Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!

Dec 16, 2016Dec 21, 2016 Tom

Whilst listening to this debut release from Sweden’s Tinsel Heart I got the same “hair on the back of my neck standing up” sensation I did when I first heard the debut EP from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Like that EP this one too is packed to the rafters with homages to that classic C86 and jangly guitar indie-pop sound. They even call one of their songs Sunny Sunday Smile which should give you some idea of how these songs sound. However, they don’t just make a carbon copy replicas but instead expand on their influences effortlessly. … Continue reading Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!

Darkwave, Post PunkLeave a comment

Whispering Sons – Performance/Strange Identities

Dec 15, 2016 Tom

Morbid but pulsating post-punk with from Belgian band Whispering Sons. Both tracks are dark and dramatic complete with gothic undertones. It’s out now on 7″ vinyl or digital formats. Get it from here. Facebook Continue reading Whispering Sons – Performance/Strange Identities

Dreampop, indiepopLeave a comment

Night Flowers – Christmas

Dec 11, 2016 Tom

Night Flowers have released two seasonal recordings recorded at home on their 8 track. Both of these recordings are pretty decent in particular No Rest which is as dreamy as can be thanks to the lovely shimmering guitars. Christmas is available for nowt although donations will be gratefully received and donated to MIND and TEENAGE CANCER TRUST. You know it makes sense…. Facebook Continue reading Night Flowers – Christmas

indiepopLeave a comment

Nice Try – Glow

Dec 10, 2016 Tom

A really lovely track from Nice Try which achieves more in it’s 1m.45s than many releases I have been listening to on Bandcamp recently. Glow is a real feel good song and is proof that it is well worth spending time separating the wheat from the chaff! Glow is out now on flexi disc or digitally from Bandcamp on a pay what you want basis. Facebook Continue reading Nice Try – Glow

C86, Garage, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Labels, Powerpop, PunkLeave a comment

Something For The Weekend – Three (Free?) Sampler Pack

Dec 9, 2016 Tom

Three label samplers for you today all of which are available for free – well on a pay what you want basis. That should keep you busy over the weekend. Oddbox Records feature a lot on this site simply because they consistently put out quality releases on a regular basis. The originally named 2016 rounds up their output this year and there are choice cuts here from The Wolfhounds, The Manhattan Love Suicides, The Bellamys, City Yelps and plenty more. Facebook I also like a lot of the music that Emotional Response releases but for some reason, I have not … Continue reading Something For The Weekend – Three (Free?) Sampler Pack

C86, indiepopLeave a comment

The Bellamys – EP

Dec 8, 2016 Tom

This self-titled debut release, discounting the demos of course, from Cardiff’s The Bellamys is an enjoyable romp through the sounds of indie pop’s golden ages. The EP sounds like a mix of two halves depending on whether it’s lead male or female vocals. If it’s the former they sound like a Glass records era Pastels whilst on the latter they cross into bands fronted by Amelia Fletcher country. The first two tracks are exceptional to these ears but the whole EP is a fantastic way to spend another 10 minutes over and over again in seeing 2016 to a close. … Continue reading The Bellamys – EP

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Drone, indiepop, Krautrock, Post Punk, Shoegaze, Synth popLeave a comment

From Russia With Love

Nov 25, 2016 Tom

Three Russian bands for your enjoyment today including two who I have mentioned before. First up is Moscow’s Commis Voyageur whose new digital single Youth is about being young. Yeah I vaguely remember that. Anyway both tracks here, Moonlight and Submissive, are catchy synth led efforts with the former taking the glory as it is the most vigorous of the two. Available as a free download from Bandcamp. Facebook For The Empty is the new single from Herlights and like above this title does not appear on either of the two tracks that comprise it. Laidback dream pop at its … Continue reading From Russia With Love

Post PunkLeave a comment

The Sticks – No Sustain E.P

Nov 22, 2016 Tom

Excellent EP from Brighton post-punkers The Sticks which glances in the direction of The Fire Engines, the Swell Maps and 1960’s garage. The title track does it for me sounding like it has jumped straight from Edinburgh,1981 into the current day. The No Sustain EP is out now on 7″ vinyl via Market Square Recordings. Get it from here. Continue reading The Sticks – No Sustain E.P

Alt Rock, PowerpopLeave a comment

Bruising – I Don’t Mind

Nov 14, 2016 Tom

There have been a couple of great singles on the Beech Coma label already this year (Holy Now & Posture) and as 2016 enters its last month and a half here is another in the shape of I Don’t Mind by Leeds band Bruising. Their form of indie rock reminds me of the Elephant Six bands and in particular Dressy Bessy in their rockier moments. The combination of slacker guitars and singer Naomi Baguley’s unhurried vocal style could make this the last great single of 2016. It’s released on 7″ vinyl (250 copies) early next year or digitally on the … Continue reading Bruising – I Don’t Mind

indiepop, Noise PopLeave a comment

Linda Guilala – Accidente

Nov 13, 2016 Tom

Accidente is one of the highlights from this year’s Psiconáutica long player and is packed to the rafters with fuzzy guitars and fuzzier synths. Despite being stricken with man flu I still get bopping. Accidente, like the virus I have right now, is pretty infectious stuff. Play loud! It’s only available digitally and is backed with a cover of Silvania’s Sé Girasol. Bandpage Continue reading Linda Guilala – Accidente