We think and day is a good day for some up tempo guitar pop. Today's first dose is the sparkling "Share The Right Line" by New York quartet Van Chamberlain. Tasty hooks, yearning vocals and a welcome summery sheen make this a highlight track. And we also were thrilled to learn that the band is planning a September release of their second album, As Far As The Eye Can See.
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.
On of the simple delights of life that helps make our day is getting new music from a band previously unknown to us. One recent such occurrence was an email with a link to The Tiny Wave, a four-track EP from Brooklyn, New York band Ceylon Sailor. What king of music? Well, it is guitar pop. But it also is indie rock. And some quite definitely (we think) is what some call yacht rock (for the record, we like yachts, especially if G&Ts are being served). What's more -- there are horns! And to our ears, it all mixes together is an upbeat, even euphoric wall of sound that is going to carry us through this weekend. It is just what we needed, because with the price of gas we certainly aren't driving anywhere this weekend. Sail on, Ceylon Sailor!
The sailors in this crew are KM Sigel, Kieran Kelly, Andrew Wood, Dave Long, Paul Brodhead, and Seth Ondracek.
Perhaps we should apologize at the outset, because "Doing Donuts" is one of those songs that invades your brain and won't let go. You may find yourself humming it in the lunch line, or while waiting for the bus. It just won't let go. And why should it? It puts a bounce in your step, prompts you to stand taller and gives you a jolt of energy. The lyrics aren't quite as happy as all that, focusing on societal rot and a personal feeling of going in circles. But damn, it is a fine song!
The artist is Turku, Finland musician and songwriter Matti Jasu. The song is a digital single and is out now. See the Bandcamp link below.
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.
When we first discovered Fort Not we were infused with that special conceit that music obsessives feel when they know of a thrilling artist of which most people aren't aware. But with their third full length now released, we are impatient for everyone to know just how good this Swedish band is. Their new album is titled You On Repeat. It's themes include bittersweet perspectives on relationships, with interesting and sometimes surprising wordplay. But the highlight is the music. For us, their brand of lo fi guitar pop is timeless, although music historians might nod towards the '90s. The solid rhythmic structure supports distorted and jangling guitars and earworm melodies. The band's sweet spot is expansive, encompassing slacker, power pop and sometimes a bit of country rock. The vibe is immediate, intimate and with just enough loose garage pop threads to let you dream that they are playing inside your living room. It is early in 2026, but I think this album will be on our yearly treasures list come December.
Fort Not are original members Robert Carlsson and Fredrik Soderstrom, joined by Philip Gates, David Hansson, Stefan Stromberg, and Joakim Bjornberg. You On Repeat is out now via Meritorio Records.
If you are a fan of guitar pop, shoegaze, power pop, and jangle pop, you can't go wrong in following Prism Shores. The Montreal based band does all of that, and they do all of it very, very well. Their upcoming album titled Softest Attack will be out April 10 via Meritorio Records. But you don't need to wait until April to here the album's power pop gem "I Didn't Mean To Change My Mind". You can hear it right here, right now.
Prism Shores is Jack MacKenzie (guitar/bass/vocals), Ben Gross (guitar/bass/vocals), Luke Pound (drums/guitar/vocals), and Finn Dalbeth (guitar/vocals).
"The Autumn Leaves on 14th Street" is a stirring gem of urgently-pace guitar pop, and also is one of the best opening tunes we have heard in some time. It is the creation of Knight's Ferry. While the band was unknown to us, member Mike Ramos is no stranger to these pages. As the leader of Tony Jay and member of Flowertown, Cindy and other musical ventures, he never fails to satisfy our musical appetites. This song is the lead track from the band's House Demos EP, which will be released in digital and cassette formats on February 6.
In addition to Mike (guitar/bass/vocals), Knight's Ferry are Clay Hunt (guitar/bass/vocals) and Richard Alex Olsen (drums).
If we were to present a seminar on guitar pop, one of our featured bands would be Sweden's Fort Not. We loved their two previous albums and still play them regularly. This week brought the happy news that the 2026 will deliver another LP, You On Repeat. The announcement of the album was accompanied by lead single "Stationary". The song is about being stuck, but nothing about the execution says anything other than perfect, classic indie pop.
Fort Not was founded by Robert Carlsson and Fredrik Soderstrom. For this album the band is expanded to include Philip Gates, David Hansson, and Joakim Bjornberg. You On Repeat will be released on February 27 via Meritorio Records
Meritorio Records page for album
One of the many wonderful things about the current Bay Area indie pop scene is the scope of the output. Whether one is looking for delicate, whispered folk pop, lo-fi jangle, punk, shoegaze, hardcore, psychedelic or, really, whatever, you can find it well done. One project that captures a special place in our musical hearts is Telephone Numbers. The band -- Thomas Rubenstein with Morgan Stanley, Phil Lantz, and Charlie Ertola -- plays a jangling college rock that evokes cherished memories while still managing to be fresh and exciting. On their recently released second album, Scarecrow II, the guitars chime, jangle and chug, the rhythm section rumbles in your chest and the vocals speak the truth. The tempos vary, inviting bouncing in some tracks and softly saying in others. Without hesitation, we can recommend that these Telephone Numbers should be in your music contacts list.
The band features members of Neutrals, Chime School, The Reds, Pinks and Purples, and The Umbrellas. For this recording they also received contributions from Alicia Vanden Heuvel, Andy Pastalaniec, Tony Molina, Anna Hillburg, Lewis Gallardo, and K. Dylan Edrich. Scarecrow II is out now via Slumberland Records.
Trying to choose a favorite album of the seven recorded by Glasgow's Bubblegum Lemonade is an effort so fruitless that even we wastrels at WYMA won't do it. Infused with jangle, infectious melodies and sincerity, this project's music fits perfectly in our channel of cozy delights. But having written that, we have to admit that the recently released To Surf With Love has impressed us beyond our pre-release expectations. For this album chief cook and bottlewasher Laz McCluskey has been inspired by the mid-'90s French romantic comedy A Summer's Tale and has arranged his creations with a seaside vibe. His witty title puns on that theme and the famous '60s hit by Scots artist Lulu. The result is a delightful collection of connected tunes with emotional depth and, while true to Laz's jangling semi-shoegaze path, a range of tempos and stylistic expressions. Take a dive into the world of Bubblegum Lemonade, you will find the water to be the perfect temperature.
Bubblegum Lemonade is the solo project of musician and songwriter Laz McCluskey whose other musical endeavor is Strawberry Whiplash (which also recently released an album). To Surf With Love is out now in digital and CD formats via Matinee Recordings.
Matinee Recordings page for album
One of the treasures of the jangle pop world is Dusseldorf band The Radio Field. They impressed us mightily a couple of years ago with an LP titled Don'ts and Dos and they are back with new album Air and Sunlight. We are happy to report that there is no evidence of a sophomore slump -- this album is even better than the first.
The album hits all the right notes out of the gate with opener "It's Alright" and jangles and pops with enthusiasm for nine more tracks with blends, in various degrees, of jangle, bright indie pop, and a touch of country rock/Americana. There is one slower track, but the gang has to catch their breath at some point -- right?
Air and Sunlight is one of the hidden gems of the year -- don't miss out. It is available now via Less Records and Subjangle.
Trade Place Tape will be available as a digital release and in a limited batch of cassettes via Osborne Again (Australia/New Zealand) and Bobo Integral (everywhere else).
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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.
With sharp songwriting and a sound that combines the familiar guitar pop with echoes of Sarah Records and folk rock, Jeanines are a band we treasure. And their recently released How Long Can It Last finds them at a new high. The vignettes are compact but colorful, told with an adult perspective but a youthful vigor. Always tuneful, with pleasing harmonies and thoughtful lyrics, this album pleases the ears at the first listen, and then draws the listener back for repeated encores.
Jeanines were formed by songwriters/musicians Alicia Jeanine and Jed Smith. The album also features contributions from Maggie Gaster, who plays bass for the band's live shows.
How Long Can It Last is out now via Slumberland Records and, in the UK, Skep Wax Records.
THWM are Hilarie Sidney (Apples in Stereo and Elephant 6 co-founder), Per Ole Bratset, Logan Miller & Øystein Megård. Consult The Oracle is out now via Meritorio Records.
We are fans of separate work of both Michael Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown/Cindy) and R.E. Seraphin (excellent recent solo power pop), so we eagerly awaited the debut of their joint project The Pennys. Happily, the self-titled mini-album exceeded our high expectations. Gorgeous guitars, hushed vocals, and chords that tug at the heart nestle in lo fi production to create and intimate set of songs that its creators aptly refer to as heartbreak pop. The result is immersive, immediate and compelling. Is six songs sufficient to make an album qualify for our year end list? When the songs are this good, yes.
The Pennys is out now via Mt.St.Mtn.
One of the great joys of this band is their versatility. Compare the above song with the joyous chaos of the instrumental "Mexico" --
But they continue to surprise with the gentle, sun-kissed closer "Bone Pink".
Say Sue Me are Choi Sumi (vocals/guitar), Kim Buyngkyu (lead guitar), Kim Jaeyoung (bass), and Lim Sungwan (drums). Time Is Not Yours is out now via Damnably.
Busan, South Korea's Say Sue Me has featured here a number of times in the past, but it has been a long while. Happily, they are back with the rifftastic "Vacation". It is the first song released from their upcoming Time Is Not Yours EP, which will be out April 30 via Damnably. April/May tour dates for Australia and the UK are listed at the end of this post.
Say Sue Me are Choi Sumi (vocals/guitar), Kim Buyngkyu (lead guitar), Kim Jaeyoung (bass), and Lim Sungwan (drums). Kim Hanjoo of Korean band Silica Gel features as a guest vocalist on "Vacation".
On tour
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