Northern Portrait Announce New Album, Share Single

If you’re into the pop scene, you’re surely aware of Danish outfit Northern Portrait. Well, today brings us good news that a brand new record is on the horizon; it’s titled The Swiss Army, and has an August 5th release date penciled on the books. This new single has that slow-burning ballad down, offering up a calmed croon that rides on the casual rhythm section while the arrangements lift the melody to the surface. I can see this getting a lot of Smiths comparisons in the way the vocals work, but be sure you give the focus to the musical element; there are some slightly noisier elements buried in the mix that I think show the band working to elevate their sound. If you’re into it, be sure to order Swiss Army from Matinee Recordings.

Youth Valley Share New Single

Grecian popsters Youth Valley really have the charms to get us into the rest of this week; they’re bringing in this delightful new track, with promises that their will be more like-minded gems come the release of their LP this Winter. Listening, there’s definitely something faintly Morrissey in the vocals (before we all decided that guy was awful); they have this shyness to them that seems fitting for the band’s lyrical parable on how we’ve all grown to shy to go out and enjoy the night. And, if the voice wasn’t enough to seduce you, listen to the sharpness of those guitar chords, dancing and distorting in the distance, twirling their little fingers through your hair, playfully; it’s all sheer charm, and I can’t wait to hear more from the outfit.

The Umbrellas Return with New 7″

A little less than a year after their stunning debut, San Francisco’s The Umbrellas return with a bopping new tune, and a new 7″ to get in your collection. What I love about this new track is that you can trace the breadcrumbs back to the self-titled LP, but the sound feels sonically, well, different. The sharp jangles are a little less present, changed in favor of a fuzzier blast of guitar work, pushed forth with a little bit more rhythmic urgency. Still, the band don’t stray too far from the playful melodic harmonies, which is where you can hear the ties to their earlier work; it fills the stomping interlude as guitars scream behind it! The new 7″ is out on June 24th via Slumberland Records.

Lost Film Share Big Talk Single

Jimmy Hewitt, aka Lost Film, is one of my favorite current indiepop songwriters, but he’s mostly been quiet the last few years, focusing on his great label, Relief Map. But, today a fresh new single is ready for your ears, built with “not much more than an electric guitar, a drum machine and distorted synthesizers.” The simplistic beat just keeps your toes tapping and your head bobbing, while the dreamier guitar edges wrap themselves around each melodic note Hewitt has created. Jimmy’s voice takes the track into that hazy jangle sound, dreamily draped over that natural kick. Looks like this song is part of a greater collection of tunes written during the pandemic, so we’ll keep you posted as we hear more.

Say Sue Me Share No Real Place Single

South Korea’s Say Sue Me has written a lot of great tracks over the years, but for my ears, this might be one of the tops, if not THE top. I love the energetic roll in that begins immediately, with Sumi’s voice hitting you right away, speedily delivering the relatable lyrical content about missing someone. There’s this natural hook that’s superseding everything else around the song, but that doesn’t mean that the thumping drums or the dancing guitar work go unnoticed; it’s just hard to focus as you’re so seduced by the incessant joy jumping through your speakers. The band release The Last Thing Left this Friday via Damnably!

Letting Up Despite Great Faults Share She Spins Video

Our friends in Letting Up Despite Great Faults just returned from what I hope was an excellent tour with our other friends Blushing. In their pocket is a brand new video for “She Spins” off their most recent IV LP, which gives us an extra excuse to hype the band and their record. This song’s got a delicious bit of guitar work, jangling in the perfect way from the get-go. As the track moves forward, you get great vocal interplay between Mike and Annah, the band’s bread and butter. Today’s Bandcamp Friday, so if you love the tune, why not grab their LP? It’s good…just don’t leave it unattended in your car overnight in Texas!

Red Sleeping Beauty Drop Single w/ Amelia Fletcher

It’s hard to not fawn over a track that takes Red Sleeping Beauty‘s pop craftsmanship then throws in the marvelous support of Amelia Fletcher (Swansea Sound/Heavenly/Catenary Wires) on vocals. The thumping drumbeat gets us started, with a stuttering guitar line faintly toying in the background while the vocals enter pushing the accompanying guitar bits towards more of an outright jangle. When the chorus hits, the vocals get textured backing and the arrangements swell, building it into this indiepop gem that’s going to resonate with all sorts of pop fans. This glorious pop song comes to you courtesy of Matinee Recordings.

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.

Jeanines Drop Who’s in the Dark Single

I’m not going to lie; I thought there wouldn’t be a finer pop tune this year after hearing “Any Day Now,” but it seems that Jeanines were intent upon topping even their own great pop, and we’ve got it below. Alicia Jeanine’s vocal performance instantly pulls at you, coming off like some angelic Nico impersonator; Jed’s backing vocals add a slight buoyancy too, as if the track needed it. Amidst all the frantic jangle and succinct drum work, Alicia hits these high notes meant to shatter your heart with their perfect tonality. Then, a quick summary warmly wraps up the tune and its title, leaving you with the perfect piece of pop to put in your pocket and take out when in need of a little joy. Just another stellar example to get you excited to pick up Don’t Wait for a Sign, out April 22nd via Slumberland.

Jeanines Share Don’t Wait For a Sign

It’s only March, and it seems like my record collection is being dominated by the excellent year Slumberland Records is putting out…and the Jeanines new LP might just be the icing on this early 2022 cake. On this go round, the band sort of swoosh their way into the melody, sort of creating this sideways shimmy that has you pulling off some hipster hand jive with one leg jerking this way and that. The emphatic stomp of the drums punctuates Alicia’s vocal deliver, teasing what might otherwise be deemed a chorus. I love the tempo and directional twist just before the 1 minute mark, sweeping in with this charming refrain of endearment: “you’ll find me here.” Don’t Wait for a Sign is out on April 22nd via Slumberland.

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