Niek

New album: Thine Retail Simps || Strike Gold, Strike Back, Strike Out

Album numbers three is a thrilling ride through Retail Simps' Garageland

By / / Blues & Roots, Funk & Soul, Garage Rock, Psych, Punk / Leave a Comment

The opening line of the new Retail Simps LP hits you straight away: “We’re a garage band, we’re from Garageland.” But make no mistake, this isn’t your typical garage band. Beyond the shifting names — from Tha Retail Simpson on their 2022 debut, to Theee Retail Simps on their 2023 follow-up, and now Thine Retail Simps, the group from Montreal stands out for its creativity and ability to concoct exhilarating blends from whatever they’ve got lying around in their sonic garage. I’m going for garage-punk-R&B-psych-and-soul, just to be done of with, because really, this is one of those records you need to experience and just make your own mind up on what to call it.

Strike Gold, Strike Back, Strike Out is a wild, chaotic trip through Garageland, where anything goes, and the biggest sin is being boring. Thine Retail Simps push the edges of familiar soundscapes, smashing them together into a potent cocktail that might be too intense for some but downright thrilling for others. Count me in the latter group for sure!

The band loops back to their opening line on the album’s closer, Duckland $imps (Out) — a loose and playful track on an album full of them. They thank the listener, saying, “We put a lot of hard work into this record and we hope you like it.” Honestly, it feels unnecessary after the impressive collection of songs that came before. Still, it adds to the charm of a band that not only put in the effort but clearly had a blast doing so.

LP out today on Total Punk Records.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New: Geishas Of Doom || Jur

Geishas Of Doom honor a local legend with their raw, psychedelic hardcore

By / / Psych, Punk / Leave a Comment

Geishas Of Doom (G.O.D.), the masters of chaos in the Dutch underground, dedicate their latest album to Jur Scherpenzeel, the man behind the iconic Amsterdam blues venue Maloe Melo – described by the band as “one of the last men standing in the Dutch cultural live scene,”

Jur has been a pillar of the community —just like G.O.D. themselves. While some might say G.O.D. represents the last of a dying breed, I’d rather view them as role models. They, along with figures like Jur, are proof that the underground scene isn’t dead — it’s alive and kicking, and a welcoming place for anyone who wants to contribute. Their passion shows that whether you’re playing in a band, booking gigs, or just sharing music, there’s always room to make a difference.

But let’s get back to the music. Jur is a wild, psychedelic hardcore album filled with raw energy and love for the craft. It’s got 9 intense tracks, capped by a final song longer than the rest of the album combined. If you’re looking for an album to lose yourself in, this is it. Check it out, and if you can, catch them live. As the band themselves say: “GOD is love, and JUR forever.”


Add to Wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Log Flume || Splash Hit!

From hooky geek rock anthems to big guitar moments, Log Flume delivers on killer debut album

By / / Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

Chester County (PA) quartet Log Flume make a splash with Splash Hit!, their debut album that’s way easier to love than it is to Google. Speaking of which, did you know the first modern log flume ride, El Aserradero, opened at Six Flags Over Texas in 1963?

Back to the music! Log Flume blend breezy ’90s power pop with contemporary indie punk in a way that’s bound to melt the hearts of power-pop fans and give geek rockers a confidence boost worldwide. Their sound is polished but packs a punch, with palm-muted guitars trading off with huge, anthemic riffs. The hooks are impossible to escape, and the vocal harmonies will make you want to join in, even if you, like me, are tone-deaf.

Hit play on OMIT and you’ll stumble upon a rockin’ guitar pop anthem that feels timeless. This gem lands early on the album, right where the band fully hits its stride. It’s preceded by the alt-pop standout At Your Leisure, and after it comes another highlight in Wilted Dream.

By the end of the record, even though theme parks aren’t my thing, I’ve become a full-fledged Log Flume fan. A second listen reveals all the nuances — like how opener Angel’s Flight nails the Bandwagonesque-era Teenage Fanclub sound, or how DB Cooper is a punky power-pop delight. The 90-second Rom Pom Pom builds tension for a full minute before delivering its cathartic payoff, and Elevator Up wraps up Splash Hit! with an explosive finish.

Fun band, killer debut!



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Hakan || EP#2

One of Italy’s finest pop punk bands drops a short and sweet new EP in anticipation of their fifth album

By / / Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

Good news #1: Italy’s pop punk heroes, Hakan, have a new record on the horizon (yet to be announced).
Good news #2: They’ve just dropped a fresh 7″ via Madrid’s Jarama 45RPM Records!

Hakan has never been one for fancy titles. Their four albums are simply named Hakan, Hakan II, Hakan III, and Hakan Manifesto. Their latest EP follows suit with the minimalist moniker EP#2, because, well, it’s their second EP (following their 2020 Drunk Dial entry).

EP#2 packs six explosive, minute-long pop punk bursts, delivering everything you love about Hakan. Tracks like Living In America and the earwormyRocco Baroque are quintessentially Hakan, while the other four songs keep things catchy but take a slightly slower pace. Not sure if these six songs are leftovers from their upcoming album sessions, but if they are, Hakan V is shaping up to be an absolute banger!


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Being Dead || EELS

A quirky and timeless ride through garage pop and beyond

By / / Country & Folk, Garage Rock, Indie Pop, Psych / Leave a Comment

After last year’s strong debut, Texas duo Juli Keller and Cody Dosier (aka Falcon Bitch & Shmoofy) return with their sophomore LP, EELS – and are joined by Nicole Roman-Johnston. The record is highly enjoyable, largely thanks to the band’s fearless experimentation with different sounds and vibes while still making the whole album feel like a cohesive collection of timeless pop songs.

I’d categorize this as garage pop, but it’s a delight for fans of surf, psych, and sunshine pop too. Plus, if you’re into boy-girl harmonies, EELS delivers some of the finest and sweetest in recent memory. Tracks like Blanket of My Bone and Big Bovine are standout examples. But there is much more to like. Nightvision starts with a dreamy, choir-like 50-second intro before exploding into an indie pop banger. Then there’s Rock’n’Roll Hurts, which is so catchy it’ll make you laugh and feel a little melancholic at the same time, seamlessly transitioning into the indie-punk hit Love Machine. On EELS, a fresh, exciting tune is always waiting just around the corner, ready to surprise you.

LP and CD out now on Bayonet Records.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: The Collect Pond || Lightbreaker

Boston band bring suspense in their raw sound on album number three

By / / Alternative Rock, Indie Rock / Leave a Comment

The Collect Pond bring a raw, noisy energy to their latest album Lightbreaker, but their subdued, low-mixed vocals and airy song dynamics soften the sharpest edges, creating an intriguing sense of tension throughout. Given the album’s richness, its brevity caught me by surprise — it feels both full and fleeting. This is the band’s third album, and the first one that truly resonates with me. I’m really digging its lo-fi, jangly indie rock vibe and the punchy energy it delivers.



The Collect Pond (Boston) consists of Danny Moffat (vocals/guitar), Roger Maranan (bass/keys), Rob Carrington (drums), and Ben Bonadies (guitar/bass). Lightbreaker is out now on Candlepin Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New compilation: Various Artists || Tales of a Kitchen Porter

Dandy Boy Records delivers a heartfelt Cleaners From Venus tribute with Tales of a Kitchen Porter

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / 1 Comment

For over four decades, the eccentric, jangly lo-fi pop poets Cleaners From Venus have been coveted by crate diggers and provided a blueprint for countless musicians. It makes sense, then, that when Dandy Boy Records offered the chance to record a tribute compilation, a well of eager talent jumped at the opportunity. Enter Tales of a Kitchen Porter, a love letter to the Cleaners’ discography.

As mentioned in last week’s Gimme 5 feature with Sob Stories’ Joel Cusumano, we’re thrilled that so many of the artists on this comp are Wantlist alumni — Chime School, Sob Stories, Nic Hessler, Whitney’s Playland, Owen Adair Kelley, The Smashing Times, Flowertown, and Yea-Ming and the Rumours — this is an all-star lineup.

What makes these covers truly shine is that the musicians don’t just mimic the originals; they make them their own. There’s no parody or paint-by-numbers play here, just heartfelt tributes that breathe new life into these beloved songs. The compilation serves not only as a celebration of Cleaners From Venus but also as a snapshot of the thriving contemporary underground pop and jangle scenes.

While familiar faces deliver in spades, added joy comes from discovering new talent like Sleepworld, Julian Never, and Inflatable Men, who contribute one of my favorite covers on the album, He’s Going Out With Marilyn.

Tales of a Kitchen Porter is out now on LP, with a bonus 7″ single.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Checkeye || Checkeye

Lo-fi coolness and quirky twists are just part of the appeal of Checkeye's self-titled EP

By / / Blues & Roots, Indie Rock, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

I have no idea who Checkeye are or where they’re from, but this self-titled (debut?) EP has been on heavy rotation today. The five tracks exude lo-fi coolness and draw from a wide array of outsider influences. Opener Haunting Me is an immediate standout, sounding like a ‘00s indie rock band experimenting with ‘70s power pop, eventually finding a sweet spot somewhere in between.

The EP continues with Heart Of It All and Gary Trago, two quirky, delightful tracks filled with inventive instrumentation, groovy rhythms, and enough twists and turns to keep listeners hooked. Waiting For The Bus and Holding On, the final two tracks, take a more laid-back approach, giving the EP a bit more breathing room and layering in classic rhythm and blues influences.

Checkeye is definitely a band to keep an eye on. Their debut EP is out now on tape via Clean Demon Records.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Feeling Figures || Everything Around You

Duct-taped brilliance: Feeling Figures' sophomore pre-debut shines

By / / Garage Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Psych, Punk / Leave a Comment

Feeling Figures left a strong impression with Migration Magic, but here’s the twist: before their debut even hit the airwaves, the Montreal band had another album ready to go. Now, they’ve just unleashed Everything Around You, the rare “sophomore pre-debut” album.

Like Migration Magic, this new release is packed with quirky, outsider tunes. Feeling Figures are sonic treasure hunters, digging up inspiration where others don’t even bother to look. They piece together these influences into a lo-fi, sweet-and-sour pop masterpiece. Expect a wild mashup of punk, C86, psych, jangle, and post-punk—duct-taped together in a perfectly chaotic way. Tracks often start slow, but explode in unpredictable bursts, with guitar freakouts and sudden tempo shifts lurking in the shadows, ready to jolt you awake. Just take a listen to the strong opening duo of tracks Co-Operator and Doors Wide Open, and it quickly becomes clear why there is so much buzz around this band.

Everything Around You is out now on Perennial Death and K Records.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: Bambies || Snotty Angels

Montreal garage pop'n'roll three-piece turns up the heat with new album

By / / Garage Rock, Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

Montreal’s three-piece Bambies are back with Snotty Angels, the follow-up to their 2021 late-summer gem Summer Soon, and it’s out now via Spaghetty Town Records and Wanda Records. After spinning the record all weekend, I can confidently say it grows better with each listen. Snotty Angels is a feverish garage-pop-punk’n’roll fiesta that delivers snotty vocals, rock ‘n’ roll guitars, and a pulse-quickening energy. These are highly infectious tunes coming straight from a badly contaminated sonic hotspot.

The album kicks off with a late ‘70s pop-punk and power-pop punch right out of the gate, as Devolution, Love Bite, and Mute form a 1-2-3 knockout combination. Toward the end, Other Crime brings some Exploding Hearts vibes, while tracks like Kiss In The Dust and No Front Teeth lean into a more straightforward pop-punk style à la Screeching Weasel and The Apers. Whether you’re into hook-heavy melodies or raucous energy, there’s something for everyone on this record — just as long as you like it loud and brimming with swagger.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Wanda || Spaghetty Town

Scroll to Top