Released: 21 Feb 2020 Label: _ Listen and Buy Here New York songwriter Kyle Forester is a new discovery for me. He is a member of the bands - Crystal Stilts and The Ladybug Transistor. The first song I heard of his was the beautiful 'Won't Go Crazy', from his self titled album from 2016. It is a perfect guitar pop song with added synths, a little reminiscent of Real Estate. His new album is brings more heavenly melodic pop songs. It opens with 'Know What You're Doing' which is lovely and heartfelt with instantly memorable hooks. I can also hear vague vibes of The Velvet Underground. 'Marigold' is sophisticated and laid back in sound, with an uplifting chorus. Other highlights include title track 'Hearts and Gardens' which is simple yet melodically perfect, with added swagger, and even goes a bit psychedelic towards the end. 'Up Their Sleeve' is a sublime ballad and the combination of guitars, harmonies and synths is very effective.
It ends on the hypnotic soundscape 'On the Way Down', which again has chilled out vibes and electronic hints. A great album and well worth checking out, especially if you like The Velvet Underground, Ultimate Painting e.t.c. A much recommended listen.
Released: 14 Feb 2020 Label: Decor Listen and Buy Here Superb guitar pop band - Eyelids, from Portland, are back with a new album and it is a wonderful listen. I have been aware of the band for a few years, which includes former band members of Guided By Voices, Elliott Smith and The Decemberists. Their song 'Slow It Goes' from album - Or (2017) was the first song I heard by them and its so brilliantly melodic, I was hooked. Their new album is produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M. It opens with the beautiful 'Dream' which has lovely harmonies and is quite laid back. Lyrically, there are lots of references to space, time and religion. Some of the lyrics on the album are by poet - Larry Beckett (who has collaborated with Tim Buckley)
My favourite song on the album is the title track 'The Accidental Falls'. A great example of anthemic, melodic power pop. Other highlights include 'River' which is very psychedelic and chilled out with Pink Floyd vibes. 'At Sea' is another brilliantly crafted and energetic pop song. 'Found At The Scene of a Rendezvous that Failed' has some dark, highly descriptive and vivid lyrics. Musically it is piano and strings driven, reminiscent of later Beatles. '1 2 3' is heavier psych rock and quite moody, featuring some great guitar work. A brilliant album with such a variety of sounds, and an epic listening experience. Highly recommended.
Released: 21 Feb 2020 Label: _ Listen on Bandcamp I've liked Chicago indie rock band Mooner for a while now. I was aware of them through their 2015 album - Masterpiece, which is really superb, especially the song Shapeshifter. Their sound is reminiscent of The Shins, Weezer and Teenage Fanclub.
The song - 'Only Light' is very heartfelt and moving. I had the impression it is about parenthood: 'You are my friend I don't know, but I'll know all my life. Watch you grow, go to school, I'll be home.' It is quite simple and highly melodic, with subtle electronic hints in the production. 'The Dawning Hour' is another lovely song and brought to mind Neil Jung by Teenage Fanclub. Two beautiful songs, from a band who are well worth checking out.
Released: Jan 2020 Label: Kool kat Musik Buy Here The Overtures have a very retro 60s sound with Beatles and Byrds vibes. Although they may not be doing anything new, you just can't beat this kind of music and this is a highly enjoyable album. It opens with 'Till Your Luck Runs Out' which is a re-working of Den Pugsley's former band, The Pencils' 80s classic. It is wonderfully catchy and sounds like it could have been a hit in the 60s era. I would also recommend you checking out The Pencils Anthology (also available on Kool Kat). It is full of great Power Pop songs, especially 'Paper Heart' and 'Can't Hide Love'. My favourite song here is 'You've Been Gone' which is so beautiful and has all the ingredients of a classic. I really could have chosen many of these songs here as they are all well-written and memorable. Title song 'Onceinaworld' is also superb. Retro 60s jangle at its finest.
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.
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.
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.
