ShoegazeLeave a comment

ease – MK7

Tom

Indonesian shoegazers ease certainly ride the waves with MK7 which is their second single. If you spotted the pun the you may guess that the sound here is reminiscent of the 4AD back catalogue namely The Pale Saints and to a lesser extent Lush. Of course those names may not mean a thing to the current generation (I keep forgetting I am old git) so if they don’t MK7 a shimmering track with some lovely soundscapes and vocals that swirl around the reverb laden, vibrating guitars. Exquisite stuff….. Facebook Continue reading ease – MK7

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The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Bad Habits (Demo)

Tom

Bad Habits is the latest track from the DIY pop project of Glenn Donaldson (Skygreen Leopards, Art Museums) and friends. Certainly influenced by a certain Bristol based label from years past as well as drawing from a range of influences since then Bad Habits is another excellent jangling track with sullen and gloomy lyrics that is certainly welcome by these ears as the year draws to a close. Continue reading The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Bad Habits (Demo)

C86, indiepop, Jangle Pop1 Comment

Ivory Past/Snowflakes feat . Miléna – Illuminated Songs EP

Tom

A two song EP (er?) from two Japanese based indiepop acts. The Ivory Past track December is simply immense on first, second, third and subsequent listens. It’s catchy and addictive janglepop. Sadly the Snowflakes effort is pretty ordinary by their high standards. Previous effort Sway was excellent but this pale by comparison and just does not do anything for me. Maybe it will work for you. The Illuminated Songs EP will soon get a cassette release (let’s hope there are more than two tracks!) but for now get it digitally from either Ivory Past or Snowflakes. Or both! Continue reading Ivory Past/Snowflakes feat . Miléna – Illuminated Songs EP

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Nah… – Road Trip

Tom

Dutch/German outfit Nah… produce another sparkling moment in the form of Road Trip where jangling guitars fly whilst girl boy vocals whip back and forth with good humoured lyrics. Flip side Everything starts off like an indie dance remix but soon carves out it’s own identity with strong vocal performances weaving in and out of what sounds like a radio broadcaster. The guitars soon come to the fore and in no time at all we have a pretty contagious track on our hands. My feet are still tapping long after the track finishes…. Sadly, and because I have taken too … Continue reading Nah… – Road Trip

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Psychedelia, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Stolen Badges – Places I’ve Been

Tom

Stolen Badges is a one-off project by Ryan Marquez of Apple Orchard and more recently Golden Teardrops. Unlike the latter, which leaned towards baroque pop, Stolen Badges sound has more of a stripped down shoegazing feel. Musically it also started to sound like a less psychedelic version of Spacemen 3 especially on James Bay and San Francisco. It’s interesting stuff and shame the project is only a one off as there are plenty of ideas here which would have been worth pursuing further. Continue reading Stolen Badges – Places I’ve Been

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The Darling Buds – New Year

Tom

The Darling Buds get on the seasonal records act by releasing their cover of The Sugarbabes 2000 hit New Year. There are two versions here with the Rise and Demise of John Mix being the more palatable to the ear. It’s a free/pay what you want download from Oddbox Records and is only available until January 2nd 2019. And here is the original for comparison’s sake. Facebook Continue reading The Darling Buds – New Year

Electronica, Synth popLeave a comment

State of the Nation – Burden

Tom

Burden is one of the standout tracks from the recent Mirage album by Sweden’s State of the Nation, a band who are influenced by the likes of The Pet Shop Boys and most certainly New Order. The original version if a straight up synth-pop number whilst the People Theatre “I Know” Mix makes it even more dance floor friendly for the indie kids. However it’s the The Real Dreamers Remix which gives it a club makeover turning it into a hands in the air,trance anthem. I personally would have preferred less vocals on this one (an instrumental mix please) but … Continue reading State of the Nation – Burden

Alt Rock, Dreampop, Drone, Experimental, Psychedelia, ShoegazeLeave a comment

Alles Club – Décollage

Tom

Quite a journey this one which crosses the borders of shoegaze, post rock and dream pop whilst on it’s travels. The instrumental title track opens the proceedings with post rock guitars merged with voices recorded from the TV or radio. It blends into another eight minute plus track in the shape of Quanto Tempo which has a poppier sound spruced with some trumpets. Despite not sounding like it, it is effective and works amazingly well! Sadly our ride comes off the rails with the well meaning but ultimately unsatisfying Libélula. It’s a slight break with 1990’s alt-rock sounding effort on … Continue reading Alles Club – Décollage

Alt Rock, indiepop, Lo-FiLeave a comment

Something For The Weekend? Three Christmas Releases

Tom

This weeks pack of three covers three releases that hark (ho ho ho) to the time of year. Say Sue Me – Christmas, It’s Not a Biggie Is this the EP that sees Sue Say Me turn into a fully fledged rock n’ roll band? The hints in their previous couple of releases bear fruition here. The excellent title track blends surf and indie pop whilst it also contains elements from The Waitresses Christmas Wrapping. Too Expensive Christmas Tree is a full on surf rock instrumental whilst the other two tracks are the band’s take on the more traditional Christmas … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Three Christmas Releases