Docks and My Imaginary Loves Announce Split

Hidden Bay Records is one of my favorite French labels, turning me onto some great stuff, so when the owner, Manon reached out to me about a new split featuring his own band, I, of course, rushed to jam it out. He’s playing in Docks, who’ve announced a split EP with My Imaginary Loves, which will come out at the end of March (not on Hidden Bay btw). Both available singles are instrumental pieces, with the Docks taking a lighter approach, at least in the overall emotional appeal of the craft; there’s more natural movement, and brighter guitar sounds. My Imaginary Loves start their tune off with a bit of an ominous atmosphere, so it builds this wall of tension that eventually gets released. Both CD and Cassette versions will be available next week!

More from Camille Benatre

A few weeks back we covered the first single from Camille Benatre‘s Dommage LP, out in March via Hidden Bay Records. There’s another tune floating about today, and it feels like the most subtle bit of French pop to have you creating your own tik tok video as you dance about your bedroom. Honestly, it reminds me of the stuff Erlend Oye (Kings of Convenience) was creating on his solo stuff, danceable yet adhering to a bit of folk stylings. Benatre’s voice will always find a nice place to nestle in your ear canal too, even if, like me, you’re completely in adequate at understanding French.

New Music from Camille Benatre

I was checking in on one of my favorite French labels, Hidden Bay, seeing what they had coming out, as I knew there were a few releases in their 2024 like Petit Bureau and Radical Kitten, but I had no idea about this stunning Camille Benatre! I have no idea what the lyrics are detailing, but the natural playfulness and joy of this single is absolutely undeniable. You can fee the rolling drums and guitar lines tossing and tumbling you along with the natural groove. Benatre’s voice is subdued and charming, only furthered by absolute failure to understand French. Whether you be a Francophile or just a lover of great pop, keep an eye out for Dommage, as it already sounds like a winner; drops in March!

No Drama Share MFNM Single

Last week we brought you news that our friends over at Hidden Bay Records/Seitan’s Hell Bike Punks were going to jointly release a new collection of songs by French band No Drama. Today, we have a fresh single that we hope will get your eyes and ears on the project. This one grabbed me immediately, bringing in some really light guitar notes that rang in my ears, allowing the song to set the mood before you even get a bit of vocals. When the vocals roll into the scene, they’re light, careful not to disrupt the pop structure coming through; you even get an added melodic brush with backing vocals. Still, the shifts and changes aren’t done, as you begin to hear a heavier riff working beneath the surface; the tension builds and the song carries more volume, pushing a grungy punch. I could probably, and hopefully, listen to this song all day. The self titled EP drops on November 3rd.

Soft Covers Share New Single, Announce Debut LP

If you somehow managed to slip by Soft Covers and their 2020 EP, it’s probably a great place for those of you who appreciate “well-loved pop.” Now, we’ve got the excellent news that the group will be releasing their debut LP this Fall. This track’s just gets me in my feels, offering up a bunch of light jangling notes and rolling drum beats, all the while you’ve got harmonizing vocals cruising through to add that extra touch of charm; I swear I got goosebumps when they first united after verse one. Homely pop for those who love to be warmed over from the comfort of their domicile; Soft Serve will be out on October 6th on Little Lunch/Hidden Bay.

New Split Screen EP from Walk Home Drunk & Comite Balneaire

Two of my absolute favorite labels as of late, Hidden Bay Records/Safe Suburban Home, have teamed up to bring us a new Split Screen EP, with songs from both Walk Home Drunk and Comite Balneaire. For their part, Walk Home Drunk offers up this gentle tease in the verses; a steady beat and snuggling vocals walk you right into the chorus where the song opens up and gets a bit fuzzy with these guitar lines that pop and skitter. On the other side, you get Comite Balneaire creating this dense realm for what seems like a post-punk rainstorm; the guitars are heavy, almost feeling like sheets of melodic rain falling upon you at all times. Both tracks might have some sonic simlarities, which makes sense considering the two projects are solo monikers for members of Docks/No Drama. Anyways, Split Screen EP will be out June 2nd.

Special Friend Release Selkie Video

Is it a seal or is it a human? Well, depends on how you look at the mythological Selkie, the title of the latest single from Special Friend…but who am I to decided for you? What I can tell you is that this might be the tastiest bit of pop music you’re going to hear today. I was hooked with the guitar notes immediately, setting me up to swoon later once the duo opted to combine their voices so seamlessly. In doing so, there’s something in the sound that seems like a lantern floating through the sky, filled with the promise of tomorrow. There’s this tonal switch and string arrangement after the two minute mark that cut right to the core, so I fell in love with the tune all over again. The group will release Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In via Skep Wax, Hidden Bay and Howlin’ Banana on June 27th.

Special Friend Announce Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In

What happens when you get three great indie labels together to release a new LP? Well, if you ask me, bringing Skep Wax, Howlin’ Banana, and Hidden Bay all together to release a new LP from Special Friend, then you’ve got the guarantee of a solid batch of songs. Our first listen is the hypnotic tune below, working with this guitar shuffle that circles beneath the surface of dual vocal work. There’s something in the way the guitar feels like its rushing you forwards that’s thrown in juxtaposition to what’s the melodic overlapping from the vocals. In a way, it sort of sounds like something Sonic Youth would have put out if they were into lo-fi indie pop…warranting a positive nod on my end of things! We’ll give you more updates on the release date of Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In when we’ve got em’.

Sean Trelford Readies Care Home Party

We are being shown the future this week, with clever pop tunes from The Laughing Chimes…and now Sean Trelford. Sean’s a teenage songwriter who turned to songwriting to write his way out of his feelings during the pandemic. Those songs have now been compiled to create Care Home Party, a 9 track collection of bedroom pop being championed by our friends at Hidden Bay Records and Field Mates Records. This lead single is playful, and honestly, it’s not too far off from more mainstream indiepop, though the way the tune evolves and sort of trickles down the line is what totally sold me on the sound. Excited to hear the entirety of this LP; it drops on November 18th.

Rush to Relax Prep Misli

If you’re solely an anglophone, then I’ll just come right out and say you should skip over this post about Slovenian outfit Rush to Relax. Honestly, I don’t have a clue what they’re saying, but the emotional draw still supersedes, dripping with sharp guitar pop. The drums have this little bob to them, occasionally kicking in with an extra little high step, so you’ve got the groove established. Various guitar lines come into play throughout; you get some dancing jangles, almost tickling guitar notes, but then as the song unfolds, those lines become more elaborate, accented by sweeping string arrangements to fill it all out. Misli is the name of the group’s new LP, coming our way August 31st via Hidden Bay/Look Back and Laugh/Pop Depresija.

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