Indie Pop

New single: Swansea Sound || Markin’ It Down

By / / Indie Pop / Leave a Comment

As a collector I regularly visit record stores, which makes it easy for me to lose myself in the experiences so starkly depicted in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity and Rachel Joyce’s The Music Shop. Thanks-no-thanks to Discogs, every seller knows the top price these days, so you’ll hardly stumble upon any bargains anymore, although Hue Williams may know where you can still find them. In a new video we see him as an eager customer in a second-hand record shop, in duet with an everything-already-heard-unimpressed Amelia Fletcher behind the counter, and their fellow band members who hum along to the infectious chorus.

You’ll recognize Welsh indie pop supergroup Swansea Sound, who’ll give one of the standout songs from their sophomore Twentieth Century LP an extra life on Record Store Day, and that’s appropriate and appreciated in every respect.

Markin’ It Down will be released on April 20, 2024 (Record Store Day), digitally and as a limited edition lathe-cut 7″ vinyl single, through Skep Wax Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Shopfires || Shopfires

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

Shopfires is the solo recording project of British singer-songwriter Neil Hill, his self-titled debut album is DIY bedroom pop at its charming best. We get eight lo-fi indie pop tunes – warm and melancholic, but above all atmospheric – with a few spoken soundcapes that enhance a cinematic feel. Unignorable sounds color outside the lines in the background, but it’s the jangly guitar melodies and hazy vocals in the foreground that settle between your ears. The ideal soundtrack to the tasteful lyrics: “Take these summer bruises // Inexcusable excuses // I’ve never really found a way // To make it through another day // Without you, without you.”



Shopfires’ self-titled album is out now digitally and on CD through Subjangle.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Dez Rocksteady || Hardcore Punk

By / / Indie Pop / Leave a Comment

Let’s start with a obligatory message to manage expectations: this (digital) song collection called Hardcore Punk is definitely not hardcore punk (and not rocksteady either by the way) – the twenty original tunes here could rather be labeled as acoustic indie folk or lo-fi slacker pop. It is the DIY work of prolific British singer-songwriter Dez Rocksteady aka The Sweety Guy aka Dale Mitchell, who also shared a 19-track LP titled Desmond a month ago. The new hour of music is quirky and charming and witty and personal and appealing – just like the cover art maybe a bit weird, but that’s totally OK. The four closing songs were recorded live at Adams, and sound even more as if the artist is standing close to you.




Hardcore Punk, written, composed, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Dez Rocksteady, is out now digitally (self-released).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: R.E. Seraphin || Fool’s Mate

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

R.E. Seraphin returns to the wantlist with his sophomore LP Fool’s Mate. Then again, it’s not like the Gimme 5! alumn ever left our site. This also applies to his music, which is of the kind that slowly gets under your skin and ultimately settles for a permanent spot somewhere between your brain and heart regions.

Following that trajectory, Seraphin’s new LP Fool’s Mate is build on introverted allure rather than extraverted charisma. Together with his bandmates (that includes members of Chime School, Sob Stories, and Al Harper), Seraphin lets the music do the talking. And clearly, a lot of care went into the construction of these songs, with each member getting ample room to let their talent shine wherever they desire. There is a lot to unpack here and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface after a couple of listens. Seraphin et al. draw you into their intimate world that is characterized by hushed vocals and subtle yet rich instrumentation. It has a quiet intensity that speaks volumes.

On Fool’s Mate, R.E. Saraphin transcends the power pop of his past releases – the instant hit Bound is probably closest to that sound, and creates something unique and distinct in today’s musical landscape. Let’s call it quality indie pop, but it’s very much its own thing, a product of creative ambition and freedom. Worth diving into for sure!

For more on the new album, read this insightful interview at Paperface zine. Fool’s Mate is out today on Safe Suburban Home and Take a Turn Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Safe Suburban Home

New album: Mr Ben & the Bens || Small Wide World

By / / Country & Folk, Indie Pop / Leave a Comment

After a well-earned hiatus during 2023, prolific British singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Mr Ben aka Ben Hall is back with the new album Small Wide World, also featuring Tom Diffenthal (guitar, piano, keys) and Zac Barfoot (drums). We get ten original indie folk songs with a psychedelic or baroque touch and lots of sunshine, songs that at different times bring different pieces of pop history to mind without being able to pinpoint exactly who or what. Vintage drum machines, sparkling acoustics, wiry synths and compelling vocals provide a warm and rich sound – this is a varied, thoughtful and charming listening experience.



Small Wide World, produced by David Glover, is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Bingo Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Baby Combat || A is for Average

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

Baby Combat is the indie rock solo project of Portland, Oregon-based songwriter/singer/guitarist Noel Yeo (also in Supersloth and Shelves), I guess named after that Metric tune. It started ambitiously a few years ago with releasing a fresh single every month (collected on the 12 LP), now there’s the new EP A is for Average. Its five original songs reflect a period of soul-searching, in a poetic and relatable way – captivating from the first notes and words: “It’s not fame I seek // Or the love it brings” (from standout opening track Blackout Drunk Comedy). I’m intrigued by how the musician uses his voice, but also by the clear and effective instrumentation and the amazing artwork. Not average at all.


A is for Average is out now digitally (self-released).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Kid Chameleon || In Pursuit Of The Cedars (IV) LP

By / / Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

Kid Chameleon is a sneaky good jangly guitar pop project out of Sheffield (UK) with a back catalogue that is a treasure cove of gems. The latest album by the prolific Liam James Marsh- the Bandcamp page lists seven additional projects he is or was involved in, is In Pursuit Of The Cedars. It is a wonderful collection of songs and another example of how each subsequent Kid Chameleon record is just a touch better than the previous one.

Marsh wrote and scrapped most of the music a year ago, then revisited and finished In Pursuit Of The Cedars early 2024. The record is instantly enjoyable, but given the lo-fi yet warm production and the subtle songwriting, it actually is a grower. Close your eyes and envision these songs with a fuller, electrified band sound and it’s the best Teenage Fanclub record you haven’t heard yet. But it’s not just sonically that Kid Chameleon delivers, the lyrical content invites introspection and contemplation, adding an extra layer of depth to appreciate. Impressive stuff!



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

Gimme 5! Dylan Gamez Citron (bedbug) Shares Five Off-The-Radar Albums

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

With ‘Gimme 5!’ we take a peek into the collections of artists we admire. The premise is simple: artists WE like share five records THEY love.

This Friday, bedbug will release their fourth album “pack your bags, the sun is growing” at Disposable America.If you are looking for high quality indie rock with classic emo tendencies, make a mental note to check it out later this week.

Bedbug started out as a solo project by Dylan Gamez Citron, and the new album is their first full band studio recording. On the record, bedbug has retained the heart, intimacy and spontaneity of home recording, but the record also feels thoughtful, layered and varied and, honestly, I have a soft spot for the spine tingling guitar parts.

Leading up to the release, we reached out to bedbug founding member Dylan Gamez Citron to share their influences. Listen to one of the teaser tracks of “pack your bags, the sun is growing” – pre-order here, and continue below to read and listen to the 5 picks of Citron.

…

Gimme 5! Dylan Gamez Citron (bedbug) Shares Five Off-The-Radar AlbumsRead More »

New EP: The Klittens || Butter

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

Amsterdam quintet The Klittens straddle a thin yet exciting line between being pop enough to reel in huge crowds, and edgy enough to remain underground stars. The band’s second EP is out now, and is comprised of post-punk infused indie pop songs that can be appreciated for their instrumentation and execution but they also beckon you to move.

Reading Material is a festival anthem in the making with its contagious talksingy call-and-response lyrics. It’s an extremely fun song, but I think Universal Experience is the prize track for me as it showcases all of the best parts of The Klittens.

The Klittens have an undeniable cool factor, and you kinda know they are going to blow up sooner or later. The Butter EP may very well prove to be the spark to light the fuse.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Teini-Pää || Mietin Minne Meet

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

I’m defenseless against the irresistible tunes of Teini-Pää. Both of the Finnish band’s full-lengths landed on my AOTY lists, and today brings a surprise release of a new four-song EP, Mietin Minne Meet – In English: I wonder where you’re going.

The four new songs are pure ear candy. Teini-Pää essentially create pop songs with a relatively clean sound and lovely vocals. What sets them apart from bands like Alvvays is their pop-punk energy, giving their songs a satisfying punch and an invigorating effect. Most tracks are upbeat, and rather than slowing down to a more mainstream or trendy sound I admire the band’s dedication to a formula that clearly works for them.

I have no idea how big this band is in their homeland, and singing in Finnish might pose a challenge for their international appeal, but honestly, given their tunes, this band should be huge.

The Mietin Minne Meet EP is out now on 7-inch vinyl through US label Vague Absolutes, and digitally through Soit Se Silti.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

Scroll to Top