Dream Pop, DreampopLeave a comment

Sleep Overload – You Need To Wake Up!

Tom

The new single from Sakhalin Oblast’s Sleep Overload is another slice of intoxicating ethereal dreampop. The vocals are barely audible at times as they do their best to rise above the crashing waves made by the effectuating guitars. You Need To Wake Up! is a good title as any given they declare on their Instagram page “how do you know this isn’t a dream”? It could be a nightmare for all I care as this track would be a great soundtrack to both! Instagram Continue reading Sleep Overload – You Need To Wake Up!

Alt Rock, Rock, Shoegaze1 Comment

Deep Red – Before You Leave

Tom

Texans Deep Red have released their debut EP, titled Before You Leave, which follows three previous singles of which only February’s Over and Gone appears here. The band’s sound takes in influences from alt-rock and shoegaze with the emphasis being on the noisier side of things. The mixed vocals work well with the fuzzy, heady guitars as track after track crashes into your consciousness. Box of Memories is the stand out track for me but there are absolutely no time wasters here. Most good! Before You Leave is available digitally from the band. Facebook Continue reading Deep Red – Before You Leave

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Shoegaze2 Comments

Thud – North Acton

Tom

Hong Kong based Thud have a song out in the shape of North Acton. Its a shimmering shoegaze track with some lovely accompanying synthesizers which must be ripe for a remix! The female vocals have an ethereal feel about them as they flit in and out of the reflective guitars like a wisp. Given the band stated that North Acton was their latest track and a lack of any others on their bandcamp page I did a bit of searching. I found two other bandcamp pages (here and here) which suggests they or their label may have lost their passwords! … Continue reading Thud – North Acton

indiepop, Shoegaze2 Comments

Ferri-Chrome – From a Window

Tom

The debut mini-album from Japanese act Ferri-Chrome has just been released. If the translation is correct the band features members, or ex members, of Sunnychar, For Tracy Hyde and Boyish. However no translation is needed when listening to the tracks on From A Window which consist of five indiepop/shoegazing influenced songs. That window must have been given a thorough cleaning as these songs sparkle pretty brightly. The label mentions Ride and The Pale Saints and I can certainly hear the influence of the latter. Songs like Asteroid and Glad to See You are two of the finest songs I have … Continue reading Ferri-Chrome – From a Window

C86, indiepopLeave a comment

Jetstream Pony – It’s Fine

Tom

Jetstream Pony have announced they will be releasing their debut self titled album, all things permitting I guess, on May 22nd 2020. It is a joint release between Shelflife Records (US) and Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten (Eur). The first track to be previewed from the album is the fuzzy/noise pop of It’s Fine which encapsulates what the band do best which is deliver a pop song as a pop song should be. It’s like C86 hasn’t gone away for this old timer! Is it me though or can you hear bits of Autocade by Prolapse in there too? You can pre-order … Continue reading Jetstream Pony – It’s Fine

Post Punk2 Comments

Liiek – S/T

Tom

Berlin post-punk band Liiek release their self titled debut album next month. Currently there are four tracks available for streaming. These follow the direction of the art-punk sounds of The Fire Engines, The Scars and Josef K as well as the revivalists such as Navvy and Franz Ferdinand. The guitars are raw & sharp whilst the vocals have a literary, sometimes shouty, feel about them. It sounds flippin’ great! The band also contribute the non-album track Consent to the ACHTUNG ADK compilation recently released via the German label Billo. The album will be available in vinyl and digital formats which … Continue reading Liiek – S/T

indiepop2 Comments

Beach Vacation – Mustang

Tom

Oak Harbour’s Beach Vacation will be releasing their debut album later this year. The band include amongst their influences “Craft Spells, The Radio Dept., Pia Fraus, New Order, Joy Division and every Swedish pop band” which should give you some idea of their sound. I have enjoyed their output to date and their new single, which is their first for over two years, Mustang is no exception. It takes those influences, mixes them up resulting in a dreamy and thanks to the vocals, hazy indiepop track. This one will be on repeat for a while I can tell you as … Continue reading Beach Vacation – Mustang

C86, indiepop, Twee1 Comment

Various Artists – Shelter (Sunday Records)

Tom

Sunday Records have released a free compilation called Shelter. The label states that it’s “a special treat for our fans during the coronavirus isolation.” The album features acts from their roster both past and present including Sugar World and their blissful We Fell In Love track, Fawns of Love, Day & Dream and The Memory Fades. There are blasts from the past too in the shape of The Pristines, The Cinematics and Tokidoki. All the songs collated are on the mellow side of things, no doubt to keep us all calm as we stay safe at home. Shelter is available … Continue reading Various Artists – Shelter (Sunday Records)