Fort Not - Depressed For Success

Released: 7 July 2023
Label: Meritorio Records

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Swedish indie pop band, Fort Not, are a recent discovery for me. Their music is wonderfully lo-fi and melodic, with hints of The Velvet Underground. It also reminded me of the recent band - Rural France (also on the Meritorio label) so fans of them will also enjoy this. 

The album opens with 'Love Will Find You' which is heartfelt 2 minute pop at its finest. There are hints of Jonathan Richman here, and it is wonderfully laid back.

Other highlights include 'Tell Me Nothing' which again has that lo-fi simplicity and is a lot of fun. 'Ringo Starr' is a bit more Punk inspired, with hints of The Ramones. The lyrics are humorous, yet melancholic at the same time.

'Baby Maybe' is brilliantly catchy and upbeat, with hints of The Beatles classic - Twist and Shout. 'My Love' is superbly melodic and reminded me of The Traveling Wilburys - Last Night.

Highly recommended Summer listening from a band well worth checking out! 

Parallax Project - Autologous

Released: 5 May 2023
Label: Kool Kat Musik

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Parallax Project, from Pennsylvania, are a recent discovery for me. The band features members of The Split Squad, Minus 5 and The Junior League (who I was familiar with). So its full of wonderfully catchy guitar pop, as you would expect. 

The album opens with 'Put It Out' which has superb pop hooks and is a lot of fun. There are hints of 80s Power Pop, and it especially brought to mind The Romantics, The Cars e.t.c. 

My favourite here is 'I've Gotta Change My Life' (a cover of the Fleshtones classic), which is brilliantly melodic, with a big memorable chorus you will be singing along to. The production has hints of electronic, bringing to mind New Wave band Devo.

Other highlights include 'Mary Houdini' which is beautifully Summery and has more of a 60s sound. 'You Were Never There' is melancholic with a country twang, and there are also hints of Teenage Fanclub.

It ends on the epic 'Don't Want to Live Inside Myself', which is a superb cover of the Bee Gees classic.

A hugely enjoyable album and recommended Summer listening. 

Lost Ships - Atoms Collide Forever

Released: 30 June 2023
Label: Subjangle

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UK indie pop band - Lost Ships return with a new album. It is more wonderfully jangly guitar pop with catchy melodies and quirky lyrics.

The album opens with 'The Brittle Heart Foundation' which is anthemic with a great opening guitar riff and superb hooks. Their sound has hints of late 80s/90s jangle bringing to mind The Wedding Present, Martin Newell e.t.c.

Other highlights include 'I'm In Love With Your Girlfriend' which recalls early Teenage Fanclub. Its simplicity is so effective and is instantly memorable, like many of the songs here.

'Highway 62' demonstrates some superb storytelling, with plenty of references to American culture e.t.c. 'Derek from Domino's' is humorous with dark lyrics about a Pizza delivery man who committed some murders. But it didn't last - "Late September he turned himself in with a written confession on his rolling pin"!

'Toaster Song' is a heartfelt break-up song, full of melancholy. The lyrics are wonderfully vivid and there are themes of loneliness.

A hugely enjoyable album and recommended for fans of 90s indie/guitar pop. 

The Parlophonics - Dying of the Light

Released: 7 Jul 2023
Label: Kool Kat Musik

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The Parlophonics are a trio, based in Germany, London and North Hollywood, and a new discovery for me. Their album is an enjoyable listen, full of memorable guitar pop, rich in melody. The beautiful album cover also drew me in, which is created by the legendary Klaus Voormann (the artist behind The Beatles - Revolver album cover!)

The album opens with 'Fill My Sky' which has hints of 60s Psych, with gorgeous vocal harmonies and orchestral production. It has a chilled, laid back vibe, perfect for Summer evenings.

Other highlights include 'Reading Kerouac', which is upbeat with hints of Fleetwood Mac, yet with bleak lyrics. 'The Dying of the Light' is a heartfelt ballad with a big anthemic chorus, and brought to mind The Beatles - Let it Be.

Another standout here is 'Heaven Can Wait' which has hints of country, again the vocal harmonies are superb. It ends on an excellent cover of Badfinger's 'Song For a Lost Friend' which is beautifully melancholic.

A wonderful album and essential Summer listening. 

Vanity Mirror - PUFF

Released: 12 May 2023
Label: We Are Busy Bodies

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Vanity Mirror is the new project from members of L.A. Baroque Pop band - Electric Looking Glass. The album is a wonderfully retro listen with plenty of 60s inspired guitar pop goodness.

The album opens with '(I First Saw You There on) Tinpot Lane' which actually sounds like it could be a lost Kinks song. It is superbly melodic and catchy, and will have you reaching for the repeat button.

Other highlights include 'Tuesday's News' which is guitar pop of the highest standard and brought to mind The Beatles - You Never Give Me Your Money. 'Dandelion Wish' recalls the Psychedelia of The Rolling Stones and has some lovely harmonies.

The standout here is gentle ballad - 'Somehow You Know', which is very heartfelt, bringing to mind Paul McCartney's more acoustic solo music. It also had hints of John Lennon - Oh My Love. It ends on the beautifully whimsical 'Happily Ever After' which has that timeless Baroque Pop production.

A hugely enjoyable album and essential Summer listening. 

The Hannah Barberas - Fantastic Tales of the Sea

Released: 26 May 2023
Label: Spinout Nuggets/Subjangle/Gazer Tapes

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London Indie Pop band - The Hannah Barberas, return with a new album. It is full of catchy 80s inspired Jangly gems. 

The album opens with 'You're So?!' which is a short but sweet love song and a lot of fun. It is a highly quirky duet with the simplicity of Rock n Roll and hints of Punk.

Other highlights include 'Ugly Cry' which is more of a stripped back ballad, full of melancholy. Lyrically it is very heartfelt and about finding comfort in music. 'Party From Hell' brought to mind the 80s Jangle of Orange Juice.

'When You Were My Boyfriend' is the standout here. It is wonderfully innocent and twee, with a big anthemic chorus. The sound has hints of The Popguns. 'Fantastic Tales of The Sea' has some lovely vocal harmonies and superb guitar riffs. 'Happy Winter' is more traditional Folk/Americana sounding and has a timeless quality to it.

A highly enjoyable album and recommended Summer listening, especially for fans of 80s indie pop. 

Alex Pester - Better Days

Released: 26 May 2023
Label: Violette

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Alex Pester, from Bath, UK, is a recent discovery for me and the latest Artist to be signed to the superb Violette records (which was once the label of Michael Head). 

The album is full of lovely, more traditional sounding Acoustic Folk. It opens with 'Dear Friend' which has some intricate guitar playing and brought to mind the more melancholic music of Nick Drake.

Other highlights include 'I See You' which is ultra melodic, with orchestral production adding to the emotional impact. It also brought to mind some of The Clientele's more Folk sounding music. 'In The Night' is very heartfelt with hints of Jazz. The Baroque pop production is hugely impressive with some wonderful melodic arrangements.

'You're My Kind' is a simple yet timeless love song which will stay with you from first listen. 'Are You Gonna Make Her Choose?' is a heart-breaking ballad. Its power is in the epic production which could almost be from a Film Soundtrack. For me, it had a similar emotional effect to Michael Head's 'Something Like You'. 

It ends on 'Bye Bye, Teddy' which is stripped-back, with a child-like innocence to it and some lovely Ukulele.

A superb album with so much ethereal beauty. Highly recommended.