As London melts in the heat, it’s time to close the curtains and play some tunes.

Here is the Playlist:

or listen on YouTube

Lightheaded – Mercury Girl

Mercury Girl is taken from the forthcoming EP Good Good Great! that will be released on October 13 2023. Mercury Girl mixes 1960s pop with 1980s indiepop with ease. Pop music with a capital P! Good Good Great! can be pre-ordered from Slumberland Records.

Mamtor – Days And Days Like These

Paul Brotherton wrote Days And Days Like These and its flip side The Abyss back in 1986 when he was a member of The Bodines. His new outfit Mamtor has now recorded the songs, and you will not be surprised you discover that they have a feel good retro sound about them. You can buy them from here.

Sullen Eyes – Getting There

Sunday Records are releasing an expanded version of Sullen Eyes debut EP, which I reviewed here. It’s a right ol’ twee and jangle fest! The album is titled Hardwood Floors And A Hand To Hold and will be released at the end of the month. You can pre-order it from here.

Be Afraid – 1920

1920 is taken from the current mini-album The End Looks Like Prosperity from the Canadian indie band Be Afraid. It’s a twee pop infused track that is in contrast with some of the other tracks. The End Looks Like Prosperity can be purchased in vinyl and digital formats from Kingfisher Bluez.

Hidden Eyes – Show Yourself

I don’t know too much about Market Harborough’s Hidden Eyes. Given that they have written “We did our best” on their Bandcamp page, I have to wonder if they have split since I first heard them via last month’s collection of songs Too Small. If they have, then it’s a fine collection of songs to depart with, none more so than the fuzzy indiepop found on the opening track Show Yourself. Too Small can be obtained from the band.

Bloom Effect – Year Zero

Bloom Effect are comprised of Argentinean, Canadian and British musicians who are based in Vancouver. The melodic Year Zero is their debut single (discounting the trembling demo) and is a fine blend of dreampop fused with shoegaze. The vocals are mighty fine too as they deliver the words in Spanish, giving a hint of ethereality to the song.

Sunshy – Hyacinth

Chicago’s Sunshy is a new name on me. Hyacinth is their second single, and it’s a twisting mass of shoegaze mixed with some melodic noise. Pick up the single and the previous MBV inspired effort, Dissolve from here.

Gladie – Chaos Reigns

Last November’s long player Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out impressed these ears and new single Chaos Reigns is a great way to start the next chapter. Vibrant and accessible, this alt-rock track was song was co-written/produced by Sean Bonnette of AJJ.

Iceblynk – Enter The Sky

Iceblynk’s latest single is a mix of ethereal tinged dreampop and shoegaze. This is mainly in part due to the voice of Andrea Lynn which reminds the listener of Crane’s Alison Shaw mixed blended together with a bit of Bjork’s too. They certainly are distinctive and edge the band slightly higher above their peers.

Andy Bell & Masal – Hallogallo

Andy Bell (Ride/Glok) along with the London based Masal, who music uses electronica, the harp and the theremin, delivered this excellent cover of the Neu classic at their gig at London’s The Social this past May.