Last Week’s Jams, Today (4.4 – 4.8)

Here we are folks, another Monday. We’re starting off the week, as we always do, looking back at last week’s hits, just in case our five followers missed a song or two. We’ve got new indie pop stuff from Red Sleeping Beauty and Jeanines, plus new tunes from long-time ATH faves, Stephen’s Shore. Then there’s a new Chronophage album on the way, so we’ve got that covered here too. It’s a quick little way to breeze into your week here, starting things off nice and light. Enjoy!

Sapphire & Steel Share Evelina

Jorn and Estella, or Sapphire & Steel as they’re presented here, have been working in the indiepop circle for quite some time, and as they continue to charm with their singles, we’re here to share those with you. This new single definitely has a nod towards classic Grant McLennan penned tunes, taking notes from the jangle pop realm, but perhaps dolling them up a bit in a more sophisticated package. Sweet guitar notes ring here and there, but they crash into the softened melodic vocal play of the two songwriters, offering up this sort of indifferent cool, like they know how good the song is, and they’ll leave it at that. I mean, listen to the way “Evelina” gets dropped in the chorus and try to tell me you don’t get the feels.

Sapphire & Steel Release Assignment 1

Our friend and fellow pop enthusiast Estella Rosa (also part of glorious Nah) just begun a new project with Jorn Aleskjaer named Sapphire & Steel (a nod to the 70s Sci-Fi series of the same name). This week they dropped Assignment 1, a three song EP I felt was necessary to put on your radar. “Home” settles the score immediately, fusing bits of indie pop and new wave seamlessly, giving you melody and groove all at once; Estella’s voice dabbles in the dream pop territory, allowing the notes to sort of rise and fall…might also be one of the best chorus moments I’ve heard her on…just saying. “Rumours” gives off more of a retro lounge feel, like a lounge act with just enough nuance to keep us captivated. “Susan” gives you this sort of late-night funk feel; slight bits of swagger and hipness buried beneath a pop facade that features far more Jorn than we’ve gotten prior to this. A perfect closer for a late night dance party, or maybe just this great introductory EP.