Kidsmoke are another one of those bands who I have a love hate relationship with. Sometimes they try to be too clever and produce songs that are too complex resulting in, to these ears, muddled results (Rising Sun for example). … Continue reading Kidsmoke – She Takes You Under
The Slow Summits (named after The Pastels 2013 album of the same name?) are an indiepop band from Linköping, Sweden. Languid Belles seems to be their debut release and it contains four jangling pop tunes that are reminiscent of days gone by. It’d be hard not to think of 1980s UK indie bands when listening to the EP. Off the top of my head think The Smiths, Orange Juice, The Weather Prophets, The Housemartins, The Loft, and The Wedding Present. Given that Amelia Fletcher provides backing vocals on two tracks here the latter should be no surprise. It’s an enjoyable … Continue reading The Slow Summits – Languid Belles
Aries/Pisces from Houston’s Daze starts off with ethereal female vocals and dreamy guitars before some noise is introduced. Just as you think that you will have a full-scale sonic assault on your hands (or should that be ears?) the song once again settles on an intangible path. Very clever and more importantly very good! Facebook Continue reading Daze – Aries//Pisces
Девушка Которую Зовут Тишина (Girl Named Silence) is taken from the forthcoming album by Ukrainian shoegazers Layuchi Kvity. There is plenty of variety over the course of it’s 6m 20s especially when it comes to the vocals which at times reminds me of Dean Garcia (Curve, SPC ECO). It’s good to hear another band who are not afraid to move away from the confines of the generic shoegazing shackles. Facebook Continue reading Layuchi Kvity – Девушка Которую Зовут Тишина
Backers & Maracas compiles tracks taken from Super 8s’ three albums from 2018 alongside a few new songs. Given that the label’s name is Subjangle, which also has an accompanying blog at Janglepop hub, I was expecting some discordant guitars … Continue reading Super 8 – Backers & Maracas
I mentioned Indonesian indie rock band Texpack the other day and today we hear from another highly band from that country. Jakarta based Gascoigne have been around for a few years now and are due to release a new album, titled Bond Electric, on Anoa Records. Hook Line Sinker is the first taster from said album and it has a distinctive US slacker/college rock sound that comes with a lot of bounce and catchy vocals. Gascoigne? Paul the other one (I will get me coat….) Continue reading Gascoigne – Hook Line Sinker
Totem are a synth pop band from Berlin although their sound harks towards Basildon and Brussels. Must be all those b’s. Anyway A Night In Reverse could have been the sound of Depeche Mode if they followed the coldwave underground … Continue reading Totem – A Night In Reverse
Torrey is a female fronted band who hail from San Francisco and that’s all I can find out about them as for now their homepage does not offer any clues. Which, I kinda, like. Anyway Sister features six indiepop songs that need to be heard. Initial thoughts would suggest comparisons to the likes of Cults, The Aislers Set, Best Coast and amongst their peers Jeanines. There is variety too – the beautiful Summer where singer Ryann’s voice shines, the shambling Scruffy and the short and sweet pop-tastic blast that is Lean In. The other tracks carry on in the same … Continue reading Torrey – Sister
Perfect Buzz is proof that not all Indonesian bands take their inspiration from the city of Bristol in England’s west country. Perfect Buzz takes its lead from Seattle born grunge before settling on an all encompassing college rock sound. However, it’s the fuzzy guitar sound of Ocean Breath I prefer and the vocals somehow gives the song a poppier edge. These two tracks were originally found on the 2016 Courageous EP released on Hujan! Rekords and they have now been released as a free download single on Dismantled. An album follows later this year on Anoa Records. Continue reading Texpack – Perfect Buzz
Brazilian band Pin Ups first surfaced back in 1990 releasing five albums before seemingly splitting up, after a number of line up changes, in 1998. A covers EP emerged the year before last alongside some comeback shows and now the band, with I think most of the last line up, are preparing to release their sixth album on London based Brazilian label Midsummer Madness and Fleeting Media. Spinning is the first single to be lifted from the album. It’s like stepping back twenty years to their fifth album Lee Marvin and you cannot imagine the band ever being away! It’s … Continue reading Pin Ups – Spinning
