Monday, March 18, 2024

Torrey - Torrey

 

2024 is proving to be a year that will make our ears very, very happy. And one of the standout albums to date is the self-title LP by the Bay Area's Torrey. Crafting a multi-layered dreampop suffused with textures spanning the range from airy and gauzey to melodic, shoegazey bombs, Torrey gives the listener new aspects to examine with each listen. The level of detail and the variety of elements is incredible, but the band masterfully blends it all to deliver music with just the right balance between polish and indie scruff.

Torrey are Ryann Gonsalves, Kelly Gonsalves, Sinclair Riley, Adam Honingford, and Susie Chinisci. Torrey is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.

No Matter How




"Acid Island 45" by Kindsight

 

We took a break to assist a family member who had surgery last week, but she is on the road to recovery and we are back at the keyboard. And we celebrate our return with the rush of excitement embodied in "Acid Island 45", the new single by Danish band Kindsight. The introductory guitar squall, break-an-arm drumming and full-out pace made us think that in another world this would be on a greatest hits compilation from the Shop Assistants. And that is intended to be high praise. The song is taken from the upcoming No Fame No Shame, which will be out April 19 via Rama Lama Records

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). .


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Bandcamp for single

Various links for "Acid Island 45"

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Label page for album

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

"We're Going To Make It In A Man's World" by Camera Obscura

 

A month ago we debuted "Big Love", the first single from the upcoming LP Look To The East, Look To The West by Glasgow's beloved Camera Obscura. Today, we have the bright, lush and upbeat second single "We're Going To Make It In A Man's Word". The song was co-written by vocalist Tracyanne Campbell and keyboardist Donna Maciocia, and reaffirms that this band has lost none of its ability to nail the perfect pop song.

The album will be out May 3 via Merge Records.


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Various links for Look To The East, Look To The West

Merge Records page for album

Flowertown -Tourist Language

 


Tourist Language is a special one -- an intimate, romantic Leap Year treat from Flowertown. The duo consisting of Michael Ramos (Tony Jay) and Karina Gill (Cindy) creates aural tapestries emphasizing atmosphere, tone, and their remarkably captivating and conversational vocals. This album doesn't rock you with volume or dazzle you with pyrotechnics (although we absolutely love the tones of the guitars that seem to live inside our chests). No, it hits deeper. Like a treasured conversation with your past lover, or maybe your next lover. We wouldn't want to live without this one.

Tourist Language was released on February 29 in vinyl and digital formats by San Francisco label Paisley Shirt Records.


Friday, March 1, 2024

Cool Sounds - BUG0BEAT

 

In our opinion, Melbourne's Cool Sounds has their own sub-genre. We call it Discoglamjangle (no, no one has ever hired us to create advertising campaigns). The components are a sturdy, danceable beat, a glammy '70s soft rock sound and dose of jangle, and they never fail to wield it in a way that brings a high level of aural satisfaction. Cool Sounds has made their 2024 appearance with a six-track EP titled BUG0BEAT. The song is the lead and title track of their upcoming EP, which is due March 1 via Chapter Music. Press play and enjoy the Discoglamjangle. We have embedded the entire EP below because, well, it makes us so happy that we firmly believe that everyone needs BUG0BEAT.

The main man of Cool Sounds is Dainis Lacey, who is joined by Dylan Young for the creation of the BUG0BEAT EP. The EP is out now via Chapter Music.


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Bandcamp for BUG0BEAT

Other relevant links



"Is This Love?" by Red Sleeping Beauty plus new EP

 

Bright and hopefully and romantic - "Is This Love?" by Sweden's Red Sleeping Beauty is just the song we needed for cold and rainy afternoon. Jaunty keys and jangling guitars in a concise musical cup of yearning emotion. the song is the third in the band's 2024 project of a song a month. And this month brings an additional treat as the first three songs have been offered as the three-song Is This Love? EP by Matinee Recordings.

Is This Love? EP:

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Bandcamp for single

Bandcamp for the 2024 album

Matinee Recordings page for the Is This Love? EP

"Bluetooth Hell" by Dancer

 

Our nosey neighbor has not asked about the joyous sounds from our abode this morning (does she not even care anymore?), but then perhaps we couldn't hear her knocking over the repeated plays of "Bluetooth Hell", the new single from Dancer. The single is from the Glasgow band's upcoming album 10 Songs I Hate About You (a strong contender for alum title of the year, in our opinion). It boasts the band's dominant rhythms, inventive guitar and stabbing vocals, and has an overall vibe of well-marshalled chaos. We love it!

The album will be released in two weeks by Madrid label Meritorio Records.


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Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Thursday, February 29, 2024

"Moving" by Torrey

The swirling, atmospheric, and frankly emotional dreamscape of "Moving" reminds us that the new, self-titled LP by Oakland's Torrey will be here in one week and we are excited to hear it in its entirety. The tracks shared so far suggest that it might be one of our favorites this year.

Torrey are Ryann Gonsalves, Kelly Gonsalves, Sinclair Riley, Adam Honingford, and Susie Chinisci. Torrey will be out March 8 in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.


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Bandcamp for album

Various links for Torrey

Sunday, February 25, 2024

"Clear" by Kaspar

 

The distinctive rumble of Moog synths introduce "Clear", the new single by Finnish band Kaspar. The lovely and sincere song is the band's first recording for their new label, Helsinki's Soliti Music. The single is paired with "Who Am I" which first became available in the autumn of 2023. Kaspar's music has always involved guitars in the past, so this synth outing is a new direction for them, and we think they are on to something good.

Kaspar is John McGregor, Mikael Hakkarainen, and Tuomas Hakkarainen. The released a full album in 2009. Both John and Mikael have worked as solo artists as well.


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Bandcamp for "Clear"

Various links for single

Bandcamp for "Who Am I" (fall 2023 single)

Thursday, February 22, 2024

"Girl 71" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

 

The highly anticipated return of The Jesus and Mary Chain via upcoming LP Glasgow Eyes now has a delayed release date of March 22. But any disappointment at the additional wait should be assuaged by the garage rock swagger of new single "Girl 71". For our ears, the song strips back the years and has us searching for our boots and leather jacket. An additional appealing element on this track is the backing vocals of Rachel Conte.

Note that a couple of vinyl versions of Glasgow Eyes have already sold out, so don't be coy about stepping up. The album will be release via Fuzz Club.

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Various links for "Girl 71"

Bandcamp for Glasgow Eyes

Various links to pre-order Glasgow Eyes


"Learning To Love A Band" by The Reds, Pinks & Purples

 


Justifiably lauded for deft commentary on such topics as lost love and disappointments set to lovely melodies, Glenn Donaldson's The Reds, Pinks & Purples turns its weary eye towards the music industry itself on upcoming album Unwishing Well. They have Followed up initial single "Your Worst Song Is Your Greatest Hit" with new single "Learning To Love A Band". We really like this song. It has a warmth and love of music as its core theme and, as always, the arrangement tugs at the heart.

For this recording The Reds, Pinks & Purples are Glenn and Kati Mishikian, Lewis Gallardo, Thomas Rubenstein and Daniel Pearce. Unwishing Well will be out April 12 in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Slumberland Records and Tough Love Records.

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Bandcamp for Unwishing Well

Slumberland Records page for Unwishing Well

Tough Love Records page for Unwishing Well

Sunday, February 18, 2024

"Change" by Dancer

 

Assembling talent form several other Glasgow projects, Dancer is a rising star in the City's fertile music scene. Their new album 10 Songs I Hate About You is due March 15 via Meritorio Records, and we are expecting an exhilarating and diverse aural ride. The second single from the album is here now, and "Change" is indeed a bracing and jittery dose of pop that is, well, a change from the album's first single. So thinking a bit more about it, we expect good things but we can't really predict what form they will take. And that's ok, we like surprises.

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Bandcamp for album pre-orders


Wednesday, February 14, 2024

"Tomorrow" by Kindsight

 

We were thrilled to learn that the new album from Danish quartet Kindsight now has a name -- No Fame No Shame -- and a release date -- April 19. The band's sharply honed and thoughtful guitar pop never fails to satisfy. Even so, we weren't prepared for the musical treasure that is "Tomorrow", the just released single from the album. With hooks, dynamics that pull and stretch your heartstrings, and vocals that bring to mind the best of The Sundays and Popguns, it is everything we could ask for. If this is what is coming with No Fame No Shame, sign us up!

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). No Fame No Shame will be out via Rama Lama Records.


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Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Label page for album

Friday, February 9, 2024

"Burrowing" by Ryann Gonsalves

 

We have covered Bay Area bands Torrey and Aluminum (and will be covering the self-title album by Torrey soon). But today we have a single from the upcoming album by Ryann Gonsalves, who is a member of both bands. The song is "Burrowing", and it also would appear to be the video premier of family dog Max. Good boy, Max, you passed the audition! Oh, and "Burrowing" is a very appealing tune as well -- thoughtful and well constructed bedroom pop with a jaunty bounce.

The name of the album is Ouch! and it will be out February 14 via Dandy Boy Records. We don't want to suggest we know anything about anyone else's romantic life -- but speaking only for ourselves and our experiences -- we think 'ouch' is a perfect name for an album that drops on Vaentine's Day.


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Bandcamp for "Ouch!"

Various relevant links

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Joe Ziffer - Long Shadows

 

Time for some long overdue appreciation for Long Shadows, the lovely psychedelic pop LP by Adelaide artist Joe Ziffer. Joe builds his creations with complementary elements of jangle pop, folk and psychedelia. The tracks flow seamlessly to create a gentle but impactful tapestry of pastoral tunes. We close our eyes and feel we are listening to Ayers or Syd back in our youth, and that is a really good feeling. We foresee a lot of future evenings when Long Shadows will be out companion.

Long Shadows was released late in 2023 in digital and cassette formats by Tenth Court Records.




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Bandcamp for Long Shadows

Various relevant links for the album