Alfie Firmin - Absentee

Released: 12 May 2023
Label: Bobo Integral

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Alfie Firmin, from Southend On Sea, is a new discovery for me. He has released a number of solo albums, also with the band Vestiges (it is well worth checking out their song Evelyn too if they are new to you). 

The album opens with 'Can't Stop Thinking About You' which is a wonderfully melodic and heartfelt ballad. His sound recalls the classic guitar pop of the 60s/70s (Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson e.t.c.)  and there are hints of Soul too. It also brought to mind the more recent band - Whitney.

Other highlights include 'Lost on Me' which had hints of John Lennon - Jealous Guy. It is sublime and laid-back like most of the songs here. 'Drivers' is stripped back and melancholic. 

'Pure O' has more Americana vibes with some lovely pedal steel. 'Absentee' is more Folk with hints of Simon & Garfunkel. It ends on the gorgeous love song 'For The First Time' which has glorious vocal harmonies, giving it a timeless quality.

A superb album full of subtle melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Highly recommended. 

Super 8 - Hoopla

Released: 5 May 2023
Label: The Beautiful Music

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Super 8 return with a superb new album. It is more Summery Beatles-inspired guitar pop goodness, as you would expect!

The album opens with 'For All My Friends' which is very Abbey Road era Beatles, with epic orchestral production. It is anthemic in quality and moving to listen to.

Other highlights include 'Susan Revolving' (a cover of an unreleased Andy Partridge demo) which is swirling Psychedelia, more reminiscent of Sgt. Peppers. 'All My Worries' is very surreal lyrically - "I was floating on a sea of green, eating tangerines..."

'Jennifer Anne' is feelgood guitar pop at its finest and brought to mind Paul Simon. 'Love Ya' is a short but sweet love song of the highest standard and a lot of fun.

'Be My Yoko' is a favourite here and is so heartfelt. I love the Beatles references and it is charming rather than too twee. The Byrds inspired 'Moments in Time' could be a lost radio hit with its lovely chiming guitars and big, uplifting chorus. 

Highly recommended Spring/early Summer listening, especially if you love 60s guitar pop! 

Kevin Robertson - Magic Spells Abound

Released: 31 Mar 2023
Label: Subjangle/Futureman

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Kevin Robertson, of Scottish band - The Vapour Trails, is back with a sublime new album. It is more wonderfully melodic Byrds inspired Jangle. 

The album opens with 'As The Crow Flies' which is also the standout here. It is beautifully uplifting and Summery with a chorus that really soars.

Other highlights include 'Make Believe' which is joyous with some superb pop hooks. It is instantly memorable and there are also hints of 60s Pysch.

'The Crest of a Dream' has some lovely melodies and arrangements, with high attention to detail, like many of the songs here. 'Cloak and Dagger' is a lot of fun, with beautiful harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash. 

'Wander On' is under 3 minutes of guitar pop perfection. 'Sunset' is very Folky with hints of The Beatles - Norwegian Wood. It ends on the epic 'Equilibrium Blues' which is more melancholic.

A hugely enjoyable album with so much Summery charm. Highly recommended. 

James Redmond - Video City 2

Released: 21 Apr 2023
Label: AV8 Records

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This is the debut album of James Redmond from Liverpool and it is a brilliantly unique and Psychedelic listen. 

The album opens with 'Castle of Illusion' (many of the tracks here have videogame references) which is an eerie sounding instrumental with hints of electronic.

'Running With The Devil' features James Skelly of The Coral (Redmond once recorded demos with the band) and is a moody blend of Psych and Beats. It is quite lo-fi but hypnotic and it really draws you in.

My favourite here is 'Child of the Ocean', a very anthemic 60s sounding Sea Shanty. The sound of course brought to mind The Coral and Waterpistol era Shack.

'Rainbow Road' is a Hip Hop homage to all things Mario. It is wonderfully humorous and the sound effects brought back memories of playing Super Mario Bros on my Gameboy Color as a kid! 

'Will She Meet Me in The Morning' is a heartfelt love song and would not have sounded out of place on an early Coral album. 'The Fang' is more 90s sounding with hints of  The Verve. It is quite surreal with some really quirky lyrics.

A superb album with so many different styles and sounds. Highly recommended.

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.