Something For The Weekend? Three From Sweden

This week’s pack of three centres on three releases from Swedish artists. Lamagaia – Aurora This is epic. 16 plus minutes of krautrock /space rock/drone or whatever you want to call it. It sounds like my favourite Loop records on repeat. Available on 12″ vinyl from Sunrise Ocean Bender. Or get it digitally. Homepage Agent Blå – (Don’t) Talk to Strangers Another slab of indiepop from Agent Blå. It didn’t grab me in the same way as the previous single Strand managed to. However, it’s still a fine track none the less. It just sounds a bit out of place. Maybe there … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Three From Sweden

Something For The Weekend? Forthcoming Releases

This week’s pack of three focuses on three forthcoming releases to keep an ear out for. Peaness – Seafoam Islands The flip side of the new single due for release at the end of this month on Oddbox Records. I did not hear much from Peaness in 2016 but they are off to a cracking start in 2017. Is it garage? Is it rock? Is it indie? Who cares because it is perfect pop to these ears. The limited 7″ single has now sold out of it’s pre-orders but keep an eye on their Bandcamp page in case any more … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Forthcoming Releases

The Crystal Furs – The Crystal Furs

Texan alt. rock/indie-pop band The Crystal Furs have just released their debut self-titled album which includes the recent Tunnel Vision single and it’s fantastic flip side Miss Hughes. The album is fast out of the blocks with frantic guitars driving Quit You and Weightless coupled with with Amanda Camille’s lovely vocals. The band are best when they maintain that level of pace (Summer’s Over) with the only exception being the aforementioned flip side as the Camille’s distinctive vocals dominate the slowed down guitars. All in all it’s an enjoyable debut! One for fans of the likes of Belly, Throwing Muses, … Continue reading The Crystal Furs – The Crystal Furs

Records I Like Top 10 2016

Blimey. This year’s list was hard to compile given that I restrict myself to just 10 choices (self-inflicted stupidity!). I have been listening to plenty of punk, coldwave, indie-pop, riot grrrl, queercore, garage and post-punk but I think this selection is a fair reflection of my listening habits these past 12 months. Tracks missing the cut include the likes of Underworld, Joanna Gruesome, The Radio Dept., The Legends, Earth Girls,The Liminanas, Red Sleeping Beauty, Massive Attack, Jessica & The Fletchers, Vital Idles, Useless Youth, E’spaniel, Nice Try, Hate Week, Primetime, Tape Waves, The Wolfhounds, Merchandise, Slam, Blind Delon, Lad’s Mags, … Continue reading Records I Like Top 10 2016

Finishing Off….. 2016

After scrolling through my bookmarks here are some releases that deserved posts of their own but a busier solstice than usual has prevented that so please divert your ears into the direction of the following: Swimming Tapes – Set The Fire / Souvenirs Excellent debut 7″ from this London based alternative pop band. Facebook Son Bou – Cinta Indiepop from Barcelona. Out now on cassette from Snap! Clap! Facebook Kamikaze Girls – SAD Kamikaze Girls could be described as an angrier and noisier version of Curve. Stitches is a must hear. Facebook Fascinations Grand Chorus – Actor/Actress More dreamy 1960’s … Continue reading Finishing Off….. 2016

Battery Point – Battery Point

With a name like Battery Point it should come as no surprise to find this release tagged as C86 and indiepop on bandcamp but the real surprise is just how good these songs are. The essential elements are here including jangling guitars and girl/boy vocals but it’s how infectious these songs become after just a couple of plays that amazed me. None more so than on the closer Violet Dreams where the female vocals become dominant over driving drums with the guitars shimmering and soaring. I have been playing this all morning. I suggest you do the same. Continue reading Battery Point – Battery Point

Catching Up with Long Players!

Young Romance – Another’s Blood After what seemed like aeons Young Romance finally released their debut album at the back end of last month. Because of that the album does have that “best of” feel but given the likes of previous singles Pale and Wild who can really complain? Buy it from here or digitally from the band. Facebook Bubblegum Lemonade – The Great Leap Backward I must admit to having mixed feelings about Bubblegum Lemonade these days. I was not too impressed by July’s Beard On A Bike EP as, aside from the title track, the rest of their … Continue reading Catching Up with Long Players!

Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!

Whilst listening to this debut release from Sweden’s Tinsel Heart I got the same “hair on the back of my neck standing up” sensation I did when I first heard the debut EP from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Like that EP this one too is packed to the rafters with homages to that classic C86 and jangly guitar indie-pop sound. They even call one of their songs Sunny Sunday Smile which should give you some idea of how these songs sound. However, they don’t just make a carbon copy replicas but instead expand on their influences effortlessly. … Continue reading Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!

Night Flowers – Christmas

Night Flowers have released two seasonal recordings recorded at home on their 8 track. Both of these recordings are pretty decent in particular No Rest which is as dreamy as can be thanks to the lovely shimmering guitars. Christmas is available for nowt although donations will be gratefully received and donated to MIND and TEENAGE CANCER TRUST. You know it makes sense…. Facebook Continue reading Night Flowers – Christmas