indiepop, Post PunkLeave a comment

Parsnip/The Shifters – Hip Blister

Tom

Split single from two of the current crop of Melbourne bands, both of whom have contributed three tracks each. However, at time of writing, only one track from each band is (was) available for streaming. The wonderful Parsnip have featured on these pages before and on Counterfeit they deliver another slice of girl band inspired goodness. The Shifters are a new name on me and they contrast greatly to their release mates. Only one thought crossed my mind whilst listening to Photo Op and that was is that The Fall I am hearing? Actually it was two thoughts and the … Continue reading Parsnip/The Shifters – Hip Blister

Alt Rock, Pop, PowerpopLeave a comment

The Belafontes – Roll On

Tom

The Belafontes have compiled the four tracks they have released on bandcamp over the past year and released them on vinyl and cassette formats alongside the usual digital ones. But like me you should have these four tracks already no? You can read what I thought about Where the City Meets the Sea & Gemini. I am not sure why I have not mentioned the other two. Suffice to say they are both also fine examples of punk/surf pop. Whenever I play The Belafontes I get a feel good boost. Why don’t you get a sugar rush too? Pre-order from … Continue reading The Belafontes – Roll On

indiepop1 Comment

Pelopincho – Zona Surf

Tom

Pelopincho are an indiepop band hailing from Valentín Alsina, Argentina. Their brand of indiepop consists of short punk-pop songs and based on the imagery I can see where the inspirations come from. If Google translate is working properly (they sing in their native Spanish) the songs in the main are about having fun, hanging out with friends or when you are down go onto do both of those things. Not sure what cold polenta (Polenta Fría) has to do with anything though! They do have a sombre side as they finish with songs about heart break (Oscuridarks) and anxiety (Miedos). … Continue reading Pelopincho – Zona Surf

Coldwave, Post PunkLeave a comment

Corrections – When It’s Over

Tom

I wasn’t taken with the previous offering from Corrections which was a bit of a disappointment after the Birdsong long player. However When It’s Over soon rights that coming in at the slower end of coldwave. It’s the heady mix of reverb and vocals that grabs my attention and keeps me interested throughout. Whilst I like short tracks I wished this one lasted more than it’s two and a bit minutes. If this is the direction Corrections are heading then I am very pleased indeed. If not their material has always been arresting and I look forward to hearing more! … Continue reading Corrections – When It’s Over

Alt Rock, indiepop2 Comments

Westkust – Swebeach

Tom

Swedish band Westkust, who feature two members of Makthaverskan in their ranks, have released their first new track for almost four years. Swebeach is a swirling , motoring indiepop track with an infectious guitar sound and strong female vocals. That’s always a winning formula for me. It’s the first single to be taken from the self titled second album due to be released on 1st March 2019 on Luxury Records. Pre-order it from here. Facebook Continue reading Westkust – Swebeach

Goth, Post PunkLeave a comment

Current Affairs – Breeding Feeling

Tom

We hear and read about a lot of bands being influenced and/or replicating the C86 sound. Here is a band, who draw (ex) members of acts like The Royal We, Rose McDowall’s band, Anxiety, Kaspar Hauser and Shopping in their ranks, that go back further to the sounds found during the era of the C81 tape. Their sound draws inspiration from the shadowy and gothic elements of post punk bands – think The Cure and thanks to the vocals the likes of Siouxsie and The Banshees and early Altered Images. That’s not to say this is a carbon copy of … Continue reading Current Affairs – Breeding Feeling

Experimental, Krautrock, Post Punk, PsychedeliaLeave a comment

Newscaster – Rumours

Tom

Plenty of weird and wonderful sounds inhabit the two tracks that can be found on this experimental sounding release. There is art-pop, post-punk, dub, psychedelia and even a bit of drone/krautrock. The music invokes memories of the likes of Can, Talking Heads, Scritti Politti and XTC. If that is the effect Newscaster are after then they are spot on. Interesting to say the least. I like. Continue reading Newscaster – Rumours

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Post PunkLeave a comment

Posh Lost – Fortune

Tom

Dream pop meets post-punk on this EP from Posh Lost which is their first release for almost two and a half years. Recorded in the aftermath of the US elections and the surrounding political anxiety the EP opens with arguably it’s strongest track in the shape Denizen which is a full on retro sounding post-punk effort. It’s gloomy stuff, no surprise given the source subject, and none more on Hours Passing which takes it’s cue from New Order’s debut Movement. Only on Cortisol does the band fail to deliver as the mismatch of dreampop and post-punk proves too much but … Continue reading Posh Lost – Fortune