This week’s pack of three features three new releases. HuanHuan – Charlie Charlie is the first we have heard from Taiwan’s HuanHuan for a couple of years now. And it’s worth the wait as ethereal female vocals forge an alliance … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? New Releases For Your Ears
I am surprised I have never mentioned The Raft on these pages before especially given how good the Jellyfish EP’s were. The band who based in Neston, UK are centred on Phil Wilson (no, not the June Brides one!), Claire O’Neill and J Pedro. Xanadu (no, not the Olivia Newton-John/ELO one!) is taken from the forthcoming album Abloom which is out later this week on Brighton’s Shore Dive Records. The track is an epic, creative dream-pop song which showcases the band at it’s strongest and is a benchmark for the rest of the album. Abloom is available in CD and … Continue reading The Raft – Xanadu (Abloom version)
On this EP Five Spanish bands who have previously recorded for the Discos De Kirlian label provide covers of songs by The Smiths. Actually make that four covers as Silent James have contributed a song in the style of Moz & Co. Cover versions can be nonplussed affairs but there a couple of gems here. Mieu by Lavandera is their version of Panic sung in the Asturian language. Whilst musically it replicates the original down to a tee the bands native tongue really suit the lyrics, making the song stand out and none more so when they close with the … Continue reading Various – Pálidos y Débiles EP (Grupos de Discos de Kirlian adaptan a los Smiths)
Child’s Play is taken from the forthcoming album Morning Thoughts that will be released in May via Luxury Records. If you are a fan of the band you will know what to expect but if not Child’s Play is a fine example of the epic sounding indiepop the band create so well. Morning Thoughts is available in a range of formats and can be pre-ordered from here. Facebook Continue reading Agent Blå – Child’s Play
Sunday Records have compiled the two singles released by the Falmouth based band Lips last year alongside three new tracks for the band’s forthcoming self titled EP. Apartment is a searing dream pop song that soars above and beyond thanks to the vibrating guitars and graceful vocals of singer Rachel Anstis. If you didn’t get it last year get it pronto. The LIPS EP is out next month on Sunday Records. Pre-order it from here. Facebook Continue reading Lips – Apartment
Fresh on the back of the re-release of their classic Boomy Tella album Medway Scene legends/veterans have announced a brand-new long player. Titled The New Industrial Ballads it’s preceded by the single Journey and to be honest it’s like they have never been away as it contains more jangles and hooks than you can shake a stick at. Upbeat central! You can pre-order The New Industrial Ballads from here. Facebook Continue reading The Claim – Journey
Manchester based Box Bedroom Rebels have collated a mix of tracks taken from Californian outfit Group Photos releases last year (Frequency, Open District) alongside some new (or previously unreleased?) recordings. The tracks are a mixture of dream/indiepop and alternative rock interspersed with snippets of instruments, electronica and droning sounds that works well, blending the tracks together nicely. Highlights are the 1980s tinged Infirmary and the high speed, jangling In The Morning that steadily increases the tempo before reaching its peak. It’s an impressive EP that doubles up as a great introduction to the band if you haven’t heard them before. … Continue reading Group Photos – 33RPM EP
Or as the label, Pow! Pop Kids, kindly translates Noise-pop for Beginners by Buddy Psycholly. It’s more than simply noise pop though and a lot of it is very clever indie and jangle pop that’s packed with ideas. There are plenty of rock ‘n’ roll hooks for one. Opener Молодость и красота (Youth and Beauty) starts off like Tommy Roe’s Sheila before turning into an indiepop dancefloor staple. It continues on Беги (Run) which could be the sound of the forbidden Soviet rock ‘n’ roll underground. There is also surf pop in the shape of the band’s cover of The … Continue reading Бадди Психолли – Нойз-поп для начинающих
The Reds, Pinks & Purples return with yet another new demo (did they skip one last month?) and it’s well-founded as ever. They haven’t really deviated away from their sound over their ten demos so far and that’s a good thing. What ever they have planned sounds promising as I’m Worried About the New Wave demonstrates. Talking of new wave it’s the cover of 999’s 1980 single Boys in the Gang that interests me. The band have extended it by a minute replacing the stuttering new wave guitars with some shimmering ones which works out rather well whilst Glenn Donaldson’s … Continue reading The Reds, Pinks & Purples – I’m Worried About the New Wave (demo)/Boys in the Gang
The Our Mother’s House EP is the prequel to the forthcoming album on Matinee Recordings titled Desperately Seeking Sunshine which is out next month. The title track appears on the said long player whilst the two additional tracks Barely Regal and When Life Gives You Lemons are exclusive to this EP. Musically the band are still producing, as ever!, 1960s bubblegum pop nuggets and this EP is no exception. It’s available digitally from the label or via the band. Facebook Continue reading Bubblegum Lemonade – Our Mother’s House EP
Records I Like 