The pride of Oxford is back with a shoegaze extra dream poppy wonder of a record. Ride continues to completely amaze me with their ability to stand, Colossus-like, over the last four decades. Interplay has more pop sound than their previous record and it is most welcome. The opening track sets the perfect tone...
The soothing soulful sounds of Erika De Casier's latest album, Still, is just what we all need on this rainy day in Minneapolis. The Dane born in Portugal has turned out one of the top R&B albums of 2024.
Witness...
Ah, those halcyon days of CD wallet inserts that one could pour over for juicy little tidbits about the band and how they album was made. The musical project of one Pete Sagar tackles this dream on the latest Homeshake record called CD Wallet.
So so good...
Brighton's own Lime Garden have just dropped their first long player and it's official. Wonk pop is now a genre in music. One More Thing is a very unique record. At times, I felt like I was listening to a perfect melange of Kennedy Era Cool Space Pop and indie guitar rock.
Example...
Philly's own Sheer Mag are back with a wonderful record Playing Favorites. It's a garage rock lover's dream with fast paced and very loud guitar. The themes and lyrics of each of the eleven tracks are boss.
Title track...
One of London's top shoegaze and dream pop outfits, Whitelands, has a fantabulous record out called Night-Bound Eyes Are Bling To The Day. Dream pop and shoegaze lovers will rejoice at this magnificent outing filled with sonic landscapes guaranteed to oat your mind.
Opening track...
London outfit Another Sky is back with a corker of a record called Beach Day. Every track is a sweeping anthem to the various passions of life. The towering guitars are overwhelming in all the best possible ways.
Here is one of my faves, performed live a few months back.
Modern English may be best known for their mega hit "Melt With You" but they have several releases that are completely mega. Their latest record is called 1 2 3 4 and is all the 80s you could ever ask for and more. Essex unite behind your amazing lads!
Opening track...
Their latest record is called Under The Light and it's their strongest outing since Gracetown. Their uncanny ability at creating perfect pop songs is at an all time high on this album. All eleven tracks are sheer brilliance in the genre and are, quite frankly, shovel to the head stunning. OMG-the pop hooks!
Here is a great example.
Those wacky Scots, The Jesus and Mary Chain, are back with a wonderful record called Glasgow Eyes. In many ways, these lads were the original alternative or indie rock band. Their forty plus year career has consistently seen cutting edge and highly engaging music.
Here is one of my faves from the new record...
The pride of Searcy, Arkansas is back with corker of a record. Real Power is a shining example of all that is wonderful and amazing about Gossip. And it's a surefire footmover!
Opening track...
The pride of Birmingham, Alabama is back with Tigers Blood, yet another shining example of why Waxahatchee should be in continuous rotation on our musical players. Katie and Co. are deeply tapped into Americana, meaning all the hopes, dreams, fear and love contained therein.
Witness!
The self-titled debut record from South Africa's own Tyla is out and it has taken the world by storm. She's managed to combine R&B, pop and African rhythms into a simply gorgeous blend of sonic power.
Completely dig this track...
Liverpool's own Cast is back with Love Is The Call, their first long player in seven years. The eleven tracks on this magnificent album are a solid reminder why the Brit Rock genre isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's more glorious than ever!
The opening track sets the tone for the more serious journey we are all about to take.
Please join me in exploring the Deeper Well that is the new record from Kacey Musgraves. This is easily her best album in both theme and style. The way she explores the human condition is enchanting.
Opening track...
If you are looking from some solidly awesome R&B, look no further than Ledisi's Good Life. It's thirteen tracks of pure gold. Her voice has never sounded better and we should all be grateful that music like this is still being made by such stellar artists like Ledisi.
Title and opening track...
It's always wonderful when psychedelic garage bands come from Los Angeles. Meatbodies are a perfect example of this. Their latest is called Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom and it's giant pile of mind expanding awesomeness.
Opening track...
The Kaiser Chiefs have gone for the BIG GROOVE on their latest record, Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album. The Leeds lads are off their ass with all the fun and joy on this one.
Here's a great example and my fave on the record...