Las Margaritas – Invierno

I don’t know much about Las Margaritas apart from this seemingly one-woman project hails from Santiago, Chile. However, what I do know is that Las Margaritas purveys some fine tuneage as demonstrated on the debut EP Invierno (Winter). The EP contains some delightful guitar-based indie/twee pop in the vein of Talulah Gosh or Po! When translated, the lyrics deal with subjects of anxiety, reluctance, goodbyes, memories and happy times. Whatever the subject the songs are very catchy and the likes of Las Flores, Joe and Alguien Como Tú should be on your must listen to pile. Invierno is available on … Continue reading Las Margaritas – Invierno

Angvstia Pop – Amor y Ansiedad

Angvstia Pop are a new band from González Catán, Argentina. It seems they formed as a result of the lockdown and the two members have been in other bands such as Pelopincho who have been featured on these pages before. Taking their influences from the likes of Beat Happening, Julie Ruin and The Cannanes the band have just released their debut mini-lp. Amor y Ansiedad (Love and Anxiety) consists of eight short twee-pop songs that are driven by synths and programming. The translated album title tells the subject of the songs much better than I could but, regardless of the … Continue reading Angvstia Pop – Amor y Ansiedad

Baby Blue – Care Comp.

Baby Blue is a label based in New York. I discovered this three-track EP, with contributions from acts from that city, whilst searching for Miserable Chillers following their appearance on the recent Join A Comp! release. They open this EP with Little House, which sounds like a song the Penguin Cafe Orchestra could have made if they were a twee pop band. Nuns Honey is a new name on me and I enjoyed the bedroom indiepop that their contribution Up Down delivered. Catchy vocals too. The final track by Monekybars started off as a laid back synthpop track before morphing … Continue reading Baby Blue – Care Comp.

The Suncharms​/​Mirrorlakes – A Split Tape

Indonesian label Shiny Happy Records have just released a split tape which features three tracks each from The Suncharms and Mirrorlakes. Since I have never mentioned Sheffield based indie band The Suncharms before I best set the scene! The band was originally active between 1989-1993 but eventually reformed after releasing a compilation on Cloudberry Records in 2016. They played their first gig in almost 24 years in 2017 and a single on Slumberland was released the following year. The band have also appeared on a couple of compilations including last Novembers F​.​A​.​R. OUT on Fadeawayradiate Records. Last Halloween they also … Continue reading The Suncharms​/​Mirrorlakes – A Split Tape

Various Artists – Join A Comp!

You wait yonks for a decent indiepop compilation then two turn up in a row! Hot on the heels of the Impermeable Records C19 compilation Fadeawayradiate Records have just issued Join A Comp!. Despite countries slowly opening up as a result of the covid virus the label writes that “there are still no venue events, festivals and gigs. I thought it would be fun and also good exposure for bands to do a compilation”. Hard to argue with that. Like the aforementioned compilation there is plenty here that you may (I hope!) read about on these pages. So where to … Continue reading Various Artists – Join A Comp!

Various Artists – Shelter 2 (Sunday Records)

Sunday Records have released a second volume of songs as “a (another!) special treat for our fans during the coronavirus isolation”. Once again the compilation features tracks collated from acts on the labels roster. The Proctors open with Only Stupid, a track that started life in the early 1990’s before Japanese Heart Software give us For Another Day which originally appeared on last years Lonely Hearts EP. That release did not grab me then but after hearing this again I may need a revisit. Compilations eh? Kosmonaut deliver an acoustic version of Silver Star before LIPS treat us once more … Continue reading Various Artists – Shelter 2 (Sunday Records)

Records I Like Mix May 2020

The latest mix featuring tracks released in the past month or so. Enjoy! Tracklisting: Die Zärtlichkeit – Chaos That track, titled Chaos, opens the EP and it’s a vintage sounding indie/jangle pop song which gets things off to a fine start. No Suits in Miami – What We Have Strong female vocals soar above the guitars which, depending on your viewpoint, are either influenced by 1981 Glasgow or 1988 Bristol. Dreams of Empire – Broken Keys I am not sure if I have ever heard a song that references both the Sparks and Plastic Bertrand before but Broken Dreams does … Continue reading Records I Like Mix May 2020

Verano Del 83 – Tus Sueños Siempre Serán Los Míos

The new EP from the Peruvian band Verano Del 83 should certainly be a must have on any twee pop fan’s shopping list. Translated as Your Dreams Will Always Be Mine it features four dreamy indie pop songs which, despite me not understanding a word, sound remarkably happy and cheerful. The standout track for me is Mi Camino Mágico which sounds like a cover of a children’s TV programme theme, turned into an indiepop classic. Is it me or does in sound like the Banana Splits tune in places? It certainly gets me smiling and suggests that having fun is … Continue reading Verano Del 83 – Tus Sueños Siempre Serán Los Míos

Parsnip – Adding Up

Parsnip will be releasing a new four track EP in May. Titled Adding Up it features four tracks and the band have made the title track available for streaming. It’s a lovely indiepop tune that still draws from 1960s girl bands for influences although it’s not so prominent here as on previous efforts. Dolly Mixture was another band that sprung to mind whilst I was listening to the track. In short it’s as catchy as ever. Adding Up will be available in limited 7″ vinyl (500 copies) and digital formats from Anti Fade whilst those in Japan should be able … Continue reading Parsnip – Adding Up