Torrey - Torrey

 

2024 is proving to be a year that will make our ears very, very happy. And one of the standout albums to date is the self-title LP by the Bay Area's Torrey. Crafting a multi-layered dreampop suffused with textures spanning the range from airy and gauzey to melodic, shoegazey bombs, Torrey gives the listener new aspects to examine with each listen. The level of detail and the variety of elements is incredible, but the band masterfully blends it all to deliver music with just the right balance between polish and indie scruff.

Torrey are Ryann Gonsalves, Kelly Gonsalves, Sinclair Riley, Adam Honingford, and Susie Chinisci. Torrey is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.

No Matter How

Various links for Torrey

Bandcamp for album

Various links for Torrey

"Acid Island 45" by Kindsight

 

We took a break to assist a family member who had surgery last week, but she is on the road to recovery and we are back at the keyboard. And we celebrate our return with the rush of excitement embodied in "Acid Island 45", the new single by Danish band Kindsight. The introductory guitar squall, break-an-arm drumming and full-out pace made us think that in another world this would be on a greatest hits compilation from the Shop Assistants. And that is intended to be high praise. The song is taken from the upcoming No Fame No Shame, which will be out April 19 via Rama Lama Records

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

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Various links for "Acid Island 45"

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

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"We're Going To Make It In A Man's World" by Camera Obscura

 

A month ago we debuted "Big Love", the first single from the upcoming LP Look To The East, Look To The West by Glasgow's beloved Camera Obscura. Today, we have the bright, lush and upbeat second single "We're Going To Make It In A Man's Word". The song was co-written by vocalist Tracyanne Campbell and keyboardist Donna Maciocia, and reaffirms that this band has lost none of its ability to nail the perfect pop song.

The album will be out May 3 via Merge Records.

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Various links for Look To The East, Look To The West

Merge Records page for album

Flowertown -Tourist Language

 

Tourist Language is a special one -- an intimate, romantic Leap Year treat from Flowertown. The duo consisting of Michael Ramos (Tony Jay) and Karina Gill (Cindy) creates aural tapestries emphasizing atmosphere, tone, and their remarkably captivating and conversational vocals. This album doesn't rock you with volume or dazzle you with pyrotechnics (although we absolutely love the tones of the guitars that seem to live inside our chests). No, it hits deeper. Like a treasured conversation with your past lover, or maybe your next lover. We wouldn't want to live without this one.

Tourist Language was released on February 29 in vinyl and digital formats by San Francisco label Paisley Shirt Records.

Bandcamp for Tourist Language

Cool Sounds - BUG0BEAT

 

In our opinion, Melbourne's Cool Sounds has their own sub-genre. We call it Discoglamjangle (no, no one has ever hired us to create advertising campaigns). The components are a sturdy, danceable beat, a glammy '70s soft rock sound and dose of jangle, and they never fail to wield it in a way that brings a high level of aural satisfaction. Cool Sounds has made their 2024 appearance with a six-track EP titled BUG0BEAT. The song is the lead and title track of their upcoming EP, which is due March 1 via Chapter Music. Press play and enjoy the Discoglamjangle. We have embedded the entire EP below because, well, it makes us so happy that we firmly believe that everyone needs BUG0BEAT.

The main man of Cool Sounds is Dainis Lacey, who is joined by Dylan Young for the creation of the BUG0BEAT EP. The EP is out now via Chapter Music.

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Bandcamp for BUG0BEAT

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"Is This Love?" by Red Sleeping Beauty plus new EP

 

Bright and hopefully and romantic - "Is This Love?" by Sweden's Red Sleeping Beauty is just the song we needed for cold and rainy afternoon. Jaunty keys and jangling guitars in a concise musical cup of yearning emotion. the song is the third in the band's 2024 project of a song a month. And this month brings an additional treat as the first three songs have been offered as the three-song Is This Love? EP by Matinee Recordings.

Is This Love? EP:

Matinée Recordings · Red Sleeping Beauty - Is This Love?

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Bandcamp for single

Bandcamp for the 2024 album

Matinee Recordings page for the Is This Love? EP

"Bluetooth Hell" by Dancer

 

Our nosey neighbor has not asked about the joyous sounds from our abode this morning (does she not even care anymore?), but then perhaps we couldn't hear her knocking over the repeated plays of "Bluetooth Hell", the new single from Dancer. The single is from the Glasgow band's upcoming album 10 Songs I Hate About You (a strong contender for alum title of the year, in our opinion). It boasts the band's dominant rhythms, inventive guitar and stabbing vocals, and has an overall vibe of well-marshalled chaos. We love it!

The album will be released in two weeks by Madrid label Meritorio Records.

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Bandcamp for album pre-orders

"Moving" by Torrey

The swirling, atmospheric, and frankly emotional dreamscape of "Moving" reminds us that the new, self-titled LP by Oakland's Torrey will be here in one week and we are excited to hear it in its entirety. The tracks shared so far suggest that it might be one of our favorites this year.

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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Bandcamp for album

Various links for Torrey

"Clear" by Kaspar

 

The distinctive rumble of Moog synths introduce "Clear", the new single by Finnish band Kaspar. The lovely and sincere song is the band's first recording for their new label, Helsinki's Soliti Music. The single is paired with "Who Am I" which first became available in the autumn of 2023. Kaspar's music has always involved guitars in the past, so this synth outing is a new direction for them, and we think they are on to something good.

Kaspar is John McGregor, Mikael Hakkarainen, and Tuomas Hakkarainen. The released a full album in 2009. Both John and Mikael have worked as solo artists as well.

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Bandcamp for "Clear"

Various links for single

Bandcamp for "Who Am I" (fall 2023 single)

"Girl 71" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

 

The highly anticipated return of The Jesus and Mary Chain via upcoming LP Glasgow Eyes now has a delayed release date of March 22. But any disappointment at the additional wait should be assuaged by the garage rock swagger of new single "Girl 71". For our ears, the song strips back the years and has us searching for our boots and leather jacket. An additional appealing element on this track is the backing vocals of Rachel Conte.

Note that a couple of vinyl versions of Glasgow Eyes have already sold out, so don't be coy about stepping up. The album will be release via Fuzz Club.

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Various links for "Girl 71"

Bandcamp for Glasgow Eyes

Various links to pre-order Glasgow Eyes

"Learning To Love A Band" by The Reds, Pinks & Purples

 

Justifiably lauded for deft commentary on such topics as lost love and disappointments set to lovely melodies, Glenn Donaldson's The Reds, Pinks & Purples turns its weary eye towards the music industry itself on upcoming album Unwishing Well. They have Followed up initial single "Your Worst Song Is Your Greatest Hit" with new single "Learning To Love A Band". We really like this song. It has a warmth and love of music as its core theme and, as always, the arrangement tugs at the heart.

For this recording The Reds, Pinks & Purples are Glenn and Kati Mishikian, Lewis Gallardo, Thomas Rubenstein and Daniel Pearce. Unwishing Well will be out April 12 in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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Bandcamp for Unwishing Well

Slumberland Records page for Unwishing Well

Tough Love Records page for Unwishing Well

"Change" by Dancer

 

Assembling talent form several other Glasgow projects, Dancer is a rising star in the City's fertile music scene. Their new album 10 Songs I Hate About You is due March 15 via Meritorio Records, and we are expecting an exhilarating and diverse aural ride. The second single from the album is here now, and "Change" is indeed a bracing and jittery dose of pop that is, well, a change from the album's first single. So thinking a bit more about it, we expect good things but we can't really predict what form they will take. And that's ok, we like surprises.

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Bandcamp for album pre-orders

"Tomorrow" by Kindsight

 

We were thrilled to learn that the new album from Danish quartet Kindsight now has a name -- No Fame No Shame -- and a release date -- April 19. The band's sharply honed and thoughtful guitar pop never fails to satisfy. Even so, we weren't prepared for the musical treasure that is "Tomorrow", the just released single from the album. With hooks, dynamics that pull and stretch your heartstrings, and vocals that bring to mind the best of The Sundays and Popguns, it is everything we could ask for. If this is what is coming with No Fame No Shame, sign us up!

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). No Fame No Shame will be out via Rama Lama Records.

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"Burrowing" by Ryann Gonsalves

 

We have covered Bay Area bands Torrey and Aluminum (and will be covering the self-title album by Torrey soon). But today we have a single from the upcoming album by Ryann Gonsalves, who is a member of both bands. The song is "Burrowing", and it also would appear to be the video premier of family dog Max. Good boy, Max, you passed the audition! Oh, and "Burrowing" is a very appealing tune as well -- thoughtful and well constructed bedroom pop with a jaunty bounce.

The name of the album is Ouch! and it will be out February 14 via Dandy Boy Records. We don't want to suggest we know anything about anyone else's romantic life -- but speaking only for ourselves and our experiences -- we think 'ouch' is a perfect name for an album that drops on Vaentine's Day.

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Bandcamp for "Ouch!"

Various relevant links

Joe Ziffer - Long Shadows

 

Time for some long overdue appreciation for Long Shadows, the lovely psychedelic pop LP by Adelaide artist Joe Ziffer. Joe builds his creations with complementary elements of jangle pop, folk and psychedelia. The tracks flow seamlessly to create a gentle but impactful tapestry of pastoral tunes. We close our eyes and feel we are listening to Ayers or Syd back in our youth, and that is a really good feeling. We foresee a lot of future evenings when Long Shadows will be out companion.

Long Shadows was released late in 2023 in digital and cassette formats by Tenth Court Records.

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Bandcamp for Long Shadows

Various relevant links for the album

"Like Today" by Research Vessel

 

In our earlier days we covered several releases by a jangling Seattle dreampop band called Seapony. Although we haven't heard from them since the middle of the last decade, we recently were contacted by songwriter/guitarist Danny Rowland. Danny has a new project named Research Vessel, and shared his first single form the upcoming EP. "Like Today" is a perfect slice of gentle guitar pop, and we have decided to play it a few times to close out our day. You may want to do the same.

Going Tomorrow EP will be out March 1 in digital and cassette formats via Small Craft Advisory.

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Bandcamp for Going Tomorrow EP

"Your Worst Song Is Your Greatest Hit" by The Reds, Pinks & Purples

 

In his The Reds, Pinks & Purples project San Francisco's Glenn Donaldson examines disappointments, breakups, and regrets, and does do via some of the loveliest music we hear. This spring will bring new album Unwishing Well, and our first taste is the lush criticism of the music industry titled "Your Worst Song Is Your Greatest Hit".

For this recording The Reds, Pinks & Purples are Glenn and Kati Mishikian, Lewis Gallardo, Thomas Rubenstein and Daniel Pearce. Unwishing Well will be out April 12 in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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Slumberland Records page for Unwishing Well

Tough Love Records page for Unwishing Well

"The Ring" by Flowertown

 

We consider any week with a new song from Michael Ramos' Tony Jay project or from Karina Gill's Cindy to be a banner week. So you can imagine the happy vibes at Headquarters when there is a new song from Flowertown, the joint project of Ramos and Gill. And it really isn't just a new song, it is a new song and an announcement of new LP Tourist Language the end of the month. The debut song is "The Ring", featuring characteristic hushed vocals and lovely sounding guitars. It is simple and spellbinding storytelling, and that is what Flowertown does.

Tourist Language will be out February 29 in vinyl and digital formats via Paisley Shirt Records.

Bandcamp for Tourist Language

"Big Love" by Camera Obscura

 

Beloved Glasgow indie pop band Camera Obscura has announced the release of their first album in ten years, which news was accompanied by the unveiling of album track "Big Love". The breakup tune dressed up as an upbeat pop song with country accents, is showcased via the video below. We expect that it will bring a smile fans new and old.

Look to the East, Look to the West will be out May 3 via Merge Records.

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Various links for "Big Love" and Look to the East, Look to the West

Merge Records page for album

"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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Various links for "Bounce"

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Slumberland Records page for album

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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Bandcamp for All Around You

Topshelf Records page for album

Various relevant links

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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Bandcamp for Fairweather Friend

Slumberland Records page for album

Tough Love Records page for album

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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Bandcamp For Everyone Smiles

"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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Bandcamp for Glasgow Eyes

Various links to pre-order Glasgow Eyes

"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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Bandcamp for "Vibrations Now"

ATH Records Bandcamp

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!.

Bandcamp for Under the Bridge 2

Skep Wax

"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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Bandcamp for Interior Spring

Various relevant links

"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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Bandcamp for previous releases

Jigsaw Records page (album not yet available)

"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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Bandcamp for album

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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Bandcamp for Fairweather Friend

Various links for "Gone"

"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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Bandcamp for "Caroline (I Found Love)"

"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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Bandcamp For Harm's Way

Various Relevant Links

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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Bandcamp for Better Before Vol. 1

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.

Bandcamp for A Familiar Fate

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