Alt Rock, Dream Pop, Dreampop2 Comments

Mashmellow – Share It

Tom

Mashmellow are based in Moscow. After meeting the band members Masha Shurygina and Egor Berdnikov, who both shared love of early 90s dream-pop, decided to create music, forming the band. Share It is their debut single and it opens like a latter day New Order with synths and rolling bass lines before becoming a fully fledged alternative / indie rock track. The voice of Masha Shurygina dominates and she, unlike a few of her fellow Russian vocalists I have been listening to these past couple of weeks, sings in English which I guess would widen their appeal. That said even … Continue reading Mashmellow – Share It

Alt Rock, Noise Pop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Rei Clone – Taste Test

Tom

Rei Clone took a break from the nosier side of shoegaze on their last single Heaven Is Eternity but they are back with a vengeance on new track Taste Test. Sounding more Swervedriver than shoegaze the band blast their way through a raucous 2m50s without letting up as they plead “no I can’t ignore you, yeah I want to show you”. I wonder if they passed the Taste Test ? Top marks for the song but a definite low grade for the cover art! Facebook Continue reading Rei Clone – Taste Test

Alt Rock, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Mary’s Restless Dream – Your Pain Is Free

Tom

Italian band Mary’s Restless Dream have released their second EP two and a half years after their first. So, is it worth the wait? Opener Show Me The Way bursts out of the block with it’s fusion of shoegaze and 1990s alt-rock blowing cobwebs away left, right and centre. Sadly Love is one of those slower alt-rock tracks that drifts into epic ballad territory and doesn’t benefit these ears. Fortunately things get back on Cure my Disease which is a shouty guitar led indie rock anthem with a chorus to match. Final track 3 starts off slow but builds up … Continue reading Mary’s Restless Dream – Your Pain Is Free

Alt Rock, Shoegaze2 Comments

Rilev – Mar

Tom

Rilev hail from Mexico City and this track is their third release but Mar is the first time I have listened to them. And it isn’t a bad introduction either as their melodic blend of alt-rock and shoegaze fuse together quite nicely. The band sing in their native Spanish with the words being repeated, in hushed tones, creating a soothing effect. After translating the words and glancing at the artwork it all makes sense. It’s time to dive into their previous two releases let alone the sea! Facebook Continue reading Rilev – Mar

Dream Pop, Dreampop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Весна Весна – Когда рядом огни

Tom

Saint Petersburg based Весна Весна (Vesna Vesna) follow up their debut Перемены настроения  with a new track which the band state was “written in one breath”. Translated as When the Lights Are Near it’s another one of those female fronted ethereal shoegazing tracks I have become so fond of late as haunted, wistful vocals glide over the shimmering guitars. It’s the first single to be taken from the upcoming album of the same name which is due for release next week via Home Audio (or it could be Native Sound as google translate gives me both options!). For now you … Continue reading Весна Весна – Когда рядом огни

Alt Rock, C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Lo-Fi, Pop, Shoegaze1 Comment

Everyday is Like Sunday

Tom

Texan shoegazers Eternal Something follow up last years Realm​//​Zone EP with new track Seagoats. It’s another one of those shoegaze tracks that are inspired by poetic imagination and my mind wandered vividly as it played. I could listen to ethereal tracks like this all day long – well until the cow’s Seagoats come home. Brighton’s Dreams Of Empire have released their first new material since last years Nothing’s Ever Finished debut album. I am not sure if I have ever heard a song that references both the Sparks and Plastic Bertrand before but Broken Dreams does just that as it tells … Continue reading Everyday is Like Sunday

C86, indiepop, Lo-FiLeave a comment

Pash – Demonstration

Tom

Pash are a new band from down under, Sydney to be precise. The band centre around Jemimah and Jackson although the line up increases when they record or play live. Demonstration is their first release and their lo-fi, sometime shambling, indiepop is a delight. The label mention that “they could maybe be compared to Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Talulah Gosh” but I can hear influences earlier than that, especially those artists that bridged the gap between post-punk and indiepop. Amongst their peers I would say The Jeanines would be a good shout. Both tracks here have the same … Continue reading Pash – Demonstration

Shoegaze1 Comment

Tara – Oceans

Tom

New York based shoegazers Tara do enjoy referencing the past on their music whilst at the same time bringing it up to date up and making shoegaze available to a new audience – well those not as old as me! On new single Oceans I hear the ethereal sounds of Lush (especially on Alexa Garay’s vocals) or the beauty crafted by Slowdive and The Pale Saints. However it’s not just a straight carbon copy as the band infuse enough of their own identity into the mix. This is especially so when you listen to Oceans through headphones as guitars create … Continue reading Tara – Oceans

Synth popLeave a comment

яблоня – перекресток

Tom

There are some lovely sounds on the new single from Moscow’s яблоня (Apple Tree). Where as previous single еврокафе demonstrated that it was a fine example of coldwave inspired post-punk перекресток on the other hand is pure synth pop. Part New Order, part Saint Etienne and lots of parts whistling it’s the band’s poppiest moment to date. However when translated, the lyrics suggests it is about a one night stand with the protagonist suffering from regret or pausing for reflection. Either way I don’t think I am going to stop whistling for sometime yet. vk.com Continue reading яблоня – перекресток

indiepop, Twee1 Comment

Parsnip – Adding Up

Tom

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