Category: indiepop

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

indiepop, Jangle Pop, PopLeave a comment

Río Arga – Río Arga

Tom

Río Arga is the third self titled release from this Pamplona based band and this volume is crammed chock full of infectious indiepop songs. Straight from the off with Tus Canciones the band deliver one jangling pop tune after another. I have no idea what they are singing about as I have long given up on google translate but I have no doubt that these songs would sound great whatever language they were sung in. Tracks like No Me Aguanto Más (a speeded up Stereolab?) and the atmospheric La Javierada are some of the strongest tracks the indiepop genre has … Continue reading Río Arga – Río Arga

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

indiepop, Post Punk, Uncategorized2 Comments

Various Artists – New Wave Of Hype

Tom

Indonesian label Dismantled have put together a compilation featuring five bands on their roster covering songs by The Wake. The first three songs are taken from The Wake’s output on Sarah Records whilst the final two tracks are taken from releases on Scan 45 and Factory Records. They are pretty good efforts. Les Mains Immaculees cover of Carbrain works really well as does The Sensitives’ gruff cover On Our Honeymoon. New Wave Of Hype is available digitally from Dismantled on a pay what you want basis or on extremely limited CDR from Heaven Punks. The Wake’s music can be purchased … Continue reading Various Artists – New Wave Of Hype

indiepop, Noise Pop1 Comment

Linda Guilala – Agosto

Tom

Spanish outfit and long time Records I Like faves Linda Guilala release the second in their limited edition vinyl single releases which are spread across various labels in 2019. Following up their recent single for London’s Sonic Catherdral Agosto will be released on German label Dreams Never Ends Records and consists of two previously unreleased tracks. Both tracks are darker than what we normally expect from the band, erring towards post-punk rather than indiepop but showcase the bands versatility. It’s the moody flipside Salga Bien that gets my vote reminding me of a gloomy Joy Division inspired Stereolab! Order the … Continue reading Linda Guilala – Agosto

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)