Records I Like Top 10 2016

Blimey. This year’s list was hard to compile given that I restrict myself to just 10 choices (self-inflicted stupidity!). I have been listening to plenty of punk, coldwave, indie-pop, riot grrrl, queercore, garage and post-punk but I think this selection is a fair reflection of my listening habits these past 12 months. Tracks missing the cut include the likes of Underworld, Joanna Gruesome, The Radio Dept., The Legends, Earth Girls,The Liminanas, Red Sleeping Beauty, Massive Attack, Jessica & The Fletchers, Vital Idles, Useless Youth, E’spaniel, Nice Try, Hate Week, Primetime, Tape Waves, The Wolfhounds, Merchandise, Slam, Blind Delon, Lad’s Mags, … Continue reading Records I Like Top 10 2016

New Division – Precision

Vicious and Vices are taken from the forthcoming by EP from retro synthpop act New Division. It’s called Precision and will be released in mid-January. Both tracks here are a natural progression from last years thoroughly enjoyable Gemini album and if you cannot wait until the release date both these tracks are available digitally from the usual places. EDIT: 06/01/2017 Precision has now been released and is available on Bandcamp. Homepage Facebook Continue reading New Division – Precision

From Russia With Love

Three Russian bands for your enjoyment today including two who I have mentioned before. First up is Moscow’s Commis Voyageur whose new digital single Youth is about being young. Yeah I vaguely remember that. Anyway both tracks here, Moonlight and Submissive, are catchy synth led efforts with the former taking the glory as it is the most vigorous of the two. Available as a free download from Bandcamp. Facebook For The Empty is the new single from Herlights and like above this title does not appear on either of the two tracks that comprise it. Laidback dream pop at its … Continue reading From Russia With Love

Blind Delon – Edouard EP

Excellent post-punk from French act Blind Delon via Spanish label Oráculo Records. The music is a mix of minimal synth-pop coupled with a fair share of Gothic undertones. Stuff like this really cheers me up no end and this EP has been on regular play for the past week. Excellent stuff and is recommended for fans of Factory Benelux and Les Disques du Crépuscule for one (or should that be two?). Available on 12″ vinyl or digitally. Facebook Continue reading Blind Delon – Edouard EP

State Of The Nation – Departed (Remixes)

Hmmm. I wonder who this lot will sound like given their name? Well that’s a surprise. They sound like Slayer. Actually that’s a big lie. Of course they sound like a New Order lite right down to the bass lines. Mind you to be fair they also sound like The Pet Shop Boys on some of the gulp, seven remixes. Given that both those aforementioned bands have released two excellent albums these past few months you have to wonder if there is any need for the likes of State Of The Nation. Well maybe. The original edit of the track … Continue reading State Of The Nation – Departed (Remixes)

Red Sleeping Beauty – Mi Amor

Mi Amor is the second single since their comeback by Swedish indiepop legends Red Sleeping Beauty. It’s a fine piece of synthpop sung in both English and Spanish. An album, entitled Kristina, will be released later this year. The band will also be making their first live appearance in 19 years at this years Madrid Popfest. Mi Amor is out now on Shelflife Records and will also be released on Labrador Records. Facebook Continue reading Red Sleeping Beauty – Mi Amor

Safe Places – Reunion

Whilst not as accessible as the brilliant Wild Ride the latest track from Austin’s Safe Places still stands heads and shoulders above other tracks I have heard in the shoegaze and dream pop categories on bandcamp. Believe me when I say have listened to a fair few these past couple of weeks! Reunion itself is a driving synth pop track that strafes the borders of dreampop but has an epic, 1980’s feel about it. It’s worthy of a listen at least! Soundcloud Continue reading Safe Places – Reunion

Records I Like Top 10 2015

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