Alt RockLeave a comment

Weedipus – Broken Boy

Tom

Barnsley based Weedipus will be releasing their debut EP Demo Tape sometime between August and September. They have recently released the second single to be lifted from the EP in the shape of Broken Boy. It’s an energetic song drawing in influences from garage, fuzzy indiepop, alt-rock and to a lesser extent drone because of the constant vibrating sound which accompanies words about a “golden boy” whose chickens are coming home to roost. I am not sure where the dreampop tag, which is associated with the band, has come from because they have a sound that is at times far … Continue reading Weedipus – Broken Boy

Noise Pop1 Comment

FRITZ – Arrow

Tom

Tilly Murphy, also known as FRITZ, has recently signed to Inertia Music and has just released her first single for said label. Titled Arrow it’s a fuzzy guitar-led pop song and deals with looking back at previous relationships, the resulting heartbreak and what came out of them whether positive or negative. Newcastle based (that’s Australia and not in the North East of England) Murphy also produced her first video, which was made during the recent lockdown, to accompany the song. Arrow is out now digitally and is available on a pay what you want basis from here. Facebook Continue reading FRITZ – Arrow

indiepop, Northern SoulLeave a comment

Golden Teardrops – I Won’t Be Fooled Again (Alternate Mix)

Tom

Golden Teardrops have released an alternative version of their recent I Won’t Be Fooled Again single. The band, who comprise of husband and wife team Ryan and Lei Marquez, write that this version was supposed to part of a compilation which I guess has not materialised. They also write that mix includes faux trumpets! I wrote that back in January that the original mix had a floor stompin’ northern soul feel about it. This version doesn’t sound that much different to me aside from those trumpets and regardless of which version I will play they both are guaranteed to have … Continue reading Golden Teardrops – I Won’t Be Fooled Again (Alternate Mix)

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Synth popLeave a comment

Hiki – A Trip To The Sea

Tom

Russian act Hiki return with their seventh album A Trip To The Sea. It’s a welcome return to form after April’s underwhelming split release with Green Horizon. If you have not heard Hiki before the sound is vast, atmospheric dreampop driven by programming and synths with the tracks having a feelgood effect. This is backed up by guitar chords that give some songs, such as the title track, a chilled-out Balearic feel taken from a sound from years gone by. I also like the fact when vocals emerge that they are barely heard being hidden behind a shimmering, hazy aural … Continue reading Hiki – A Trip To The Sea

indiepop, Jangle Pop1 Comment

Films on Song – Too True

Tom

Indiepop band Films on Song hail from Charlottesville, Virginia and they consist of Jonathan Teeter and Francis (no last name given). Their sound blends indiepop across the decades. The new Too True EP was written and produced under lockdown. Listening to these songs I hear echoes of The Smiths, The Housemartins, early Creation Records, elements of Orange Juice and Edwyn Collins (especially in the vocals) and plenty more other influences too. These retro-sounding songs appeal to these ears and it’s the pacey Grandfather Clock that grabs my vote after listening to the four tracks on offer. Most good! Facebook Continue reading Films on Song – Too True

Alt Rock, Garage, indiepop, Pop, Post PunkLeave a comment

Something For The Weekend? Three From Howlin’ Banana Records

Tom

This weeks pack of three features three releases from French label Howlin’ Banana Records. Cloud Factory – Cloud Factory #1 Cloud Factory are a Pop/Post punk band hailing from Toulouse. They consist of Alice (keyboard/vocals, Ben (bass), Bruno (drums), Robin (guitar) and Romain (guitar). This self titled EP is their debut release.  The music is mainly inspired by garage rock but there other influences such as indie pop and a punk attitude also running through. The sound has a fuzziness about it and the female vocals stand out too. A pretty good debut methinks. Cloud Factory #1 is available on … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Three From Howlin’ Banana Records

Electronica1 Comment

Various Artists – We Are Machine Pop 6

Tom

Volume 6 in Swedish label Plonk’s We Are Machine Pop series is dedicated to the memory of Kraftwerk co-founder of Florian Schneider who sadly passed away at the age of 73 in May this year. Despite leaving the band in 2008 Schneider and Kraftwerk’s influence on electronic music ranging from hip-hop to techno is unparalleled in history. Unsurprisingly the contributions sound just as you would expect and are heavily influenced, both musically and visually, by the band’s Man Machine period so expect plenty of mechanical sounds, robotic beats and vocoder laden vocals. This is best encapsulated by French artist Marboss … Continue reading Various Artists – We Are Machine Pop 6