Category: C86

C86, indiepop, Jangle Pop, TweeLeave a comment

Tvärtom – Tvärtom

Tom

The self titled debut EP from Finland’s Tvärtom features four jangling indiepop songs that sound like they could have been recorded in another era. The guitars chime throughout and the deadpan male vocals are beautifully supplemented by some fine female backing vocals none more so on Kadun Humina. They sound like they have taken the best elements of the various bands on Sarah Records and fused them together. There is something very Field Mice like about Lätäköt which is utterly charming. A very impressive debut. More please ASAP! Continue reading Tvärtom – Tvärtom

Alt Rock, C86, indiepop, Jangle PopLeave a comment

Univers – Matèria Corrupta

Tom

The new single from the Catalan Wedding Present (my words, not theirs!) features two tracks that were part of the sessions for 2016s Limit Constant album which were, until now, unreleased. They are backed with remixes of both tracks. Joventuts Unides is a full frontal assault consisting of noisy, jangling guitars and deadpan vocals. L’Home i L’espasa is is a melodic indiepop song which ends with a fine jangling burst with the words reaching anthem like proportions. All of which makes me wonder why neither song made the album cut given they are as good or even better as some … Continue reading Univers – Matèria Corrupta

Alt Rock, C86, indiepop, Noise Pop, Post PunkLeave a comment

Various Artists – YLLWSPCL: Bandung Pop Darlings The Mixtapes

Tom

A solid compilation featuring and reflecting on bands over the years (1995-2015) from Bandung, Indonesia. It’s amazing how many of these bands look towards to the UK for inspiration and some of these tracks cover Britpop, C86 and Madchester. The compilers apologise for the lack of “high fidelity” in some of these recordings but that’s not a negative for me as these contributions are a snapshot in time as demonstrated on the likes of Old and Grey by Peewee and Sadford Lads Club crossing JAMC and the Wall Of Sound on Dan (Sheila on 7). It’s not all guitar based … Continue reading Various Artists – YLLWSPCL: Bandung Pop Darlings The Mixtapes

C86, indiepop, Lo-Fi, Noise Pop2 Comments

The Memory Fades – Space Pilot EP

Tom

The Memory Fades set the bar pretty high on their debut She Loves The Birds EP which was released earlier this year so the Space Pilot EP has a tough act to follow. Once again Stephen Maughan (Bulldozer Crash/Kosmonaut) is joined by a group of friends and flip me, they manage to pull it off once more. The opening and title track is a fuzzy pop number and contains the best end rhyming lyrics in indiepop circles (sky – high, been – seen) since The Mighty Lemon Drops. Talking of lyrics honey and candy feature in Listening to the Marychain … Continue reading The Memory Fades – Space Pilot EP

C86, indiepop, Noise Pop1 Comment

A Certain Smile – Cherry Bomb

Tom

If you want vintage sounding, C86 inspired indiepop then A Certain Smile will be right up your street. Cherry Bomb is loud and fuzzy in just the way pop music should be. The sound has been revived before of course. The label mentions The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (well maybe they meant the early stuff when they mimicked the Lazy era My Bloody Valentine) but POBPAH have long faded out of earshot. A Certain Smile give to spirit to such a sound as previously demonstrated on 2017s excellent Fits & Starts. Thankfully they have, based on this track, … Continue reading A Certain Smile – Cherry Bomb

C86, indiepop, Jangle Pop1 Comment

Atta Girl – 九月​(​September​)​/​错过​(​Regret)

Tom

The Chinese two piece Atta Girl (there is more than one band with that name!) return with a new single. The last we heard from them was back in 2017 with their Everyone Loves You When You Were Still A Kid album and the new single is a natural progression from where the aforementioned album left off. Both songs here sound much fuller and more rounded, bringing that bedroom pop sound out into the open. It’s September that grabs my attention with it’s mix of indiepop and shoegaze as it jangles it’s way through the maze of melodic guitars heading … Continue reading Atta Girl – 九月​(​September​)​/​错过​(​Regret)

C86, indiepop1 Comment

The Flatmates – Shut Up and Kiss Me

Tom

Indiepop stalwarts The Flatmates release a new single next month on the brand new Greek based label Old Bad Habits. Shut Up and Kiss Me​ is the sound of a band doing what they do best. Thriving guitars, melodic keyboards and singer Lisa Bouvier’s attention grabbing vocals making this a song hard to miss. It’s backed with another new track Rescue Me and there is also a new album in the works. The single will be available in 7″ and digital formats and you can pre-order it from here. Facebook Continue reading The Flatmates – Shut Up and Kiss Me