VVOLVES – Paris
VVOLVES are Mandy Clare (Vocals), Iain Clarke (Guitars) and for the second single in a row have been joined by Gary Bellis on Drums. The band don’t shy away from their 1980s & 90s influences and that sound is prevalent here. Paris has a atmospheric, gothic edge and Mandy Clare’s vocals has me giving comparison to the likes of The Cranes and a gloomier Sundays. Cracking artwork too.
Desert Flower – 걸음마 (First Step)
The first three minutes of Seoul based Desert Flower’s latest single is a thing of beauty reaching heights of all things haunting and ethereal. When the guitars kick in we get into the realms of indulgency for the last four minutes. That’s not a bad thing depending on your point of view but it gets a bit too epic, rock opera like for me. If they trebled the opening three minutes I would be a happy man indeed. For now I will stick with last year’s Melatonin single which I hoped they were going to build on here.
Oktober86 – Yang Kurindukan
The new EP from Jakarta based Oktober86 features three tracks. The title track, which translates as What I Miss, is a lo-fi jangling bedroom pop track. Kawan Lama (Old Friend) sees the guitars and percussion expand mixing twee and fuzz to produce another fine indiepop moment which is further enhanced by the droning vocal style. Final track Sekian (So Much) draws on the retro influences that give the track it’s vintage sound which would not be out of place on a flexi disc! In short, a fine set of songs for the discerning indiepop fan.
Records I Like 