Wy Continue to Grow with High Score

If you missed last year’s Marriage LP, then perhaps we haven’t done our part to turn you on to Wy, at least not properly. But, they’ve got a new EP on the way, and it continues to show how incredibly quickly they’ve broadened their sound, hitting on all the high notes we’d expect and then some. When the tune opens, it has this almost nostalgic pop lean to it, though enhanced by this heavy resonance that sets up Ebba’s vocal entry. She’s got this faint little quiver that toys with you, but as the track unfolds you see just how powerful her voice is, dominating the front of the mix. Still, careful ears will hear just how much effort was put into everything behind Ebba, with all sort of varying textures, balancing noisy bits with melodic ringing notes; it’s pop craftsmanship at its finest. The Something Amazing EP is out June 17th via Rama Lama Records.

Mauger Ready New Album, Share Minute to Rest

Belgium band Mauger are preparing to get their follow-up to 2020’s Sunday Competition out in the world, and they start today with this delightful new single. The airy drive of the guitar bob and weave definitely had me from the get-go, and there’s this nostalgic pop feel to the vocal style, something that reminds me of being a kid. And while I’m likely far off, the chorus just feels like its perfect this week, or this year, or the last few years with the repeat of of “I never got a minute to rest;” it just feels like we all need that moment and can’t quite get there. Whatever it is, light head bobs abound with this sweet tune. I’ll get you more info when I know it about the new LP.

That New Tim Burgress Tune

I generally try to avoid tracks that hit more than 1k streams on the ole YouTube; I just figured there’s another band that needs my small voice. That being said, when two things happened when listening to this track from Tim Burgess; it’s actually just one thing, me and Tim meeting in the middle. As soon as I played the track, I got transported to my youth where I was spending a lot of time with what was coming out of Britain, the Charlatans being among that lot; it was a feeling radiating from the track, something emotionally pulling on me. So, I read the press release and Tim’s quotes as saying “it’s a simple song, and it’s a feeling more than anything.” Me and Tim, tied together by a mutual feeling and a really incredible pop song. Just enjoy it.

ViVii Drop New Single, Vegas

One of the acts Brian and I really enjoyed at SXSW was Swedish trio ViVii; they offered up a dreamy brand of pop that actually felt like it was crafted in Texas. You can hear that in the band’s new single, particularly in the way the vocals seem to tumble across the track like weeds out on West Texas roads. Musically, things back up that approach, with guitar notes bending and turning, all the while hitting those crisp notes that feel like Summertime. It’s a nice little dreamy dose of pop from an act we’re really enjoying; keep an eye out for their new MaviDavilon EP, out June 3rd.

The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness Drop New Single

Are the Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness one of the better kept secrets in the indie pop realm? Well, let’s hope not, as you’d be missing out on some great tunes if you skip over the band; start by going back to last years Songs from Another Life. But, alas, its Bandcamp Friday, so the band have dropped this wonderful new single to get inside your ear. I think the group open up the tune with this really soft crystalline guitars, strumming over each other. But, drums kick in slightly, and there’s this brief uplifting moment that immediately takes the track to another level. It’s just a tease, as the chorus really shows where the band’s melodic play shines right to your heart. Don’t sleep on this one.

Crystal Eyes Share Like a Movie

When we first shared news of the forthcoming Crystal Eyes LP, we were really excited by the group’s blend of pop styles, pulsing with a more frantic energy. But, on their new single, they allow the song to sort of fester and swell, like a slow-burn; this makes tons of sonic space for the band to fill in the spaces, be that the distorted guitar in the distance or the wash of atmosphere that crashes briefly into the chorus. All of this culminates in a huge burst at near the song’s end, sprinkling pop confetti down from the rafters all over the listener as if you’ve just won the game of your life. The band drop the Sweetness Restored on April 22nd via Bobo Integral.

Pintandwefall Drop Last Minutes Single

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that if Pintandwefall were from the States (or maybe the UK) then they’d be an absolute darling on all the cool kid blogs. I’ve been trying to hype them up as a one-man show here, but hopefully this new single will grab you enough to show you what its all about. It hits you with this immediacy upon pressing play, and there’s this playful indie style coming forth that I dove right into. Then the song sort of erupts in a new direction, bringing in a more soulful feel to things, almost like the band magically inherited Nashville vibes. The band are releasing Seventh Baby on February 25th via Soliti.

Pleased to Meet You: The Saint Larsen

After being relatively quiet the last few years, Matinee Recordings has come out this year swinging. First, dropping a Lucksmiths reissue (always a good thing) and now they’ve introduced me to the Saint Larsen, the new project from Stefan Larsen of Northern Portrait. But, while Larsen’s known for his indiepop licks, this first single seems a bit more along the lines of classic songwriting, though spun with that wistfulness I always associated with good indiepop. There’s this slight euphoric twist just after the 3 minute mark that punches this big hook you’re going to want to enjoy. Look for a full length album later in the year!

Elison Release Hopes & Horoscopes Single

Last year everyone was raving about the Sharon/Angle single, and it definitely was a good jam; that same vibe of nostalgic radio pop comes into play when listening to Des Moines’ Elison…but with a twist. Elison, led by Marissa Kephart turn away from the expansive chorus and go for immediacy, dropping in a pure burst of pop rock, that takes the band closer towards a sound akin to Alvvays. So you get the best of both worlds by turning this one up; you can hold onto the broader brush strokes of indie rock and turn over to flirt with the indie pop side…and no matter what, you’ll be rewarded with this killer new single.

Suep Share Video for Misery

With ties to Joanna Gruesome and Porridge Radio, it would make sense that SUEP would fall on our radar, and here they drop in with a brand new video for their single “Misery.” But, one of the things about being tied to other bands is that it tends to shadow expectations, so put those aside and slide into the Suep’s DMs, as they’ve got something going on here. There’s this lounge bounce, almost a jazz-inflected pop ditty, with crooned vocals swirling as the band build layer upon layer of pop sensibility. They employ various electronic and psychedelic notes, twist them up with backing vocals and then present it in a tripped out video format. If you were into the work of Jonathan Bree, well, this band takes that and stretches it into a fashionable pop spectacle. Keep an eye out here, and we’ll keep you posted if we hear more! This single brought to you courtesy of Memorials of Distinction.

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