Last Week’s Jams Today (8.8 – 8.12)

We cover a lot of tunes here, but in looking back at last week’s jams, there were so many hits that popped up on our pages. You wanna dance a little? Try the new Cool Sounds or the Dare? Looking for a little wayward jangle? Try on Old Moon or the Slow Summits! Maybe you just want classic pop? Well, check out those Alvvays and Elizabeth tracks! Wait, you need a reissue? Well, there’s great stuff coming out from the Variable Stars and Self Improvement! Plus, we had mellow jams from Old Fire and Kramies, to hit all the right notes. Just hit play and enjoy yourself while I get ready for the first day of school!

Pleased to Meet You: The Variable Stars

One of the great things about the last 30 years is the ease with which we can dig out old files and tapes and give them a proper re-release, which is how I came upon The Variable Stars. Our friends over at Recorded Psychic Readings reached out to let us know they’d be dropping a tape from the Bay-area bands early recordings. Take a listen to either of the songs below and you’ll surely see where I fell in love here; it’s got the charm of the Pastels or Comet Gain, albeit with just the faintest hint of modern indiepop. Honestly, I love how the vocalist seem to perfectly compliment one another, particularly when they’re uniting for a nice melodic push. If, like me, you hadn’t heard of this band, well, spend some time streaming these bops! All Signs Point to Life will be out this Friday!