Pink Chameleons - Harmony

 

Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than sitting back and letting prime cuts of psychedelia surround you. And frankly, there doesn't seem to be much prime psychedelic music these days. However, Paltsa-Kai Salama and his Pink Chameleons mates are here to save the day. In past outings the band was more guitar pop and punk oriented. But for their new album Harmony, the Finnish trio deliver 10 songs that evince a deep mastery of the psychedelic arts. The sound is dense and dynamic, with reverb and fuzz riding throbbing, booming rhythms. The effect is both colorful and hypnotic. There are hints of Black Rebel Motorcycle and Jesus and Mary Chain, but Pink Chameleons are more adventuresome and adept than the former and more devoted to the genre than the latter. We could say that we haven't heard a psychedelic album this good in a long time, and it is true. But more than that, it is one of the more satisfying albums we have heard lately.

Pink Chameleons are Paltsa-Kai Salama (vocals/guitars/electric sitar/organ/mellotron/songwriting), Antti Sauli (bass), Ville Hopponen (drums/percussion). Harmony is out now via Helsinki's Soliti Music.

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Rural France - Exactamondo!

 

Did you know that there are masters of powerpop resident in Wilshire, UK? Well, you do now so that's all for now ...

Admittedly, a few more words wouldn't be inappropriate. Said masters are Rural France (to be honest, we try not to try to follow the geography here). They wowed us in 2021 with a fine album of jangle and powerpop and enough rough edges to show a potential for growth -- and perhaps a nod to the 'rural' portion of their name. The gang is back with Exactamondo!, a ten-track LP that suggests that, quite astoundingly, they might have just been playing with us the first time around. Exactamondo! hits the bullseye so often that the bullseye is obliterated. Fuzz, jangle and powerpop abound, delivered with swagger and confidence. The themes can have an edge, but the melodies are vibrant and exciting. Spend for this album and you just might find that it is one of your most played 2024 acquisitions. 

Rural France are Tom Brown and Rob Fawkes. Exactamondo! is out now via Meritorio Records 

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"jamcod" by The Jesus And Mary Chain

 

We are confirmed fans of Glasgow legends The Jesus and Mary Chain, even several times having spent days listening to every song on a B-sides and rarities compilations titled The Power of Negative Thinking. Accordingly, we are quite excited by this week's news that Jim and William Reid will grace 2024 with a new album Glasgow Eyes at the 40th anniversary of their first single.The announcement of the album and the release of its first single, "jamcord", came on November 29 -- the anniversary of the release. We are told to expect classic J&MC chaos, intensity, and clever pop touches, while supplementing to foregoing with additional influences. But rather than engaging in predicting the future, we will just commend "jamcord" to your ears. The track looks back at the band's 1999 breakup while clear eyes and scorching intensity.

Glasgow Eyes will be out February of March of 2024 via Fuzz Club. There also will be a UK and European tour in 2024.

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Various links to pre-order Glasgow Eyes

"Notebox" by 1981

 

Oakland powerpop/fuzz & buzz duo 1981 have released their second single from their upcoming debut album Move On. The song is "Notebox" and we think it will earn the band increased interest in the album release. It is an intriguing track that begins with spoken word and a wiry guitar before bursting into a thumping slice of indie rock.

1981 is Adam Widener and Bobby Martinez (assisted by Colin McDonald on bass). As we noted last month when we shared the first single from the album, the band is influenced by such worthies as Comet Gain, Mike Krol, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Move On is out on August 18 via Dandy Boy Records. 

Bandcamp for pre-order of Move On

"Make It Right" by The 1981

 

We have been impressed by the expanding catalog from Bay Area label Dandy Boy Records. Of course, the label is helped by the fact that their region is bursting with talent these days, but they still get credit for tasteful choices. One of the projects on the Dandy Boy roster is The 1981 -- a duo comprised of Adam Widener and Bobby Martinez (assisted by Colin McDonald on bass). Their work to date has made a mark locally and farther afield, with clear influences of forebears such as Comet Gain, Mike Krol, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. They will be releasing an album titled Move On on August 18 via Dandy Boy. Check out the first single, "Make It Right", and you'll know why we are looking forward to the album.

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Fort Not - Depressed For Success

 

Last month we predicted that Depressed For Success by Sweden's Fort Not would be one of the albums of the summer. We now have had several days and we not only stand by our previous statement, but we will upgrade it to one of our favorite albums of the year so far. The 13 tracks display the band's love of indie in multiple styles, performed with verve and nuance and revealing a remarkable ability to craft delectable earworms. The listener is treated to stories of love, sex and other topics via British Invasion, bedroom pop, power pop and twee. And the listener likely will love all of them.

This much quality did present a challenge for us to choose representative tracks -- how can one set aside a rousing, fuzzy powerpop anthem for an affecting, jangling bedroom pop ballad? Well, we did the best we could. The reader should be aware that the time spent going to the Bandcamp link and streaming the entire album (presumably while effecting a purchase) would be time very well spent.

Fort Not is Fredrik Soderstrom and Robert Carlsson. Depressed For Success is out now in vinyl and digital formats via Meritorio Recods.

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"American Candy" by The High Water Marks

 

Norway's The High Water Marks has a new treat for us. Titled "American Candy", it is the latest single from their June 23 LP Your Next Wolf. It is a fist pumping power pop nugget that reminds us of a kiwi fruit -- fuzzy on the outside and sweet and tart on the inside. They are good for you and, in our opinion, so is "American Candy".

The Grøa, Norway fourpiece consists of Hilarie Sidney (Apples in Stereo and Elephant 6 co-founder), Per Ole Bratset, Logan Miller & Øystein Megård. Your Next Wolf will be released in June via Minty Fresh.

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"Too Late for an Early Grave" and "Life in the Void" by The Reds, Pinks & Purples

 

For indie music fans, we have had a good start to the year. And it going to get even better. How do we know? The Reds, Pinks & Purples have a new LP coming this spring. The first tracks available are "Too Late for an Early Grave" and "Life in the Void". It won't shock you to learn that we love the songs and very much look forward to the album. The album is called The Town That Cursed Your Name, and the songwriter helming the project advises that it is about trying to live while feeling compelled to make music.

The Town That Cursed Your Name will be out March 24 in digital and vinyl formats via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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Principia" by En Attendant Ana

 

Smarter indie pop fans than the brain trust here at WYMA may be long-time fans of Paris four-piece En Attendant Ana. We just learned of them this week. But we aren't too proud to jump on the bandwagon now. Our introduction is "Principia", the lead track, first single and title track of the band's upcoming album. We understand that En Attendant Ana is known for their jangle, but this track is infused with dynamics and layers that go beyond jangle pop. It is an intriguing glimpse at the band's talent and we eagerly await the full length from our new friends.

En Attendant Ana are Margaux Bouchaudon, Camille Frechou, Maxence Tomasso, and Adrien Pollin. Principia will be out February 24, 2023 via Trouble In Mind Records.

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Jim Nothing - In The Marigolds

 

What have we been listening to a lot lately? Nothing. That might seem strange for the executive team of the world famous When You Motor Away blog, but it is true. But details matter, and the 'nothing' that occupies our time isn't the sound of silence, but rather In The Marigolds, the new LP from New Zealand's Jim Nothing. The name of the project is striking, but inaccurate. First, the band consists or more than a man named Jim. There actually are three members: James Sullivan (vocals/guitar), Anita Clark (vocals/violin), and Brian Feary (drums). Second, the implication from the term "nothing" could be that there isn't much of consequence offered on the album. But as followers of the New Zealand scene would attest, any band comprised of members of Salad Boys, Wurld Series, The Phoenix Foundation, Motte and other projects is going to be well worth our time.

The songs on In The Marigolds tip the cap to a lot of the South Island bands that have thrilled us in the past, as well as the other projects of the band members. But a tip of the cap is just a reference point, not an imitation. Here Jim Nothing stitches a tapestry of jangle and guitar pop with accents of fuzz and scuzz. The rhythm section chugs with authority and the vocals have a slightly scuffed up charm. And it must be said that Anita Clark makes a strong case for the violin in a pop/rock band. In our view, this is one of those albums that you like quite a bit when you first hear it, and then you like it better each time you listen. We can't always define what 'our thing' is in music, but In The Marigolds is our thing.

All the songs on In The Marigolds were written by James Sullivan. Additional players were Ben Odering (bass) and Paul Brown (bass). The album is out now via Meritorio Records (EU) and Melted Ice Cream (NZ).

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"Summer Girl" by Mary Anne's Polar Pig

 

We must admit that our collection of music by Mary Anne's Polar Pig is slight. But that is understandable because we just learned of the band in the past few hours. The Malmo, Sweden based duo of "Fast" Malin Hofvander and "Filthy" Harald Ingvarsson play a fresh brand of fuzzy, scuzzy indie rock. Melodic but aggressive, their new single "Summer Girl" hits us just where we want to be hit and takes us where we want to go.

"Summer Girl" is out now as a digital release via Rama Lama Records.

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Various links for "Summer Girl"

"Indoor Song" by NOVA BLAST

 

This morning we begin with an "Indoor Song" that could fill the great outdoors. The particularly loud shoegaze track is the creation of Swedish duo NOVA BLAST. The single is out now, and comes from their upcoming album Eccolalia. We are thinking that this band may be one of our favorites this year on the noisy side of the street.

NOVA BLAST are Anti Zurowski (vocals/guitar) and Viktor Hober (drums). Eccolalia will be released on September 16 in vinyl and digital formats via Rama Lama Records.

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fine. - Fine

 

fine. is quite fine, thanks for asking. A duo of Liam James Marsh of Sheffield, UK, who also performs as Kid Chameleon, and Alice Kat of Boston, fine. has an excellent touch with indie pop, fuzz, jangle and weaves those elements into affecting, melodic creations. This self-titled album contains a generous 26 tracks comprised of their 2021 album I'm Glad It's Over Now (tracks 1-11) and 15 additional tracks curated by Liam from their catalogue of singles and EPs. Fine was available in double CD format, but those beauties are sold out. However, the digital album is available for 'name your price'.

Fine is a collection of top tunes with variety and a plentitude of hooks decorating well-crafted melodies. The duo could be forgiven if the rested on their laurels after this one, but we hope they don't.

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Kindsight - Swedish Punk

 

When we spend several months eagerly anticipating an album based on a few smashing singles, there always is a nagging worry that the end product won't live up to the internal hype in our minds. Not that we were particularly concerned about Copenhagen band Kindsight. Their singles were more than good songs -- they were evidence that this quartet had range, depth and vision. Moreover, Rama Lama Record's has earned our respect for the quality of their roster. Well, now that Swedish Punk has arrived, we can confirm that our confidence was well placed. The eleven tracks are more varied than we expected, including songs that are up-tempo, low-tempo, wistful, melancholy and euphoric. Whether pop or rock, the band shows verve and complete command of the demands of the material. While there is plenty of Nordic shimmer and chime, the fans of fuzzy '90s riffs will find it to their tastes as well. The vocals are special, with echoes of The Cranberries, The Sundays and The Sugarcubes and an impressive emotional content and nuance. Swedish Punk is a remarkable debut and we recommend it highly.

We've given three flavors of Swedish Punk below, a jangling pop tune, a slower song that grew on us every time we heard it, and a stomping rocker.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums).

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Various links for Swedish Punk

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"You Don't Want This" by Pip Blom

Our first feature for Tuesday is "You Don't Want This", even though we suspect that you do, in fact, want this. The single is taken from the upcoming sophomore album Welcome Break by Dutch quartet Pip Blom. Effervescent and hooky with a touch of chaos, it is like a bouquet of helium and sparkle-filled balloons popping one after another. In other words, captivating and irresistible. 

Welcome Break will be out October 8 via Heavenly Recordings.

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Boyracer - Assuaged

 

I can't speak for all of our readers, but when I choose an album to cue up my first thought isn't "I hope this makes me feel old, content and wise". Not that being old or content is bad, and getting old is part of life we all must accept. But in choosing music, I often look to feel young and nurture my inner, and sometimes nearly dormant, rebel. And that's what often makes long running band Boyracer a frequent favorite. Snarling guitars, bratty and challenging vocals, and assertive percussion hit my bullseye. And like all good fuzz/punk/garage bands, there is plenty of pop smarts in the DNA of their songs. With new album Assuaged, Boyracer has not only done it again, they have -- at least in my view -- created their best music in a long time. Stitching together anxiety, regrets, loves, hopes and dreams in an explosive package, the trio of founding member Stewart Anderson, with Christina Riley and Matty Green, offers the listener a rush for the body that will ramp up the heart rate and may prompt some pogo moves to test the floorboards. But Anderson's songwriting adds a dimension for our heads as well, and that makes this set of songs even more special.

Assuaged is out now via Emotional Response Records.

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The Reds, Pinks & Purples - Uncommon Weather

 Upon the very first listen my impression of Uncommon Weather by The Reds, Pinks & Purples was that it is an unqualified, jaw dropping, sigh inducing example of perfect indie pop music. However, knowing how initial impressions sometimes can be overly enthusiastic and then be tempered by time and perspective, I set the album aside. This week I played it several times again in anticipation of writing this feature, and with the passage of time, despite the physical challenge of sighing while one's jaw drops, my conclusion is that Uncommon Weather is an unqualified, jaw dropping, sigh inducing example of perfect indie pop music. The album consists of thirteen tracks of shimmering, melodic, richly detailed pop music bearing themes of lost love, pain, betrayal, bitterness and heartache. Lots of heartache.

The Reds, Pinks & Purples is the project of Glenn Donaldson (of Skygreen Leopards and Art Musems), who wrote, recorded, sang and played most of the instrumental parts of Uncommon Weather. The album closely follows the release of his 2019 mini-album You Might Be Happy Someday, which many of us fortunate to hear felt was one of the insufficiently heralded indie pop triumphs of that year. In many ways, this album is more of the same, only with more, and in my view, even better songs. The pairing of melancholy and heartache with sublimely melodic music is not an atypical approach to an indie pop song. But the difference between 'been there before' and 'head of the class' is all about execution. On Uncommon Weather the listener is treated to songwriting that pulls no punches in delivering the melancholy and heartache, and arrangements that reveal a mastery of all of the details and nuances of a great pop song. And the two prongs compliment rather than detract from each other. The lyrics give the lovely arrangements depth and an impact beyond the final note, and the music reminds the listener that there is always life to live and the potential of joy elsewhere and down the road. Glenn's vocals deserve special mention. They are high enough in the mix to leave no doubt about the raw feelings and disappointment. However, rather than spit out the lyrics like an angry and recently scorned lover, they are delivered with a sincere weariness and resignation. The lasting effect of that approach is that the singer-songwriter isn't playing a part in a work of art, but rather revealing his reality. That packs a meaningful punch.

Uncommon Weather is out now via Slumberland Records. You owe it to yourself to get a copy.

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Wurld Series - What's Growing

All Wurld Series has to do to please us is to keep doing what the do on What's Growing, their second LP. Comprised of transplanted Brit Luke Towart, Kiwi Brian Feary and, as available, others, the Christchurch-based band crafts a thrilling collage of psychedelic folk-pop with a pastoral wash, '90 indie rock and '80s New Zealand indie pop. The songs are concise, fuzzing along brightly and then ending with your synapses still at level 10 and expecting more. But there is no disappointment because the next song provides a matching punch and the high continues until the last note. The lyrics are intelligent and inventive, and the performances top level. While the band's assumed influences seem easy to spot, the music they have created for What's Growing clearly is no imitation of forebears, but rather a strikingly entertaining distillation of various forms of psychedelic pop played through a fuzzy, hooky filter. And while there is plenty of squalling, buzzing guitars, some of the most special moments are the shorter, quieter songs. Highly recommended for your weekend, my friends. 

The album is out now via Meritorio Records (Europe/USA), Osborne Again (Australia) and Melted Ice Cream (New Zealand/Rest of the world).

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"Devils Please Be Gone" by Black Twig

 

The return of Helsinki's Black Twig after a half decade of silence is a cause to rejoice at WYMA World Headquarters. The return is marked by new single "Devils Please Be Gone", to be followed by a new LP. As always with this four-piece, the guitars are magnificent in this worthy beginning to a new chapter for the band.

Black Twig are Aki Pohjankyrö, Rasmus Rantanen, Kaarlo Stauffer, Janne Vainikainen. The album is titled Was Not Looking For Magic, and it will be released February 26 via Soliti Records.

Soliti · Black Twig: Devils Please Be Gone

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The Flatmates - The Flatmates

There are some albums that leave you breathless, as if you just finished an enjoyable bout of strenuous exercise. You glow, you feel alive, and you want to do it again. The new self-titled album by Bristol's The Flatmates is such and album. Played at a pop punk pace with loads of fuzz and melody and hooks riding the wave, it is C86 revisited on steroids. The drums and bass are appealingly high in the mix, but then, everything else is too. And to for us, it is a confection that is easy to love. We assure you, this version of The Flatmates is a welcome addition to the indie scene, and this album is prominent in our rotation this month.

The Flatmates are Lisa Bouvier (vocals/backing vocals/bass/guitar), Martin Whitehead (guitar/backing vocals), Mattias Lidehall (bass), Rocker (keys/programming/backing vocals), and Brian Price (drums). The Flatmates is available in digital, CD and vinyl formats via Bristol label Local Underground.

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