Peter Hall - There's Something Wrong With Everyone EP

Released: 31 Jan 2020
Label: _
Listen and Buy Here

Songwriter - Peter Hall from Nottingham, UK, is a new discovery for me. This sublime EP of highly sophisticated, melodic guitar pop is a much recommended listen.

It opens with 'Hold Me', a lovely ballad with hints of Soul and beautiful harmonies in the chorus. The sound is reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub's later output. 

'Blood Flow' is a heartfelt song with themes of life, death and love lyrically - 'Soon all I'll be is a dim memory with a photograph to represent me. I know this will happen, its all that I'm certain about, but I don't know when it will be.' However the song is more about making the most of life rather than dwelling on it. 

My favourite song on the EP is the wonderful 'Everything is Fading Fast', which is an incredibly moving listen. The soaring, orchestral production really adds to the emotional impact. A delicate and heartbreaking acoustic song - 'She Fell From The Sky' ends the EP.  

A great EP with superbly crafted, thoughtful songs. Highly recommended.

Dropkick - The Scenic Route

Released: 7 Feb 2020
Label: Sound Asleep/Bobo Integral
Listen and Buy Here

I have been aware of Scottish jangle pop band - Dropkick for a few years. As soon as I listened to the 'Good Vibes' compilation, I was hooked. They are fantastic at writing ultra melodic, summery pop songs, and this is demonstrated further here.

It opens with 'Feeling Never Goes Away' which is about as perfect a 2 minute pop song as you will ever hear. It is so uplifting, straight away recalling The Byrds and Teenage Fanclub.

Other highlights include 'Catching On' which has some lovely harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. 'A Matter of Time' is another sweet love song, simple yet well-written and memorable. 'Home Early' is an emotional listen, as is the beautiful closing song 'You'll Always Be There'. The latter has slight Americana vibes too.

Dropkick don't stray away too much from their comfort zone of guitar pop ballads, but this is a good thing and it is a very enjoyable listen. Especially 'Feeling Never Goes Away' which made it feel as though Summer had come early. A superb album.

A Girl Called Eddy - Been Around

Released: 17 Jan 2020
Label: Elefant Records
Listen on Bandcamp

This is the first record from A Girl Called Eddy (a.k.a. Erin Moran) in 16 years and it is a wonderful listen. It is full of big, highly melodic songs with a timeless quality to them.

I was first aware of her music through 'The Last Detail' (a collaboration project with Mehdi Zannad of Fugu). Their self titled album from 2018, is also well worth checking out.

'Been Around' starts off the album and it is a classic Soul-inspired ballad. Her sound is very sophisticated and recalls The Carpenters at times.

'Jody' is a heartfelt pop song, in which she reminisces about a past love. Even though the theme is quite sad, the song never feels that way. 

'Charity Shop Window' is just beautiful with wistful lyrics and big orchestral production. The highlight of the album for me is the superb 'Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart'. An uplifting pop song with a stunning chorus and fantastic hooks. 

'Two Hearts' is another Pop gem with a slightly heavier edge. Lovely Folk song - 'NY Man' is another favourite of mine. The production has Nick Drake vibes.


A beautiful album, full of thoughtful songs with a hint of melancholy. Highly recommended.

We Could Be Aeroplanes - Mountains EP

Released: 2 Feb 2020
Label: _
Listen and Buy Here

I found myself going back to this lovely EP from indie pop band We Could Be Aeroplanes. They are a recent discovery for me and are from Torquay, UK. 

The song 'Mountains' is highly emotional and raw, about losing someone to depression. It is a  theme which is too often avoided. The subject is communicated so effectively here in this heartfelt and sensitive song.

'When you said you were lonely, I didn't understand that you were reaching out for me, reaching out for my hand.'

These words are repeated and it is heartbreaking. So often, people who seem to be going on as normal, can be suffering inside and it goes unnoticed. 

The band's sound recalls 80s indie pop such as The Go-Betweens and The Smiths. 

'Beach' is a moving song which has themes of climate change and pollution. 'Chase Sequence' is an instrumental which reminded me of early Teenage Fanclub.

A great EP, which raises awareness on some important issues. Highly recommended.

Sofa City Sweetheart - Super(b) Exitos

Released: 19 Apr 2019
Label: Casa De Lopez
Listen on Bandcamp

This is a beautiful record from last year which sadly passed me by and has only just reached my ears. Sofa City Sweetheart, from L.A, is the work of Juan Antonio Lopez. His sound is reminiscent of Elliott Smith and The Beach Boys.

'The Same Old Song (You Were Always on my Mind)' starts off the album. It is a love song with heartfelt lyrics and sweet, delicate vocals. The song takes a heavier turn towards the end.

'Stanley Waited' demonstrates superb character-based storytelling, reminiscent of The Kinks. 'Annie Stays Home' has some gorgeous vocal harmonies and there is something heartbreaking about it. 

'Does This Path Have A Heart?' is an epic, 8 minute long instrumental in the middle of the album. The main focus of it, strangely enough, is Lopez' vocals as a series of oohs. No words are actually spoken. The strings and guitars come in, and finally piano bringing it to an impressive end. The result is stunning and could easily be from a film soundtrack.

'Stop The Thinking' is Power Pop at its finest and has fantastic hooks. There is a real sense of fun and it even has mariachi style trumpets. My favourite song here is the closer 'So Long/Lucky Enuff'. It is highly emotional, bringing to mind Elliott Smith's Waltz #1. On the whole, this is a truly amazing album, well worth investigating.

Colours Through The Air Best of 2019 - Spotify Playlist

I am taking the Best of 2019 Playlist off the main page to be replaced with the new 2020 one. I will still keep adding to it if I find anything I missed. It can be accessed from the blog, through this post:

Playlist Link

Anton Barbeau - Kenny Vs. Thrust

Released: 24 Jan 2020
Label: Big Stir
Listen and Buy Here

California's Anton Barbeau is a recent discovery for me and has been making albums since the 90s. His sound is a blend of Power Pop with the Psych rock of Robyn Hitchcock. He has collaborated with legendary Psych band - The Bevis Frond.  

From listening to his earlier work, it is hard to see why he is not better known. I'd recommend people who are new to him to also check out the 'Empire of Potential' compilation which includes lost gems - 'Automatic Door' and 'Third Eye'. His surreal and very entertaining lyrics set him apart from contemporaries.

My favourite song here is opener 'Wire from the Wall' which sounds like 80s R.E.M. but with more of a psychedelic sound. It is brilliantly catchy and memorable.

Other highlights include 'Jingle Jangle' which, as the title would suggest, is an example of his more melodic guitar pop. It is very summery, at times recalling The Byrds. 'Haunted in Fenland' demonstrates storytelling vaguely reminiscent of Dylan, with epic production. 'Back to Balmain' sounds like a mix of 80s electro pop with Psych, and also brought to mind the artist - Ariel Pink. 'Tidy Up Yourself' is gloriously surreal and even has reggae beats. 

There is so much variety in these songs, making it a hugely enjoyable and entertaining listening experience. A lost songwriting genius, well worth checking out.