Our track of the day is "Nightbug". All atmosphere, gritty riffs and swaggering vocals, it makes us yearn for the nightlife, as well as prompting gratitude for the replay button. The song is the latest from Wellington, New Zealand band Mystery Waitress, and it is the first single from their upcoming LP Black Black Night. Look for the album August 2 via Flying Nun. And if you live nearby, listen for the album blasting from our speakers.
Mystery Waitress are Tess Dillon, Olivia Campion, Xanthe Rook, and James Morgan.
Way Dynamic is the project of Dylan Young, a Melbourne-based engineer, producer and musician. By our count (and were were not math majors), he previously released an album and an EP. On June 7 he will release new album Duck. We happen to think Dylan's music is both relaxing and amusing -- kind of a folk pop with an oddball spin to it. Check out "Material", "Candlelight" and "Sports", the three singles released from Duck to date. You may just find a new artist to follow, but in any case you will hear some good music.
Duck will be released via Melbourne's Spoilsport Records and, in the US, Earth Libraries.
In recent weeks we had received several messages from publicists to check out a band named Personal Trainer. Because were are busy, had never heard of the band, and were so-so on the name, we didn't check them out. Then today we received a message about the release of a video for "Round" along with the announcement that the band's new LP, Still Willing, will be out on August 2 via Bella Union. We watched. And we watched again. And again. The song has a crunchy, pop rock vibe and the video is very amusing. So let us now say that we have discovered a new band that everyone should check out. A big welcome the Dutch masters, Personal Trainer!
If you like ringing and tangled guitar lines, moody vocals and a summery California vibe then let your fingers run, not walk, to order a copy of Neptune, the new EP by Sweden's Stephen's Shore. The devoted guitar pop fans may find hints of Guided By Voices and Teenage Fanclub, but it is just as likely that they will be so lost in the splendor of the music that they won't even think of influences. Neptune is top quality Stephen's Shore, and that should be enough.
Neptune is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Madrid's Meritorio Records. Stephen's Shore are Viktor Sjodin, Johan Dittmer, Mattias Bergqvist, P.A. Blomqvist, and Erik Stackpole Undehn.
We expect that at this point indie pop fans, especially those fans that read this blog, need no introduction to The Reds, Pinks & Purples. But that familiarity does nothing to blunt the excitement about a new recording from the San Francisco project. So we eagerly welcome Unwishing Well -- ten songs of peerless pop craftmanship that looks at the music industry and the life of a musician from the inside looking out and the outside looking in. Those of us who have been following the band's music could be tempted to say that they have created their own sub-genre. Nevertheless, there are shifts from album to album. To our ears, Unwishing Well is both more nostalgic and wearier as compared to its most recent predecessor, and the pace of many of the songs seem to echo that weariness. But the musical and lyrical delights abound and the listener is rewarded as repeated listens reveal nuances that may have escaped notice on the first play; after all, the melodies do tend to demand attention on the first play of any recording by The Reds, Pinks & Purples. We heartily commend it to every indie pop fan.
Unwishing Well is out now via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.
With "You Belong With Us" we welcome you to the world of Sad Eyed Beatniks. We think this song is jangling lo-fi excellence from the heart of the Bay Area's lo-fi jangle pop scene; it is a warm hug of acceptance while your tears still run down your face. What else would one expect from Kevin Linn, who runs Paisley Shirt Records when not being the sad eyed beatnik? And especially when he is assisted by Cindy/Flowertown mates Karina Gill and Mike Ramos (you see all three in the homemade video below). The song is the first single from the upcoming Ten Brocades LP, due July 12 in digital and vinyl formats via Meritorio Records.
We don't like to over-promise, so we'll just close by saying that this album will be superb.
On Fool's Mate, his second full length album under his own name, R.E. Seraphin proves himself a rocker at heart. And not just a rocker, but a clever, adept rock craftsman. The songs on this album have are structured on driving rhythms and buzzing rock riffs, adorned with vocals delivered in a semi-whisper reminiscent of Jim Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Ray's guitar is a standout -- versatile and commanding -- but it doesn't overshadow the songwriting or the contributions of the other players. The arrangements are lean without being stripped down, and the quality of the playing, production and songwriting is consistent throughout. This may well be one of the best rock albums we hear this year, and when add it to Ray's recent EPs and previous album, we think the man has created an admirable discography in a few years.
In addition, contributors to Fool's Mate included Joel Cusumano, Daniel Pearce, Josh Miller, Luke Robbins, Owen Adair Kelley, and Hannah Moriah. Jason Quever of the Papercuts produced the album. The album is out now via Safe Suburban Home Records and Take A Turn Records.
Yea-Ming and The Rumours contemplate the false image of full contentment with "Ruby" and treat us to a look back at innocence of "Somebody's Daughter". Those are just two of the joys that await us on May 23 when new album I Can't Have It All is released via Dandy Boy Records.
No, we can't have it all, but sometimes we can have great music.
We like all the music we feature here, but we have favorites. It is human nature. And one of those favorites is Melbourne's fantastic Quivers. They create terrific pop music, put on a great live show, and are nice people.
Earlier today Quivers let us know that they have signed to Merge Records and will release new album Oyster Cuts on August 9. We would be thrilled if the new album matched the highs of their previous Golden Doubt, but based on the first single -- "Apparition" -- we dare dream that it will surpass their debut. It is bold, bright and confident with crunchy guitars and a buoyant chorus. This album is going to be so, so good!
As we mentioned, Quivers are a good live show and they have an ambitious tour schedule beginning in June. The dates and venues are at the bottom of this post.
Australian Shows: Jun 14 Kyneton, VIC – Major Tom’s Jun 15 Beechworth, VIC – Tanswells
Jun 21 Melbourne, VIC – Northcote Social Club
Aug 30 Adelaide, SA – Queen's Theatre
Sep 06 Ballarat, VIC – The Eastern
Sep 07 Castlemaine, VIC – The Bridge Hotel Nov 1 Canberra, ACT – Sideways
Nov 2 Sydney, NSW – Waywards
Nov 3 Port Kembla, NSW – The Servo
Nov 15 Hobart, TAS – Altar
Nov 16 Brisbane, QLD – Black Bear Lodge
US Tours: Jul 26 Carrboro, NC – Merge 35 Festival
July 29 Seattle, WA - Substation Jul 31 Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool Aug 01 Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool Aug 02 Washington, DC – Comet Ping Pong Aug 03 Philadelphia, PA – TBA
Aug 04 Richmond, VA – Get Tight Lounge Oct 14 Columbus, OH – Skully’s Music Diner* Oct 15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall*
Oct 16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue* Oct 17 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room* Oct 18 Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Lounge* Oct 19 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater* Oct 21 Austin, TX – Radio / East* Oct 22 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall*
Oct 23 New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre*
* w/ Superchunk Europe / U.K. Tour: (More TBA soon):
Dec 03 Dresden, DE – Ostpol Dec 05 Hamburg, DE – Hebebühne
Dec 06 Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso Dec 10 Paris, FR – Supersonic Dec 11 London, UK – The Lexington Dec 12 Manchester, UK – Castle Hotel
In 2022 it was written about Neutrals in a brilliant write up of their album Bus Stop Nights (link to full review):
There are punk bands that are all thunder and fury. We respect the passion and listen avidly, but at times the art of the song is lost. Then there are bands that declare themselves punk, but seem to like the idea of being a punk band while really being a pop rock band. And then there is a rare punk-oriented band that has the incisive writing and aggressive performing, but also understands the need for a hook, a laugh and a melody. Such a band are Oakland, California's Neutrals.
We don't mind stealing that language for our post about their "Wish You Were Here", the first single from their upcoming album New Town Dream, because we wrote it. And it remains at least as true today as it was two years ago. In just this first single we get shaggy C86 guitar pop and Josef K style clanging guitars. We are tingling here (nothing a few beers won't cure, of course).
Neutrals is a trio that craft songs with sonic punch, melody, and incisive lyrics. They believe what they believe and don't hold back in telling you. It is a stunning band that deserves a wide audience, and perhaps this album will help them attain that.
New Town Dream will be released May 31 on Slumberland Records and Static Shock Records.
If Yea-Ming and The Rumors are releasing an album it is on our list, no questions asked and no PR materials needed. May 24 is the drop date for the upcoming I Can't Have It All, and while we haven't listened to the album yet, the title track is a lovely '60s shaded guitar pop gem. Evoking sun and sand and the promise of summer, it is just what we needed on a cloudy day.
I Can't Have It All will be released via Dandy Boy Records.
This makes back to back posts for Meritorio Records artists, but there are no apologies from us. When a track makes us feel as alive as "Here Comes the Order of Malta", then we will promote it as if we are paid to do so (which we certainly are not). A couple of bars in we want to climb into the car, roll down the windows and crank up the music. To keep peace in the neighborhood we might also start the car and drive -- just kidding, this song demands that we drive. It reeks of vitality, of adventure, of 'get out and do something'.
The song is the first single from the upcoming Western Leisure, the third album from Oh Boland. band-now-solo-project of Irishman Niall Murphy. Western Leisure will be released May 31 via Meritorio Records most everywhere and Safe Suburban Home in the UK.
The last few weeks have been tending the post surgery needs of a relative that was a teenager in the '60s, and in California and other parts of the West Coast. So it seems to us that the perfect song to celebrate our return is the rousing '60s-inspired "Garden" by Swedish band Stephen's Shore. We would understand if it made you want to grab a surfboard and head to the beach, because that is exactly what came to our minds (right before the the realization that we no longer have surfboards). But at least we have "Garden" and our memories ...
"Garden" is the first single from the upcoming EP Neptune, which is due May 10 via Madrid's Meritorio Records. Stephen's Shore are Viktor Sjodin, Johan Dittmer, Mattias Bergqvist, P.A. Blomqvist, and Erik Stackpole Undehn.
We applaud anyone that releases a self-reflective album titled Ouch! on Valentine's Day. I guess we are just wounded romantics. But Ryann Gonsalves' debut LP deserves applause for more than its title and release date. The focus is inward on the composer, but it reflects a strong sense of self and is infused with humor and whimsey. An able musician as well as a vocalist and songwriter, the songs are pleasing and, while concise, well-formed. There are plenty of rewards for the listeners in Ouch!; it is one of those albums that just makes us happy to play. We already counted ourselves as fans of other projects in which Ryann participates. Now we can look forward to more of her solo work as well.
Ouch! is out now in digital and cassette formats via Oakland's Dandy Boy Records. Ryann also is the frontperson for Torrey and plays in Aluminum and Reality TV.
How about some sweet, sincere jangle pop to gladden the heart? Rain or Shine comes from Berlin by way of Portland, Oregon, courtesy of Hanemoon. The melodies are varied but invariably delightful and the arrangements are dynamic and agile. As the title says -- rain or shine -- these are tunes for all weather any any mood.
Hanemoon is Hans Forster, who also is a member of Seaside Stars and Man Behind Tree. Rain or Shine is out now via Jigsaw Records which also has the previous Hanemoon albums. A very important note for buyers is that you should use the links below. A scammer has created a fake Jigsaw site with the 'dot shop' suffix, and you will lose your money if you try to buy there.
We don't know the members of Glasgow's Dancer personally, but we suspect that they may be as fond of caffeine as the WYMA staff. The songs on their new album for Meritorio Records, 10 Songs I Hate About You, are bursting with energy, purpose and a rare level of inventiveness. All of that, the ace musicianship and the distinctive vocals of Gemma Fleet make this album one of the most distinctive and treasured of the year so far.
I don't know why they call themselves Dancer, but our imagination tells us that their music dances across our brains led Fred and Ginger. The album a warm heart and a good dose of wit. It unspools like a live show with Gemma announcing the title of each song and guitarist Chris Taylor and bassist Andrew Doig seeming to freestyle to great effect while drummer Gavin Murdoch keeps it all grounded.
10 Songs I Hate About You is out now via Meritorio Records.
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.
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). .
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.
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.
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