I guess any band who may have well taken their name from a Cocteau Twins song is always going to sound this dreamy. Swirling sounds mixed with ethereal vocals puts the dream right into dreampop in a big way. The way the song ends hazily with the vocals sounding like they were lifted straight from 4AD’s catalogue in the 1980s is extremely pleasing to these ears. I guess it would have the same effect on yours too. Facebook Continue reading Lorelei – I Am a Road
Jan 1 is a sparkling gem from down under! It’s catchy, poppy and a bit noisy, being the sort of tune that should have you bopping around like no one’s business. The female vocals work well against the sometimes frantic fuzzy guitars and whilst Jan 1 is the first track I have heard from Fritz, it certainly will not be the last. Pop music as it should be. Facebook Continue reading FRITZ -Jan 1
N ♡ T is the result of a self-imposed challenge to see if an album could be recorded in seven days by Argentinian act Las Densas. Given the quality of the seven indiepop songs contained within I would say the challenge was well and truly smashed. For me, Las Densas are at their most effective on the short punk inspired bursts such as Untitled or Vos as I like the intensity. That said tracks like Cambie and Termina should not be discounted and I imagine if Stereolab sang in Spanish and recorded for Elefant Records they would sound somewhat similar. … Continue reading Las Densas – N ♡ T
The self titled debut album by Jeanines takes me back to the years of my youth circa early/mid 1980s. It takes me back to the times I eagerly waited for fanzines, flexi-discs and records to drop through my door or the weekly trip to pick up the music press to excitably scour for even more things to spend my hard-earned pennies on. Not to mention the countless trips to the record shop! So much on this fantastic record reminds me of those days. The DIY ethos, the very short songs, the artwork with a distant church, the 1960s influenced tunes … Continue reading Jeanines – Jeanines
Brighton’s Jetstream Pony are currently working on their debut album which may, or may not, be entitled Schrammelig. I don’t speak German but Schrammelig apparently describes something between not exactly tuned and/or a rather scratchy, crooked or old sound. Which, to be fair, is the best way I can summarize the band’s latest demo offering despite Beth Arzy’s voice sounding as fine as ever. A work in progress but there are promising hints on how that album will eventually sound. Facebook Continue reading Jetstream Pony – Mitte (demo)
Cascais is the latest single to be taken from the forthcoming debut album by Terry vs. Tori. It’s a lovely, sometimes whimsical song, that eases itself in to the listener’s consciousness. The song also features contributions from Foliage which makes it an indiepop dream line up if there ever was one! It’s backed with the fourth single to be lifted from the aforementioned album. On Chambré Terry vs. Tori once again demonstrate that they are the leading light for indiepop in 2019. Drawing on inspiration from c86 alongside the reignition of the sound of Labrador records from 10-12 years ago … Continue reading Terry vs. Tori – Cascais
Falmouth’s Lips produce another fine moment on the harmonious In Summer. The rhythmical guitars and the vocals of Rachel Anstis, which range from the evangelical to the haunting, once again seals the deal. They really have aquired the knack of making classy jangling, alterantive pop tunes in a short space of time and if they keep this up these lips, excuse the pun, are never going to get chapped! Facebook Continue reading LIPS – In Summer
La De Parks by Madrid’s Marcos Y Molduras is one of those short, fuzzy indiepop tracks I love so much. The gentle build up, female vocals and then vibrant but lo-fi punk-pop guitars and percussion kicking in. It’s like the prefect recipe for these ears as the track deals with a doomed love affair. That may have not worked out in the end but this track most certainly does! La De Parks is out now via Discos De Kirlian. Continue reading Marcos Y Molduras – La De Parks
The opener on this EP Would I Break My Heart Enough For You is not far from being the perfect jangling indiepop song. The way the guitars skirt along the punk-pop borders with the female vocals joining in puts it right straight into C86 territory. Spend Some Time With Me is a mix of punk vibes mixed with power pop and is both short and sweet. However, I am not sure about the last track Dr Worm which is a bit too “arty-farty” for me, but I am sure many will appreciate the Talking Heads/Tina Weymouth post-punk vibe. That said … Continue reading Ogikubo Station – Okinawan Love Songs
The Blue Herons is a project of Andy Jossi of The Churchhill Garden which errs on the side of indie/janglepop unlike the former which leans towards dreampop/shoegaze. The Way You Look at Me features longtme collaborator Krissy Vanderwoude who writes and sings the words with Jossi arranging the music. This time they are joined by Marty Willson-Piper of The Church who provides some additional guitars. So with such a build up surely the song is gonna fall flat. Nah! Not a bit of it! Opening like Goodbye from The Sundays it’s a joyous song about falling in love for the … Continue reading The Blue Herons – The Way You Look at Me (Feat. Krissy Vanderwoude)
Records I Like 