Ambient, Electronica, Experimental, PopLeave a comment

Hey Elbow – Nurture​/​Aptitude

Tom

There are a few bands that operate outside imposed boundaries and constraints – self or otherwise. Of the top of my head, bands such as Haiku Salut, The Leaf Library and more recently Dummy fall into that group. I can now add Swedish band Hey Elbow into that mix. Late to the party as ever as the band have been going for a few years now I have been exposed to them via their new single Nurture​/​Aptitude. The band combine ambient, experimental and pop to mould a novel and, at times, unique sound. The vocals are woven like thread during … Continue reading Hey Elbow – Nurture​/​Aptitude

Electronica, Minimal/Cold Wave, TechnoLeave a comment

Defender Waves – The Caroline Phase

Tom

Defender Waves is the project of the same individual behind Dallas Tears. Whereas the latter has been described as “lo-fi bedroom shoegaze” this EP is pure electronica. It’s A Starry Night, Sunrise Girl is laid back techno soul whilst the title track gets brings up imaginary of space and the odd robot or two. Shoulders Of Helen is pure vintage minimal/coldwave with sampled voices initially over a repetitive beat before it gets a coat or two of shimmering electronica. Summarising The Caroline Phase is an EP chockfull of succulent keyboards and drum machines. Get it from here. Soundcloud Continue reading Defender Waves – The Caroline Phase

Ambient, ExperimentalLeave a comment

Palm Haze – Walk Away

Tom

The new track from Vancouver based Palm Haze revisits David Bernstein’s 80’s-era ballad You Walk Away. Never having heard the original basis of this song I got stuck in. Musically Walk Away is fuzzy, distorted and atmospheric whilst the vocals are restful but sorrowful. As for the original. Nah. I couldn’t be bothered to find it as my guess would be that it would spoil this lovely but bleak, drifting soundtrack piece. Facebook Continue reading Palm Haze – Walk Away

Alt Rock1 Comment

Sua – Hormak Apurtzea

Tom

I cannot say that I have heard of Sua before. The band, who are based in the Basque Country, already have an album and EP under their belts. The new single, which translates as Breaking The Walls, has been recorded during the current lockdown and the band write “we claim the opportunity to be in places where we can’t physically be with our imagination”. The song itself is a hybrid of alt-rock and synths and with the latter driving the song forward. The female vocals are very dominant and powerful with it too. The moment in the song where the … Continue reading Sua – Hormak Apurtzea

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Shoegaze2 Comments

Boy With Apple – Green Eyes

Tom

Green Eyes is the new single from Gothenburg based Boy With Apple and is the follow up to January’s debut single Make Me Feel Needed/Living Space. Like the latter the new single is synth/keyboard driven dreampop ably supported by reflective guitars and intertwined vocals. The opening 30 seconds of synths is lovely to say the least. If you like your dreampop of the epic and expansive variety then I suggest you check this track out sharpish. Green Eyes is available digitally via VÅRØ. Facebook EDIT. If anyone finds that debut single in lossless formats please let me know via the … Continue reading Boy With Apple – Green Eyes

Dream Pop, Dreampop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Secret Shine – Ember

Tom

New track Ember is the first new material from Bristol’s Secret Shine since 2017s There Is Only Now album. It’s also the first of five download songs the band have planned for 2020. These songs, along with a batch of half a dozen more, will form the new album due for release next year. So what about the track itself? If slow burning ethereal shoegaze is your thing you cannot go wrong with Ember as the band turn back the years once more. A perfect introduction for those planned songs and the album too I guess. Get it from here. … Continue reading Secret Shine – Ember

Alt Rock, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Shoegaze, TweeLeave a comment

Records I Like Mix June 2020 The Bonus One

Tom

An extra mix for you this month based on the two rounds posts which were blogged earlier this week. The Tuesday Session The Wednesday Mix Tracklisting: The National Honor Society – Be Gone (alternate version) Capitol – Weathered Lizzy & the Fanatics – Far Away Johny Nocash – The Ballad Of Richard Leap The Yearning – Only When I’m Dancing Ghost Transmission – Get Me High (Make Me Lose My Will) Hatchie & The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Sometimes Always Bathe Alone – In Deep Mashmellow – Heaven is You Teen Idle – In the Morning Stomp … Continue reading Records I Like Mix June 2020 The Bonus One

Alt Rock, C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Noise Pop, Pop, Shoegaze1 Comment

The Wednesday Mix

Tom

The Yearning has gone all ABBA on us as the new single Only When I’m Dancing demonstrates. The flip side Moonlight Fantasy errs on the side of disco. It all brings up images of wide lapels, flares, tassels, sparkling dresses and glitter balls. It’s very nice and fun too – check out the video. I wonder if they will move onto the 1980s next? When I’m Dancing is out now in digital formats via Elefant Records. Atlanta’s Bathe Alone has released six tracks since last September with new track In Deep being the latest. It’s an indie-rock track that tells … Continue reading The Wednesday Mix

Alt Rock, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Shoegaze2 Comments

The Tuesday Session

Tom

My inbox is still full of emails from the latest Bandcamp Friday fallout. Anyway here is a round-up post of sorts highlighting tunes that have got me through the day Russian bandMashmellow have released the second single to be taken from their forthcoming EP Someday Club which is due for release at the beginning of next month. Can you take a single from an EP? Oh well. Anyway Heaven is You still has that New Order guitar sound coupled with female vocals. A nice pop song! Brighton’s (or is it London now?) Empire of Dreams released a limited edition cassette … Continue reading The Tuesday Session