C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Shoegaze1 Comment

Apple Orchard – A Slow Dissolve

Tom

Is waking up to a new single from Apple Orchard on a nice sunny morning one of life’s pleasures? A Slow Dissolve suggests so! It contains enough fuzz and noise to keep me happy as the band draw from their indiepop and shoegaze influences. It’s like the Mary Chain being mixed with The Primitives with some Ride thrown in but rather than sounding totally retro it actually sounds pretty fresh to these ears. Happy daze. The band recently recorded a live social distance session for Our Secret World which was organised by Indonesian label Shiny Happy Records. That session has … Continue reading Apple Orchard – A Slow Dissolve

C86, indiepop, Lo-Fi, TweeLeave a comment

Various Artists – Shelter 2 (Sunday Records)

Tom

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)

Noise Pop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Aire Espacial – Neon

Tom

The new single from Californians Aire Espacial is their first track for almost five years. The previous release Figuras Cosmicas was in the main an indie rock affair. Taking their cues from tracks on the aforementioned album such as Estacion the band aim for nosier, but melodic side of shoegaze on Neon. It’s a direction that seems to suit as they sing about being lead by someone they cannot see. The band wrote back in January that there was an incoming album so it should be a lot earlier than five years the next time we hear from them! Facebook Continue reading Aire Espacial – Neon

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Noise Pop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Pinkshinyultrablast – Songs

Tom

Back in 2015 when Russian band Pinkshinyultrablast were recording their second album Grandfeathered they also recorded the 15 minute long Songs. They did not have the chance to put it out until last week during Bandcamp’s fee waiving day. Sounding like a medley of the bands finest moments it includes ethereal shoegaze, noise, electronica and some ambient bites too. A “sound” journey if there was one! Facebook Continue reading Pinkshinyultrablast – Songs

Alt Rock, Ambient, Experimental, Psychedelia, Shoegaze2 Comments

Dummy – Dummy EP

Tom

Dummy, the band led by ex Wildhoney member Joe Trainor, have released their self titled debut EP. It’s a great blend of styles featuring noise pop, shoegaze, fuzzy guitars, drone and ambient not to mention some psychedelic pop. Lead track Angel’s Gear has that in abundance, wowing me back in January and I have been waiting for this EP ever since! The kosmische influenced Avant-Garde Gas Station follows which switches from slow building moogs and hushed vocals before expanding into a crescendo of noisy guitars. Slacker Mask is up next with a mix of fuzzy indiepop and krautrock that takes the … Continue reading Dummy – Dummy EP

Dream Pop, Dreampop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Весна Весна – Когда рядом огни

Tom

Saint Peterburg based Весна Весна (Spring Spring) have just released their second album Когда рядом огни (When The Next Lights) containing the two recent singles Когда рядом огни and Венера. It starts off with three tracks of pleasing ethereal shoegaze including the former single before branching out with the latter. I struggled with that at the time but it now makes much more sense to me in the context of the whole album. Не страшно (Not Scary) introduces some lovely synths/electronica whilst Мечты (Dreams) reminds me of, the now on hiatus, Flowers.  Singer Tatiana Antoshina vocals are gorgeous but strong with … Continue reading Весна Весна – Когда рядом огни

Alt Rock, C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Pop, Shoegaze, TweeLeave a comment

Records I Like Mix May 2020

Tom

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

C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, Electronica, indiepop, Jangle Pop1 Comment

The Saturday Session

Tom

Vamping – Holyoke To say that the new song from Amarillo’s Vamping is a shimmering delight is a vast understatement. Holyoke literally glows thanks to the harmonious synths and guitars coupled with a very catchy chorus and vocals. Lock-down positivity in a nutshell. Facebook Phosphene – Incandescent Plumes Incandescent Plumes is the third single to be taken forthcoming album Lotus Eaters. Rachel Frankel’s vocals are as lovely as ever despite the gloomy and dark words which seem to be a feature of their songs. Musically it’s less dream pop and more alt/indie rock than their previous efforts but I am … Continue reading The Saturday Session