Andrew Gabbard - Cedar City Sweetheart

Released: 24 Mar 2023
Label: Karma Chief Records

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Andrew Gabbard from Ohio is a recent discovery for me. I first heard of him through last years excellent - The Gabbard Brothers album. His sound is largely Americana but not overly and has the hooks of guitar pop. 

The album opens with 'Glum and Empty' which is superbly heartfelt. There are hints of The Flying Burrito Brothers, Jayhawks e.t.c. It is instantly memorable, like many of the songs here.

'Surfboard City' is wonderfully laid back with lovely harmonies and Summery vibes. It has a retro 60s sound and even references Brian Wilson. 'Lonesome Psychedelic Cowboy' is melancholic and reminiscent of Gram Parsons.

My favourite here is 'Take Me Away From You' which is a highly melodic love song with Byrds vibes. It has a big, uplifting chorus which will stay with you from first listen. 'Cool Ranch' sounds like a Country version of The Beatles - Paperback Writer. It ends on 'Yer Time'll Come' which has vivid and motivational lyrics, and an anthemic chorus. 

A hugely enjoyable album from an artist well worth investigating. Highly recommended. 

Sarah Buckley - Magic Powers EP

Released: 24 Feb 2023
Label: _

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Irish Singer-Songwriter - Sarah Buckley is a recent discovery for me. Her new EP is a lovely listen, full of well-crafted and heartfelt Folk songs.    

The EP opens with 'Can't Explain' which is stripped back and moody sounding. Lyrically it is reflecting on a relationship and a breakdown in communication. At times it can be quite heartbreaking and her unique vocals have so much emotion. 

'Dream Catching' is a beautiful Folk song with magical sounding production. The theme is stepping into the unknown and the lyrics are melancholic and thought-provoking - "Come catch dreams with me, You'll be lost but feeling free. You'll be full of life 'cause you'll see, that its not what they said it should be."    

'Louisiana' is my favourite here and has Americana vibes, with storytelling reminiscent of Bobbie Gentry. 'Magic Powers' is a bittersweet love song, with honest lyrics. It ends on 'You've Got Me' which is acoustic Folk at its finest and about a troubled relationship.

A highly recommended EP from a new artist well worth investigating.

Luca Nieri - This Path

Released: 19 Mar 2023
Label: High Tide Records

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Luca Nieri returns with a new album of beautifully ambient Folk. Over the years, he has released an impressive number of albums (many of them being  instrumental), as well as collaborating with another favourite songwriter of mine - RW Hedges.    

The new album opens with 'Rest My Soul' which is wonderfully subtle and enchanting. There are hints of jazz, and it brought to mind the 50s harmony group The Fleetwoods.

Other highlights include - 'This Path' which is a heartfelt love song of the highest standard. It is so laid back with some lovely melodies and arrangements. 'March On' is Autumnal in sound and brought to mind Luca's earlier band - The Monks Kitchen.  

'Never Get To Love You' is a superb cover of a lost gem by Burt Bacharach. It fits in so well here and on first listen, it had me quite emotional. The intricate production gives it a timeless quality.

'Picture of A Song' is a stripped back ballad, reminiscent of the old jazz classic - 'That Lucky Old Sun'.  The lyrics are beautifully vivid - "Leaves are like boats that swim the sky...". It ends on my favourite 'Baby Lets Leave it Right Here' which sounds like it could have been a hit anytime before the early 60s. There are hints of Billie Holiday.

A highly recommended listen and the strongest album of the year so far. It is also well worth investigating the rest of his catalogue on High Tide Records.

Hollow Hand - Your Own Adventure

Released: 3 Mar 2023
Label: Curation Records

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I first heard Hollow Hand, from Brighton, last year. It was actually a song of theirs from 2017 ('A World Outside') which caught my attention as its a lost Psych pop gem.  

The new album is more of the same gloriously melodic guitar music with hints of Americana and 60s Psych. 'Before Tomorrow' is wonderfully ambient with hints of Pink Floyd but with more pop hooks. The lyrics are superbly heartfelt and vivid.

'One Last Summer' has more Americana vibes, with lovely harmonies reminiscent of George Harrison and The Byrds. 'I'm Going to let You Break my Heart' is a love song of the highest standard with some great vocal harmonies.  

'Heaven Just Watched' has a slightly heavier edge and sounds so different from anything else on the album. It is full of quirky guitar riffs, bringing to mind 70s Post Punk band - Television. Lyrically it is very surreal which again makes this so unique for recent music.

Other highlights include 'All My Love' which is beautifully atmospheric with so many changes before descending into melodic chaos. 'Jealous King' is an epic ballad and sounds like The Beatles 'Let It Be' meets the Carol 'Silent Night'. The lyrics are angry and also melancholic at the same time.

A stunning album and an early favourite of the year so far. Highly recommended. 

Goliath - The Garden EP

Released: 10 Feb 2023
Label: _

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Goliath, from Glasgow, is a recent discovery for me. I first heard their music late last year and especially loved the song 'Everybody Cries', which is well worth checking out too.  

This new EP is a lovely listen. It opens with 'The Garden' which is a beautiful, yet devastating, piano led ballad. The sound is more indie folk and brought to mind Elliott Smith, Ben Folds e.t.c. The lyrics are raw and honest, with huge emotional impact.

'Hannah' is more upbeat and pop sounding. It is superbly catchy and Summery with hints of 10s indie pop band - Real Estate.  

There is also a wonderful cover of the BMX Bandits classic - 'Serious Drugs'. It is more Folk sounding with beautiful vocal harmonies, bringing out the emotion of the original song even more.

It ends on 'Cliche' which is a heartfelt love song. The simplicity makes it stay in your mind, long after listening.

A highly recommended EP from an artist, well worth looking out for. 

The Happy Somethings - A Gathering of All Sorts

Released: 17 Feb 2023
Label: Subjangle

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UK indie pop band - The Happy Somethings, are a recent discovery for me. Their music is wonderfully uplifting and humorous with hints of 80s indie. 

The album opens with 'Worried Fools' which is quite folky in style and a run down of the highs and lows of the typical year. It is lovely and laid back, and the vocals have a childlike innocence.

'Anglepoise' is more punk sounding with plenty of attitude. The production has that lo-fi charm. 'I Wish You Could Sing like Tracey Thorn' is a homage to the iconic indie pop singer and manages to be funny yet sad at the same time. 

Other highlights include 'The Present',  which is about the problems of buying and receiving gifts, something we can all relate to! 'Sweet Little Sad Song' is very moving, and about loss. Again it has that childlike simplicity which makes it so effective.

It ends on 'Some Happy Thing' which is stripped back with vocal harmonies. The lyrics are quite motivational and its definitely a good song to listen to if you are feeling low.

A hugely enjoyable album from a band well worth investigating. Highly recommended. 

Peter Hall - About Last Night

Released: 13 Jan 2023
Label: Subjangle

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Peter Hall, from Nottingham, is back with a new album. It is more wonderfully melodic and sophisticated indie pop with 80s/90s vibes. 

The album opens with 'About Last Night' which is brilliantly upbeat with soaring harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. His sound brings to mind later Teenage Fanclub, Trashcan Sinatras e.t.c.

My favourite here is 'In Plain Sight' which sounds like a radio hit of the 80s era, with hints of Aztec Camera. It is a hugely enjoyable listen and will have you reaching for the repeat button. 

Other highlights include 'For Love' which is beautifully uplifting and instantly memorable with an anthemic chorus. 'Waiting For Nothing' is more melancholic with vivid and wistful lyrics. The production is epic, with sweeping strings and a more 70s sounding guitar solo. 'Click Your Fingers' is catchy 3 minute guitar pop at its finest.

A superb album with well-crafted and heartfelt songs. Highly recommended, especially for fans of melodic indie music from the 90s or before.