Tag: matinee recordings

Did You Listen to Azure Blue’s The Night of the Stars?

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It’s been a busy December on my end, so I apologize if I haven’t hyped up this new Azure Blue record enough. The Night of the Stars hit just over a week ago, and it’s possibly my favorite work of Tobias Isaksson’s ongoing project. While he’s been dabbling in building electronic hooks over the years, I’m not sure he’s had the perfect pop song like “The Miracle,” which I’ve got streaming below; it’s got a thumping drive to it, matched by gentle vocals…and even gets a little horn work in there, for all you nostalgic pop fans. “Under the Stars” is another standout, hitting you with synthetic pop from the moment you press play; the song then churns in on itself and delivers a smooth undercurrent that soothes and bubbles the way pop should. The Night of the Stars is available now through Matinee Recordings; stream the whole thing HERE.

Azure Blue Offer Visions and Themes

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Our old pal Tobias Isaksson and his Azure Blue project are out with a brand new single, a prelude to a fresh LP dropping at the end of November. As always, Tobias specializes in driving synth pop with massive hooks, and it’s interesting to hear the darkened tones on the beat work this go round. The song manages to balance that with a softer wash of keys on the top layer, then letting Isaksson bringing in more warmth through his vocal delivery too. I love the energy of this tune too, as it feels more like a punching club banger, adding to our Friday energy once you turn the volume knob to the right. The Night of the Stars will drop on November 22nd via Hybris/Matinee/Anna Logue.

Bubblegum Lemonade Share To Leave Is to Die a Little

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It’s a jangle out there folks, and what better way than to circle back and indulge your sweet-tooth with the hook-laden pop of Bubblegum Lemonade. On this new single, the jangling riffs are definitely in full-effect, but the playfulness that Laz always employs seems to come in the backing vocal style that cruises through this track; it provides the perfect accent to the major melodic hook, and only proves to me how much joy this group brings to the table. The tune even gets a little fleshed out vocal breakdown with Laz’s counterpart, adding yet another layer to his delectable craft. This song appears on Lawrence of Arabia, which comes out via Matinee Recordings on November 6th.

Bubblegum Lemonade Releases Love’s Young Nightmare EP

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Another morning treat as I opened the inbox was a fresh batch of tunes from Bubblegum Lemonade; the opening track is one of the singles from the forthcoming Lawrence of Suburbia LP. That opening single sees Laz playing in power-pop mode, albeit still dripping with the melodic sweetness of his earlier work. It does fit right into the vein of where a lot of the pop resurgence comes from, but there are some special treats from the non-album cuts featured here. Personally, I’m drawn to “America Calling” as the song features Sandra from Strawberry Whiplash lending her powerful pipes to build the hooks. Can’t wait to hear the entirety of this new album, but for now, a sprinkle of new music is just the right touch for a Friday. Music on the Love’s Young Nightmare EP brought to you by Matinee Recordings.

Azure Blue Share Three Times the Drama

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There’s always going to be room on these pages for pulsing indiepop, especially if it comes from Azure Blue. Today, we’re stoked to share another single from the new LP, with the beat and shimmering wash of keys really lighting up the pop sensation. While the song’s locked into an upbeat musical vibe, the tune’s a dedication to songwriter Tobias Isaksson’s mother, who recently passed away; it’s clear he’s trying to find the light through his craft, as he’s done so well here. Listen really closely too, as you’ll hear some really special detailing that only a craftsman like Isaksson could pull off. This single drops courtesy of Matinee Recordings, with the new album, The Night of the Stars, scheduled to drop later this year!

Red Sleeping Beauty Return with Summer House

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It’s the start of the month, so that means we get to celebrate a new tune from Red Sleeping Beauty, as they continue with their “One Single a Month” series. This go round, the band are delving into a more sedate version of synth pop, as they’ve peeled back the upbeat nature to replace it with a wash of atmosphere and a shining piano line. Going about it in this manner allows the listener to sink into the tune, maybe even cozy up on the couch as you dive into the listen. And, in the end, you’re rewarded with delighting vocal melodies, which really seem to be the band’s bread-and-butter going forward. Bonus news for those collectors is you can grab this tune on the Summer House EP, which you can order from Matinee Recordings.

Red Sleeping Beauty Ask Is This Love

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Challenging themselves to write get out one song a month for the year, Red Sleeping Beauty have another pop ditty to slide into your rotation. A dancing little line jumps you right into the track, before being met by a quick wash of keys that cleanse your palate as the song slides into subtle disco pop. I love the fusion of the electronic elements with this jangling guitar line that hangs about in the distance; you tie it all together and you have this freeing moment of melody that should have you spinning about with your arms out wide like a helicopter, ready to take off into the weekend. Track comes courtesy of the band and Matinee Recordings.

Bubblegum Lemonade Share Fresh Single

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There’s always room in my listening rotation for Laz and Bubblegum Lemonade; Laz has been blending his love for classic guitar pop with modern indie pop, and this new tune’s the perfect example. There’s a nice little thumping drum setting the tempo, as a guitar rides right atop, opening the track into this twisting breed of jangling guitar pop. Despite the natural lightheartedness in the tune, some of the guitars take on some heavier psychedelic notes that really flesh the tune out beyond your average fare. There’s also this cool driving stomp that kicks in just around the 2 minute mark that was a total ear-worm. This track features on the Out There on the Radio EP, out Friday via Matinee Recordings. An LP is expected later this year!

Bubblegum Lemonade Return with Never Have I Ever EP

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It’s been a minute since we’ve heard the charming voice of Laz and his project, Bubblegum Lemonade, but man, what a way to return. I’m immediately drawn to the guitar sound, as I’m sure many of the pop aficionados will be too! Then there’s something really special about the his voice seems to rush into the verses, only to turn into a gentle melody a few syllables later, buoyed by sublime backing vocals. Plus, there’s a nice little mid-tune change around the 1:20 mark that gives a nice little emphatic bit of harmony to the song before dancing its way into a handclap-laden solo. Always love his work; the Never Have I Ever EP is out via Matinee Recordings, with a brand new LP slated to come out later in the year!

Northern Portrait Announce New Album, Share Single

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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.

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