Pleased to Meet You: Norwegian Blue

There’s nothing like opening up an email, knowing you’re going to love the contents, and such was my day when I found out that Erik from Electric Pop Group had a solo endeavor titled Norwegian Blue. You’re instantly greeted with the bright ringing of guitars, opening up to a softer jangle and a forceful thump beneath the surface. That rhythmic openness is perfect for Erik’s voice, embracing this brilliant warmth, not to mention the added emphasis from the supporting “ba ba ba” that creates this magical charm. No word on we’ll be getting a full-length, but fingers crossed it comes our way real soon. This single arrives courtesy of Matinee Recordings.

New EP from Bubblegum Lemonade

There’s been a pretty steady release of new Bubblegum Lemonade pop ditties this year, and I’m pretty embarrassed to say I haven’t given Laz and company enough proper love. And look, the title track of the French Letters in the Sand EP is pretty special, offering a really catchy bit of indiepop, as prescribed by your doctor. But, the second tune on here, “The Hottest Day of the Year” is an absolute gem, and might be one of my favorite tunes that the band has penned. After opening with a fiery riff, it settles into a snappy bounce, swinging your hips from side to side with the melody. There’s a warmth that perhaps comes with the title, but the mid tune diversion of “where does she go” cemented the ditty in my brain! If you love good pop, stop what you’re doing and slide into these tunes, courtesy of Matinee Recordings.

Did You Listen to Blossomer?

There were a lot of really great records that dropped on Friday, and while heavy-hitters likely took the fame, I hope you will spend some time with Stray Fossa‘s latest opus, Blossomer. Those of you who are seeking out extra crisp guitar sounds will surely have this album spinning for several weeks, and opening track “Change the Film” creates the attraction instantly; it’s using these twisting little guitar lines and feathered vocals to seduce you. As you dig into the record, it’s the softness of the vocals building an intimacy between band and listener, and the production has the perfect amount of balance, letting the guitars dance and swing like on “Quiet Quitting,” though the voice still opens you up to the album’s dreamier nature. Ten tracks of magnificent guitar pop to make you swoon, so get to it and stream Blossomer below!

A Couple of New Ditties from Tullycraft

Seattle outfit Tullycraft are about to release their delightful new LP, brimming with joy and clever wordplay you might find on a Dan Treacy penned track. They’ve just dropped a couple of new tracks to support Shoot the Point, and “Love on the Left Bank” displays the band’s ability to switch back and forth between vocalists, though never shying away from nuanced hooks in the background…just think of a purely pop version of the Comet gain. “Tarrytown” turns these great guitar lines into masterful pop seduction, and those vocal tones pull from the coolest corners of indiepop, particularly with their little rise within syllable switches. Shoot the Point is shaping up quite nicely; it’ll be out this Friday via HHBTM.

Circling Back to Love Burns Latest 7″

Sometimes life can run full-circle, as is the case for Phil Sutton and his project Love Burns. He was part of the original Comet Gain lineup, then moved on to work in various projects like Pale Lights, but now serendipity strikes as his latest 7″ features Rachel Evans, who plays part in the current Comet Gain lineup. All that history aside, these are some of the best songs Sutton has written (even considering the ATH Records supported It Should Have Been Tomorrow). “Dear Carol” is a wonderful duet with Rachel, but that soaring chorus just crushes you under its power; I would live and breathe for that moment alone. Flip it over and you get another swooning pop tune, with Phil embracing dulcet tones atop an encircling jangle, before Evans adds a nice little backing vocal to layer an extra blanket of melody into the track. Both glorious tunes are available from Spinout Nuggets.

Your Monthly Club 8 Dose

Every month, for the last two years, Swedish pop outfit Club 8 have dropped a singular tune; the tune’s pull from a style drenched in the country’s rich history of dreamy pop. That being said, they always continue to manipulate their own formula, like here where they hit you in the face before the first second has even passed by your ears. I honestly thought that this was going to be one of their bangers, hitting hard in the rhythm section while the vocals kept pace, but after that opening punch, it recedes to bring about a more melodic dreaminess that wants to curl aside you like your favorite cat. I’ll gladly write about this band every month if they keep dropping me these gems!

The Radio Field Are Back!

It’s been a few years since German outfit The Radio Field have popped up with something new, and as they return, they’re coming out swinging. They waste little time with those jangling and twisting guitar notes entering almost immediately; the steadiness of the rhythm section allows them to twist and turn perfectly while the vocals offer a bit of the sublime. I think there’s a nice little touch too in the song’s latter stage when the whole team starts to put in their vocals, though they’re staggered so it comes across like an indiepop call and response. Hope this means there’s more on the way!

Nansy Return with In Your Eyes

Now that we’ve gotten some rock n’ roll out into the world, let’s focus on the softer side of my heart, like this tune from the recent reunited Nansy. The Oslo band was an indiepop go-to in the early 00s, but walked away until this last week; their new single embraces the early charms whilst bringing it right up to speed with the modern sound. I’ll be honest, however, as the vocals are what swept me away, not that the music doesn’t have its own magic, but the way it switches from the calmed delivery into this more pronounced pop spin got right under my skin. Hats off to the arrangement as well, as there’s a great bit of depth that will surely reward your repeat listens.

The Slow Summits Offer Dream On

I wanted to keep true with the pop feels this morning, and Sweden’s The Slow Summits is the perfect little treat to keep the mood right in the morning. Those of you who love acts like Cats on Fire or the Luckmsiths are going to find this track super exciting, as the dulcet vocal tones carry that majesty at the core, and while the caramelized melody works its magic, the rest of the band adds a solid bit of energetic kick. Pulling your ear into the first verse, you’ll hear these quick cymbal hits, marching the tune forward. But, what I love about things is that they switch the approach in the middle of the tune, turning it into a slightly different direction so it doesn’t take on that formulaic feel. It’s fresh, and just a taste of Every Intention, which drops on July 4th via Subjangle.

Autocamper Share Red Flowers

While the opening track on Autocamper‘s new LP offered a slight nod to the Pacific Northwest pop of the 80s/90s (and beyond), their new single switches up singers, giving us a glimpse at how diverse the group’s new record will sound. Niamh takes vocal duties, sprinkling in the softer side of the pop spectrum; it’s a drifting little melody, hanging in the air as guitars and keys churn out the joy you need in your life. In a sense, it reminds me of the Allo’ Darlin, sharing a consistent charm from the song’s start to its finish. Their debut What Do You Do All Day LP will be part of the great summer releases from Slumberland; it hits on July 11th.

1 2 3 46
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com