The Mid-October Sampler

So a combination of COVID (yet again!) followed by a busy time at work has seen an enforced absence from these pages. So without much ado, let’s get stuck into the releases I need to catch up with.

Here is the Playlist:

or listen on YouTube

Track list:

Spunsugar – San Jose

There is a little bit of Curve on San Jose, which is the latest single to be taken from the forthcoming album A Hole Forever. Shoegaze and electronica combine to great effect, and the joint vocals work pretty well too. Strangely it’s backed with two other tracks from the LP being It Never Gave Me Everything and Flaws. San Jose can be purchased from here whilst the album, which is due for release on November 17 2023, can be pre-ordered from here.

The Popguns – Dirty London

The Popguns take a stab at Britain’s colonial past and slave trade on Dirty London, which is taken from the current EP Popism which is out now.

Seablite – Hit the Wall

Hit The Wall is taken from the band’s second album, Lemon Lights. It is, like most of the album, a dreamy indiepop track. Some nice sounds here, and the whole album is mastered by Mark Gardener from Ride. Lemon Lights is out now.

The Photocopies – There Is No ‘Us’ Anymore

Sean Turner continues his C86 retro pop takeover of your ears. There are very strong Wedding Present vibes on this one, with the guitar reminding me of their single Kennedy. There Is No ‘Us’ Anymore can be found on the new album Unprofessional Conduct which is also found on the three album compilation Triple Decker.

Feeling Figures – Across The Line

Some lovely lo-fi/DIY indiepop from Montreal’s Feeling Figures. It’s taken from the band’s forthcoming debut album Migration Magic that will be released on November 24 2023 via Perennialdeath and Krecs.

Tomates en Verano – Simulando Esperar

Simulando Esperar from the Argentinian outfit Tomates en Verano is a dreampop/shoegaze mix with some lovely female ethereal vocals thrown in for good measure. There is some thriving guitar that punctuates throughout, keeping the song in check. Simulando Esperar is out now via Casa del Puente Discos

Luces Negras – Somni

Somni is the latest single, and the first for a couple of years, from the Barcelona based Luces Negras. It’s a fuzzy indie guitar track that encompasses some noise to go along the dominant female vocals. There is some nice post-punk style brass instrumentation too. Somni can be found on the album No Quiero Estar Aquí which is out now.

Pale Skies – Solace

Tangerang’s Pale Skies return with a new single in the shape of the always beautiful Solace. It’s an ethereal dreampop track with some haunting female vocals with just a guitar for company. Whilst it was out a year ago, it now is packaged as a maxi single complete with alternative mixes and three cover versions. Solace is out now via Gerbang Kecil Records.

Fragile Animals – Lonely In The Sun

Gloomy yet sparkling shoegaze from down under. It’s the band’s first single for over three years, and it’s a stunning welcome back. Shoegaze does not get finer than this nor will words describe it better than a listen or five.

Moon In June – Head for München

Head for München is taken from the debut album ロマンと水色の街 from the Tokyo based Moon In June. It’s a driving shoegazing influenced indie rock track that reminds me of the likes of Say Sue Me and early The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. ロマンと水色の街 is out now via Dreamwaves Records.