Marlody - I'm Not Sure At All

Released: 13 Jan 2023
Label: Skepwax

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Marlody is a new discovery for me. Her debut album is a lovely listen, the sound being a mixture of Folk and hints of electronic. Most of the songs are piano based, rather than guitar like most of the music I review here. 

The album opens with 'Summer', which is a powerful song, reminiscing about childhood and loss. It is hugely atmospheric and emotional. It is hard to find comparisons but it brought to mind Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos.

Other highlights include 'Change', which is more traditional folk sounding and stripped back, with layered vocal harmonies. 'Wrong' is devastating, with some heartbreaking lyrics -  "There's no way to rewind and unravel these layers of longing in me...". 'Words' is another beautiful song and also seems to be about regret.

It ends on 'Otherly', which is haunting and again has an eerie ambience to it. The more electronic production is reminiscent of some of Radiohead's later music.

A stunning debut from a wonderfully unique singer-songwriter. Highly recommended.

Skytone - Adrift

Released: 18 Nov 2022
Label: _

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Skytone, from Canada, are back with a new album. Their sound is a bit different to the music I typically review here. Its a mixture of chillwave, 80s-inspired synth pop and jangle pop. Their previous album 'JangleWaves' is well worth checking out too if they are new to you (especially the song 'Slow Down').

The new album opens with 'Here and Now' which is a catchy pop song of the highest standard. I could imagine this being a potential radio hit. It is very chilled and laid back with hints of dream pop.

Other highlights include 'Don't Look Back' which is more of a slowed down ballad, with a big anthemic chorus. 'End of the Summer' is a wonderfully atmospheric love song with hints of The Beach Boys. 'Adrift' is beautifully ambient with lovely vocal harmonies.

A highly recommended album - feelgood, Summery jangle pop at its best. Its also well worth checking out their acoustic covers on Youtube:

The Sundries - Full of the Joys of Spring and Magic Johnson EPs

Released: 31 Dec 2022
Label: Subjangle

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The Sundries, from London, are a new discovery for me and one of the latest bands to be signed to the superb Subjangle label. 

The album is full of wonderfully jangly 80s-inspired indie pop. It opens with my favourite here - 'Full of the Joys of Spring'. It is highly melodic and heartfelt, with melancholic lyrics. Their sound brought to mind the early 90s indie of The Popguns. It also reminded me of more recent band - The Hannah Barberas (also on Subjangle).

Other highlights include 'Triumph Herald' which is feelgood, upbeat guitar pop, with hints of Kirsty MacColl and The Smiths. 'A Line Between Us' is a very moving listen with some heart-breaking lyrics about a failing relationship. '22' has some great pop hooks and lovely vocal harmonies.

A hugely enjoyable album, with heartfelt and memorable songs. Highly recommended.

Colours Through The Air Best of 2022 Albums and Songs

It was so hard to choose but here is the Colours Through The Air 'Best Of' post. My favourite albums and songs of 2022. With the songs, it is one song from each artist.

I felt these albums were the strongest overall and had the most impact on me. You can find the reviews for all the albums apart from Young Guv (Listen here) and The Jangles (Listen here)  

Albums

1. The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word

2. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott

3. Young Guv - III

4. Field School - When Summer Comes

5. The Fernweh - TORSCHLUSSPANIK!

6. The Jangles - Pioneer

7. Gabriel's Dawn - Gabriel's Dawn 

8. Kevin Robertson - Teaspoon of Time

9. The Sadies - Colder Streams

10. Armstrong - Happy Graffiti

Songs

1. RW Hedges - Charm Song

2. The Wends - What A Heart Is For 

3. The Pierce Kingans - Giving It Up 

4. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - American Kid

5. Young Guv - It's Only Dancin'

6. Cactus Blossoms - Love Tomorrow 

7. Nell Davies - What The Heart Wants

8. Davoli - Sleep Deprived

9. Luca Nieri - Never To Learn

10. Sam Kogon - Barbed Wire

All in all, it has been a good year and I have found so much great music from doing this blog. Thanks so much to everyone who has shown an interest/sent music to me.

Field School - When Summer Comes

Released: 18 Nov 2022
Label: Bobo Integral

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This is is a superb collection of songs from Washington indie pop band Field School. They are the new band of Charles Bert who was originally in Math & Physics Club (who I reviewed here back in 2020). 

The album is jangly indie pop of the highest standard, recalling The Smiths. It has that lo-fi charm and a very stripped back sound. Highlights include - 'I Just Want to Paint You in Pictures' which is very heartfelt and upbeat. I love the simplicity, and it is instantly memorable.

'I'm Starting to feel a bit Like Myself Again' is beautifully melancholic. It also brought to mind The Magnetic Fields, especially their 69 Love songs album. 'Don't Let This Moment Pass You By' is so emotional, and again has that heartfelt simplicity that makes it so effective. 'Is This Our Love Song?' is hugely melodic and has some sublime vocal harmonies.

A wonderful album with songs which will stay in your mind from first listen. Highly recommended.

Aviator - Av8or

Released: 1 Dec 2022
Label: AV8 Records

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Aviator are back with a new album. They are best known as the band of Pete Wilkinson (who has played bass in bands - Shack, Cast and Echo & The Bunnymen). 

Their music is quite different to that of his previous bands, and has more of a heavier Psych sound. It opens with 'Breakout and Drive' which is an epic and moody 6 minute song. It is quite hypnotic and there are hints of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Sunstack Jones e.t.c.    

Other highlights include 'Johnny 23' which will get your foot tapping and again has that hypnotic groove. It brought to mind Spiritualized - Come Together too, although its not as mainstream sounding. 'The Love That You Bring' is another standout, an atmospheric ballad with hints of Pink Floyd. 

My favourite here is 'Catch Me if You Can' which is wonderful guitar pop with hints of Psych. It even brought to mind  Waterpistol era Shack, more specifically the song 'Mr. Appointment'.

A glorious psych rock album full of epic soundscapes. Highly recommended.

The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word

Released: 25 Nov 2022
Label: Spinout Nuggets

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The Shop Window are back with their second album. Like their debut, it is a superb listen, recalling the best of 90s indie. 

Their sound is heavily inspired by RIDE and The Stone Roses. The album opens with 'Eyes Wide Shut' which is wonderfully anthemic. It is instantly memorable, with a hugely uplifting chorus.    

Other highlights include 'With Love To Lead' which is melodic guitar pop of the highest standard, with some great harmonies.

'Lay of the Land' is another standout, again it is anthemic, but not overly, and also sounds psychedelic in places. 'Its By Design' is my favourite here, although its hard to choose! The opening riff is the kind which draws you in straight away, and the chorus really soars. 

Love song - 'That Feeling' is sublime, the emphasis here being on the vocal harmonies. The lyrics are so heartfelt - "I'll be your rock on a stormy day. I'll be your sun when the skies are grey."

A superb follow up with some of the finest anthemic guitar pop I have heard this year. Highly recommended.