#subjangle

4/28/26.

Seasonal Falls are a Swiss duo (Roman Gabriel and Andrew Pelletier, based in Lucerne) and "The Unbearable Loudness of Stupidity" is their second release for Subjangle following last December's behemoth 2 CD compilation.

Berlin's Hans Forster is back with his fourth Hanemoon album. This time on Subjangle Records, a great label that continues to release amazing stuff. It's more jangle pop, that we love, but this time around there's an added touch of pedal and steel guitar. It features Seb Thieme (drums and bass on 1, 2 and 7), Pat Carter (pedal steel on 7 and 8) and Desmond Garcia One Man Band (lap Steel and lead guitar on 9). But we can't forget Seaside Stars' companions Andi Schuwirth (acoustic guitar and backing vocals on 2) and Greg Hüttner (also from Man Behind Tree, plays drums 3, 4-6, 8-11). But remember, Hans completes the rest with electric, lap steel, and bass guitars; and vocals. "Remember Any Time Soon" begins the album as a soft, jangly beauty with Han's vocals coming off as a rambling whisper. Next up, "Rain," is another soft song that trickles like a light sprinkle of acoustics along with Schuwirth's wonderful backing "oohs and aahs." Here's the video:

"Scared" is a highlight here with its stripped down guitar and vocals. But in comes the rhythm section along with that nice touch of echoing guitar to really make this one really soar. Track 4, "We Didn't Know," gives off a rockin' sound that Neil Young's Crazy Horse would highly approve of. It brings the tempo up on the album, but still captures the beauty of the finest alt-country around. "Dropped" emerges even further out of the gate with its speedy rhythm section pounding away. This song reminds me of Hanemoon's earlier stuff the most. "Hidden Door" slows things back down a bit. This one gives off an America vibe, with its intricate acoustic guitars and gorgeous, back up harmonies. With "Listening Later On," the pedal steel guitar swarms the melody in this slower, waltzy type song. A melody that will move any listener to tears. Track 8, "Motorcycle Rise Again," is another favorite of mine that I keep going back to. Jangled, alt-country that takes me back to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. (Yeah, I'm old enough to remember them. I'm glad the promo sheet mentioned them because I couldn't quite put my finger on Hans's new sound.) Another beautiful chorus that you just don't want to end. "I Think Your Thinking" is another high speed guitar frenzy that only Hans can pull off with his witty vocals. Track 10, "Young And Old," slows the tempo back down with another acoustic beauty. Later I'm reminded of Netherland's Daryll-Ann at times, which is a good reference. "In The Rubble" closes out the album right where it started off. A little more jangle than alt-country, but either way, a pretty song nevertheless. There you have it. Hans has pushed himself with the introduction of new musicians and instruments for his fourth album. Be sure to pre-order soon because copies are limited. ERIC EGGLESON

Field Hospitals jangle and thump, the romantic overtures of spiraling dual guitars meeting the punk abrasion of straight-up bass and drums. The easiest comparison is R.E.M. but True West is a better one. Field Hospitals’ “Passion Play” is as doomed and tuneful as True West’s “And Then the Rain,” an epic arc of chorus cutting across tangled guitars.

6/8/25.

Well, this was a surprise. Not the new release by Brisbane, Australia's Greg Brady and the Anchors. I've known about that for months. What surprised me is that this release comes not only on vinyl, but also on CD courtesy the prolific (and usually more indie pop oriented) label, Subjangle.

Greg Brady has roots in indie pop - he was, after all, a member of The Zebras. But his solo work tends more to The Moles/Richard Davies style of pop. "I'd Rather Walk" (and his previous solo work covered here in April 2023) is poppy, but it meanders and throws curveballs. In 2023, we said, "Bands like Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Ducks Ltd. owe a debt to Greg Brady."

Roman Gabriel is the leader of this Swiss indie rock/pop band. I've made enough jokes about the old American football player of the same name that this RG probably wants to throttle me, so no more of those. 

Gabriel and his cohorts specialize in melancholy indie pop, but this EP adds some cool snap to some of the tunes (that has a bunch of extras if you go to the Bandcamp page, but this review is only of the EP). 

This EP actually shows a more rockin' side of Mr Gabriel with the opener "Quiet Time" (which is anything but) and the next one, the straight-ahead "I Should Be Sad But I'm Not," and on to "A Year Without Beer." This song has a unique loopy guitar line, while Gabriel's vocals float atop the whole ship, and it is my favorite part of the song 

He dives back into the melancholia on the excellent "Australia" and "All Alone" (which slides into an excellent horn part at the end).

Don't skip this EP. A low-key beaut.

www.seasonalfalls.bandcamp.com

www.subjangle.bandcamp.com

I reviewed this terrific German band's single last month but somehow forgot to review the whole album, which isn't right 'cos this one is really superb!

I truly dug their previous album Don'ts and Dos from 2023, and this one definitely ups the ante.  Look, I know I like to toss the word "jangle" around on this site like it's going out of business, but this JANGLE band really do put the jingle in the jangle.

The songs come rapid fire, one after another. From opener "It's Alright" into the punchy "Apogee" into the soaring "Sellout" into the ....just different "A Mess" and on and on. 

I'm gonna end this review here 'cos I've got to go to bed but really, please do check this one out. 

www.theradiofield.bandcamp.com

www.subjangle.bandcamp.com

3/29/25.

We first posted about Linköping, Sweden band The Slow Summits back in 2022 when Too Good To Be True released an excellent 7". Now Subjangle is releasing a compilation of their digital work, the 7", and an unreleased track.

8/5/24.

I listened to this digital single from Glasgow, Scotland's I Wanna Be A Truck Driver and immediately loved the sound so clearly influenced by The Pastels, Butterglory and Beat Happening. But I knew I couldn't post it, so I moved on after one listen.

Lo and behold, everyone's favorite South African/English label Subjangle is releasing a CD of I Wanna Be A Truck Driver's music. I Wanna Be A Truck Driver is led by Craig Dunlop who also has another project - Milk Aisle Gorbachev. Subjangle will also be releasing a separate CD of music from this project.

So, if you like your pop Glaswegian style, rejoice. It's a good week.