Author: nathan.lankford

Pia Fraus Share Hidden Parks

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I was really blown away by 2017’s Field Ceremony (Shelflife), the last long player from Estonian outfit Pia Fraus. Since then, they’ve slowly begun to round out the noisier bits into this really beautiful dream pop; it’s the sort that takes all these little atmospheric layers and bundles them together in tiny little pop nuggets. For instance, the vocals almost seem to match, and then again they almost don’t; they seem like these ethereal echoes dancing around one another, which works sublimely with the feathery jangle of the guitars. As I’m writing this, the weather’s damp and rainy, and nothing else seems more fitting than this tune. The band have a new 5 track EP scheduled for early next year via Seksound, but in the meantime, head to their site and hear some remixes of this single!

Scott and Charlene’s Wedding Share Back in the Corner

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It’s weird to think of Scott and Charlene’s Wedding as a great little secret, but sometimes it still feels like that, even after their growing collection of releases. Today they return with the announcement of their new EP, When in Rome, Carpe Diem…and an accompanying single. This particular number seems far more rooted in the nostalgic rock of the States, as opposed to the band’s home of Australia. There are some understated jangles in the guitar lines, but the curl of the vocals definitely makes me think about everything in my dad’s record collection from the 60s/70s; I don’t mind that notion not one bit. Looks like the new EP will be dropped at the end of November.

Another New Tune from the Just Joans

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Feel like I’ve been away from really broad sweeping pop music for a minute, but when I hear the Just Joans, they bring me back to a safe place, a place shared by like-minded American acts like the Magnetic Fields. Everything they do is witty, and often self-deprecating, but it’s also the finer details in their craft that make their songs so lovable. Here, it’s the sort of forlorn sentiment of the track that brings that wry smile to your face when you discover it truly is a love song. I think the vocal interplay is quite successful too, balancing out the narrative approach of the tune. Fans of orchestral pop and clever lyricisms will surely feel right at home with this tune; I expect the same from the group’s new album, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of the Just Joans, out January 2020 via Fika Recordings.

Please to Meet You: The New Mourning

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Thomas Pronai has a pretty extensive music career in Austria, both as a musician and engineer, but for many folks, myself included, The New Mourning is our first introduction to Pronai’s work. It’s already got the backing of James from Ultimate Painting (who recorded it) and Pete Astor (who plays on it), so you know that it’ll easily get my stamp of approval…oh, and it’s being release by KUS (easily one of my favorite labels). The song they’ve presented from their new single is this not quite psychedelic pop ditty; it has this bright guitar presentation, with the slightest hint of that acid washed world. That said, its the vocals that sort of take on a mantra of their own that really seals the deal…the simplest little line and yet its been stuck in my head all morning. Give a listen and grab it HERE.

Who’d Stop The Sun from The New Mourning on Vimeo.

Poppongene Shares Wet Towel

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Feel like I’m spending a great deal of my space on writing about Aussie acts today, and I’m quite okay with that fact; I particularly am fond of this new Poppongene tune. At first, it sort of slithers its way into your listening; it seems unassuming, just catchy vocals over some quick percussion. But, as the song picks up, Sophie begins to add more energy to her performance, just as the guitars begin to jump off more emphatically to boot. All of a sudden, the track has its hooks in you, letting the vocals sort of drift into the slightest realm of dreaminess during the chorus; it’s a nice pop moment totally stuck in my head. This tune will appear on a forthcoming EP.

Pure Moods Share New Pop Number

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It’s been a hot minute since I’ve heard anything from Melbourne outfit Pure Moods, but there’s a brand new pop tune to get you tapping your toes. This one’s right up my alley, using those crystalline guitar lines that sparkle and shine in the sunlight, turning ever so gently to match the natural warmth that comes through the vocals; this is guitar pop at its very finest. Speaking of the vocals, when matched with the pace of the track, it all combines to carry this sort of dreamy indifference; you’re not sure if you should care of if they should care, but you do care because the song’s great. Go on, listen to it. It’ll appear on Upward Spiral, the new effort slated for November 29th via Tear Jerk Records.

Sprinters Share Video for Missing

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RayRay and I have both been pretty high upon the forthcoming album from Sprinters, but before the band drop Struck Gold this Friday, they wanted to be sure you had one more reason to grab the LP. “Missing” is one of the record’s standouts, fueled by the perfect juxtaposition between too-cool-for-school vocals and enthusiastic guitar fuzz; it all gels so perfectly that in the end, you’ll find they’ve crafted the perfect sentiment in one tight little pop number. The accompanying video is great, especially for US audiences who might not get the chance to catch the Manchester band too often; they’re clearly enjoying playing together here. Fun times and fun pop win every time; you can grab the LP this Friday from Meritorio Records.

Parker Longbough Shares Burbank Safari

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Parker Longbough is a band, not a person. In the end, that doesn’t matter much, as what matters is the quality of the band’s songwriting behind leader Matthew Witthoeft. While the style might leans towards lo-fi tendencies, the band don’t shy away from building their sound with this blessing production. It might be one of the more rocking tracks I remember from the group, with the guitars harkening to a slight Hammond Jr’ inflection; the softness in Witthoeft’s voice here does remind me faintly of Jens Lekman, which is never a bad comparison. Green and Gold/Drink the Hemlock, the band’s latest LP, will be out on November 22nd.

Nostalgic Pop from Black Beach Baby

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Sweden’s Black Beach Baby only have a handful of releases to their name, but I’m hoping the nostalgic sound catches some of your ears. I think the guitars might be a slight bit soft in their presentation, which initially has that jangling pop turn that keeps your coming back for repeated spins. But, in the end, the dream quality of the vocals allows for listeners to latch onto a different emotional sentiment, ultimately keeping you around for even longer. This works in the band’s favor, as they unleash a marvelous chorus that definitely had me hoping I’d hear more real soon. Time will tell, so let’s just enjoy this ditty, shall we?

Bright Pop from Pynch

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London outfit Pynch just popped up on my radar, thanks to Speedy Wunderground; the popular label will be releasing the band’s newest single as part of their on-going Single Series in December. I immediately loved the way the guitar sort of jittered its way right into the tune, dancing atop the steady rhythm section. Then the vocals entered the picture, sort of carrying this natural sense of wonderment; the voice just seems to sort of evaporate into the ether as each line’s delivered, matched by some spacey keyboard notes. It’s just one of those pop tunes that ultimately leaves you begging to hear it again and again. Float off into the world with this tune, and grab it HERE.

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