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
Two more slices of DIY bedroom pop from Italy’s Wake In June. Both tracks are dreamy in a jangling way whilst deadpan, hushed vocals wander ghostlike through the passages of both songs and their morose, sombre words. Most good….. Soundcloud Continue reading Wake In June – Tendons / Engrams
Bad Habits is the latest track from the DIY pop project of Glenn Donaldson (Skygreen Leopards, Art Museums) and friends. Certainly influenced by a certain Bristol based label from years past as well as drawing from a range of influences since then Bad Habits is another excellent jangling track with sullen and gloomy lyrics that is certainly welcome by these ears as the year draws to a close. Continue reading The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Bad Habits (Demo)
A two song EP (er?) from two Japanese based indiepop acts. The Ivory Past track December is simply immense on first, second, third and subsequent listens. It’s catchy and addictive janglepop. Sadly the Snowflakes effort is pretty ordinary by their high standards. Previous effort Sway was excellent but this pale by comparison and just does not do anything for me. Maybe it will work for you. The Illuminated Songs EP will soon get a cassette release (let’s hope there are more than two tracks!) but for now get it digitally from either Ivory Past or Snowflakes. Or both! Continue reading Ivory Past/Snowflakes feat . Miléna – Illuminated Songs EP
Dutch/German outfit Nah… produce another sparkling moment in the form of Road Trip where jangling guitars fly whilst girl boy vocals whip back and forth with good humoured lyrics. Flip side Everything starts off like an indie dance remix but soon carves out it’s own identity with strong vocal performances weaving in and out of what sounds like a radio broadcaster. The guitars soon come to the fore and in no time at all we have a pretty contagious track on our hands. My feet are still tapping long after the track finishes…. Sadly, and because I have taken too … Continue reading Nah… – Road Trip
The Darling Buds get on the seasonal records act by releasing their cover of The Sugarbabes 2000 hit New Year. There are two versions here with the Rise and Demise of John Mix being the more palatable to the ear. It’s a free/pay what you want download from Oddbox Records and is only available until January 2nd 2019. And here is the original for comparison’s sake. Facebook Continue reading The Darling Buds – New Year
This weeks pack of three covers three releases that hark (ho ho ho) to the time of year. Say Sue Me – Christmas, It’s Not a Biggie Is this the EP that sees Sue Say Me turn into a fully fledged rock n’ roll band? The hints in their previous couple of releases bear fruition here. The excellent title track blends surf and indie pop whilst it also contains elements from The Waitresses Christmas Wrapping. Too Expensive Christmas Tree is a full on surf rock instrumental whilst the other two tracks are the band’s take on the more traditional Christmas … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Three Christmas Releases
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