New Brazilian duo The Blank Room write that they listen to a lot of Everything But The Girl and Orange Juice. I certainly hear echoes of the latter’s postcard era guitars on here as well as flip-side Totenkopf. It will interesting to hear the band when they develop further but for now these bedroom pop/DIY tracks will do just nicely. Facebook Continue reading The Blank Room – Cornershop
Pelopincho are an indiepop band hailing from Valentín Alsina, Argentina. Their brand of indiepop consists of short punk-pop songs and based on the imagery I can see where the inspirations come from. If Google translate is working properly (they sing in their native Spanish) the songs in the main are about having fun, hanging out with friends or when you are down go onto do both of those things. Not sure what cold polenta (Polenta Fría) has to do with anything though! They do have a sombre side as they finish with songs about heart break (Oscuridarks) and anxiety (Miedos). … Continue reading Pelopincho – Zona Surf
Swedish band Westkust, who feature two members of Makthaverskan in their ranks, have released their first new track for almost four years. Swebeach is a swirling , motoring indiepop track with an infectious guitar sound and strong female vocals. That’s always a winning formula for me. It’s the first single to be taken from the self titled second album due to be released on 1st March 2019 on Luxury Records. Pre-order it from here. Facebook Continue reading Westkust – Swebeach
Two sides of very strong indiepop which sounds like it has taken a few years to mature by Cambridge (UK) based The Rugs judging by their bandcamp page. But is it worth the wait? Well yes! Blame It On Me immediately grabs your attention with its catchy opening lyrics supported by strong vocals and jangling guitars. Flip side Voice of a Generation jangles up those guitars even further as they gain pace whilst the vocals just about keep up as the track jams it’s way through to it’s ending. Pretty absorbing stuff and well worth a listen. Or two. Or … Continue reading The Rugs – Blame It On Me/Voice of a Generation
Has it really been two and a bit years since Strange Passage released their brilliant debut EP Shine and Scatter? Flip me! Anyway what a great new year present it is to hear this brand new song which is the title track from their forthcoming new LP due out later this month on Syncro System Records – I hope that title is tongue in cheek! Thankfully they have not changed their sound in that time and this is a full on jangling guitar track complete with deadpan vocals a bit more cheerful than say David Gedge. A brilliant return. Pre-order … Continue reading Strange Passage – Shouldn’t Be Too Long
Fall In Love is the debut EP from the band that features ex members of the Fungi Girls and Vacations. The EP contains four slices of dreamy indiepop that will warm the cockles of any indiepop and C86 fan’s heart. Jangling guitars and boy/girl vocals rule the roost here and both Chance On You and Jamais Vu would have made my end of 2018 lists if I had heard it the EP in time. Exceptional. Continue reading Beauty Parlour – Fall In Love
If the 55 tracks in the Best of 2018 mixes/playlists were not enough I have compiled a track each from most of the releases featured on Records I Like in 2018 in a handy Spotify playlist. If you use Deezer don’t worry as here is a link to an almost identical playlist on that service. Have a great new year and I will “see” you all in 2019! Continue reading Records I Like 2018 – The Capsule!
55 tracks in my best of this year. Were they the best tracks in 2018? For me yes as they gave me plenty of plays, thoughts, meaning and enjoyment. Looking at the 55 choices my tastes have certainly changed this year. I have listened to Techno a lot more this year. Almost as much since I started listening to it 25 years plus ago and I was amazed that artists from then are still making some amazing tunes. Coldwave influenced post-punk gets stronger or maybe it’s because I am listening to and discovering more. Epic Shoegaze has also featured highly … Continue reading Records I Like Podcast December – Best of 2018
Sunflower is a cute indiepop track out of Palembang, Indonesia. Twee vocals, both boy and girl, which are supplemented by some nice jangling guitars make this an ideal choice for any discerning indiepop fan. Continue reading Lazy Eye – Sunflower
Now this is what I call a release and for which I have waited for in anticipation. Two of my favourite DIY artists come together on a split release and contribute three tracks each. This not only includes two new tracks but a cover of one of the others tracks from their latest release and both tracks chosen happen to be my favourite one from both. Result! Foliage, who is Manuel Joseph Walker, continues where April’s III left off. Walker’s music here is reminiscent of New Order’s guitar laden tracks from the Technique album, none more so than on Be … Continue reading Foliage/Andrew Younker – Split
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