The Electric Stars - Velvet Elvis The Only Lover Left Alive

Released: 1 Feb 2021
Label: _
Listen Here

Buy Here

The Electric Stars are a Psych/Power Pop band from Manchester UK. I was first aware of them a couple of years ago. Their new album has plenty of variety and some very quirky lyrics, making for an interesting and enjoyable listen.

It opens with 'Velvet Elvis', a 9 minute epic. The sound has the 90s vibes of Primal Scream, and a psych/dance groove to it. There are some superb guitar solos. Lyrically it is about finding solace in music, away from the horrors of Politics e.t.c. 

'Electric Stardust' is more jangly and upbeat with 60s vibes. Lyrically it is reminiscing about growing up, being young and finding who you are. The chorus is wonderfully melodic and catchy.  

My favourite here is 'Sunshine', which has Psych vibes of The Rolling Stones. It is instantly memorable and very Summery as you would expect!

Other highlights include 'Suicide' which is a lot darker with intense and thought provoking lyrics. 'Loaded With Regrets' is an emotional listen - a heartfelt, vivid account of a breakup. 'We Love You' has a more 70s Punk edge to it, and great energy. 

A brilliant album, recommended to all fans of the guitar pop genre. 

The Gold Needles - Whats Tomorrow Ever Done For You?

Released: 19 Feb 2021
Label: Jem Records
Listen and Buy Here

Power Pop band - The Gold Needles, from Hull UK, have been on my radar a while. Their song 'Here She Goes Again' from the last album was one of my favourites of 2019.

The new album opens with 'What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You?' which brought to mind the jangly guitar pop of The Bluebells. The hooks are superb and it is instantly memorable.

'I Get The Pressure' has more 80s vibes and is upbeat and anthemic. There are a few covers on the album too, the first being 'Have You Ever Loved Somebody', by The Hollies. It is a great version and they add their own unique style to it.

Other highlights include 'Billy Liar' which is wonderfully catchy with a child-like charm. The band pay homage to The Beatles with a cover of 'If I Needed Someone'. It fits in with the album perfectly. 'The Story of My Life' sounds like a lost 80s radio hit. 

The album ends on a beautiful ballad 'Drown This Sorrow' which is heartfelt and melancholic. It shows there is more to the band than just upbeat anthemic pop. 

A brilliant album full of well-written guitar pop gems. Highly recommended.

Stephen's Shore - Brisbane Radio EP

Released: 22 Jan 2021
Label: Meritorio Records
Listen and Buy Here

Stephen's Shore, from Sweden, are back with a new EP. Their last album - September Love, was pretty much all I listened to in Summer 2018, so I was really anticipating this.

Their sound is a combination of 60s inspired Byrdsian Psych, meets atmospheric dreampop. It opens with 'Brisbane Radio' which is brilliantly melodic and catchy. The echoing vocal harmonies are so effective and makes them unique in an overcrowded genre.

'Midvert' is a wonderful instrumental, which is somehow warm and Summery sounding even on the coldest days. 'Skogen' has more chiming guitars and melancholic lyrics.

It ends on 'Up to No Good' which is more superb jangle pop with memorable hooks. Well worth checking out, along with their album September Love, if you haven't already.

The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness - Songs From Another Life

Released: 5 Feb 2021
Label: Bobo Integral/Kool Kat
Listen and Buy Here

The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness is the side project of Andrew Taylor from Dropkick. Their song 'Feeling Never Goes Away' was one of my favourites of last year, so I was quite excited to hear this. Dropkick also have a new best of which I would recommend checking out too.

This album is full of the usual guitar pop gems. It opens with 'I Don't Mind' which has Summery Teenage Fanclub vibes. 'Play (On My Mind)' is more of the same, heartfelt melodic indie at its finest.

My favourite here is the wonderful 'Rose Tinted Glass' which is instantly memorable with fantastic pop hooks. Most of the songs here are under 3 minutes long and although short, are very satisfying.

Other highlights include 'Summer' with its sparkling guitar riffs and anthemic chorus. 'In Between' is a lovely closing song, simple and sweet. They don't stray away from their usual sound but it is very enjoyable and will sound especially great in the Summer. A highly recommended listen.

Ian M Bailey - Shots of Sun EP

Released: 25 Jan 2021
Label: Greentea Productions
Listen Here

Buy Here

I was first aware of Ian M Bailey through his band The Lost Doves. Their album from last year is lovely guitar pop with hints of Americana. I especially love 'She's Waking Up To Close Her Eyes' on the album, which is highly worth checking out too.

This is Ian's first solo EP and it still has melodic country vibes. This time, it was co-written by Daniel Wylie, better known as the singer of Scottish band - Cosmic Rough Riders. If you don't know them, Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine is a good starting point, full of lost guitar pop gems. They did have some success in the early 00s including an appearance on Top Of The Pops.

The EP opens with 'Take It Or Leave It' which is rich in harmonies and superb pop hooks. The sound is reminiscent of the 60s, particularly The Byrds, with hints of the more Americana style of Buffalo Springfield. 

'Whats Happening Now' is more laid back and melancholic. The production is very stripped back and focused on the vocal harmonies. 'Slow Down River' is more upbeat and again very Byrds inspired but if you love that kind of music, as I do, it is hugely enjoyable.

It ends on the sublime 'Everything Will Be Alright', which has beautifully subtle melodies and soft vocals. It brought to mind later Teenage Fanclub (particularly Gerard Love's songs). A wonderful EP which couldn't be more up my street! A highly recommended listen.

West Coast Music Club - Thinkin'

Released: 15 Jan 2021
Label: 72RPM Records
Listen and Buy Here

West Coast Music Club, from West Kirby UK, are a collective of songwriters/musicians. This is their latest single, written by Martin Adams. Although I was aware of their album from last year, this is their strongest song so far. 'If I Had A Dream' from the last album is of a very high standard too - brilliantly anthemic indie pop.

'Thinkin'' is more of the same and sounds like all the best indie from the 80s/90s. It particularly drew to mind The Go-Betweens and Teenage Fanclub. The melody and hooks are instantly memorable.

The lyrics are heartfelt and the simplicity of the overall song gives it so much charm. It definitely has summery vibes too as it is quite jangly and upbeat.

Well worth checking out, especially if you like any kind of melodic guitar pop. Highly recommended.

The Shop Window - Out of Reach/Evacuate

Released: 29 Jan 2021
Label: Spinout Nuggets
Listen and Buy Here

The Shop Window, from Maidstone UK, are a new band to watch out for in 2021. They released a few singles last year, including 'Sad Eyes'. This was a fine example of anthemic indie pop, with melancholic lyrics about visiting an elderly grandparent. Well worth checking out too if the band are new to you.

'Out of Reach' is their new 7 inch single on indie label - Spinout Nuggets. It is more wonderful indie pop, with late 80s/early 90s vibes. It bought to mind the more jangle pop side of Ride and The Stone Roses. The song is gloriously anthemic with a soaring, memorable chorus. 

The other side has 'Evacuate' which is more of the same. The melody bought to mind the best parts of Oasis' early songs. 

A superb single which had me wondering whether The Shop Window could be the breakthrough artist to really put indie/guitar music on the map again. Highly recommended.