Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming

This is a hell of a debut. Featuring members of Sauna Youth and CoId Pumas, Marcel Wave are a promising lot. Singer Maike Hale- Jones delivers witty, gobby vignettes on the state of Britain, flanked by Oliver Fisher and his bruising guitar, and organ from Lindsay Corstorphine. It’s in the grand tradition of UK post-punkContinue reading “Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming”

Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic

Grunge influences and 90s alt rock nods are still around in contemporary music. Indoor Pets definitely channel the energy of Nirvana, Pixies and Jane’s Addiction, while retaining their own 2020s sound. It’s so well executed that it feels like a great big shot of adrenaline. ‘London’ and the title track are fuzzy, pile-driving songs asContinue reading “Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic”

Album Review: Broadcast – Spell Blanket -Collected Demos 2006-2009

When we lost Trish Keenan in 2011, we lost one of indie music ‘s most beloved singers. Her hushed, wide -eyed voice radiated a calm that felt disconcertingly eerie. Broadcast’s retro-futurism both soothed and disturbed in equal measure. This compilation of 36 tracks, from ‘The Song Before The Song Comes Out’ to ‘Spirit House’ showsContinue reading “Album Review: Broadcast – Spell Blanket -Collected Demos 2006-2009”

Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here

You just can’t keep a good indie trio down. Cambridge scamps Mammoth Penguins ‘ new album fizzles with effervescent energy. Emma Kupa, Tom Barden and Mark Boxall have returned with music that is irresistible, straight out of the traps, racing forward and never looking back. Their trademark grungy indie, and Kupa’s sweet, youthful voice, hasContinue reading “Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here”

Album Review: Corridor -Mimi

Mimi, named after lead singer Jonathan Robert’s cat, is Corridor’s fourth album. It’s effervescent, sometimes melancholic, sometimes hopeful, but always dynamic. The Montreal band sing in French, and draw from both European and American influences. It’s apparent on tracks like ‘Mon Argent’, which fizzles with Krautrock energy, before going all glitchy and dissonant. This isContinue reading “Album Review: Corridor -Mimi”

Album Review: Adult Jazz- So Sorry So Slow

This album is heady, intoxicating and heavy. It takes a while to settle into certain rhythms, before turning, at times almost imperceptibly, into different genres, moods and textures. Once you allow yourself to let it just embrace you though, it pays dividends. Post-rock, fused with avant pop, it’s elusive but gorgeous. With Harry Burgess’ sweet,Continue reading “Album Review: Adult Jazz- So Sorry So Slow”

New Release: Bat For Lashes- The Dream Of Delphi

Here’s some glorious news. Bat For Lashes are back after a five year hiatus with this beautiful synth lullabye, a meditation on motherhood dedicated to Natasha Khan’s daughter Delphi. Drawing upon her more minimalist work from the first two albums, Khan proves she can still surprise with her more pared- back dream pop direction. She’sContinue reading “New Release: Bat For Lashes- The Dream Of Delphi”

Album Review: Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles (1981-1982)

It’s strange, but Xmal Deutschland seemed to suffer the same fate as other cult bands like The Stooges, Suicide and Velvet Underground – they didn’t sell many records when they began, but gradually became more influential with time. Bands like Warpaint, VR Sex, Current Affairs and Savages owe them a debt- they definitely share aContinue reading “Album Review: Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles (1981-1982)”

New Release: Drinking Boys And Girls Choir- History

A new single release from Damnably is always worth celebrating. Out today is the brand new single from Drinking Boys And Girls Choir History, and it’s absolutely wonderful. A tangy, effervescent piece of punk by the Daegu skate punk trio , it’s a headrush. They are heading out on a North American tour with OtobokeContinue reading “New Release: Drinking Boys And Girls Choir- History”

The Future’s Here Today: Loren Kramar

Oooh, that is a voice. Eccentric, velveteen and beautiful, the honeyed tones of Loren Kramar are going to be everywhere this year, if there is any justice left. With a background in gospel and musical theatre, these are perhaps not such a conventional route into contemporary music, but the perfectly crafted songs are exemplars inContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Loren Kramar”