Singles of the Week (43//21)

1) Soot Sprite - Poltergeists

  

Originally the solo project of Elise Cook, Soot Sprite have evolved into a three piece shoegaze/ dream pop outfit for their sophomore EP ‘Sharp Tongue’.

Now in 2020 for their single ‘It’s Summer and I don’t Feel Like Smiling’ the full outfit comprises of Elise Cook, Sean Marriner and Tom Gilbert.
releases October 29, 2021
Lyrics by Elise Cook Recorded by Tom Gilbert at No Luck Audio Mixed and Mastered by Tom Hill Elise Cook - Vocals, Production, Guitar Tom Gilbert - Drums, Production, Backing Vocals Sean Mariner - Bass Danny Lester - Trumpet Tom Stephens - Field Recording on 'Poltergeists' Cover Photography - Bill Patterson Design - Elise Cook 

 

(EP, 12" vinyl - Specialist Subject)

2) Gates - Here and Now

 

 

 New material from New Brunswick (Canada) post-rock / shoegaze band

Here and Now, the upcoming, long-awaited EP from Gates, is the New Jersey band’s first release in five years. The EP’s six tracks chronicle a period of tumultuous darkness and graceful rebirth, a process that culminates in the EP’s titular sentiment: a commitment to the here and now, rather than an endless looking backward, an eternal mourning of the past and what isn’t anymore. 

Out on Wax Bodega -- October 29th, 2021. 

 

(EP - Wax Bodega)

3) Midsommar - The Dream We Had 

 

 

 Dream pop / shoegaze band from Warsaw, Poland. 

released October 27, 2021 

All songs written by Midsommar 

Alia Fay - vocals Dawid Dziwosz - guitar Karol Grabias - bass Bartek Zdunek - drums Recorded at Mustache Ministry Studio Mixed and mastered by Mikhail Kurochkin Artwork by Mikołaj Rudyk 

 

(EP - Midsommar)

4) Radium Jaw - Faded Out

 

 

 News from Atlanta, Georgia dreampop / shoegaze band

released October 24, 2021 

Kiersten Josh Billy Craig Peter Mixing & Mastering: CJ Ridings Album Art: Yulissa Ayala-Valles @commute.design Photo: Ryan Rudolph 

@technicolorsound Big thanks to KMM & Co Leather @kmmandco 

 

(EP - Radium Jaw)

5) EEP - No Inbetween

 

 

 
New single from Eclectic shoegaze band in El Paso, Texas. 

From our upcoming album "Winter Skin" (out November 5) - now available for pre-order at eepshoegaze.bandcamp.com as a digital album, 180 gram orange vinyl, and CD! 

EEP is Ross Ingram, Rosie Varela, Sebastian Estrada, Serge Carrasco, and Lawrence Brown III Recorded and mixed at Brainville, Sunland Park, New Mexico Videography by Subharmonic City Productions Film by Rosie Varela 

 

(digital, video - Hogar)
 

vinyl:
Forest Circles - Fever Dream /EP/
EPs:
Pixey - Sunshine State /EP/
Piava - Piava /EP/
digi single, video:
Secrets of the third planet - Дай мне любовь
Modest - Losing All The Time
Anxious - In April
Blush Response - Molasses / Vertigo
Blushing - Blame (feat. Miki Berenyi)
Sleep Overload - Horror Film
Mondaze - Lost
Gulfer - End of the World
Holm - Erase & Repeat
Wingtips - Run For Shelter
Chastity - Somersault
Maybeshewill - Zarah
TRAITRS - Ghost And The Storm
Fawns of Love - Innocence of Protection
The Foreign Resort - Burn in the Night (NITE Remix)
Robert Sotelo - Dear Resident

Singles of the Week (42//21)

1) PEEL - PEEL

 

Here it is, the highly anticipated debut release guaranteed to rouse your inner shoegazer. Recorded over a six month period of bushfires and pandemics, PEEL’s self-titled EP presents a holistic package of the wall of fuzz they’ve teased us with since their first single ‘Memory Loop’ saturated the airwaves last year. Strapping in for the full five track experience, PEEL lead an expedition through realms of British guitar-driven music of the 80s and 90s, exuding influences from the Post Punk and Madchester eras through the band's timeless brand of shoegaze and psychedelia. The Jesus and Mary Chain come to mind, as does the Stone Roses and Primal Scream, but the group have spun their own take on their prized influences through modern songwriting and storytelling waiting to be discovered under layers of noise and texture. Formed following a five-year hiatus from writing and recording, the band started piecing together what would become their debut release in mid-2019, with no purpose other than that it was time to start making music again. Ideas flooded, gravitating towards a sonic architecture that is spacious, gritty and textural. At the start of 2020, the band headed into the studio to start turning demos into songs. Recording at... more credits releases October 22, 2021 All songs written and performed by PEEL Produced and mixed by James Christowski Mastered by Tim G Carr Artwork by Harry Tuckwell & Pollen Arts Club Special thanks to Kat Harley 

 

(EP. 12" vinyl - Third Eye Stimuli)

2) Cuffed Up – Asymmetry

 

 

 Cuffed Up was formed thru a chance encounter where Sapphire Jewell and Ralph Torrefranca first met, connecting about their love for the UK punk scene with bands like IDLES and Shame. A few months later, Cuffed Up was formed along with Joe Liptock and Vic Ordonez, becoming a real passion project that has turned into a full time band. Cuffed Up is Ralph Torrefranca, Sapphire Jewell, Vic Ordonez and Joe Liptock. Produced and mixed by Brad Wood. Mastered by Hans DeKline. credits releases October 22, 2021 

 

(EP, 12" vinyl - Royal Mountain)

3) Sicayda - K​-​Y​-​E 

 

 

 Toronto, Ontario indie rock band - new single 

KILL YOUR EGO- this is to those fakes, pretenders, back stabber, shapeshifter snakes that sell you out to those they worship to get ahead - not even spiritually, here they sell their soul to men, no gods - and whats left of em is nothing and they go nowhere, you aint worth shit -KILL YOUR EGO- credits released October 22, 2021 K-Y-E / KILL-YOUR-EGO Tracking/Production by the powerful Zach "Zarke" Clarke - @saturation.sound Our brotha zarke who is now a wizard helping in the writing of bass and synth, cant do this without ya brotha Tracked/engineered/production by the powerful Alex Gamble (@audiogamble) Again alex has found a way to harness our chaos into something coherent and powerful thank you brotha Mastering done by the powerful Adam Cichocki (@adam_cichocki) We just met em and we already luv em, this man is a genius go check out all the work he puts in, all sick shit, dont know how he does it all, thank you brotha MASSIVE love to those involved in this track and who support us - we have merch up grab some while you heeeeeerre, help support us - grab a shirt or tape yo

 

 
(digital - Sicayda)

4) MELTS - Maelstrom 

 

 

 New single from Dublin, Ireland psychedelic / space kraut rock band... 

Directed by Andy Parkes. Produced by Daniel Fox. Mastered by Jim Diamond. released October 19, 2021

 

 
(digital, video - Mother Sky)

5) SeeYouSpaceCowboy - The End To A Brief Moment Of Lasting Intimacy

   

 

 

News from Los Angeles, California screamo / hardcore / noise band 

Directed and Edited by Cameron Nunez Creative Director Connie Sgarbossa Make up and styling by Lisa Carreiro Models: Sam Finelli, Olivia VanDerMillen, Brandy Atwell, Jamie Kaufman, Chloe Demelo 

 

 

(digital, video - Pure Noise)
 

vinyl:
EPs:
Enola Gay - Gransha /EP/
Nervy - Demo 2021 /EP/
digi single, video:
Wakelee - Esther
Tape Tension - I Called Your Name
The Wedding Present - We Should Be Together (featuring Louise Wener)
Basement Revolver - Tunnel Vision
Sea Power - Folly
Spectres - Provincial Wake
shedfromthebody - Fascia
S.C.A.B. - Stolen Jag Off Morgan Ave
Respire - Catacombs Part II
Cold Gawd - God Get Me the Fuck Out of Here
Cannons - Ruthless
Castlebeat - We Can Make This Right
October Drift - Airborne Panic Attack
Pacino - Spi
Finale - Loco Loco
Weedipus - Husky
Ramonda Hammer - All For What
Death Bells - Intruder
Deserta - I'm so Tired
Camp Trash - Weird Florida
Cotton Crown - Wretched Lie
Clinic - Refractions (In The Rain)
Coming Up Roses - All Our Time
Duran Duran - Anniversary
Nation of Language - The Grey Commute
LeBrock - Heartstrings (W O L F C L U B Remix)
Chime School - Wait Your Turn
Afflecks Palace - Spinner (It Must Be Love)
HEALTH x POPPY - Dead Flowers
Animal Collective - Prester John
ABBA - Just A Notion

Singles of the Week (41//21)

1) Jo's Moving Day - Amber

New video from Guangzhou, China dreampop / shoegaze New album Itinerary release 13/10/2021 

恭喜您获得来自乔迁日Jo's Moving Day投递出的包裹一枚——《Itinerary（航行指南）》是乐队首趟旅程的沿途记录册，并非一份强势的行程总结。 请放松你的身体，更无需为大脑缚上安全带，跟随专辑中的每条Track（轨道）通往不同的站台：是sci-fi设定的时空苦旅，是纯白梦境的自然哲学，是光怪陆离的彩色世界，是剧烈汹涌的夏日风暴，也是拒绝永恒的琥珀少女…… Jo's Moving Day用氛围感将丰富的想象力打包，以感性的旋律线封装，以歌曲为单位化作精神世界的每个传送点，缓慢地投射至外界。这些入口静候着人们的光临，你准备好推开舱门了吗？ (by Bluepills) credits released October 13, 2021 人声&合成器 Vocal&Synth：瑞比秋 吉他 Guitar: 爵儿/老伍 贝斯 Bass：洋洋 鼓 Drum：厌厌 录音 Recording：爵儿/史悲 混音 Mixing：Eric@缺省 母带 Mastering：Chi@DoZzz 概念统筹 Concept&Supervisor：瑞比秋 专辑设计 Album Art：厌厌 封面摄影 Cover Photography：JL 手写字体 Handwriting：洋洋 设计制作 Design Production ：一杰 文案 Copywriter：Bluepills 发行 Distribution：生煎唱片 

 

(video - SJ)

2) Vollam - Mirror

 

 

 Debut material from Dallas, Texas shoegaze / post-rock

 "Autumn is in full motion where I live, and I couldn’t be happier: the soothing shades of advancing night-time hours and gently shifting hues of the landscape are a visual delight. What this requires, then, is a fitting soundscape for my ears – one to complement the season that’s becoming increasingly apparent in the natural beauty of my surroundings. It would seem that Vollam are more than up to that task. Originating from Dallas, Texas, Vollam are newcomers to the circuit, but their debut EP is absolutely not to be underestimated. With a trio of like-minded musicians at the project’s helm, Mirror is heavily inspired by imagery found within the 1975 Andrei Tarkovsky film of the same name. The five tracks here offer a chance to reflect and soak in, consuming a venture that, at times, aligns very closely with the content and stylised delivery of the record’s inspiration (the spoken recital on “Bend” is a great example, as well as the footage used in the video below for “Follow”). There’s an unmistakable dreaminess that hovers in the vast, deep, and sometimes unsettling wells that Vollam explore. It seems contradictory on paper, but the dynamic works; the simplistic melodies and scattered movements of clean-toned tranquility lift you, but songs never fully release you from their grip thanks to the gravity of other instrumentation and lengthy passages of wandering noise. On the one hand, the lilting dream pop melodies that populate the foreground are sparse in multiple senses, yet always noticeable enough to be a welcome, uplifting inclusion to the songs. “Follow” and “All I Ever Wanted” are just two examples of tracks that possess these succinct, instrumental phrasings – their presence complementing the equally spacious vocals, as opposed to vying with them for your attention. Conversely, the walls of rhythmic sound found on Mirror are there to prevent you from ever floating off too far, like a grounding mechanism amidst the soaring, ethereal wonder of the EP’s more melodious elements. With guitar parts provided (in some capacity or another) by every member, Vollam have ensured that the resulting washes of sound – such as those found on the ironically titled “Wool” or the resident mid-range and electronic flutterings of “Shatter” – are weighty and cavernous. When all these elements come together, it becomes apparent quite quickly that Mirror benefits from the same sort of appeal that many associate with Hammock, Sigur Rós, and other prominent creators of poignant, poetic musical tapestries. There’s no need for fancy flourishes here; the dense, towering waves of bass, reverb-laden guitar, and understated (but effective) kit work provide a more than sturdy enough foundation on which juxtaposed, subdued melodies play out to soften the distorted haze prevalent throughout. I must say, I also thoroughly appreciate the length of the tracks as well. With only one song clocking in shy of the seven-minute mark, there exists a lingering – almost a standstill, even – that I’m pleased to say doesn’t grow wearisome. Not once did I find myself willing the record to move on, which is a credit to how Vollam have composed and structured such a flexible use of sound on Mirror. It is perfect as densely textured background noise, while also supplying sufficient intricacy and detail to immerse yourself in should you wish to. In a modest five tracks, Vollam provide a musical debut of surprising heft. Those who skim the surface will be rewarded with a dark, ambient EP that captures the oddly whimsical melancholy of the year’s closing portion. However, those who take the time to fully entrench themselves deep in Mirror’s gaze, and absorb what is reflected back by this promising act, will find that the experience is paid off immeasurably." - By Shaun Milligan credits releases October 15, 2021 Guitars: Greg, Casey, Sam Bass: Sam, Greg Drums: Sam Vocals on All I ever wanted: Casey, Sinem, Gabby Vocals on Follow: Sinem Vocals on Wool: Greg Spoken word on Bend: Ty All songs written, recorded, and mixed by Vollam Mastered by Nolan DeBrincat Album cover by Gabby  Espana

 

 
(EP / minialbum - Somewherecold)

3) Glass Spells - Confessions

 

 

 New video from California post-punk synthwave duo...

 "Shattered" out 6/8/2021 

Credits: 

Videographer/Director: Mitch Wilson of Lunar Maps Productions Editor: Tania Costello Glass Spells Is:Tania Costello (Vocals) Anthony Ramirez (Instruments) Michael Buehl (Live Drums) Song mixed by Steve Krolikowski 

 

(video - Negative Gain Productions)

4) Egyptian Blue - Salt

 

 

 New single from post-punk Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom band 

 Leith Ambrose (guitar, vocals), Andy Buss (guitar, vocals), Luke Phelps (bass), Tom Bellotti (drums)

 

 
(digital - Yala! Music)

5) Shybaby - Pizza

 

 

 News from NY garage / punk band 

Directed by Molly Mary O'Brien & Grace Eire Filmed & Edited by Molly Mary O'Brien Produced by Joe Rogers 

 

 
(digital, video - Shybaby)
 

vinyl:
The Royal Landscaping Society - Profit and Loss(split 7")
Grandmas House - Grandmas House (7")
EPs:
Himera - You Make It Look So Easy (Playtime) /EP/
Lone - Inlove2 /EP/
digi single, video:
Odonis Odonis - A Body
Deaf Club - Don't Forget To Live
Irish Basement - 1​,​000 Hallelujahs
The Mirrors - Silence
Mayu - Altered
Molly Nilsson - Absolute Power
Makthaverskan - Closer
Thyla - 3
Trentemøller - All Too Soon
Grazer - Reunion
Le Blonde - Kyoto
Furrows - Burial
Barrie - Frankie
Vlimmer - I.P.A.
Lights & Motion - These Hands Could Hold The World
Mater Sunday - Deus Ex Machina
Jaws the Shark - Cold Feet
Twin Pigs - Dead Sick of America
Bambara - Mythic Love
Save Face - Sharpen Your Teeth
Sprints - Modern Job
Sleaford Mods - I Don't Rate You (Orbital Remix)
Vitalic - Haute Definition
Hyd - The Look On Your Face

Singles of the Week (40//21)

1) softsurf - Returning Wave 

  

softsurf is a 5-piece shoegaze/dream pop band from Nagoya, Japan.

Since releasing their 2017 debut EP, softsurf has emerged as one of the faces of the Nagoya shoegaze scene. After a lengthy hiatus, the band is back in 2021 with the release of its second EP, "Returning Wave" on DREAMWAVES RECORDS. Following their debut, "Into the Dream", softsurf became affectionately known as Japan's answer to Slowdive due to their thick billowy sound. "Returning Wave" still showcases their tendency toward that style of shoegaze, while offering a more diverse listening experience by tapping into something of a Pains-esque pop-driven sound or veering into more whimsical dream pop. releases October 6, 2021
Nobuaki Kitamura - vocals/guitar Satomi Kitagawa - vocals/guitar Yohei Maruyama - guitar/chorus Yutaka Mukoda - bass Mitsuki Ito - drums
Produced by softsurf All arrangements by softsurf Keyboard: Nobuaki Kitamura Programming: Nobuaki Kitamura, Yutaka Mukoda Recording Studio: J'z Studio, studio woodies Recording Engineer: Nobuki Matsui (G-FIGHTER), Hayato Hioki (EASTOKLAB) Drum Tech: Yuki Suzuki Mixing Engineer: Hayato Hioki (EASTOKLAB) Mastering Studio: studio dubreel Mastering Engineer: NORI Artwork: Yutaka Mukoda Band Photo by Yuki Ohta (sitaq/I Like Birds) Released by DREAMWAVES RECORDS 

 

(EP - Dreamwaves)

2) Nothing - The Great Dismal B​-​Sides 

 

 

 Philadelphia's NOTHING return with The Great Dismal B-Sides.
A collection of tracks recorded during the band's critically acclaimed "The Great Dismal" sessions, the B-Sides unearth 3 new NOTHING tracks, "Amber Gambler", "The Great Dismal", and a Delfonics cover, "La La Means I Love You". "The world disparity and surreal circumstances that occupied all corners of life while attempting to write and record this album were so overly animated that the songs couldn't help but be contaminated," NOTHING's Domenicky Palermo comments."Trimming away at the layers to negotiate with time felt akin to ripping out whole chapters out of a novel. The reasoning behind having this be physically released in the first place, and a big part we left the title track off was to make that eventual and necessary connection." credits releases October 8, 2021 

 

(EP, 12" vinyl - Relapse)

3) Wasuremono - Hi!

 

 

 News from indie-pop Bradford On Avon, UK Taken from "Let's Talk, Pt. 2" to be released January 28th 2022.
Come see us on tour in the UK this October! Music video by William Benjamin Southward. Song written and recorded by William Benjamin Southward.

 

 
(digital, video - William Benjamin Southward)

4) Death Goals - Helen Keller Is Teaching Me How To Talk To Boys

 

 

 New video from Chaotic Hardcore duo from Hertfordshire, UK Helen Keller Is Teaching Me How To Talk To Boys’ is taken from the Death Goals album "The Horrible And The Miserable" Performed and Written by Death Goals Produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Hill at The Bookhouse Studios, London Filmed and Edited by Jared Guy @ Purple Turnip Productions Performance and choreography by Dead Fish @ deadfishdrag Additional performances by Gabriel Wilson and Alice Harding

 

 
(video - Death Goals)

5) MEMES - Heavy Night

 

 

 
New single from London Laptop rock duo formed on a Megabus in Spring 2019...
The track was produced by the super talented Darwin Deez and we really enjoyed working together earlier this year. Big thanks to marvelous Martin Johnson for drums and Kenny Inglis for his amazing artwork and video. 

 

(digital, video - Memes)
 

vinyl:
EPs:
Kitten Paws - Smile /EP/
Spiritual Cramp - Here Comes More Bad News /EP/
Timothy Clerkin - Plasticity /EP/
digi single, video:
Colatura - The Met
The Chisel - Retaliation
Movement - Pravda a Láska
Maybeshewill - Refuturing
Gushh - Tired, All the Time
Magdalena Bay - Hysterical Us
Helen Love - This Is My World
The Cherry Wave - Drown
Tears For Fears - The Tipping Point
True Faith - I Wanted More
GRAZER - Reunion
Cathedral Bells - I Don't Care Anymore
Fern Murphy - Let's Dream It's Over
Bleach Lab - Violet Light
The KVB - Unité
Arananar - Dno Boha
Soft Cell - Bruises On My Illusions