A midweek pack of three featuring three more albums that has grabbed my ears attention.
The Lions Constellation – New Moon Rising [Shelflife Records (US)/Make Me Happy Records (GR)]
Spanish band The Lions Constellation have been around since 2008 but are hardly prolific with one album, one EP and one split single to their name. A definite case of quality over quantity. New Moon Rising is their second album and is a mixture of indiepop, noise pop and shoegaze.
The three lead singles (If You, Human Skills & Allison) have been fine tasters and unlike other albums, which lead with all the best tracks leaving nothing else, consistency has been maintained with a balance between fuzz/distortion and melody tinged with psychedelia. Tracks like Colours Of My Town provide the evidence of that. JAMC, Ride with a sprinkling of Spacemen 3 spring to mind as pointers.
New Moon Rising is available from Make Me Happy Records and Shelflife Records.
Viceroy – Freedom Tastes Like Breakfast [Make Me Happy Records (GR)]
Staying in Greece with Make Me Happy Records is the debut album from Hellas natives Viceroy. Titled Freedom Tastes Like Breakfast it features nine songs that range from indiepop to indie rock. On first listens, I could not get past the likes of On A Sunday and Bicycle which reminded me of a late 1980s Wedding Present.
But dig deeper, and you will hear a more rocky sound influenced by US acts ranging from Dinosaur Jr to Pavement. The vocals are strong throughout and the overall result is a pretty solid listen across all the songs contained within.
My one small gripe is that it does at times sound like you are listening to two different bands, but hey variety is the spice of life, no? Freedom Tastes Like Breakfast is out now on Make Me Happy Records.
The Caroline’s – Mediocre Twenties in a Not-So-Metropolitan Setting
Surabaya’s The Caroline’s debut (I think!) album delivers a selection of tunes that will make the indiepop fan swoon with joy. Sung both in their native tongue and English, these songs draw inspiration from throughout indiepop history yet are delivered with a fresh take.
Starting with the recent single Kamu Adalah Sebagian Dari Kota Ini, Segala Musim Yang Pernah Kita Lalui, which I previously described as a fusion of The Field Mice and The Wedding Present, there is no let up as the band effortlessly glide through the album. The songs vier towards the twee side of indiepop reminding me of Talulah Gosh and Heavenly in many places. Listen to Twenty-Four In Twenty-Four and you will hear what I mean.
The closing tracks have some diversity to their sound. Mediocre Daydreams has a 1950s teen prom rock n’roll feel, whilst Same City, Different Gaze takes its musical cues from a decade or two prior. Some record scratches or skips would have been ideal on that one!
Mediocre Twenties in a Not-So-Metropolitan Setting is an instant twee pop classic. Get it from here.
Records I Like 