"Free Cake for Every Creature" by Red Sleeping Beauty

 

Last month we highlighted the new project from Swedish synth pop masters Red Sleeping Beauty. The jist is that the band will release a song at the beginning of every month this year. A purchase at Bandcamp will entitle the listener to an album in progress. At the close of the year, the album will be complete. The February song is "Free Cake For Every Creature". The tune trades the soaring highs of the January offering for a fun and delightfully constructed pop song. We think this project is progressing very nicely.

Red Sleeping Beauty · Free Cake For Every Creature

Red Sleeping Beauty · Free Cake For Every Creature

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"Bounce" by Torrey

 

We don't have a crystal ball, but we feel quite confident in writing that one of the top indie albums out in the first half of 2024 will be the self-titled album from Bay area band Torrey. Masterfully blending multiple textures and pop hooks and vocals, they give the listener the feeling of floating in a pool on a sunlit afternoon. And no song better embodies that vibe than new single "Bounce". All bright tones, shimmer and bliss, it makes our day.

Torrey are Ryann Gonsalves, Kelly Gonsalves, Sinclair Riley, Adam Honingford, and Susie Chinisci. Torrey will be out March 8 in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.

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Subsonic Eye - All Around You

 

We have a new band to include among our favorites: Singapore five-piece Subsonic Eye. We admit that we are late to this party as out introduction to the band is All Around You, which is their fourth album. Inspired by the natural world and the urban world around them, Subsonic Eye has a fulsome but nimble sound headlined by captivating lyrics and excellent guitars. This is one of those albums where picking songs to showcase the band's sound is impossible. So use the tracks below for a taste and then go to Bandcamp and enjoy the full show.

Subsonic Eye are Nur Wahidah, Daniel Castro Borces, Jared Lim, Sam Venditti, and Lucas Tee. All Around You is out now via Topshelf Records.

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The Umbrellas - Fairweather Friend

 

Umbrellas are designed to protect you from the rain with cloth or plastic sheeting affixed to a frame. But the nice folks that comprise San Francisco band The Umbrellas provide cover from negative thoughts with bright, jangling guitar pop with trading male/female vocals. They impressed us with their previous work, but still have managed to drop our jaws with their new LP, Fairweather Friend. It has all the elements from before, but stretches genre, instrumentation and songwriting in delightful and fruitful ways. It is twee, it is upbeat and hooky, and it is lightly shaded with melancholy. More succinctly, it is a keeper of an album and you really should have it. This band is one of the shining stars of the the current San Francisco pop scene, which rivals any city in the world right now. 

Fairweather Friend is out now via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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The Maureens - Everyone Smiles

 

Is everyone smiling out in the Blogsphere? We don't know the answer to that question, but all jangle pop fans should be smiling when they hear Everyone Smiles by Dutch band The Maureens. This is the sort of hooky, melodic, mid-tempo powerpop that the Posies and Teenage Fanclub adroitly used to capture our hearts decades ago and, to no one's surprise, we find that there is plenty of room in our hearts for the version performed by The Maureens. It also is no surprise that the rights to release Everyone Smiles were snapped up by Madrid's Meritorio Records. The label is fast becoming known for impeccable taste in the guitar top space and this band fits perfectly in their roster along with Scots/Spanish band Dropkick. And while the melodies and jangle may attract your ears, we think it is likely that you will find the harmonies to be a star in the show.

This one is pure musical pleasure.

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"Chemical Animal" by The Jesus And Mary Chain

 

As we have mentioned previously, the news of new material from Glasgow legends The Jesus and Mary Chain is a cause for considerable excitement at WYMA World Headquarters. We previously covered the debut single (WYMA feature) from the upcoming LP Glasgow Eyes, and now can share the dark and haunted "Chemical Animal". Only two pieces of evidence, but we think this will be a very good album.

Glasgow Eyes will be out February or March of 2024 via Fuzz Club.

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"Vibrations Now" by Fantastic Purple Spots

 Austin Town Hall is one of the best indie music sites on the internet, specializing in short form but incisive blurbs about recently released music. If you want to know what good stuff came out on any day (or maybe the day before) ATH is your source.

But ATH also has a little record label that releases the kind of stuff that they feature on their site. And today they have announce an upcoming EP from Austin psychedelic/garage duo Fantastic Purple Spots. The band consist of  Barrett Jones and Dave Junker, and not only do they have a perfect name for a psychedelic band, but their music is ace. Check out the title track below and note that the Vibrations Now EP will be released January 26 via Austin Town Hall Records.

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Various Artists - Under the Bridge 2

 

The good folk at UK label Skep Wax have a promising young label (as well as being members of the smashing band Swansea Sound). They also are alums of the Sarah Records/c86 era bands such as Heavenly, The Pooh Sticks and Talulah Gosh, which leads us into today's post. Calling for contributions from their fellow indie pop veterans of Sarah/c86 days, Skep Wax issued a terrific compilation titled Under The Bridge in 2022 (our feature here: link). However, while that release was stuffed with treasures, not all of the worthy submissions could be included. So the label has decided to issue Under the Bridge 2. Consisting of 20 tracks from beloved bands such as Boyracer, the Orchids, Action Painting and St Christopher, it will be released in digital, CD and vinyl formats on April 6. The astute fan will note that some of the band names reflect current acts not in existence in the Sarah/c86 era. Do not be alarmed as those name simply reflect the current artistic homes of the original artists. This album should be a wonderful buffet treat for indie pop fans.

The first two tracks are available to stream now. The first is "Dodge the Rain" by The Gentle Spring, a song that echoes the material of the main man's former band, The Field Mice. The second is the more rambunctious "Just Who Are The Cockleshell Heroes?" by Action Painting!.

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"Chain of Days" by Topographies

 

Dark, icy shoegaze is just what the musical doctor prescribed for this midweek evening, and it comes via "Chain of Days" by San Francisco's Topographies. It is the second single from the band's upcoming second album, Interior Spring, and it certainly raises both our interest and expectations for the release.

Topographies are Justin Oronos, Jeremie Ruest, and Gray Tolhurst. The album will be out February 2 via Dark Entries Records.

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"My Circle Line" by Hanemoon

 

As we suffer through the dreary, cold rain of a Seattle January, two things keep our moods out of the gutter: 1. Snow is falling on the ski slopes and trails; and 2. Good music keeps coming. We are too shy to share videos of our skiing, but we are happy to share the good music. One song that set our hearts fluttering is "My Circle Line" the first single from the upcoming Rain or Shine LP from Hanemoon. It is the sort of upbeat, hooky and melodic jangle pop that never fails to make us happy.

Hanemoon is the project of Berlin artist Hans Forster. Rain or Shine will be released on February 2 via Jigsaw Records.

hanemoon · My Circle Line

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"No Matter How" by Torrey

 

Early in another year and we already have a stellar album from San Francisco on the near horizon. It is the self-titled LP from Torrey. Listen below to the artful fusion of indie pop and shoegaze on the album's first single, "No Matter How".

Torrey is due March 8 via Slumberland Records.

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Various links for "No Matter How"

Various links for Torrey

"Gone" by The Umbrellas

 

In some parts of the United States people are thinking about snow shovels, and in other parts people are thinking about umbrellas. Where we live, we are thinking about snow shovels and umbrellas. And that's because it may snow a lot here over the next few days and we have a new song from San Francisco's The Umbrellas. "Gone" begins with echoes of early R.E.M., but with bigger drums. However, the Athens stars didn't have the trading male/female vocals that add depth and interest to songs from this band. We have been advised to expect a bigger and bolder soundscape from The Umbrellas on their upcoming LP Fairweather Friend. And the singles so far indicated that the promise has substance.

Fairweather Friend will be out January 26 via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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"Caroline (I Found Love)" by Red Sleeping Beauty

 

We suppose that artists search for their own personal way to find inspiration and motivation (we need to "suppose" because there seems to be a -- at least temporary -- gap between true artistic talent and our "talents"). Our beloved Swedish band Red Sleeping Beauty has decided to release a song every month in 2024 to prime their creative side. But buying the song isn't just going to get you a single, it is a purchase of an album in progress. And every ensuing month will bring another track. At the end of the year the purchaser will have a 12-track Red Sleeping Beauty album!

Well, it is January of 2024 and we have single number one: "Caroline (I Found Love)". It is classic Red Sleeping Beauty with big pop hooks and bigger vintage synth arrangements, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

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"Hollowed Out" and "Train Full of Gasoline" by Ducks Ltd.

 

Toronto's Ducks Ltd. make intense, uptempo but melodic guitar pop with plenty of hooks and jangle. The duo has released three singles from their upcoming LP Harm's Way, and the two most recent are here for your listening pleasure. We think they are among the finer guitar pop band on the North American continent and we look forward to the new album.

Ducks Ltd. consists of Tom McGreevy and Evan Lewis. Harm's Way will be out February 9 via Carpark Records and Royal Mountain Records.

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Tony Jay - Better Before Vol. 1

 

Here at WYMA World Headquarters we believe that there is no such thing as too much Tony Jay, an opinion that was reinforced by the release of their Perfect Worlds LP (our feature here) a few months ago. We recently learned that Better Before Vol. 1, a compilation of earlier songs by Tony Jay and other bands in which Michael Ramos has performed, is now available via Slumberland Records as a digital download. It previously had only been available as a limited run cassette to accompany Perfect Worlds. For fans of Tony Jay, this release is an excellent addition to your collection. We can only hope that the "Vol. 1" designation signals that one or more following releases is in the works.

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Field School - A Familiar Fate EP

 

We have been gone for a while. You know the drill: Holidays; winter illnesses; family gatherings; and ski trips (or rather trips looking for patches of snow). So as is our usual practice we want to bring you something special. And special today comes in the form of the A Familiar Fate EP by Olympia, Washington's Field School. 

Field School is the project of Charles Bert, alum of the much loved jangling twee pop band Math and Physics Club. On the five tracks of this EP Charles nimbly assesses aspects of past segments of life and the relationships that give them meaning. Appropriately, that results in painting in colors both bright and muted. But even when bittersweet, the melodies are vibrant and upbeat while the jangle and strum are just what we expect and want. Every song is top class, but if we had to tag one as unmissable it would be track 2, "I Think You Are Amazing, Grace". Emotional and revealing but never maudlin, this EP is a treasure.

On A Familiar Fate Charles was assisted by Jimmy Ulvenes, Chris Hanzsek, Eric Fleming, Jules Bert-Worrell, and Ethan Jones.

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"Fell In Love" and "Alison" by The Maureens

 

Jangle and powerpop are a priority gateway to our musical hearts, so a listen to "Fell In Love" and "Alison" by Dutch band The Maureens will tell you why we are putting them on the "nice" Christmas list. That is especially true as they will deliver a late, but welcome, present in the form of new LP Everyone Smiles on January 19 via Meritorio Records. As for references, think Teenage Fanclub and, maybe, the Beach Boys. That should make everyone smile!

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Lower Plenty - No Poets

 

No poets, they say? Poetry is a vital cultural institution, so what do we do if we have no more poetry? Our answer is that we listen to No Poets. Lower Plenty may disclaim the status (or their tongues may be firmly in their cheek), but in our not very humble opinion this ten-song set is a fulsome series of poems about life -- good, bad, triumphs, and disappointments. The arrangements are minimalist, with precious vocal and musical details and plenty of space for emphasis. The the four songwriters craft their lyrics concisely, but that concision demands the listener's attention to every word, every nuance. And spare as they are, the lyrics hit the bullseye every time. From "The Great Pretender":

In the corner of my mind there's a little town Like a ghost it follows me around I go away, I lay awake I go so far away I see the face. Stop thinkin' it was all so easy Stop drinkin', well that's not so easy Layin' in bed you talk about behavioural theory I go to sleep underneath you janglin' jailer's keys

No Poets has been out since early October, so we are remiss in not writing about it earlier. We certainly have played it enough that is has become a soundtrack for life. But with the hindsight available as we reach the end of the year, we are confident that this is one of our top five albums of the year. Buy yourself some poetry for the holidays. And buy some for someone you love.

Lower Plenty is Al Montfort, Daniel Twomey, Jensen Tjhung, and Sarah Heyward. The members' various other projects include Terry, Sleeper & Snake, UV Race, Deaf Wish, and Total Control. No Poets is out now via Bedroom Suck Records.

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"The Expat" by The Infinites

 

Austin indie rock band The Infinites are new to our ears, but we love the way their new single "The Expat" builds -- guitar, then rhythm, then keys -- into a swirling psychedelic arrangement riding an insistent groove. We want more from these guys, and we are going to get it because new album Archetypes will be out on February 16 via Meritorio Records; pre-orders are available now.

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The Brights - Oyster Rock!

 

Jangling, folky guitar pop can be just what our psychologist prescribe for the weekend. The Brights walk the more folky side of the jangle pop channel, but don't mistake the gentle vibe for a lack of punch. On the newly released Oyster Rock! the melodies are packed with joyous earworms and the arrangements bounce like a happy new puppy. The listener even finds power pop strands and country breaking through with great effect. The effect is blissful and laid back and there are plenty of good musical moments that will have you hitting the replay button. This is a bit of a sleeper album in that if you miss it now, it will surface in the future and you will wish it had been in your life all along.

The Brights are Sunny Blayney (vocals/guitar), Samuel Morris (vocals/bass), Cooper Anderson (drums/backing vocals), Dylan Ferguson (guitar), and Will Maddock (keys/percussion/backing vocals). Oyster Rock! is out now in vinyl and digital formats via Meritorio Records and Stable Label Records.

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Loose Wing - Miracle Baby

 

We in the Pacific Northwest like to share our musical treasures, so we invite all of our readers to embrace Loose Wing. A rock band with leanings toward pop and country rock, its music is characterized by the essential touchstones of excellent musicianship, affecting vocals and some fearless songwriting. The vocals and songwriting, as well as the lead guitar aspect of the musicianship, are provided by Claire Tucker, who no doubt could carve a path as a country singer if she chose. But her lead guitar clearly places her in the rock camp (she also is the guitarist for local psychedelic garage stalwarts Black Nite Crash). 

The latest album by Loose Wing is the recently released Miracle Baby and we think it is a superb musical statement. It is locked-in and concise, but there is a gritty blue collar, heart on the sleeve swagger that sells every song like they are playing live and getting paid by the volume of the applause at the end. The songs embrace a variety of emotions including consumerism, paternalistic males, job anxiety and isolation. And they do it well without lecturing or turning the proceedings into a downer. On this album Loose Wing proves there still is room for bands that splice together multiple styles. It is all about the execution, and this gang executes.

Loose Wing is Claire Tucker (guitar/vocals/keys), Jack Peters (bass), Aimee Zoe (drums), and Bill Patton (guitar/pedal steel). Miracle Baby is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Drums & Wires Recording.

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Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lockpickers - Murder 24/7

 

It has been a few years since we last wrote about Jacob and his mates. But while trawling the internet to avoid professional and household duties we discovered Murder 24/7, a six-track mini-album by Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lockpickers. One listen and we were thorough captivated and massively entertained. With the theme of murder as entertainment, a gothic folk/roots R&R approach all underpinned by a dub rhythm section, it is a great little record. Call it gothic dub folk, rockabilly dub or whatever you imagine fits. But the genre really doesn't matter when it tickles our fancy. And oh, we are very tickled.

The band is Jacob Lovatt (vocals/lyrics), Josh Longton (bass/guitars/keys), Michael Bleazard (drums/percussion), Jamie Bolland (keysboards/piano), and Christopher Haddow (guitars). Murder 24/7 is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Errol's Hot Wax.

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Pop Filter - CONO

 

All members are singers-songwriters, most or all are multi-instrumentalists, and all have been members of respected bands, so there is no fear of contradiction in writing that Pop Filter is an Australian super-group. But the special nature of the band's recordings goes beyond those facts. This is a collection brought together by affection for each other and love of making music, not ego and a chase for fame (and since it is an indie pop band, we are confident it is for reasons other than acquiring great wealth). Their cohesion as a playing unit is a testament to their talent, but also is earned over the years playing with each other in various combinations in other bands (The Ocean Party, Cool Sounds, Snowy Band, Partner Look).

The songs on Pop Filter's new album CONO evince comfort and sincerity, but also the ambition to make each member's creation as perfect as possible -- understanding that perfection in this realm doesn't necessarily mean a glossy finish. The guitars, keys and rhythms always sound terrific while the vocals are delivered in that now familiar laconic Aussie style. All of the foregoing combined with the top class and delightfully distinctive songwriting result in an album that sounds special, feels special, and is special. Which songs are our favorites? All of them, but we have a few for you below. By the way, "Racin' Like Hell" is an album closer that shames most other album closers. So we haven't embedded it below because we hope you go to the Bandcamp link and are tempted to buy the album. Sure, the band deserves it. We think you deserve it too.

One of our clear favorites of the year, CONO is out now via Spunk Records, Osborne Again, and Bobo Integral

Bandcamp for CONO

"Coping"/"Paris" by Layman

 

Are you in the mood for some garage rock? Oh good, because so are we. Some friends in Australia sent us this delightful two-track single "Coping"/"Paris" by Sydney trio Layman. Consisting of three former members of the band BLAND, the band is Cambell Smith (guitar/vocals), Samuel John McEwen (bass/vocals) and Brock Perry (drums). There is nothing complicated here, and there is no need for complication. This is just the sort of music that draw many of is to the indie sphere. And if you have the inclination to look beyond the groove, we think the songwriting is quite good, and "Paris" is very amusing.

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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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"Echoes" by The Umbrellas

 

With "Echoes", the second single from their upcoming album Fairweather Friend, The Umbrellas thrill us with melancholy shaded guitar pop reminiscent of The Sundays and The Popguns. But amid the jangle  and regret, we note some new nuances in the songwriting and execution that has us eagerly awaiting the album.

Fairweather Friend is out January 26 via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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"Undertow" by Pop Filter

 

Each of the three singles from the upcoming new album, CONO, by Australian band Pop Filter has been different from the others, but all have been excellent songs. The recently released "Undertow" is bursting with vitality and purpose, with a punk vibe underpinning the loose-limbed pop arrangement. With keys and horns, there is no shortage of ideas, but it all hangs together in a live-to-tape kind of way. If you are making a year end 'best of' list, we suggest saving a slot for CONO.

CONO will be out December 1 via Bobo Integral, Osborne Again and Spunk 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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"Forms of Knowing" by Outer World

 

Tracy Wilson and Kenny Close are not strangers to the world of indie music. Tracy was in Dahlia Seed and Ringfinger and Tracy and Kenny were in Positive No. But what has captivated us this morning is the first single from their current project, Outer World. The song is "Forms of Knowing", a dreamy and insistent slice of psychedelic pop. It is taken from Who Does The Music Love, which will be out in March 2024 via HHBTM Records. We hope there are some additional singles before the album drops. We think it will be a winner!

HHBTM Records · Outer World - Forms of Knowing

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Model Shop - Check The Forecast

 

Infused with great hooks, energetic musicianship, and the ineffable joy of making music, Check The Forecast by Model Shop is your feel good pop record of the week. November is Seattle's rainiest month, but you wouldn't know it after listening to the four tracks on this record.  "Easy Winter" is the lead single, but the true sunshine is delivered by the complete EP. Masterful work by this trio and you shouldn't delay treating your ears.

Model Shop is Ethan Jones (vocals/guitar), Jen Fox (bass/vocals), and Kevin Emerson (vocals/drums). Check The Forecast EP is out now in vinyl and digital formats via Meritorio Records.

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"Self Help" by Dumb Things

 

Proclaiming progress on self improvement, and expressing hope that the fruits will bring back a former lover, "Self Help" is the title track from the upcoming third album by Brisbane's Dumb Things. It is a terrific slice of mellow jangle that hits us just right.

Dumb Things are Adam Vincent (guitar/vocals), Madeleine Keinonen (guitar/vocals), James Southey (guitar/vocals), Andrew Robinson (bass), and Patrick Hill (drums). The album will be out in the new year via Brisbane label Coolin' By Sound.

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Dancer - As Well

 

About a half year ago we featured an EP by a new Glasgow-based project called Dancer (link). In light of the members' association with acts such as Nightshift, Robert Sotelo, Current Affairs, and Order of the Toad, we expected good things.  And the band delivered.

Dancer has just release a second EP titled As Well. The band's versatility is on display with gentler songs and songs with a harder bite. But all the tracks have in common a prominent and delightful rhythms and undeniable charm. 

The Band is Gemma Fleet (vocals), Chris Taylor (guitar/keytar), Andrew Doig (bass), and Gavin Murdoch (drums). As Well is out now in digital and cassette formats via Gold Mold Records.

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Mope City - Population: 4

Does Mope City make music to which you can mope? Well, we suppose you could do that. But we find their art intriguing and entertaining even when we are in a good mood. Their latest effort is Population: 4, ten tracks of  jangling, twanging downcast rock that may call to mind Low, Polvo, or a somewhat deconstructed Jesus and Mary Chain. Perhaps it is the aftermath of Halloween, but more likely it is just us, but we find jangling guitars, thundering bass and gloomy vocals to be right up our alley these days. We began the day with the album as the soundtrack for our morning coffee, and we'll end it with one more spin before bed. Three of our favorites are below, and we think we reflect the range of the songs on the album. Enjoy!

Mope City are Amaya Lang, Matt Neville Shaun Donovan, and Nick Johnson. Population: 4 is out now via Tenth Court Records.

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Vanishing Twin - Afternoon X

 

We are remiss in not writing sooner about Afternoon X by London trio Vanishing Twin. It has given us great delight for a couple of months and we still discover new joys with every listen. The band spreads its psychedelic arts across tracks that can be described as pop, trip hop, electronic pop, creating a soundscape that is both aurally colorful and pleasingly fluid. Even at its most experimental, and it definitely has plenty of such moments, it is playful and accessible. At some point, you may even think that you have begun to hallucinate. In fact, you may be hallucinating, but not to worry, it likely is just the music. Well, probably it is just the music. You do you, and we won't judge. However, we recommend that you give this album your ears. 

For this record Vanishing Twin is Cathy Lucas, Valentina Magaletti and Susumu Mukai. Afternoon X is out now via Fire Records.

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Chance Occurrence by Postal Blue

 

Postal Blue is Brazilian artist Adriano do Couto. Adriano intends to release a series of singles in the upcoming months, the first of which is the two-track Chance Occurrence. The title track is a jangling gem that hits our sweet spot oh so very nicely. The second track is a sincere acoustic ballad that ably shows Adriano's versatility. If the following singles are up to this standard, consider our ears to be captured. 

Readers interest in other releases from Postal Blue can check out his Of Love & Other Affections which we covered in 2015 (link).

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