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@withoutmyecho
Russell Hoban (February 4, 1925 – December 13, 2011) had the most amazing way of putting ideas into words. I believe it's something like this sensation described in Amaryllis Night and Day that often makes me go for solitary walks in the park. On lucky days I end up with something unexpected, like this tiny snail resting on a pair of paperbark maple seeds. Read more about SA4QE.
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And so all day today (starting at 12:01am Pacific Time), for any purchase you make on Bandcamp, we will be donating 100% of our share of the proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union, who are working tirelessly to combat these discriminatory and unconstitutional actions. (Bandcamp Daily) Whenever possible I link to Bandcamp in my posts because I think it's the best platform to buy music by a mile. This just once again proves why. So today is the perfect day to look at your wishlist and pick as many items as possible, or if you need inspiration, here are some of my favourite releases of the past few years, in alphabetical order: Boys Forever - Boys Forever City Steps - Change Your Mind Expert Alterations - You Can't Always Be Liked Hypoluxo - If Language Karl Smith - Kites Lowpines - That Bridge Washed Away In The Storm The Newsletters - Ordinary Day Red Shoe Diaries - When I Find My Heart... Roomtone - Turkish Saddle The Stammer - Days In Between The Swapsies - Sparrows EP
Strange Passage – Shine and Scatter
Shine and Scatter by Strange Passage
Shine and Scatter is the stunning debut EP by Boston based Strange Passage which I came across via this amazing playlist put together by Mercury Girls and Wildhoney. The songs on this EP remind me of Expert Alterations as well as The Stammer, two of my favourite bands of recent years, so that's pretty exciting. And there's something about 4-song EPs that seems to work particularly well these days, I think. Listen/buy via Bandcamp.
Best of 2016: Songs
Same procedure as last year: one song per artist, with a bit more of a focus on non-album tracks. 1 Cigarettes After Sex - K 2 The Newsletters - Please You 3 Motorama - By Your Side 4 Palomica - Honeydew 5 Rory McVicar - Toothache 6 Blurred Moon - Far 7 Lowpines - Forest Finds 8 Tinsel Heart - Wasted Yet Sad 9 Sodastream - Three Sins 10 Hypoluxo - In My Head It's All Sand 11 Boys Forever - Cold Is The Colour 12 The Holiday Crowd - Cheer Up 13 Bigott - Coming Soon 14 The Ocean Party - Reach 15 Terry Malts - When The Nighttime Comes 16 Pete Astor - Really Something 17 Teleman - Düsseldorf 18 Roomtone - Up In The Air 19 Woods - Creature Comfort 20 Daughter - No Care 21 The Haywains - Girl In The Holly Court Diner 22 Lost Tapes - Going Nowhere 23 Chris Cohen - Torrey Pine 24 Bubblegum Lemonade - You Bring The Rain 25 J Churcher - Finding Roxanne 26 Paravelle - Cascades 27 The Crystal Furs - Capture You 28 Fascinations Grand Chorus - Actor/Actress 29 The Charlie Tipper Conspiracy - Lunar Garden Party 30 Ginnels - My Eyes! My Ears! 31 The Goon Sax - Home Haircuts 32 Plume Of Feathers - Lock In 33 The Pooches - Heart Attack 34 Songs For Walter - Moon/Two Out Of Ten 35 Love The Unicorn - Hate Forever 36 Young Romance - Wasting Time 37 E'spaniel - Just Another Day 38 Pavo Pavo - Ran Ran Run 39 Young Scum - If You Say That 40 Sunshine Faces - Some Kids You Knew 41 Leapling - I Decide When It Begins 42 Get Well Soon - It's Love 43 Amber Arcades - Perpetuum Mobile 44 Divino Niño - Time 45 Vasity - Still Apart 46 Mercury Girls - Ariana 47 The Real Numbers - Only Two Can Play 48 Innerspace Orchestra - One Way Glass 49 Suburban Living - Once/Twice 50 Milk Skin - Syrupy 51 Skytone - Second Hand Shops 52 Chook Race - Sometimes 53 Ari Roar - Karate Again 54 Destroyer - My Mystery 55 Plastic Mermaids - Paris Milkshake 56 Plastic Flowers - Diver 57 The King In Mirrors - Talk About Today 58 Swimming Tapes - Set The Fire 59 Seafang - Summertime 60 Impulsive Hearts - MDB 61 Lightning In A Twilight Hour - The Sky Beyond The Sky 62 Kidsmoke - Cut Yourself Loose 63 Tindersticks - How He Entered 64 Trowler - Walk Away 65 Romantic States - Take My Hand And Run 66 Astronauts - You Can Turn It Off 67 Featherfin - The Only Thing I Miss 68 Lake Ruth - The Only One Who Knows 69 Starry Eyed Cadet - Reaction 70 Crescendo - Said 71 Day Wave - Deadbeat Girl 72 Cool Sounds - Shake 73 Gringo Star - Get Closer 74 The Keep Left Signs - Modern Dilemmas 75 Lost Film - Temporary 76 Stephen's Shore - Ocean Blue 77 We. The Pigs - Something New 78 Sea Pinks - Yr Horoscope 79 Eskimeaux - Year of the Rabbit 80 Devendra Banhart - Middle Names 81 Dent May - Face Down In The Gutter Of Your Love 82 The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Clark & Belmont 83 Olov Antonsson - Det kan lika gärna bli september nu 84 Math and Physics Club - Coastal California, 1985 85 Pale Spectres - Your Boyfriend's Girlfriend 86 Cosines - Let's Start It Over 87 Animal Daydream - In My Room 88 Wild Nothing - Adore 89 Violent Femmes - Memory 90 Bent Shapes - What We Do Is Public 91 Posture - Dreamin' 92 Tele Novella - Fruits Of Misery 93 Star Parks - Souvenirs 94 Terribly Yours - Barbara 95 Lists - Millie & Ivor 96 Stephen Steinbrink - I'm Turning Inside Out 97 Galapaghost - Salt Lake City 98 Eerie Wanda - I Am Over Here 99 Roman Lakes - Cross Thread 100 The Beths - Rush Hour 3 If available, all songs included in my Spotify Best of 2016 playlist in this order, with another few hundred in no particular order.
Related: Best of 2016: Albums Best of 2015: Albums Best of 2015: Songs Best of 2014: Albums Best of 2014: Songs
Best of 2016: Albums
These are the albums that made the difficult year 2016 a little bit brighter for me. Like the year before, it was extremely hard to come up with a ranking order that feels right and does everyone justice - it's probably impossible - but after many nights of listening and writing and cut/copy/pasting in my temporary list, I finally settled on this:
1 Boys Forever – Boys Forever
Boys Forever's music has accompanied me throughout the year, from the first single 'Poisonous' in January to 'Voice In My Head' and 'Cold Is The Colour' in June/July, all of which got many repeated plays here, so I began to really look forward to the album. My expectations were high and they were not disappointed: I immediately fell in love with this succession of catchy tunes! For a while I listened to this album almost daily, and I remember the smile it would bring to my face in what seemed like the most random moments or places in much the same way as my favourite album did the year before. Maybe that's why already back in September I had an inkling that Boys Forever was going to make it to the top of my list in 2016. I know I've compared them to Expert Alterations before, but it's inevitable - both these albums make me feel a little bit lighter about life, and that can only be a good thing.
2 Hypoluxo – If Language
If Language was my surprise album of the year, firstly because Hypoluxo were completely unknown to me before October and secondly because of how much I ended up playing the album and falling in love with it a little more each time. I remember the first time I heard it I thought "this is pretty nice, it'll probably end up *somewhere* in my top 50". Little did I expect it would become my second most loved album of 2016 (a very close contender for number one in fact). Again, I see parallels to last year's list as my number two in 2015 (The Stammer) evokes some of the same feelings, including a certain kind of darkness I look for in music every now and again. And from experience I know the type of album that takes a while to truly get into is an album I'll enjoy for years to come.
3 Motorama – Dialogues
Speaking of darkness, Motorama certainly fit in that category as well. I'm not exactly sure whether it's coincidence or for some reason I'm unaware of, but I have a very personal connection with several of their songs. Needless to say, this makes them a very special band to me. They're also one of my favourite bands to see live, and luckily they tour a lot! I'm glad that on Dialogues they've found their way back to a more playful, danceable sound again, closer to Alps than the releases in between, even though I do like pretty much everything Motorama ever put out.
4 Terry Malts – Lost At The Party
With Lost At The Party Terry Malts have made a pretty miraculous progression from the sound of their earlier material, and even though I did enjoy songs like 'Something About You' or 'Let You In' I have to admit I much prefer this new direction. In a way it reminds me of Girls Names' development over the years: away from noisy pop to a more refined sound, much darker, with quite some hints of post-punk. Once I'd heard 'Seen Everything' I began to look forward to the album, although at the time I had no idea of how much I'd end up loving it. Enjoyed best on late evenings with a few glasses of wine, that's what I've done rather often these autumn and winter months.
5 The Ocean Party – Restless
This is my favourite Ocean Party album so far - from start to finish it's a beautiful half hour with not a single weak moment. Another album I enjoy the most late at night, like really late, when everything else is quiet. From the moment I first heard it I felt an instant connection with 'Reach'; it makes me long for a time quite far back in the past, perhaps in my childhood, without knowing what time exactly or why. It seems to evoke an old feeling or a memory of something emotionally relevant, again I can't make out what it is. With every repeated listen I'm trying to grasp it, but it's fleeting like the flicker of a dream you're trying to hold on to when you're waking up. Watch this amazing live performance I'm currently in love with!
6 Pete Astor – Spilt Milk
It's always lovely to hear something new by Pete Astor and even lovelier when it's as good as Spilt Milk. 'Really Something' or 'Sleeping Tiger' are not only excellent but also pretty close to what he's done with The Weather Prophets. I'm often not particularly looking forward to new albums by artists who've previously released more than 3-4 great albums, as I'm usually nervous my (high) expectations might not be met or even disappointed entirely, but in this case such worries would've been completely unnecessary. Maybe that's because Pete Astor has stayed true to himself: "I'm back to being myself, bringing together sounds that I've used over time to make a record that sounds more like me than me!" (source).
7 The Holiday Crowd – S/T
The Holiday Crowd, much like Terry Malts, seem to have used the time between records to refine their sound and surprised us all with this stunning beauty of an album. Well, surprise may be the wrong word, because yes, Over The Bluffs was good ('Painted Like A Forest' especially), but this is better, much better, it's excellent! The Orange Juice comparison is obvious, still I have to repeat it as I got into Orange Juice fairly late, back in 2008, and all the more head over heels for it. I feel The Holiday Crowd album bringing back some of the excitement of those days as well as adding to it in its own way.
8 Chris Cohen – As If Apart
Listening to As If Apart feels a little bit like getting lost in a different world. Of course 'Torrey Pine' makes for a very catchy start (and oddly but pleasantly reminds me of Cousteau's 'The Last Good Day of the Year'), but after that the imagery and quiet elegance of Chris Cohen's music are reminiscent of a long-lost fairy tale. I've enjoyed it on many summer evenings with a glass of wine at sunset, just escaping from present worries for a little while.
9 The Goon Sax – Up To Anything
It makes a lot of sense that The Goon Sax would play gigs with Boys Forever. They definitely share their talent to make you smile unexpectedly, and maybe even laugh a little with lines like "I wanted my mum to cut my hair for me. She said, 'Louis, we don't need these kinds of problems in this family.' But now I'm feeling so unhappy. Unhappy with my hair". Thanks for that, also for my dose of spoken word! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for another album, because the world needs more music like this.
10 Plume Of Feathers – Plume Of Feathers
Plume Of Feathers won my heart sometime in 2015 with their infectious single 'First Date'. The album was soon to follow in early 2016, a concept album that focuses on the decline of pubs in the UK. The danger with concept albums is that usually there are just two possible outcomes: either the music is somewhat compromised in favour of the story and the whole project seems overly intellectual, or it manages to tell the story while the music plays an equally important part in the journey. Luckily Plume Of Feathers belongs to the second group, delivering a well-balanced mix of catchy guitar pop and atmospheric spoken word tracks (did I mention I love spoken word?).
11 Divino Niño – The Shady Sexyfornia Tapes
This was my summer album! During the numerous heatwaves there was hardly an evening I wasn't tempted to play it, and most days I gave in to the temptation. There's just something about the relaxed feel of this record that makes you think of lazing about on the beach in the sun, drink in hand and carefree. It's not something I was able to enjoy in quite a while, but it's nice to dream of at least, and this album takes you right there in your mind.
12 Songs For Walter – Songs For Walter
Songs For Walter was another early 2016 favourite. The problem with early favourites is often that throughout the year you'll have listened to so many great albums that by the time you make your list the early ones are sometimes easy to forget. But not in this case: I feel like a lot of thought and care has gone into this album for all the detail and precision it contains, which will keep it interesting for a good while.
13 The Pooches – The Pooches
How could anyone not love this band or album? I mean, they're from Glasgow, their songs are short, sweet, catchy and easy to sing along to. Sometimes that's all you need, right? That may be even more true if you need cheering up; the encouraging 'Be Not So Fearful' especially works as a reminder of how much better we could feel if we weren't so nervous, regretful or afraid all the time, something I need to be reminded of rather often it seems.
14 Bubblegum Lemonade – The Great Leap Backward
I've been a fan of Bubblegum Lemonade, also from Glasgow, ever since their first EP Ten Years Younger came out in 2007 (which is, strange to think, about ten years ago now!). In spite of the statement that 'The Only Constant Is Change', the indiepop charm of their songs is very consistent throughout all four albums. So if someone who doesn't really know much about this kind of music asked me to name a few essential indiepop bands to start with, I'd most likely include Bubblegum Lemonade in my list.
15 Leapling – Suspended Animation
Leapling's music sounds refreshingly different and unique while just about familiar enough to not ask too much of you as a listener. This makes Suspended Animation both a relaxing and exciting experience at the same time, which is not something you'll come across often these days, I think. Perfect for when you come home after a long day and just want to wind down but still have things to do. Love the drumming especially, and of course Dan's vocals!
16 Sunshine Faces – Quorum
Sunshine Faces' atmospheric lo-fi music puts a spell on me as soon as I start listening. There's so much to discover on Quorum, from the nostalgic 'Some Kids You Knew' or '78 Inches' to sweet little pop numbers like 'Marshmallow' or the almost hymnal 'Walking's Half The Fun', it's like several albums in one. I didn't really know anything about Sunshine Faces when I came across this album on Bandcamp, except it's Noah Rawlings from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but there's a pretty interesting overview on Gold Flake Paint. Hopefully he'll continue making this kind of intimate, enchanting experimental pop.
quorum by Sunshine Faces
17 Love The Unicorn – A Real Thing
Love The Unicorn, from Italy, are yet another band I only just discovered in 2016, probably thanks to Polaroid. All of the songs on A Real Thing prove to be charmingly melodious and danceable which makes it an easy choice to listen to at any time of the day or night (and I'm a picky listener when it comes to daytimes, seasons, etc.). Although I've not had the pleasure yet I'm pretty sure they're fun to see live too.
18 Bigott – My Friends Are Dead
Another surprise discovery (and I'm not quite sure why I'd never heard of them before, seen anyone mention or play them...), and another love at first listen. I'd enjoy it even more if the second half of the album sounded more like the first, because, seriously, could anything sound more like Bart & Friends, who I love so dearly, than 'Coming Soon'? On top of that it has this little spoken word part and then usually I just can't help falling in love.
19 Woods – City Sun Eater In The River Of Light
Like the albums by Divino Niño and Leapling, City Sun Eater In The River Of Light has an easy, summery feel to it. It's a great choice even for moments when you don't really want to listen to anything but can't stand silence either. Standout track 'Creature Comfort' is perfect to put on repeat as it has an almost hypnotic effect. The same is true for 'Know Your Minute', a song that is not included on the album but was released as a 7" split with Ultimate Painting.
20 Chook Race – Around The House
If, like me, you can't wait for the next The Goon Sax album to arrive, you might want to check out fellow Australians Chook Race. But of course that's not the only reason why Around The House is well worth listening to. It possesses its own raw charm and energy, most prominent in songs like 'Pictures of You' and 'Lost The Ghost'.
21 Impulsive Hearts – Sorry In The Summer
22 Lost Tapes – Let's Get Lost
23 Cool Sounds – Dance Moves
24 Astronauts – End Codes
25 Get Well Soon – Love
26 Suburban Living – Almost Paradise
27 Young Romance – Another's Blood
28 Daughter – Not to Disappear
29 Amber Arcades – Fading Lines
30 J Churcher – Borderland State
31 Olov Antonsson – Nere Och Ute I AC Län
32 Pavo Pavo – Young Narrator in the Breakers
33 Plastic Flowers – Heavenly
34 Bent Shapes – Wolves of Want
35 Trowler – Modern Holiday
36 Lake Ruth – Actual Entity
37 Wild Nothing – Life of Pause
38 Andy Shauf – The Party
39 Sea Pinks – Soft Days
40 Crescendo – Unless
41 The Real Numbers – Wordless Wonder
42 Teenage Fanclub – Here
43 Martha – Blisters In the Pit of My Heart
44 Sunny Intervals – Sunrise
45 Stephen Steinbrink – Anagrams
46 Ablebody – Adult Contemporaries
47 Seismograph – In Oblivion
48 Galapaghost – I Never Arrived
49 Teleman – Brilliant Sanity
50 Gringo Star – The Sides And In Between
Previous years:
2015
2014
Also check out these pretty cool lists by
Coast Is Clear
Eardrums Music
Bloodbuzzed
Polaroid
Not Unloved
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This is one of the special songs that helped me get through 2007, the year that followed the death of my mum on this day exactly 10 years ago. 'Lest I Forget' captures in a few beautifully depicted scenes the invisible barrier that loss puts between you and everyone else. I'm not sure whether it's the 10 year mark or the fact that 2016 has been such a difficult year (both in the world and for me personally), but I'm feeling the weight of this a lot more than I've experienced in previous years. I don't have more words today, but that's why this song is perfect.
Winter Playlist
For your post Christmas blues: the winter playlist, with only a minimal dose of Christmas included, promise! Bubblegum Lemonade - You Bring the Rain The Holiday Crowd - Cheer Up Young Romance - Wasting Time Pavo Pavo - Ran Ran Run Amber Arcades - Which Will Suburban Living - Once/Twice Olov Antonsson - En Decemberdröm Fascinations Grand Chorus - Actor/Actress E'spaniel - Just Another Day Cigarettes After Sex - K Milk Skin - Syrupy Terribly Yours - Barbara Hooton Tennis Club - Katy-Anne Bellis Trowler - Walk Away Motorama - Sign Hypoluxo - In My Head It's All Sand Sodastream - Three Sins Ablebody - The Sun, a Small Star The Keep Left Signs - Modern Dilemmas Day Wave - Wasting Time Paravelle - Cascades Stars Apart - Illuminating Heart Pavo Pavo - Somewhere In Iowa Enderby's Room - Lakeside The Holiday Crowd - After The Long Dash Ginnels - My Eyes! My Ears! The Haywains - Who Needs Summer? Olov Antonsson - Det kan lika gärna bli september nu The Real Numbers - Only Two Can Play Tangible Excitement! - Northland Food Court Bueno - Oh Lord I'm Confused E'spaniel - Knots Motorama - By Your Side Suburban Living - Lovely Times The Keep Left Signs - Wizards Hypoluxo - Winter San Cisco - B Side Bubblegum Lemonade - The Only Constant Is Change Fascinations Grand Chorus - When You Make up Your Mind Young Romance - Room to Breathe The Holiday Crowd - I Need This Bed To Myself Milk Skin - Space Race Ablebody - Heart Keep Hideous Towns - Natural Expression The Rural Alberta Advantage - White Lights The Jayhawks - Lovers of the Sun The Perfect English Weather - London In Your Eyes Olov Antonsson - Johanna i parken Bruising - I Don't Mind The Real Numbers - Wordless Wonder Bueno - Mona Trowler - Distraction Pieces Roman Lakes - Cross Thread Hypoluxo - Name Game Pavo Pavo - No Mind Suburban Living - How You Feel Red Sleeping Beauty - We Are Magic Leapling - Killing Time Motorama - Loneliness The Keep Left Signs - Tomorrow Tangible Excitement! - Foxy Troubles The Haywains - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Tinsel Heart from Malmö, Sweden just has to be your favourite new jangly indiepop band. Obviously inspired by Brighter and other bands on Sarah or Creation Records as well as the C86 scene, I feel their songs would fit in wonderfully with the always lovely Cloudberry Records. "We simply try to write and play the kind of pop music we would love to hear", they explain, and I think it works really well for them! Debut EP Hey Boyfriend! is out now on Bandcamp.
Every now and again I like to mix up my usually upbeat indiepop with some darker tunes. Especially so it seems during the colder and darker months of the year, maybe because it corresponds with my mood and can even make me feel better than happy music. Brooklyn-based quartet Hypoluxo is definitely a band I'd place in that category. 'In My Head It's All Sand' was an immediate favourite, while the rest of If Language has been a bit of a grower - in the best sense: I keep coming back to it and enjoy it a little more each time. Something about the vocals and song structures reminds me quite a bit of The National which, of course, can only be a good thing. Listen/buy on Bandcamp.
'Cascades' is one of my favourite new songs I've discovered recently. I wasn't able to find a lot about Paravelle, except that they are from Sydney, Australia. 2016 has been a great year for Australian music (The Goon Sax, Chook Race, The Newsletters, The Ocean Party are among my top albums/songs this year just to name a few) and Paravelle's debut single is just another wonderful addition making me want to keep an eye out for more to come from this band.
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Finally there's a new Cigarettes After Sex song, and it's just what I needed right now. I love the warmth, intimacy and comfort that comes with these sounds and words, it's truly something that can get you through the dark, cold nights of our confusing times. The way a song can become a source of comfort in times of personal loss and grief is probably the most beautiful thing music can do. Check out their Bandcamp and look for tour dates because they're lovely to see live. Also: lyrics!
Autumn Playlist
After a warm, almost hot September temperatures have dropped quickly and sometimes when I'm standing by the open window at night it smells not only of autumn... there's something almost wintry in the air. About time (a little late, really) for the new playlist! The Pooches - Be Not So Fearful Young Scum - If You Say That Dayflower - Neverfriend Le SuperHomard - Dry Salt In Our Hair Bigott - Coming Soon The Ocean Party - Reach The Charlie Tipper Conspiracy - Lunar Garden Party Cosines - Let's Start It Over Terry Malts - Seen Everything Major Leagues - Better Off Sunny Intervals - Twenty-Four Hours Eerie Wanda - I Am Over Here Softer Still - Bliss Motorama - Tell Me Destroyer - My Mystery Ari Roar - Karate Again Blurred Moon - Far Seismograph - In Oblivion Be Forest - Glow Featherfin - Radioactivity J Churcher - Finding Roxanne Chook Race - Lost The Ghost Boys Forever - Cold Is The Colour Plume Of Feathers - The Watchyman Skytone - On My Mind Varsity - Still Apart Gringo Star - Get Closer Posture - Dreamin' Mercury Girls - Holly Stephen's Shore - Let's Go Home Teenage Fanclub - Thin Air Cathedrals and Cars - Art School The Fireworks - The Ghost Of You Kissing Is A Crime - Crown Royal Spinning Coin - Sides Tele Novella - Fruits Of Misery Sunshiner - Dog Park Bigott - Will Anything Happen Don't Cry Shopgirl - Fool For You Plastic Flowers - Falling Off Star Parks - Theoretical Girls Tigercats - Sidney St Woods - Know Your Minute Ari Roar - Take Me Over Eerie Summer - Not The Kind of Girl to Hang Around Petite League - Annie Ezra Furman - Halley's Comet of Montreal - My Fair Lady Devendra Banhart - Saturday Night Ultimate Painting - Silhouetted Shimmering Murals - Watching In The Dark Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Rings Of Saturn Wildhoney - Horror Movie Castlebeat - Dreamgaze Pure Morning - Cielo Swimming Tapes - Set The Fire EZTV - High Flying Faith Chook Race - Sometimes The Pooches - Everything Martha - St. Paul's (Westerberg Comprehensive) Boys Forever - If You Don't Mind Dent May - Face Down In The Gutter Of Your Love NovemberDecember - The Storm in Everything The Ocean Party - Locked Up J Churcher - Borderland State Terry Malts - When The Nighttime Comes Le SuperHomard - Maple Key Stephen's Shore - Turn Your Head Wildfront - Rico Dayflower - Seeing Up Mercury Girls - Beverly The Charlie Tipper Conspiracy - Life's Too Short Bubblegum Lemonade - Looking out for You Sunny Intervals - Coastal Blue The Chandler Estate - Spies (No More) Teenage Fanclub - The First Sight Sunshiner - Virgin Colonists Young Scum - Zona Spinning Coin - Albany Posture - I Just Can't Wait To See My Girl Eerie Wanda - To Dream Again Bigott - Apple Girl Kissing Is A Crime - Your Secrets Are Safe With Me The Ocean Party - Restless Plume Of Feathers - No Tabs Terry Malts - Gentle Eyes Ultimate Painting - I'm Set Free Nathan Ball - Right Place Fake Laugh - Change A Thing Gringo Star - The Last Trace Major Leagues - Bunbury Devendra Banhart - Fancy Man J Churcher - Riding On Your Love Leif Erikson - Flying High NovemberDecember - Fire Black Marble - Iron Lung Few Bits - Anyone Else Star Parks - Souvenirs Ari Roar - Dove Boys Forever - Underground Don't Cry Shopgirl - Bring Me Home Ezra Furman - Little Piece Of Trash The Spook School - Gone Home The Pooches - Another Evening, Another Town Tele Novella - Heavy Balloon Sunflower Bean - Harvest Moon Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - I Need You The Charlie Tipper Conspiracy - They Made It a Crime Varsity - Smash Chook Race - Pictures of You Petite League - Down That Road
J Churcher's Borderland State is the perfect soundtrack to hot summer nights (hot summer nights in mid-September? Yes, that's correct...) with its fuzzy dark pop, telling stories filled with nostalgia and desire. I fell in love with 'Finding Roxanne' in particular - next to the obvious references (Cocteau Twins, JAMC, Mazzy Star) it also recalls the better days of Britpop as in mid-90s Suede, Pulp or this little beauty. Check out the track-by-track guide posted on Drowned In Sound and listen/buy via 37 Adventures.
Listening to Boys Forever's (Patrick Doyle out of Veronica Falls among other bands) self-titled debut pretty much for a month non-stop I'd say this is the most infectious album since last year's Expert Alterations debut You Can't Always Be Liked. No matter how challenging times may have been, the Boys Forever album never fails to lift my spirits the very first seconds into each of the 10 melodious, upbeat tracks in spite of the much darker side revealed in the lyrics. The harmonies often remind me of the Beach Boys which makes me wonder if the name Boys Forever is a reference to their song 'Forever', even though Patrick Doyle explains here it stems from "feelings of unwillingness to grow up". Either way, this is very high on my list for albums of the year and I really wish I could go to this show in Glasgow supporting The Goon Sax at the end of the month... Listen/buy here.
Summer Playlist
Oh yes, it's summer finally. I almost forgot what it's like at 27°C indoors. This playlist should hopefully make up (a little bit) for lack of posts, as it covers most of the artists I've been enjoying in the past few months. Also, big thanks to everyone who in one way or another encouraged and inspired me to continue with this! Woods - Creature Comfort Roomtone - Up in the Air Lake Ruth - The Only One Who Knows Lost Tapes - Going Nowhere Starry Eyed Cadet - Reaction Pale Spectres - Your Boyfriend's Girlfriend The King In Mirrors - Talk About Today Fascinations Grand Chorus - Growing The Crystal Furs - Miss Hughes Skytone - Second Hand Shop Seafang - Summertime Featherfin - Helen Richey Leapling - I Decide When It Begins Divino Niño - Time Devendra Banhart - Middle Names Chris Cohen - Needle and Thread The Clientele - Since We Last Spoke Laurence Made Me Cry - Mneme Plastic Flowers - Mary (Del) Andy Shauf - Early to the Party Teleman - English Architecture Kidsmoke - Cut Yourself Loose Plastic Mermaids - Paris Milkshake Astronauts - You Can Turn It Off Stephen Steinbrink - I'm Turning Inside Out Amber Arcades - Perpetuum Mobile Motorama - Mirror Cool Sounds - Control Morning TV - Dive Lists - Millie & Ivor Lightning In A Twilight Hour - The Sky Beyond The Sky A Novel Resort - Everything We Ever Hoped Hideous Towns - Wake Us Mercury Girls - Ariana Boys Forever - Voice In My Head The Orielles - Jobin Crepes - Hidden Star Fake Laugh - Ice Parks, Squares and Alleys - Parasites Flowertruck - Sunshower Palomica - Honeydew Math and Physics Club - Coastal California, 1985 California Snow Story - Railway Station Soda Fountain Rag - Lovesong for the Geek Fruit Bats - From a Soon-to-Be Ghost Town Carter Tanton - Jettison The Valley Hotel Lights - Everything Hurts You Now The Beths - Rush Hour 3 Colour Me Wednesday - Don't Tell Anyone Ezra Furman - Teddy I'm Ready Martha - Ice Cream and Sunscreen Space Daze - What Did You Say Lost Tapes - Unexpected Acts Lush - Burnham Beeches Cool Sounds - Shake Leave The Planet - Surrender Astronauts - Breakout Leapling - Suspended Animation Roomtone - Dark Blue Ink Lists - Lallan Andy Shauf - The Worst in You Eskimeaux - Year of the Rabbit Plastic Mermaids - Alaska Amber Arcades - Fading Lines Chris Cohen - Yesterday's On My Mind Lightning In A Twilight Hour - Black Circles Featherfin - The Only Thing I Miss The Crystal Furs - Tunnel Vision Peaness - Oh George Math and Physics Club - It Must Be Summer Somewhere Dylan Mondegreen - For The Innocent And Young Ultimate Painting - Into The Darkness Lake Ruth - Through the Lynchgates Colour Me Wednesday - Two-Fifty for You Girls Malcolm Middleton - Insects Divino Niño - Uruguay Fascinations Grand Chorus - I Don't Wanna Fall in Love Red Sleeping Beauty - Tell Me More The Creases - Impact Mercury Girls - All That Heaven Allows Seafang - Be The One The Beths - Lying in the Sun Starry Eyed Cadet - Pills Fake Laugh - Nothing But Good Motorama - Holy Day Kidsmoke - Heartache Skytone - Bright and Better Days The Orielles - Sliders Joanna Gruesome - Pretty Fucking Sick (Of It All) Martha - Goldman's Detective Agency Lost Tapes - Amanda & Grand Fossil Collective - I Remember It Now Hotel Lights - Unbound Stephen Steinbrink - Anagrams Woods - Politics of Free Leapling - Good Morning (It's Okay) Space Daze - Go Wrong Soda Fountain Rag - I Sit and Wait for What? Hurry - Nothing To Say Fascinations Grand Chorus - Welcome Posse - Voices Cool Sounds - Overgate Divino Niño - Hold Chris Cohen - Drink from a Silver Cup Lists - Untitled Laure Briard - Laure
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Today my mood was brightened by an unexpected newsletter. As soon as I read Blurred Moon is a new project by Jim Wallis (who used to be the drummer in My Sad Captains and has previously released some very fine songs recording as Looking Glass) and his friend Ollie Murray, I felt the familiar kind of excitement that only a few truly special bands can give you. Their first song premiered this week on Clash, where people clearly feel the same about My Sad Captains: "For those lucky enough to catch them, My Sad Captains are something a little special. The songwriting has an emotive edge - often nakedly so - but comes wrapped in dream-like tapestries of sound, that casually swept you up in their fervour." 'Far' isn't too different from what I love in My Sad Captains. As the song slowly builds, it evokes a distinct sense of nostalgia and melancholy delivered in a quiet, melodious style that comes across understated and sincere. In fact it reminds me quite a bit of one of my favourite MSC songs, 'Resolutions'. Fortunately it looks like we are going to hear more from them soon; also tour dates will be announced next month! Find links to stream, download and your preferred social media on their website.
So I've not been able to post lately and almost forgot how this works. That doesn't mean I've not enjoyed a lot of great new tunes, some of which I hope I'll get to share here in the next few days/weeks/… 'Honeydew' is the first single from Palomica's upcoming second album Petito, out on one of my favourite labels: Fika Recordings. This is the kind of happy indiepop I love, even with boy/girl vocals too (joined by the lovely Oh Peas!), with lyrics that make me smile on my ways through the city. And if, like me, you love their wonderful labelmates Red Shoe Diaries, then you'll probably like this too. You can preorder both single and album via Bandcamp.