indiepop, Lo-Fi1 Comment

The Umbrella Puzzles – Do What You Can

Tom

Is it me or is Ryan Marquez a very busy fella or what? It only seems like the other day I mentioned Apple Orchard’s A Slow Dissolve and now he is back with a new single under his solo project, The Umbrella Puzzles. And that’s not mentioning his recent cover of Luna’s Anesthesia either. Using my headphones “for optimum listening pleasure” as Marquez advises Do What You Can is a tuneful jangling song that draws its inspiration from his obvious love of the 1960s alongside 1980s indie and crafted guitar pop. I really like the vocals and words on this … Continue reading The Umbrella Puzzles – Do What You Can

Ambient, PopLeave a comment

Pale Skies – Larung Memori

Tom

Pale Skies, who hail from Tangerang (Indonesia), cheekily tagged themselves in a twitter thread I had going on the recent Bandcamp Friday. Normally I ignore unsolicited contact but in this case I was intrigued enough to give them a listen*. Before I go on I had better set the scene because I am currently revisiting David Toop (ex Flying Lizards) and Virgin’s Ocean Of Sound series which was released in the 1990s. It covered a historical survey of ambient music as well as other aspects such as vocals and structures. Why do I mention this? Well, should decide to Virgin … Continue reading Pale Skies – Larung Memori

C86, indiepop, Jangle PopLeave a comment

The Slow Summits – Safe and Sorry

Tom

Here is something for you. Press play and close your eyes and try and work out where you are. Are you in mid-1980’s England or Linköping in 2020? That’s the trouble when you are an old man like me and I must stop comparing new releases with those that reside in my cranium based jukebox. Safe and Sorry is a well crafted and very catchy, C86 inspired jangling indie-pop tune that puts one in a positive state of mind during these strange days. If I am still around in 30 years time I look forward to saying “you know what, … Continue reading The Slow Summits – Safe and Sorry

indiepop, Jangle Pop2 Comments

The Shop Window – Mannequin Lies

Tom

Mannequin Lies by Maidstone’s The Shop Window came out in April and I discovered the track thanks to some recommendations on Twitter this morning. I am glad I persevered because the track is one of the best singles I have heard this year to date. Not many songs open with the band name and the title of the song in the first two lines but they manage it here as the song kicks in. We get jangling guitars, vocal harmonies, lovely melodies and a catchy chorus to boot as the words deal with anxiety and hope. I mean what more … Continue reading The Shop Window – Mannequin Lies

indiepopLeave a comment

Bob – You Can Stop That For A Start

Tom

Not being on Facebook I think I need to pay more attention to my Twitter feed because I initially missed the announcement that Bob are releasing a new album in September. The North London band, who were originally around during the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, will be releasing You Can Stop That For A Start on the Optic Nerve label. This follows the reissuing of the band’s classic Convieniance single earlier this year which made an impression on the UK vinyl charts. The band’s only other album Leave The Straight Life Behind was released in 1991. The new album … Continue reading Bob – You Can Stop That For A Start

C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Noise Pop, Shoegaze, TweeLeave a comment

Records I Like Mix June 2020

Tom

If I said to myself in 1988 I would be compiling a “mixtape” in 2020 featuring The Flatmates, The Wolfhounds, Wendy Pickles from The Popguns and ex Popgun/Weddoes drummer Shaun Charman I would have said I was a bit bonkers. Well, 32 years later it seems I am bonkers after all as they all feature on this months mix which features tracks covering indie-pop, jangle-pop, shoegaze and alt-rock. It’s nice to see kosmische (“Krautrock”) creeping into indie and dream pop too. Enjoy! Full Tracklisting and details: The Flatmates – If You Love Me Let Me Know Taken from the new … Continue reading Records I Like Mix June 2020

Alt RockLeave a comment

Spunsugar – Happier Happyless

Tom

After 60 seconds of their new single Happier Happyless you may have thought that Swedish band Spunsugar has abandoned the fuzzy guitars in favour of programmed beats. That’s true in certain respects but as the chorus starts the fuzzy shoegazing guitars crash in once more. As the band continue to switch from one musical style to another during the songs progression, the strong vocals dominate the drum machine whilst the words pay homage to the 2001 slasher movie Valentine. The band are currently working on their debut album but for now, you can get Happier Happyless from here. Facebook Continue reading Spunsugar – Happier Happyless

C86, indiepop, Twee1 Comment

Las Margaritas – Invierno

Tom

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

indiepop, Lo-Fi, Synth pop, Twee1 Comment

Angvstia Pop – Amor y Ansiedad

Tom

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

Alt Rock, indiepop, Noise Pop1 Comment

The Flatmates – The Flatmates

Tom

The Flatmates only existed between 1986-1989 the first time around but, like most artists on band member Martin Whitehead’s The Subway Organisation label, they have had a lasting impact. Since reforming with a new line up in 2013 they have released a couple of fine singles and played some excellent gigs – the one at London’s 100 Club a few years ago lives on in my memory! However, despite their long history, they have never released an album aside from a couple of compilations on Claire Records and Cherry Red respectively. Well until now that is and on this self-titled … Continue reading The Flatmates – The Flatmates