Late to the Party: Crumbs

Our friends over at Skep Wax sent us an early listen to Crumbs a few weeks back, but in being up-front, it got buried at the bottom of the emails that I just finally made my way through; I knew it would be good, so I suppose my brain wasn’t in a rush! We’ve got two great tracks you should turn up, with both really having this stomping bit of drum work that’s totally driving my adoration of their sound. That thump gets counteracted by the group’s guitar work, knifing its way in with a sharp twist that guarantees punk sounds will live on here. If Ruth’s vocal performance doesn’t fit the icing on the cake cliche, well, then perhaps you’ve got bad taste. Crumbs will release You’re Just Jealous on May 10th via the aforementioned Skep Wax.

Skep Wax Announce Under the Bridge 2

How does a label follow up a brilliant compilation like Under the Bridge? Well, Skep Wax aims to double down on their foray into the compilation world by tossing us Under the Bridge 2. If you thought they had heavy-hitters from the Sarah Records catalogue in round one, you won’t be surprised to find acts like the Hit Parade or St Christopher nestling up to acts like the Orchids and Boyracer. It’s basically a who’s-who of your indiepop heroes, working together again to shine a light on the genre. You’ll get a casual ballad opening the door to the new LP courtesy of the Gentle Spring, then its spun right around into the rambunctious jangling of Action Painting! Also, Skep Wax always does really cool things, so they’re hosting a live listening party featuring a lot of the artists, so you’ll want to RSVP for that event on April 5th; the LP is out the following day!

Check Out Panic Pocket’s Ode to Mr. Big

I dare you to find a catchier ode to Sex and the City (and Mr. Big) than this new single from Panic Pocket. Driving distorted rhythms and snappy drum fills pave the way for Nat and Sophie to let their vocals intermingle. Of course, there’s a playfulness to the tune, particularly when you listen closely to all the S &C nods, though they seem pertinent in any romantic pursuit as well. All this said, and I can’t come back to why I love Panic Pocket; the vocals seem diametrically opposed; you get a sort of steady deepness in one voice, and a punkish riot girl growl on the other, set against one another in a manner that allows the joy to shine right on through. If you’re digging this, you’ll likely dig the group’s Mad Half Hour, out now via Skep Wax.

Swansea Sound Share Keep Your Head On Video

Indiepop supergroup Swansea Sound will have a new record out later this year, so in the meantime they’re here to encourage your fandom by sharing their latest single. In contrast to their debut album Live at the Rum Puncheon, this song seems a bit more stationary, playing up the vocal interplay between Amelia and Huw rather than rocking with a frantic pace. There’s definitely a stomping bit that comes with the chorus, as they’re every-bit a rock band, but you can feel the natural swing in the songwriting, bringing about a sweeter bit of movement. Also, looks like they’ve expanded the lineup to include a certain Bob Collins; he seems real cool. They’ll release Twentieth Century this September via their Skep Wax label!

Heavenly Announce Le Jardin de Heavenly Reissue

If ever there was a band that deserved the full reissue treatment, it’s Heavenly. Luckily, the band have opted to handle these reissues on their own Skep Wax label, with indiepop classic Le Jardin de Heavenly the next up on the list of releases. This record is the one most adored, and admittedly, it does have my absolute favorite song from the band “So Little Deserve” in the tracklist (I’m still partial to Heavenly vs Satan though!). The original LP was co-released by K Records and Sarah Records, so you can clearly hear the impact of early DIY pop in these songs. This is one that can’t be missed, so be sure to order your copy from Skep Wax; it should arrive to you around May 12th!

 

Swansea Sound Share Video for Music Lover

A few weeks back we shared a new single from our friends in Swansea Sound; it was a stellar rock number attached to a Christmas single for the Holidays. Well, the band enjoy keeping things old-school DIY, and they’ve made their own video with the song’s stars: Daniel Ek, The Zuck, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. The video features raining Bitcoin running like a spinning slot machine, with Ek, Bezos and the Zuck banging out the tune. But, you’ve got to wait for Elon’s dance solo near the song’s end. So, before you run out and post your Spotify Festival lineup, jam to someone still willing to take the piss out of the man! Oh…and keep in mind that the EP comes with a signed Christmas Card…and let’s not forget their label Skep Wax is also responsible for reissuing all those great Heavenly LPs, which I forgot to mention weeks ago.

Swansea Sound Share Music Lover Single

A year ago to this very day, we here at ATH, in conjunction with Skep Wax and other friends, helped Swansea Sound get their debut LP out into the world. Well, today we’re here to share a brand new single from the band; it’s a straight pop rock ripper that’s taking the piss out of all those pocketing dollars on the backs of artists (and football players too). Hue’s rocking the lead vocals, but behind the chugging guitars you can hear Amelia offering up an added layer of sweetness…a surefire way to charm this listener. This track appears on the Music Lover EP, with a couple of added holiday tunes done up in Swansea style, all courtesy of Skep Wax!

Marlody Shares Summer Video

Skep Wax is on a tear as of late, with reissues for Heavenly, and now they’re prepping the debut album for Marlody, coming at you early next year. Today they share the lead single, leading us down a path or ornate keyboard playing and soothing melody work from the vocals. While the tune definitely hangs in this realm of ballad work, there’s something meditative in the way the keyboard patterns seem to overlap, lulling you into some sort of trance that forces your attention on the voice and lyrics. It’s video accompaniment takes on this sort of ghostly atmosphere, as if we’re in some sort of earthly purgatory, stuck between two worlds that seem to trip upon one another. If you’re into it, Marlody will release I’m Not Sure at All on January 13th via Skep Wax.

The Orchids Share I Never Thought I Was Clever Video

Earlier this year, the Orchids made a bold return with their brilliant new Dreaming Kind LP; the record is full of great pop tunes, and we get a chance to reinforce that today by sharing the video for “I Never Thought I Was Clever.” The video captures a blossoming relationship, spliced with some live footage and a little political nod; it’s great storytelling if you’re here for that. Me, I just love the tune. It takes a minute to really dive into the meat of the track, offering a silky little vocal over light accompaniment from the group. Just as you creep towards the 1 minute mark, the drums pick up and the song turns into this wistful pop tune that will carry you into daydream nation. Spend time with the song, the video, then get a copy of the LP, which is out now via Skep Wax!

European Sun Share There Is No News Single

While we patiently await the follow-up to their self-titled debut album, European Sun have decided to tease us with a new single that will come on their new LP, When Britain Was Great. Personally, I love the storytelling aspect of Steven Miles lyrical work; it’s something that just seems so simplistic in nature, yet stuns in this presentation. Behind Miles you get the rollicking swagger of accomplished musicianship from Rob Pursey, Ian Button and Amelia Fletcher; it’s got a mixture of punk flavor with that sort of ramshackle flare…though we all know with these songwriters, nothing ever just gets thrown together. Plus, I love the idea of a world where there is no news, where we can just breathe and be. Guess we’ll have to wait until the new LP to see if that’s the case! For now, you can get commemorative coasters and magnets from Skep Wax.

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