C86, indiepop1 Comment

Tampopo – Half A World Away

Tom

Tampopo’s last release Atompop was a pretty good EP so I was keen to hear how the follow up fared. Opener Down Under wrong footed me at first but the initial 1990s guitar sound soon gave way to more familiar indiepop sounds. OMG is one of those songs that remind me of so much but I just can’t put my finger on it! Suffice to say it’s a terrific jangling indiepop song with boy girl/vocals and erm, t-shirts. Despite coming from Denmark you would be forgiven thinking that the band come from, as the EP/first track titles and the artwork … Continue reading Tampopo – Half A World Away

Darkwave, Dream Pop, Shoegaze1 Comment

Flowerbed – Blame

Tom

Following on from last years excellent self titled debut EP Texan dream-pop band Flowerbed deliver another fine tune in the shape of Blame. Whilst not as ethereal sounding as the aforementioned release the band temper the noise so that the hushed voice of Bailo Biggs can be heard as it threads it’s way through the guitars. Let’s hope a follow up EP is on the way soon. Facebook Continue reading Flowerbed – Blame

C86, indiepop1 Comment

Jeanines – Been In The Dark

Tom

New York’s Jeanines will be releasing a new 7″ EP on London based label Where It’s At Is Where You Are or WIAIWYA for short. Titled Things Change it features four tracks including the taster track Been In The Dark. It follows the pattern of last years self titled debut album and fuses post-punk (Dolly Mixture, Television Personalities) with indiepop from both sides of the pond (Shop Assistants, Black Tambourine, Talulah Gosh, Aislers Set etc). Things Change will be released on March 6th 2020 and will be available on 7″ vinyl and digital formats. Pre-order from here. The band also … Continue reading Jeanines – Been In The Dark

C86, indiepop1 Comment

Seablite – Skeleton Couch

Tom

Seablite are releasing a new EP next month titled High​-​Rise Mannequins. It’s a joint release on American label Emotional Response and the Spanish label Meritorio Records. Skeleton Couch has been released as a taster and is a fine mix of 1960s girl band and 1980’s c86/fuzzy indie pop. High​-​Rise Mannequins is available in 7″ and digital formats and is due for release on February 21st 2020. Pre-order from the links above. Homepage Continue reading Seablite – Skeleton Couch

Garage, indiepop, Psychedelia1 Comment

Pop Crimes – Debuts

Tom

Originally released last October Debuts gets a re-release on cassette (and digital of course) on Howlin’ Banana Records. The band, who are a supergroup of sorts as they comprise members of En Attendant Ana, Blondi’s Salvation and Young Like Old Men take inspiration from the likes of The Pastels, Sarah Records and Pavement. Don’t let that guide you mind as this release mixes up 1960s garage, a bit of grunge and most certainly some noise. Musically each of these songs, which are sometimes harsh or raw, always veer on the side of melody and contain more than enough catchy guitar … Continue reading Pop Crimes – Debuts

C86, indiepop, Jangle PopLeave a comment

The Reds, Pinks & Purples – I’m Sorry About Your Life

Tom

The Reds, Pinks & Purples have announced some plans for 2020. They will be releasing a 7″ EP on Swedish label I Dischi Del Barone Records. A second album, provisionally titled Uncommon Weather, will be released via Slumberland Records later this year. They have also announced full band appearances at the Madrid Popfest on 13th March and play San Francisco along side Australian band Quivers and The Umbrellas on April 11th. If that is not enough a new digital single I’m Sorry About Your Life has just been released with new takes on the title track and Marty As A … Continue reading The Reds, Pinks & Purples – I’m Sorry About Your Life

Alt Rock, Dream Pop, DreampopLeave a comment

Meadowlake – Blood Crawls

Tom

I have not heard of Dutch band Meadowlake previously but have recently stumbled across Blood Crawls which I believe is the second single to be taken from their forthcoming second album. Musically and vocally you get the impression that the song is calm and unagitated. However the words suggest otherwise, with the songs protagonist being both angry and upset. I am not sure if this type of song is generally the norm when it comes to Meadowlake’s output and I guess there is only one way to find out. However for now, and despite the despondency, Blood Crawls will do. … Continue reading Meadowlake – Blood Crawls

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Goth, Post PunkLeave a comment

Telecom Falls – Apart

Tom

Canadians Telecom Falls describe themselves as a “post-goth/shoegaze”band and the fusion of dream-pop with hints of 1980s 4AD on Apart is not far off the mark meeting that description either. I like the Asian influences on the sampling which works well with the ethereal and Gothic voice of lyricist and vocalist Lydia Low. Apart is the second single to be taken from the forthcoming album Desire and aside from Fawns Of Love I cannot think (or have heard) of any other band who mixes dream-pop and post-punk so well. Facebook Continue reading Telecom Falls – Apart

Noise Pop, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Tristesse Club – A New Tomorrow

Tom

Tristesse Club hail from Rennes, France and make music blending shoegaze and alt-rock. Citing influences such as Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, DIIV or Sonic Youth the band produce, on A New Tomorrow at least, a wall of noise that sees saddening passages or flickers of beauty passing through intermittently. Definitely not one for a chill out mix mind! Facebook Continue reading Tristesse Club – A New Tomorrow

indiepop, Twee3 Comments

The Lousy Pop Group – Days

Tom

I last heard of Indonesian band The Lousy Pop Group on Stawberry Punks Vol.2 back in November 2018 although they released a couple of tracks last year. They have recently announced via the Shiny Happy Records bandcamp page that they will be releasing a 7″ single entitled Time Flies When You’re Having Fun later this year and Days is the first track to be lifted from said single. It’s a gentle, wistful track that harks back to 1980s indiepop/twee and which fades away far too soon. Lovely and the artwork is too. Continue reading The Lousy Pop Group – Days