themes, personal connection, and quality performances. This week brought striking song "The Gown", which is the third single from their upcoming LP Corner Coming Up. The instrumentation is slightly restrained for a tune from this band, but with the percussion and bass up in the mix. Atmospheric and haunting, "The Gown" underscores that The Bats are not resting on their laurels. We think it is best appreciated with the volume turned up.

The Bats are Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Paul Kean, and Malcolm Grant. Corner Coming Up will be released October 17 via Flying Nun Records.

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Sad Eyed Beatniks - Ten Brocades

 

If you have just packed your bags for the proverbial desert island, delay your departure and leave some room for Ten Brocades by Sad Eyed Beatniks. A bold opener, perhaps. But a statement that is justified by the music. Every one of the ten tracks is jewel on its own merits, and as a whole it is tapestry of delightful and varied lo fi musical storytelling. We have previously covered the intriguing and sweetly nostalgic "You Belong to Us", the relaxing summer strummer "Monumental Ensemble", and the Dylanesque ramble "It's Who Makes The Scene". To our great satisfaction, we have discovered new favorites in the other seven tracks, including the slinky, bluesy opener "Barong Mask", the VU-style drone pop of "The Broken Playwright Waits", and the folky rock shuffle "Barefoot On The Burning Marble". In truth, we would have been satisfied that we had showcased Ten Brocades by choosing any of the tracks. We expect that this album will be one of the top ten of the year for us so we strongly urge you to lend it your ears.

Songwriter, vocalist and playing most of the instruments is the sad eyed beatnik himself, Kevin Linn. In addition to his day job and making music, he also runs the tasteful indie label Paisley Shirt Records. For this album Kevin secured the assistance of Karina Gill (Cindy/Flowertown) and Mike Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown). Ten Brocades is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Meritorio Records

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Bandcamp for Ten Brocades

Meritorio page for Ten Brocades

Various links for Kevin Linn

"Phone" and "Crystal Ball" by Nightshift

 

From time to time we scroll through the WYMA music library and recall a band that thrilled us in the past but hasn't released a recording recently. That happened earlier this week when we were listening to the fine 2021 Zoe by Glasgow's Nightshift. We agreed that it would be quite wonderful if the band were to issue another album. Their brand of pop/rock always surprises and delights with unexpected angles and a touch of the experimental. Not quite a day later we learned that Homosapien will be released July 26 via Chicago's Trouble In Mind Records. Based on the two singles to day, the recently released "Phone" and its predecessor, "Crystal Ball", we are expecting the album to be one of our more often played releases of 2026.

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Bandcamp for pre-order of Homosapien

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Yea-Ming and The Rumours - I Can't Have It All

 

With clear-eyed introspection and determination to chronicle her journey to find her true self through the layers of expectations and perspectives of others, Yea-Ming Chen has created an authentically-voiced collage of her journey titled I Can't Have It All. She -- along with her band Yea-Ming and The Rumours -- also have crafted a top quality pop album. With tracks of '90s twee oriented guitar pop and country shaded folk rock, and melancholy but beautifully sung lyrics riding bright melodies and sweet hooks, this album deserves to be a regular on your summer soundtrack.

In addition to Yea-Ming, the players are Eoin Galvin, Sonia Hayden, Jen Weisberg, and Luke Robbins. I Can't Have It All is out now via Dandy Boy Records.

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"I Can't Have It All" by Yea-Ming and The Rumors

 

If Yea-Ming and The Rumors are releasing an album it is on our list, no questions asked and no PR materials needed.  May 24 is the drop date for the upcoming I Can't Have It All, and while we haven't listened to the album yet, the title track is a lovely '60s shaded guitar pop gem. Evoking sun and sand and the promise of summer, it is just what we needed on a cloudy day.

I Can't Have It All will be released via Dandy Boy Records.

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Wurld Series The Giant's Lawn

 

Spoiler alert: The Giant's Lawn is one of our favorite albums of the year. So, on to other things.

Just kidding about the "other things", but we are quite serious about the rich musical tapestry that New Zealand's Wurld Series has dropped for our pleasure. Dipping into the well of New Zealand indie pop but expanding the palette with progressive folk, psychedelia and folk rock that will recall sounds from the UK in the '60s and '70s, the band offers spry compositions that balance light and dark, drone and twinkle, fuzz/jangle and pastoral calm. With 17 songs, Wurld Series has given themselves plenty of room to develop their ideas and cover multiple facets of their art, but nothing is redundant or overstays its welcome. The guitars are a joy throughout and the arrangements are fantastic and often fantastical. 

We think this album deserves to be on the turntable of every indie fan, and it is already in our 10 ten of 2023 list.

Wurld Series are Luke Towart, Brian Feary, Ben Woods, and Ben Dodd. The Giant's Lawn is out now via Meritorio Records and Melted Ice Cream.

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"Rearing Wesley" by Wurld Series

 

What a lovely nugget of psychedelic folk from Wurld Series. "Rearing Wesley" is the new single from the New Zealand band's upcoming November 17 release The Giant's Lawn. Check below for the Bandcamp stream or, better yet, the fantastical video. We love the guitar on this track.

The Giant's Lawn will be released in vinyl and digital formats via Meritorio Records and Melted Ice Cream.

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"Everyone In Town" and "Waiting" by The Brights

 

We all hope we have a bright future, but a very promising band from Sydney has tilted the odds by naming themselves The Brights. The good news is that, after listening to the two singles released from their upcoming album Oyster Rock, the name isn't just wishful thinking. With good songwriting and an appealing folk rock/alt country vibe, these guys are going to shoulder their way into forefront of favored indie bands. Oyster Rock will be out December 1 via Meritorio Records and Stable Records. but new single "Everyone In Town" and its predecessor, "Waiting", are waiting below to pleasure your ears.

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"Gonna Have To Tell You" by Lost Days

 Tony Molina (Ovens/solo work) is a master of hooks and jangly melodies. So, given our love jangling indie pop, we were drawn to his project with Sarah Rose Janko (Dawn Riding). Calling themselves The Lost Days, the duo released an EP of demos in 2021. Quite recently they released a full LP titled In The Store which is out now via Speakeasy Studios. The themes are weighty, but the treatment by these ace songwriters is an absolute treat for the ears. And speaking of treats, The Lost Days have released a video for album track "Gonna Have To Tell You" and it is like a chocolate cookie for your brain. Try it below and if you like it, check out the links for the full album.

Bandcamp for In The Store

Speakeasy Studios

Alfie Firmin - Absentee

 

Taste in music is very individualistic, but it is unassailably true that a singer songwriter whose music is favorably compared to Harry Nilsson, Ron Sexsmith, early '70s Beach Boys and other soft rock legends is doing something very right. And having spent time with Absentee, the new album by Southend-on-Sea musician Alfie Firmin, we readily agree that the comparisons are deserved.

The songs aren't loud, widely dynamic or possessed of flashy instrumentation. Alfie relies on songwriting and winning melodies. The results are always pleasing, and a number of the tracks are beautiful. If the weather is good, we suggest sitting in your backyard with your favorite beverage and listen to the album while imagining that Alfie and his friends are there performing for you.

Absentee is out now via Bobo Integral.

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"Lost On Me" by Alfie Firmin

 

Listening to "Lost On Me", the latest single to be released by UK singer songwriter Alfie Firmin leads us to the inescapable conclusion that Alfie is pretty good at this music stuff. This tune is just the warm-hearted and light filled soft rock to make us content and happy. Give it a listen and note that Alfie's album, Absentee, will be out May 12 via Bobo Integral. The math is "warm-hearted contentment X 10 tracks = Winner".

Bandcamp for pre-order of Absentee

Withered Hand - How To Love

 

Withered Hand is an attention-getting name for a musical project. But that is appropriate because Dan Willson's music deserves attention. His latest album, How To Love, is warm-hearted and a breathtaking collage of varied excellence. Indie rockers, pub singalongs, and ballads, with plenty of chunky riffs, bouncing rhythms and some horns and strings. And of course, intelligent lyrical content. In terms of the dynamics, the focused performances, the sharp writing and the fulsome arrangements the closest comparison that readily comes to mind is The Band in their prime. No, Dan and his compatriots aren't mining Americana/rock, but I stand by the comparison. And Dan can equal the great Levon Helm in selling a lyric.

Dan called on the services of many friends for the making of How To Love. Dan played electric and acoustic guitars and sang. Other players were Malcolm Benzie (guitars), Fraser Hughes (bass) Owen Curtis Williams (drums/percussion), Peter Liddle (keys), and Pam Berry (backing vocals). Addition contributions were made by Kenny Anderson, Kathryn Williams, and Benedikt H. Hermannson.

 

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"Can't Stop Thinking About You" and "December Third" by Alfie Firmin

 

It is time for all of us to get to know Alfie Firmin. To be honest, we are just getting to know him. Some of you savants may be familiar with one of his three previous solo albums or the 2018 album by the band Vestiges, of which he was a member. The lane Alfie travels now is a singer songwriter, soft rock approach which well displays his songwriting talent and easy performance style. His new album will be released on May 12 via Bobo Integral and, while we have not heard the entire album, we certainly endorse the two singles released to date: "Can't Stop Thinking About You" and "December Third".

Bandcamp for pre-order of Absentee

"Back To The Days Of I Don't Knows" by Yea-Ming & The Rumours

 

One of my favorite types of posts is a post about a current song obsession. I realize that not every reader will invariably have the same feeling about a song, but I feel better just highlighting a song that moves me. So that brings us to the perfect melancholy jangle of "Back To The Days Of I Don't Knows" by Oakland's Yea-Ming & The Rumours. The song appears on the band's recent LP So, Bird ... and the song was included in our feature of the album three months ago (link). However, a second post for the tune is timely, not just because it has been newly cast in video form (see below), but because there has been a second pressing of the album. Since the first set of vinyl was quickly snapped up, this fortunate circumstance gives those who missed out on vinyl the first time a second chance. And all of us sinners love second chances (I've been known to angle for third and fourth chances, but decline to disclose my success rate).

So don't sleep on this opportunity, folks. This is great, classic songwriting. And if the first pressing sold out, the second pressing may as well. The album is out via Dandy Boy Records in the US and Lilystars Records in the Philippines.

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Yea-Ming & The Rumours - So, Bird ...

So, what is it about So, Bird..., the new album by Yea-Ming & The Rumors? Although I covered their prior album I wasn't aware that this one was released until last week, yet I now think it is going to be in my rotation for months to come. I can't easily point to a classification that encompasses the whole, but I have no trouble pointing to elements that make this an endearing album. There is a lot of '60s folk rock, with jangle, reverb, a bit of country-rock twang, and catchy sing-along melodies. But there also are songs that seem more akin to modern dreampop or just timeless folk. 

Thematically, So, Bird... is remarkable as well. The lyrics are introspective, personal and direct, but not uncomfortably so due to the upbeat arrangements and the lovely vocals by Yea-Ming Chen. This is the sort of songwriting that, if life in the music world was fair, would make legends. After all, it worked for Lee Hazlewood, and we detect some positive similarities with Yea-Ming's songs. As it is, we can only assure you that this album demands your ears, and you won't regret giving in.

The players on So, Bird ... are Yea-Ming Chen (vocals/guitar/slide guitar/piano/bass/drums/percussion/synths), Eoin Galvin (lap steel/guitar), Sonia Hayden (drums/percussion), Anna Hillburg (bass/vocals), and Matt Bullimore (guitar/slide guitar/organ). Yea-Ming Chen wrote all the songs except for "Takeda Lullaby", which is a traditional Japanese folk song.

The album is out now via Dandy Boy Records in the US and Lilystars Records in the Philippines. 

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Lilystars Records page for album

Various links for the album

"Night" by Verandan

 

Finnish band Verandan has just released their third single of the year. "Night" is a mid-tempo gem with a robust rhythm, sparkling instrumental flourishes and folk-rock vocals reminiscent of New Zealand stalwarts The Bats. The song originally appeared on compilation released by Spanish label Kocliko. A superb song, it is hard to believe that it didn't make the last album. The single is out now via Helsinki's Soliti Music.

Verandan is one of our favorite bands and we are happy to report that they will be recording a new album in 2022. Its members are Ville Hopponen, Kaarlo Stauffer, Aki Pohmankyro, Sampo Seppanen, and Aleksi Peltonen.

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Various links for "Night"

"Burning" by Good Morning

Despite the pandemic, the boys of Good Morning appear to be having a good year. Evidence includes a fine two-song single a few months ago, their work at the decks for the upcoming album by Emma Russack and Lachlan Denton, and their upcoming LP Barnyard. Of course, they aren't unaware of the state of the world, and their views are reflected in "Burning", the new single taken from the album.

Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons are Good Morning. Barnyard will be out October 22 via Polyvinyl and Good Morning Music Company.

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Stevie Weinstein-Foner - Wondering

We first wrote about Stevie Weinstein-Foner at the beginning of May, when he shared the single "Good Medicine" (WYMA post here). At the time, I characterized it as Southern California folk rock, and I'll stick with that. This is a well-conceived and well-crafted album, featuring songs that run the whole way from pure acoustic folk ("I Just Can’t Wait") to roaring guitar rock ("Lionheart"), with a lot of great guitar sounds throughout. Weinstein-Foner even has a song about his guitar, a sweet tune called "My Friend Guitar" that features some of his best singing and an obligatory ripping electric guitar solo - having mentioned a couple of his heroes (Lou Reed and Neil), it would be rude not to give us a solo. 

The title track is an existential tour de force with some slinky, watery slide guitar sounds backing his plaintive vocal that quavers and almost, but never quite, cracks as Weinstein-Foner puts forth question after question, some in the form of koans, some just basic human queries - "who's gonna hold my hand when my heart is breaking?":

   

It's a beautiful, heartfelt song and clearly the album's centerpiece. Another high point, in addition to the already-shared "Good Medicine" is the confessional country song "I Feel You":

 

After all the wondering and philosophisizing, one thing is clear. It's clear the guy loves his work and loves sharing it with his friends and listeners. Check it out, listen to more songs and order it at one of the sites.

Stevie Weinstein-Foner website  

Bandcamp

“Dark in Here” by The Mountain Goats

(Photo: Jade Wilson)

The Mountain Goats have shared the title track of their upcoming album, Dark in Here, and it's a big-sounding Western-themed guitar song that seems to be carrying the simple message (or threat), "be careful for what you ask for". Themes of gun battle, out of control explosions and dire warnings proceed in John Darnielle's deadpan delivery, over a Ennio Morricone-meets-country rock backdrop. There is a lot of power in this track, but paradoxically, I think, a lot of control too. The way Darnielle carefully enunciates the last word “some” in this phrase is really something:

Stack my ammunition, be ready when you come
You who thirst for action, I will give you some

 

They’ve shared three songs now. Each one rewards repeated plays; something is revealed each time. Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, this album is going to be something special. Out June 25 on Merge Records.

Mountain Goats at Merge Records

Dark in Here pre-order website

“Shenandoah Shakedown” by John R. Miller

John R. Miller is a Nashville-based singer songwriter playing an invigorating combination of folk, country and rock music. His new track "Shenandoah Shakedown" is good - especially notable is the way his voice lays on top of an ever-changing instrumental bed - starts out with a fingerpicked acoustic, but builds with violin, mandolin and even an electric guitar run that is sort of scorching yet restrained at the same time. Everything's in service of the melody of the song, which is carried by his voice, which of course is telling the story. This is story music. Here's the video:

 

 

I really like the feel of this song. Miller has released two other singles, which look to be on this album as well: "Faustina" and "Looking Over My Shoulder". "Faustina" has some good steel guitar, and "Looking" has an intro with a sort of countrypolitan feel. The variety, and more important, the quality of these tracks augur well for the album. The track is available now, and the album Depreciated will be released July 16 on Rounder Records. 

John R. Miller - Depreciated (listen, stream, pre-order) 

John R. Miller website 

Rounder Records website