Fragile #2 is a reworking of the track that originally appeared on the flip side of last years Nightcrawling single. I actually prefer it given it sounds somewhat raw and harsher. It’s available as a (gulp) flexi disc or digitally from FreakScene. Homepage Facebook Continue reading Fever Dream – Fragile #2
We are only a few weeks into 2016 and already we have a contender for a track of the year. Taking their cue from the likes of 4AD and Creation Records Austin’s Safe Places tear it up with Wild Ride. It certainly isn’t called that for nothing as it’s twisted guitar and distorted synths collide with pounding drums which are ably supported by vocals that are woven in and out throughout. If they carry on producing stuff like this they may well give Pinkshinyultrablast a run for their money. Tremendous. Available on a pay what you want basis from bandcamp. … Continue reading Safe Places – Wild Ride
There is a lot of old tosh on bandcamp at the moment especially under “shoegaze” new releases category, which for the most part, is pretty dull, uninteresting and unoriginal. That said this effort from My Dark House with the excellently named HELL O is far and away the best thing I have heard on Bandcamp this week. Their mix of shoegaze and beats reminds me a lot of early Curve. Again not the most original noise out there but at least there are signs that they could make some interesting music in months to come. Continue reading My Dark House – HELL O
2015 was the year I listened to the shoegaze and post punk revivalists in earnest. Club AC30 and Manic Depression Records both deserve a mention alongside the usual cohorts of Dufflecoat Records and Oddbox Records who delivered their signature brand of indiepop, diy and noise pop. I also started listening to full albums again with efforts from The Chills, Beirut and Robert Forster being high on the recommended list. I am still catching up with my backlog though and being heavily played these past few weeks are the likes of Appendixes and Tomiji. So without further ado here is my … Continue reading Records I Like Top 10 2015
Dying Star was one of my favourite tracks from last years self titled debut album by The Luxembourg Signal. Here it gets the remix treatment from Robert Hampson (Loop/Main) who adds drone and psychedelic shimmering guitars into the mix that further emphasise the ethereal vocals. Most excellent. It’s out now on a split 7″ vinyl (with Soft Science ex Holiday Flyer/California Oranges) and digital formats via Test Pattern Records. Buy it from here. And here is the original: Homepgage Facebook Continue reading The Luxembourg Signal – Dying Star (Cirrus)
The Cherry Pit is the second single taken from the new album Grandfeathered which is due out in February 2016 on Club AC30. Once again the vocals of singer Lyubov Soloveva shine above the the winning experimental mix of frantic, shoegaze inspired guitar feedback and synthesised, digital beats. And I haven’t even mentioned the mosh pit finish! The Cherry Pit will be available on 7″ vinyl and digital formats. Pre-order it from here. You can also pre-order Grandfeathered here. Facebook Continue reading Pinkshinyultrablast – The Cherry Pit
The new EP from Canadian-Ukrainian duo Ummagma consists of soundscapes ranging from ambient to shoegazing. On the likes of Winter Tale or Galacticon I also hear a bit of experimental new age too reminding me of 1990’s electronic artists Deep Forest. However it’s on Orion and Lama where the band plays to it’s strengths with both songs nesting firmly in the shoegaze inspired dreampop camp. The latter also gets the remix treatment from label mates Lights That Change and OMD’s Malcolm Holmes who turns it into a slow building 80’s inspired synth-pop floor filler with singer Shauna McLarnon’s vocals highlighted … Continue reading Ummagma – Frequency
I first heard the wonderfully named Chinese band Chestnut Bakery on the My Secret World compilation that came out back in August. The title alone should suggest clues on how they sound but if not then how about a mention of Sarah Records? This is classy indiepop with a hint of shoegaze going on in the background. Original no but enjoyable very much yes so! Tunnel Party is taken from the band’s forthcoming album Diaries which will be released later this month. You can get it from here. Continue reading Chestnut Bakery – Tunnel Party
I think I have listened to more shoegaze infused music this year than I have for some time. Most of it has been very dull and uninspiring but thankfully there are some exceptions like this single from Portland’s Tender Age. Using Creation Records as a template the band build upon their influences and deliver the goods. Personally I would be disappointed if they sounded like this several releases down the line but there is time them to grow and develop further loosening the shackles of their obvious influences. For now though Get High is perfect. Get High is out now … Continue reading Tender Age – Get High
Night Flowers return with both a new vocalist and single. Sleep is at the poppier end of the shoegazing barometer and new singer Sophia Pettit’s voice is used to great effect alongside the shimmering guitars. Flip side Sitting Pretty sees the band still sounding like an early Pains of Being Pure At Heart but, hey, that is no bad thing. If you want a band that crosses shoegazing with indiepop then you have found them! Sleep is out on Dirty Bingo Records. Get it here. The band will headline the critical nights alldayer on November 1st – details here. Facebook … Continue reading Night Flowers – Sleep
Records I Like 