Listening Post – June 2024

Words: Andy Hughes

Listen – don’t even get us started on how quick this year is going. Ay caramba! 

Alongside our bumper playlist for the year (capturing everything we’ve been loving from January through to now), the ‘Listening Post’ returns this month and is rammed with some top tunes, 20 of them in fact – old and new, all gold!

Whilst you’re here, why not get involved with our new podcast? ’60 Minutes or less’ has been up and running for over five months now, featuring interesting chats with Protomartyr, Paul Hanley (The Fall), Omni, Everything Everything, Field Music, The Utopia Strong, USA Nails, METZ, HALO MAUD, Jamie Lenman and Pissed Jeans! When you’re done here, get yourself listening to the new episodes and give it a rating on your favourite streaming service!

The Maghreban x Omar – Waiting
(Connection)

If you’re anything like me, you just can’t get enough of that 1991 sweet jam that is ‘There’s Nothing Like This’, the title track from British soul singer Omar’s debut album. Consider us tickled pink then with the recent discovery of a new Omar collaboration with southern outfit The Maghreban, a proper VHS video nasty style house track that well and truly gets right under your skin. Proper belter this!

Lene Lovich – Lucky Number
(Stateless)

I know there are cycles in fashion but bloody hell, doesn’t this sound like it came out last week, rather than 1979! A killer wonk-pop earworm from English-American recording artist Lene Lovich, there’s touches of – well – just about everything in this, from Pottery to PYLON to The B-52’s to Sparks.

Jordi Savall – Doina & Hora (Roumanie)
(Espirit Des Balkans [Balkan Spirit])

Five minutes plus of delight here on ‘Doina & Hora’, Jordi Savall conducting his Hespèrion XXI ensemble – featuring musicians from Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece and Turkey – to delirious highs. One for the kitchen dancers!

Uranium Club – Viewers Like You
(Infants Under The Bulb)

Fuck yeah, man – just when you thought The Minneapolis Uranium Club couldn’t get any gnarlier, they chuck a load of brass into the mix for delectable results! Raging as expected, ‘Viewers Like You’ is taken from their fourth album ‘Infants Under The Bulb’ (out now via Static Shock Records / Anti Fade Records), their first full length since the release of ‘The Cosmo Cleaners’ in 2018.

Nik Kershaw – Wouldn’t It Be Good
(Human Racing)

The Absolute 80s love-in continues at Birthday Cake For Breakfast HQ ever since the purchase of a DAB radio for the kitchen. They have a ‘No Repeat Guarantee’ by all accounts, but you wouldn’t know it as ‘Wouldn’t It Be Good’ is on all the bloody time! No complaints here, mind – such a banging blast of nostalgia it is, we’re hooked!

Cassandra Jenkins – Only One
(My Light, My Destroyer)

NYC artist Cassandra Jenkins first captured our attention with the release of the brilliantly titled ‘An Overview on Phenomenal Nature’, her 2021 album that we discovered off the back of the news that she was due to tour with Purple Mountains before the tragic death of David Berman in 2019. New single ‘Only One’ is a welcome return, a dreamy new cut from her forthcoming third album, ‘My Light, My Destroyer’, due out next month.

Crack Cloud – Blue Kite
(Red Mile)

Here we are again – another Crack Cloud album announcement, another stone-cold banger of a lead single to become obsessed with. ‘Blue Kite’ is their first offering at their new home of Jagjaguwar and leans more towards the type of soaring anthemic pop they’ve been moving towards of late, the six minutes flying by in an instant of catharsis.

Sneaks – Down In The Woods
(Gymnastics)

With a bassline that just won’t quit, ‘Down In The Woods’ is a pacey, hypnotic affair from Washington D.C. artist Eva Moolchan, a.k.a. Sneaks. With a runtime of 52 seconds, you can get lost in the groove again and again! 

Cosmo Sheldrake – Cuckoo
(Wake Up Calls)

This song absolutely hypnotised our dog when it came on the wireless just the other week. From field recordist, producer and composer extraordinaire Cosmo Sheldrake, the instrumental ‘Cuckoo’ is the sound of immersing yourself in the trees with the birdsong. 

Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning
(Diesel and Dust)

We’ve been Absolute 80s pilled for a good month now and this is one of the big hitters that’s had us hooked. Starting off with thoughts of ‘what the fuck is this?’, it didn’t take long for it to sink its teeth in. A top 10 hit over here when it was released in the late 80s, but completely new to these ears in our year of the lord 2024.

(Photo Credit: Kian Boyle)

Metronomy x Panic Shack – It’s Good To Be Back
(Small World – Special Edition)

I was at Band on the Wall in Manchester the other week for ‘Bad Dreams’, an all-dayer headlined by visiting art-punks Bodega. One of the supports came from Welsh punks Panic Shack and they smashed it, which had us looking back into their catalogue and boy was it nice to revisit their Metronomy remix for the latter’s last record. Very much putting their spin on it, the Cardiff natives turn a pop bop into an anthemic full-pelt ripper. 

Egg Hunt – We All Fall Down
(2 Songs)

Putting in the research for a forthcoming podcast episode (did we mention ’60 Minutes or less’?), I’ve been listening to the audiobook for ‘Our Band Could Be Your Life’ of late, so it’s been a trip discovering side projects and such from the hardcore elite. Former Minor Threat members Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson put out just the one raging single as Egg Hunt (during a trip to England no less), but that’s more than enough.

The Bug Club – Quality Pints

Fair play, we first posted about The Bug Club in 2021, bigging up their ace debut single ‘We Don’t Need Room For Lovin’’. Blast forward three years and they’ve only bloody signed to Sub Pop?! Proper grafters, they’re always on tour and have since put out two full lengths without a drop in quality – the fuzzy ‘Quality Pints’ continues on the theme and is heaps of fun! 

Mock Tudors – Hair of the Dog
(Good Drinkin’ Times)

On new single ‘Hair of the Dog’, three-headed, trackie-loving Sheffield outfit Mock Tudors have done it once more, penning a stupendously infectious rock dream for the lugholes. From a forthcoming ten track record of expected rippers.

Clairo – Sexy To Someone
(Charm)

Capturing the type of nostalgic warmth so expertly produced by Denver’s Tennis, solo artist Claire Cottrill a.k.a. Clairo wows on this sultry cut from her forthcoming third record ‘Charm’, out next month. A sun-soaked pop hit that sounds like it might be more at home in someone’s record collection in 1973.

Adwaith – MWY

Did someone ask for a big Welsh bop? Well you’re in luck, chuck, ‘cus Carmarthen trio Adwaith have got just the ticket with their latest single, ‘MWY’! A proper good time of a track, it’s impossible to stay still when this thumper is on! 

Kino Motel – Repeater
(Visions)

Having once appeared on these very pages as 1/3 of German-based noise-rockers HEADS., Ed Fraser returns with Rosa Mercedes as part of ‘Beach Goth’ duo, Kino Motel. From a new album out earlier this year (their first full length), ‘Repeater’ is a hazy, cinematic fuzz-fest.  

Potato – Almost Gone
(Stew)

Fair play, it’s a good band name, eh? Good luck googling these cats… With a sound not too dissimilar to the brilliant Tapir!, ’Almost Gone’ is a tender, beautiful piece from south London quartet Potato’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Stew’ (good stuff), out next month via Mookin Records. 

M(h)aol – Pursuit

Irish intersectional feminist quartet M(h)aol well and truly captivate on the driving ‘Pursuit’, a song about the all too real fear women have of just trying to get home. Thumping to a shouted crescendo, like Gilla Band before them, this is head-wrecking music to really dance to.

Chinese American Bear – Feelin’ Fuzzy ( 毛绒绒的感觉 )

Love this funky little wonk-pop earworm from mando-pop / rock duo Chinese American Bear (who’ve just signed to Moshi Moshi Records) – a song influenced by singer Anne Tong’s upbringing in a Chinese immigrant household, wanting to have fun whilst under the roof of a strict “stereotypical tiger mom”.

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Listening Post – February 2024

Words: Andy Hughes

Eagle-eyed readers might’ve spotted the lack of a ‘Listening Post’ at the start of the year. We’ve been a bit busy launching a podcast you see – ’60 Minutes or less’ – live now, featuring interesting chats with Joe Casey (Protomartyr) and Paul Hanley (The Fall)!

That doesn’t mean we’ve had our ears closed to new music, mind. Alongside our bumper playlist for the year (bringing together everything great throughout 2024), the ‘Listening Post’ returns this month and it’s full of good stuff!

Ease out of January and into February with 20 tunes, old and new – be sure to tell your friends / family / pets too!

Fulu Miziki – Pieteron

With a name that roughly translates as “music from the garbage”, Ugandan outfit Fulu Miziki look like superheroes from an early 80s Troma film series, decked out in eye-boggling attire, playing a number of instruments that they themselves have upcycled. Latest single ‘Pieteron’ is a heart-racing mover-and-shaker to get your body bopping!

Pissed Jeans – Moving On
(Half Divorced)

Off the back of releasing brutal standalone single ’No Convenient Apocalypse’ last year (one of our Top 50 songs of 2023!), Pennsylvania’s Pissed Jeans look to 2024 with the release of their sixth album, ’Half Divorced’. Lead single ‘Moving On’ treads a little lighter than the last single, but still thunders ahead in chest-pumping fashion, the chorus becoming an instant earworm after just one go. 

Dana Gavanski – How To Feel Uncomfortable
(LATE SLAP)

Early contender for single of the year, ‘How To Feel Uncomfortable’ is a riveting, Cate Le Bon style wonk-pop affair that’s had us hooked since it was released early last month. There’s a hint of LUMP in the mix too, which makes sense given that the new album from Dana Gavanski was recorded with Mike Lindsay at his studio in Margate.

BODEGA – Tarkovski
(Our Brand Could Be Yr Life)

Rejoice – a new year comes with news of a new record from BODEGA! The new Yorkers have dipped into their back catalogue, putting together a new record of material originally written almost a decade ago. Anthemic lead single ‘Tarkovski’ is a joy, capturing everything we love about the outfit in a sparkling four minute package. TAKE ME TO THE ZONE!

We actually heard a number of cuts from the record in a live stylee a number of years back and can confirm they sounded rad back then!

Omni – Plastic Pyramid
(Souvenir)

PUMP! PUMP! PUMP UP THE PYRAMID! Ahead of releasing their fourth full length later this month (via Sub Pop), Atlanta’s Omni return with possibly their catchiest single to date. Featuring the fitting coolness of guest vocalist Izzy Glaudini (a first for the trio), ‘Plastic Pyramid’ is a swish post-punk delight and yet another addictive addition to their oeuvre.

Ty Segall – My Best Friend
(Three Bells)

Sounding very much like a ‘Rated R’ b-side, Californian cool lad Ty Segall once again shines with a groove-tastic, fuzzy number about his canine companions, Fanny and Herman. As a dog owner, I sing to my own dog constantly throughout the day, so I feel a kinship with Ty and the gnarly ripper that is ‘My Best Friend’.

Gustaf – Starting and Staring
(Package Pt. 2)

Following the release of their debut album ‘Audio Drag For Ego Slobs’ in 2021, Brooklyn’s Gustaf return this spring with its follow up, ‘Package Pt. 2’. Groovy new single ‘Starting and Staring’ is a stone cold bop, capturing some of the energy and intensity that vocalist Lydia Gammill and the rest of the crew bring to their live shows. 

Maxband – Nothing’s Changed
(Maxband On Ice)

I love how as soon as the chorus hits in this one, it’s like – oh that’s one of the Savage’s! Switching out drums for guitar and taking on shared vocal duties, Max Savage (Parquet Courts) fronts the aptly named Maxband. Latest single ‘Nothing’s Changed’, from their forthcoming debut album, is a swish indie-rock number with some bite. 

Marcos Resende & Index – Behind the Moon
(Marcos Resende & Index)

Sounding not too dissimilar to ‘Blowdry Colossus’, the latest solo album from Peter Brewis of Field Music, ‘Behind the Moon’ is a brilliantly wonky pop piece of the ‘Mother Earth’s Plantasia’ variety. From a recently “unearthed” self-titled debut album recorded in Rio de Janeiro in 1976 from progressive Brazilian instrumental musician Marcos Resende.

(Photo Credit: Courtney Deutz)

Uranium Club – Small Grey Man
(Infants Under The Bulb)

We were filled with utter delight upon waking up one morning in January to discover The Minneapolis Uranium Club had not only resurfaced, but that there’d be a new album on the way – their first since ‘The Cosmo Cleaners’ back in 2019. New single ‘Small Grey Man’ is a total trip, their quirky DEVO vibes making for a welcome return. 

Diode – Tomothy
(Diode)

Oh we do love rapid-fire synth-punk gnarliness on Birthday Cake For Breakfast. Dig this from Los Angles outfit Diode, a super catchy speed-run that packs in so much, but is somehow just over a minute long (just how we like It!) 

Half Man Half Biscuit – She’s in Broadstairs
(Cammell Laird Social Club)

From Birkenhead with love, amazingly it’s taken me 20 years to discover the brilliant ‘She’s In Broadstairs’, but there’s no looking back now. Piss-funny and invigorating all at once, a top turn from Half Man Half Biscuit.

Jane Weaver – Perfect Storm
(Love In Constant Spectacle)

Psych-pop funkiness on this infectious cut from Jane Weaver, ‘Perfect Storm’ being the opener from her forthcoming new album ‘Love In Constant Spectacle’, out this April. It’s more than easy to get lost in this proper hypnotic, cosmic jam.

A. Savage – Out Of Focus
(Several Songs About Fire)

As a massive fan of Savage’s 2017 solo debut, ‘Thawing Dawn’, I was chuffed up to see the Parquet Courts vocalist return once more in a solo capacity with the release of new album, ‘Several Songs About Fire’. Closer ‘Out Of Focus’ is a heart-swelling slice of loveliness that sounds like the perfect soundtrack to a sunny Sunday jaunt in a sleepy European village.

Drahla – Default Parody
(angeltape)

Off the back of a few knockout singles these past few years, Leeds / Wakefield collective Drahla finally follow up their 2019 debut album ‘Useless Coordinates’ with a full length, due out this spring. As they so often do, Drahla knock it out of the park instantly, new single ‘Default Parody’ being a jagged post-punk head-wrecker, elevated as ever by the cucumber cool vocal of Luciel Brown.

USA Nails – Cathartic Entertainment
(Feel Worse)

Making their label debut with One Little Independent Records next month, USA Nails kick off new album ‘Feel Worse’ with the gnarly, chaotic ’Cathartic Entertainment’, yet another blistering ear-ringer that has had us making that smell-the-shit face all month. What a way to open a record!

Donny Benét – American Dream
(Infinite Desires)

Sounding like the sort of thing David Earl would cook up for a jingle on Chatabix, Donny Benét’s ‘American Dream’ is a total nostalgic funk-fest. With an aesthetic not too dissimilar to fellow countryman / weirdo Alex Cameron, it’s taken a sixth album for us to discover Benét, but with ‘Infinite Desires’, we’re happy to be on board.

Group Listening – Frogs
(Walks)

It feels very on brand for Group Listening to open up their newest single ‘Frogs’ with – you guessed it – 60 seconds worth of frogs chattering away. The ongoing musical collaboration between Paul Jones and Stephen Black (a.k.a. Sweet Baboo), their forthcoming album ‘Walks’ will be their first collection of completely original compositions. With a hint of an Italian cinema score to it, ‘Frogs’ is a luscious pool to swim in.

Dog Race – It’s The Squeeze

Love an oddball vocal, me! On top of a moody but inviting, keep-you-on-your-toes instrumental, vocalist Katie Healy captivates on ‘It’s The Squeeze‘ with an almost theatrical performance. Freshly signed to Fascination Street Records, one gets the feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from Londoners Dog Race!

Ibibio Sound Machine – Got To Be Who U Are
(Pull The Rope)

A decade on from the release of their self-titled debut album, Ibibio Sound Machine have just announced a new album is on the way – ‘Pull The Rope’ – the news arriving via show-stopping, sultry dance-a-thon lead single ‘Got To Be Who U Are’. London-born Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams graces the records cover once again and rightly so, having put on the usual powerhouse performance as expected!

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Live Review: Manchester Psych Fest 2 September 2023

Words: Ben Forrester (BF) / Andy Hughes (AH)

AH: There really is a lot to be said for the inner-city music festival. Birthday Cake For Breakfast pretty much found its footing via Manchester’s A Carefully Planned Festival, a yearly extravaganza with a slick booking team who seemed to hit the right spot time and time again. Over the years we’ve ventured further afield for the likes of Tramlines in Sheffield, Wide Eyed and Handmade in Leicester, Sound City in Liverpool and of course, the brilliant annual weekender that is StrangeForms in Leeds.

Back home in Manchester, there’s the appropriately named Manchester Psych Fest, celebrating their 10th year in business in 2023 with a sold out day of festivities taking place throughout the city centre, with pitstops along the way at the likes of YES, Deaf Institute and – crucially – the Grade II listed Albert Hall, the jewel of Manchester music venues. Well, the name of the festival is kind of appropriate (it definitely takes place in Manchester), though the organisers are playful about their use of the word ‘Psych‘, in previous years featuring signage to let us know ‘THIS IS NOT PSYCH‘.

BF: Having ogled at line ups for the past few years now, I finally got my sorry ass to Manchester Psych Fest! Although I was slightly nervous about a few nasty clashes throughout the line up, I managed to see pretty much everything I wanted to see across this hugely diverse and very solid cast of alt rock acts.

My first port of call was to head to the Albert Hall to see Lancaster’s finest The Lovely Eggs, the venue like a greenhouse at this point in the gleaming Manchester sun! It’s been a good few years since I last saw the fuzz punk duo and it’s been wonderful seeing Holly and David go from strength to strength, not just musically, but with an ever growing fanbase. The latter is very much backed up by a full venue this afternoon, as the two piece smashed through their chaotic blend of punk, psych, garage rock and indie pop. A dude in the front row was going nuts the whole set, despite the tropical temperature of the venue! But to be fair, the whole room was on board, especially when David rang the party gong!

The band ripped through a whole host of bangers, leaning on material from their superb ‘I Am Moron’ record. With it being one of a few records that really got me through the 2020 lockdown, it was an utter joy to hear songs like ‘Long Stem Carnations’, ‘Still Second Rate’ and ‘You Can Go Now’ echo around the beautiful surroundings of the Albert Hall, Holly’s guitars flowing thick through the air, smothered in a delicious layer of scuzz. A triumphant start to the day from a delightfully fun band.

AH: I could stay at the Albert Hall all day… It was a dream to be in the venue during the middle of the day, basking in the afternoon sunlight pouring through the stained glass windows. Of the three drum kits on stage (one featuring a giant gong) – guess which one The Lovely Eggs took to? Guitarist and vocalist Holly looked splendid in a sparkling dress, thrashing from the off with the guitar raised above her head.

Giving it some real welly all set, the pair created a proper racket between them. A lad on the balcony stood up on queue with his branded ‘FUCK IT‘ scarf when Holly asked who was up for a party. She suggested that, even though they were on at 15:00, they were still up for a party and had rigged a fine mist of MDMA to drop from the ceiling whenever David banged the gong! Sounding like Roy and Renee from ‘The Fast Show‘ on occasion, Holly was cracking wise throughout, suggesting drummer David was “having his annual wash” when he took out his TK Maxx towel he’d brought from home.

From our vantage point, we caught the crowd buzzing down below, the whole floor full with people snaking out of the doors. People were most certainly in it for the long haul – a lad on the stairs asked his mate how he was getting on with his Compeed… We stuck at the Albert Hall for visiting Californian’s Allah-Las and suddenly noticed quite a number down in the audience mirroring the band on stage, keeping their sunnies on even though we were all indoors.

A sea of swaying shoulders and big smiles took in the sun-soaked, blissed-out vibes aplenty from the sextet, a cucumber cool lot for sure. A throwback 60s-70s garage rock number in the mix had the cool kids leaning against the back wall up the top in fits, the tambourine of the percussionist shaking away like a rattlesnakes tail.

(Photo Credit: Michael Sreenan)

BF: To counteract the jovial start to the day, I entered a darkened room at Canvas to get my ears completely battered by Middlesbrough’s Benefits. This lot have made one of the best debut albums of the year, so I was pleased as punch to be finally getting to see the tense, cathartic tones of ‘Nails’ brought to life.

I was expecting to feel blast beats, earth shattering drones and seething vocals thrown in my direction, which I definitely did, but what I also got was a really engaging and exciting performance from one of the best frontmen in the country right now. I’ve always felt that vocalist Kingsley wasn’t shouting at you, but encouraging you to shout with him and that’s what he literally does on the day, asking the crowd to shout and scream with him.

You can’t keep your eyes off him, songs like ‘Flag’ and ‘Traitors’ packing an extremely nihilistic punch. It’s clear to see the humanity of Benefits impact the crowd though, as we’re asked to come together. I see lots of people with their eyes closed, head banging with purpose – it’s glorious.

“I know you do things different round here, but you’re alright Manchester.” Kingsley said with a grin to rapturous applause and cheers. Not even 7PM and I’d already caught my set of the day.

AH: Walking through town, you could spy those taking in the joys of the festival – trekking from venue to venue amongst the Saturday afternoon pissed-up punters. Speaking of which, fair play to the lass trying to sneak a full glass bottle of Guinness into Bodega. Out you go! The New Yorkers were another band who were sadly clashing, but they certainly made up for it, bursting into life on the mega-catchy ‘Thrown‘, opener from latest album ‘Broken Equipment‘. An additional fair play goes out to the drummer, all long hair, wearing a psychedelic shirt to suit the occasion.

Guitarist and vocalist Bodega Ben broke a string just as they announced big single ‘How Did This Happen!?‘, but the others covered it expertly with a cool wee panic-jam as he sorted himself out. Giving us all a thumbs up, Ben took the lead and the rest of the band into an absolute thumper when it kicked in, the crowd appropriately coming unglued. Vocalist Nikki twirled and twirled on new one ‘Images‘ and whilst we would’ve loved to have stayed, Londoners Ulrika Spacek were calling from across town.

Our first visit to the Ritual Union stage at Man Met University, I was a wee bit lost on the way to see Ulrika Spacek, but followed my ear like a cartoon hound following the scent of a pie cooling on a windowsill, soon coming upon their unmistakable sound. The room was rammed and lights were flashing, as a dreamy and trippy sea of noise washed over from on stage, the five piece really locking in and creating that type of let-your-mind-go wall of sound. So much kit on stage – the boys meant business. The only downside? Someone bought the very last copy of their new record, ‘Compact Trauma‘, just as I got to the merch desk. Bastard!

A quick hop, skip and a jump to The Deaf Institute caught us in the ‘Twin Peaks’ style Lodge room for Grave Goods on the Sour Grapes stage. “This World is a dream…” Sang guitarist and vocalist Lois Macdonald, stalking the stage with a grin, whilst falling-down-the-stairs drumming from Sarah Grimes thumped behind her. Fair play, it was a tight squeeze on the middle floor of the venue, normally reserved for day-time drinking or late-night dancing, but it actually turned out to be one of the more cooler stages throughout the day.

BF: Manchester’s Grave Goods play sparse yet groove driven art-punk, again with another commanding performance up front, guitarist / vocalist Lois seeming very happy to play to a packed out room, adding snarling spoken work and sharp guitar riffs over a very tight rhythm section. Tracks from last year’s ace LP sounded fierce, but it was great to hear new material being debuted and sounding full of fire.

Following a quick food stop, we raced back up to The Ritz to catch a bit of The Murder Capital. This Dublin crew have been nonstop since the release of their second album, ‘Gigi’s Recovery’, in January, so I was glad to be catching the quintet hitting their stride as they looked confident on the stage. I’ll be honest, I didn’t care for the inside sunglasses look or the Liam Gallagher-esque puffed out chest bravado they exude, because their latest album is sensitive and beautiful, but in the same breath, there is an intensity to the band’s performance that suits the desperation of tracks like ‘A Thousand Lives’ and ‘Crying’. Once you look past the indie coolness of it all though, there lies a really good band that I feel are only just getting started.

Sadly, we had to leave early, but it was all for the greater good as we hop footed it down the way to the Uni for the magnificent Hamish Hawk. I have been hammering that new Hamish Hawk album, so me and our faithful Ed got a wiggle on to catch the Scottish singer and his band. Man, he is a great performer. Again, I couldn’t take my eyes off him and he sang every line like his life depended on it, almost giving a theatrical re-enactment of the story in each song.

With the drama of a young Morrissey and the poise of a mid-90’s Neil Hannon, Hamish is a total showman – even his in-between chat is witty and charming. Songs like ’Think Of Us Kissing’ and ‘Elvis Look-alike Shadows’ are arena ready hits and I really feel like we have a superstar in the making here.

Again, we’d love to have stayed Hamish, but it was time for us to pace back to The Deaf Institute to end our day in the best way, with some RIFFS from Leeds trio Magick Mountain. It was my first time seeing Linz, Tom and Nestor play and they were ripping The Lodge to shreds as we entered the venue to hear their hair swaying brand of garage psych, summoning the punkier moments of OSees and the sludgier moments of Ty Segall! All three members of this band are powerhouse musicians, so it was ace seeing both the band and crowd feed off each other, amounting to a full on psych inspired wig out of ‘Infinity x2’ to close the set in fun, sweaty fashion!

AH: Having become a date we’ll be circling in the calendar each and every year, if we had one wish it would be for the clashes to be ironed out, save us having to march across town mid-set and missing some artists altogether. But still, ten years in the game and we can see why, with Manchester Psych Fest certainly flying the flag once again for inner-city festivals. See you next year!

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Editor’s Picks: Top 50 songs of 2022 – Part One

Whilst my personal Spotify Wrapped will tell you that all I listened to this year was XTC (guilty!), there was still plenty of time for new music – and what a year it’s been! Old favourites and new discoveries galore – from Manchester to Stockholm, Brussels to Durham – I’ve once again whittled it down to a choice Top 50 for our ‘Editor’s Picks…‘ You can also find all our record reviews of 2022 right here!

Honourable mentions are extended to those who don’t deserve a listing in a DIY music blog, but soundtracked our year just the same – Arctic Monkeys and their terrific new album, Harry Styles‘ wonderful ‘As It Was‘ and that Radiohead spin-off, The Smile.

As we have done previously, we’ve compiled the list in alphabetical order rather than giving one particular artist the coveted number one spot (sorry artists…) Read on, explore, discover for yourself. Part two to follow!

Words: Andy Hughes

7ebra – If I Ask Her
(I Have a Lot to Say / If I Ask Her)

From Sweden with love, 7ebra brings together 25-year-old twin sisters Inez and Ella, hitting the ground running with a signing to PNKSLM Recordings this year and dates supporting the likes of Future Islands. Debut single ‘If I Ask Her‘ is a particularly captivating piece, showcasing the pairing as a real powerhouse duo. Love that haunting organ sound!

Ada Oda – Niente Da Offrire
(Un Amore Debole)

I’ve had this on and off once a week ever since hearing it earlier in the year! Vocalist Victoria Barracato brings such an energy to this snappy, poppy punk number, elevating it to glittering highs. Catchy as anything, it’s impossible not to have a wee butt-wiggle to this.

Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul – Blenda
(Topical Dancer)

Cool as a couple of cucumbers, It’s hard not to love this pairing. On ‘Blenda‘, Belgian-Caribbean vocalist Charlotte Adigéry tackles difficult, every day racism (‘Go back to your country where you belong‘) but in such a joyful sounding way, almost like a mantra, as the Belgique duo hypnotise with proper infectious dance-floor rhythms.

Akusmi – Cogito
(Fleeting Future)

The project of French-born, London based composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pascal Bideau, the discovery of Akusmi this year proved to be a real treat for us. ‘Cogito‘, from debut album ‘Fleeting Future‘, is a lovely, jazzy instrumental that I’ve often found is the perfect soundtrack for knocking about the city or travelling by train, watching the world go by.

Blacklisters – Why Deny It?
(Leisure Centre)

I’ve always had Blacklisters in my head as an ear-wrecking noise outfit, with an unhinged shouter up front (with good reason – having had my ears blown out many years ago…) Whilst ‘Why Deny It?‘ does rumble off-piste throughout, the main grab here is the stonking groove laid on from bassist Steven Hodson and drummer Alistair Stobbart. Blacklisters at their danciest!

Blacklisters talked us through the record ahead of its release – read it here! You can also read our review of the new record here!

Black Midi – Welcome To Hell
(Hellfire)

On constant rotation since its release halfway through year, ‘Hellfire‘ – the new album from Londoners Black Midi – has had me tickled pink. First single ‘Welcome To Hell‘ signalled there would be epic things to come, the captivating storytelling from vocalist Geordie Greep as much a thrill as their all over the shop, Primus style attack. Private Tristan Bongo discharged, indeed!

You can read our review of ‘Hellfire‘ here!

BODEGA – Statuette On The Console
(Broken Equipment)

Proving the first record wasn’t a fluke (was there ever any doubt?), New York art-poppers BODEGA returned in 2022 with the engaging ‘Broken Equipment‘, another set of inventive numbers to give them a leg up over their contemporaries. With a touch of Blondie about it, ‘Statuette On The Console‘ is a sugary, heart-swelling anthem (and is available in multiple languages, should you need to hear it in Ukrainian…)

David Brewis – The Last Day
(The Soft Struggles)

Anything Field Music, count us in. David Brewis almost goes it alone on forthcoming solo LP ‘The Soft Struggles‘ (out early next year via Brewis‘ own Daylight Saving Records), though still drafts in brother Peter Brewis and some notable contributors (including Sarah Hayes, who put out a record with Peter under the moniker You Tell Me!) ‘The Last Day‘ is a proper treat. Love that brass!

David talked us through the single on its release – read it here!

Alex Cameron – Oxy Music
(Oxy Music)

Drafting in Sleaford Mods own Jason Williamson for a turn, the title track from Alex Cameron’s latest album tackles crippling addiction, but with that mega pop sheen we’ve come to expect from the Aussie artist. Williamson really leans into it, proper putting in a shift to accompany Cameron on what is ultimately quite a moving piece at its end.

Cassels – Charlie Goes Skiing
(A Gut Feeling)

My notes tell me this is the only record on the list with tripe on its record sleeve (though we’ve listened to a lot of tripe over the past 12 months, eh!) – a record that just might be their best yet. ‘Charlie Goes Skiing‘ is a razor-sharp number, proper full strength, capturing Southern sibling duo Cassels at their catchiest.

Cassels talked us through album track ‘Your Humble Narrator‘ earlier in the year – read it here! You can also read our review of the new record here!

The Chats – 6L GTR
(Get Fucked)

A no nonsense approach would best describe the output of foul-mouthed Aussie trio The Chats. Whilst ‘6L GTR‘ is low on the swear count, there’s no getting past that fantastic album title of ‘Get Fucked‘. Revved up, snarling punk that builds on the catchiness of big hitters ‘Pub Feed‘ and ‘Smoko‘.

Cold Comfort – Suck My Blood
(Please Don’t)

With a video from our director of the movement (Tom Brewins of USA Nails), Northwich based one-man-band Cold Comfort near enough kicked off the year with the raging ‘Suck My Blood (Please Don’t)‘, a standalone Double A single to follow his debut EP ‘Weak and Dazed‘. Kicking off the year and kicking our heads in, it’s a proper scuzzy affair that grabs hold and doesn’t let go.

Crack Cloud – Please Yourself
(Tough Baby)

The lead single from their latest opus (the brilliantly titled ‘Tough Baby‘), ‘Please Yourself‘ finds shapeshifting Canadian outfit Crack Cloud at their poppiest, though it’s still ran through their mind-expanding filter. As anthemic as ‘The Next Fix‘ from their thrilling debut, ‘Pain Olympics‘. One an album is good going I’d say!

CROWS – Slowly Separate
(Beware Believers)

A welcome return this year from southern quartet CROWS, new album ‘Beware Believers‘ being their first since ‘Silver Tongues‘ in 2019. Capturing the intensity of their earlier material, ‘Slowly Separate‘ propels the listener forward and hits hard with a proper wallop.

CROWS talked us through the single earlier in the year – read it here!

Deliluh – Body and Soul
(Fault Lines)

I vividly remember seeing Deliluh in an intimate Manchester venue just over a year ago, with early rumblings of ‘Body and Soul‘ having a huge impact, every thud hitting like an explosion of sound. Still as impactful on record, its five minutes are so engrossing, a constant buzzing in the ears as the tension builds.

From the album, last year Deliluh talked us through the single ‘Amulet’ – read it here! You can also read our review of the new record here!

Dilettante – Keep Time
(Tantrum)

Multi-instrumentalist Francesca Pidgeon this year released her debut album under the Dilettante banner and from it, ‘Keep Time‘ is such a swish number. Very much a vibe, the metronome click keeps your head bobbing along to the relentless groove. Love how it builds and builds to a bright shining finish.

Francesca recently talked us through the single – read it here!

Dos Monos – DOG EATS GOD

I discovered Dos Monos a few months back when they supported Black Midi in Manchester – an experimental hip-hop outfit out of Japan, calling to mind both the hard-hitting Gravediggaz and the jazzier stylings and humour of The Pharcyde. ‘DOG EATS GOD‘ really gets under your skin – just the kind of hip-hop we like.

Drahla – Under The Glass

Another return in 2022 from a band we welcomed back with open arms – experimental outfit Drahla from up the road in Leeds. An early single from a yet to be announced album, ‘Under The Glass‘ brings together new material with ideas cooked up in early 2020, the result being a particularly ice cold post-punk number that keeps you on your toes. Solid.

Dutch Uncles – True Entertainment
(True Entertainment)

Oh how we’re glad the Dutch Uncles chaps are back! From their forthcoming new album of the same name, ‘True Entertainment‘ finds the Northern lot in familiar territory – that is a nostalgic, 80s art-pop sound with dancing on the cards. Vocalist Duncan Wallis works his lyrical magic as ever, the quartet getting us all hot under the collar for what’s to come.

Empath – Elvis Comeback Special
(Visitor)

Lovely bit of heart-swelling alt-pop from Philadelphia quartet Empath. In all its fuzziness, there’s almost a dreamlike quality to ‘Elvis Comeback Special‘, the listener lost in the hazy vocal of Catherine Elicson before being awoken by the smash-smash-smash drumming of Garrett Koloski.

Everything Everything – Pizza Boy
(Raw Data Feel)

Where does it end with this lot?! The Northern foursome never put a foot wrong, each new release more varied and just as engrossing. ‘Pizza Boy‘ is a real dance stomper with the daftest of choruses but, as is often the case, its refrain of “I’ll have a coke, I’ll have a Pepsi…” is somehow up there with some of their more memorable lines.

You can read our review of ‘Raw Data Feel‘ here!

Folly Group – I Raise You (The Price Of Your Head)
(Human and Kind)

Having wowed us with their ‘Awake and Hungry‘ EP in 2021 and their ace appearance on the collaborative Metronomy EP from the same year, Folly Group kicked off 2022 with the energising ‘I Raise You (The Price Of Your Head)‘, adding further fuel to the fire that they’re the UK answer to Crack Cloud. A mega turn from the Londoners.

Helen Ganya – Afterparty
(Polish The Machine)

Part Kate Bush, part Siouxsie Sioux, part Big Hard Excellent Fish, ‘Afterparty‘ from Scottish-Thai musician Helen Ganya feels like a constant build, each shift elevating the single higher and higher. Goosebumps as it finally reaches that crescendo.

Gentle Sinners – Face To Fire (After Nyman)
(These Actions Cannot Be Undone)

From the brilliant collaboration between Aidan Moffat (Arab Strap) and James Graham (The Twilight Sad), ‘Face To Fire (After Nyman)‘ is such a wonky, engaging bop. A proper head-jammer with the most Scottish vocal delivery going, it’s an absolute beast.

Grave Goods – Come
(Tuesday. Nothing Exists.)

Love this nails single from Grave Goods, bringing together members of PINS, Girls Names and September Girls for an explosive power-trio. Lead single and opener from their debut album ‘Tuesday. Nothing Exists.‘, ‘Come‘ is a proper sharp, gnarly noisy punk number that threatens to teeter into chaos.

You can read our review of ‘Tuesday. Nothing Exists.‘ here!

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Live Review: BODEGA at The White Hotel in Salford 29 October 2022

Words: Andy Hughes

I love getting to the venue when a band are already in full swing. On Saturday evening in Salford, the sound of Regressive Left could be heard well in advance on the walk over to The White Hotel. Inside it’s Brooklyn and it’s LCD Soundsystem, only it was actually Salford and the band were fewer in numbers and from Luton, their take on it murkier and moodier.

Through the strobe lighting, vocalist Simon Tyrie was up front bouncing about as guitarist Will Crosby leaned back and let rip, whilst drummer Georgia Hardy – her torso ablaze in a flame print sweater vest – looked cucumber cool bashing it out. We didn’t catch much, but it was enough to get our heads nodding, the trio expertly setting up the high energy headliners to come. Closer ‘Bad Faith‘ was dedicated to locals Mandy, Indiana – who appear on their debut EP ‘On The Wrong Side Of History‘ – with the mic stand soon turned upside down and held aloft by Tyrie as the rumble from the speakers hit hard.

With Halloween being on a Monday this year (BORING), BODEGA got into the spirt of things two nights early. Vocalist Ben Hozie would later remark that Halloween is a big deal to them, being from the states and all, though they understand it doesn’t mean much to us. Sure enough, BODEGA were the only ones in costume (though there were a fair few jokers in the crowd…) Hozie looked dapper as an interchangeable Boat Captain/Pilot, doffing his cap to punters that caught him watching the support (later announcing “I’m the captain of your ship and we’re gonna go fucking high tonight!“)

Vocalist/vibes creator Nikki Belfiglio (who truly was the star of the show), in her Scooby Doo frames, wore a pearl necklace holding up a photo of a historic figure (which she lassoed round her head later on). The long haired cloaked drummer, lit up by a chandelier behind him, was introduced as ‘Death‘ (complete with a scythe drumstick), the bassist gave off a yacht-rocker look in his wig and shades, whilst the guitarist in his big brown mac was a… flasher? No, more of a salty seadog judging by the Captain’s hat cardboard pipe in his mouth (which hung out of his mouth all the way through the first song).

The scythe of ‘Death‘ was raised high as Nikki cued up nonsense computer chat to babble over the top of a fitting live rendition of the ‘Halloween’ theme, one of a number of surprises throughout the night. (Later, to rapturous applause, the band all collapsed on stage, like the toys in ‘Toy Story‘ whenever Andy enters the room.) It bled straight into ‘Thrown‘ as Belfiglio moved about like Kate Bush, all snake arms and swivelling hips, pointing her drumstick at people in the crowd when she’s wasn’t smashing a Hi-hat.

A brand new one was revealed – ‘Dedicated To The Dedicated‘ – which has the BODEGA blueprint for sure, with its anthemic chorus and killer hook. Speaking of blueprint, I thought I had the scoop on the band, but apparently not. Some digging online revealed that before BODEGA, there was Bodega Bay – featuring Ben and Nikki (or ‘Bodega Ben‘ and ‘Belfiglio Du Jour‘) – a prototype of sorts that paved the way. In Salford we were treated to cuts from their past, the insanely catchy ‘Tarkovski‘ (which the drummer and bassist looked jazzed to be playing) and the shapeshifting grunge-y delight that was ‘Cultural Consumer‘, which shifted gear a few times, building to a glittering punk crescendo.

The rest of the band were brand new to this reviewer, the line-up shapeshifting since we last saw them. Nikki and Ben sure know how to pick them however and in typical BODEGA fashion, it didn’t take long to become intoxicated by the band in full pomp. The new guitarist hardly let up, always moving about the stage riffing, wigging out and letting the guitar howl, only ever stopping to give his axe a thump. The bassist hardly ever broke out of his power stance, whilst the drummer was all hair, bouncing from drum to drum like Captain Caveman (or as my girlfriend called him, the “very Grateful Dead“…)

A nod of the head to Greater Manchester greats came on ‘Name Escape‘ as Hozie sang of being “…happy in the haze of a drunken hour, but heaven knows I’m miserable now“. An unexpected rendition of Dusty Springfield’s ‘Spooky‘ seemed tailor made for Nikki as she leaned fully into the role of frontwoman, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Returning for an encore, Belfiglio swigged from a bottle of plonk as pilot Ben suggested we look out of our windows as we’d soon be touching down in Salford. In response to a suggestion that The White Hotel is very much like a Brooklyn venue, a punter shouted out, “Brooklyn’s shit“. Quite.

Packing in what Setlist FM tells me was just shy of 30 songs in little over an hour, both BODEGA and the punters had to have been pleased with what was cooked up in Salford. The big wide grin on Nikki’s face as she threw down her sticks at the end of frantic closer ‘No Vanguard Revival‘ would indicate the band certainly went away happy. Top marks.

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Listening Post – November 2022

Words: Andy Hughes

Well bugger me if it isn’t already November. Now that spooky season is behind us, we march on towards the big day – but not before whipping through November.

Our new playlist for the month is now live featuring 20 tunes, old and new. From wonky Russian alt-pop to ultra-pleasant Indonesia inspired jazz – It’s all here for the taking.

Tell your mum, tell your mates but please – leave the fireworks out if it this year, yeah? Dogs hate it.

Crack Cloud – Virtuous Industry
(Tough Baby)

Energising sprint from Canadian collective Crack Cloud, taken from their latest release, ‘Tough Baby‘. Vocalist Zach Choy gets all wonky with his mile-a-minute vocal delivery, ‘Virtuous Industry‘ capturing everything that we love about the outfit. Plug this one right into my nut!

Sweet Baboo – Good Luck
(The Wreckage)

Written by fellow countryman and collaborator H. Hawkline, the new single from Sweet Baboo is a sun-soaked, heavenly wee number that has more than a touch of The Kinks about it in the vocals. From a forthcoming new album on his own label (Amazing Tapes from Canton), it’s the first Sweet Baboo release since 2017s terrific ‘Wild Imagination‘ (though Baboo a.k.a. Stephen Black has spent the intervening years touring with the likes of Cate Le Bon and releasing records with Paul Jones as Group Listening).

Sweet Baboo recently gave us the low-down on the single – read that here.

Stephen Malkmus – Jo Jo’s Jacket
(Stephen Malkmus)

From his debut album post-Pavement, Malkmus brings that catchiness with him on the wicked ‘Jo Jo’s Jacket‘. Not a moment wasted, this has good times running through its middle like a stick of Blackpool rock. Nod of the head to the Yul Brynner and ‘Westworld’ references too.

(Photo Credit: Jenia Filatova)

Kate NV – Early Bird

Following her wonderful 2020 album ‘Room for the Moon‘, Russian artist Kate Shilonosova a.k.a. Kate NV goes full on art-pop with her latest single, ‘Early Bird‘. Funky as hell (with bass parts fresh out of ‘Les Aventures de TINTIN‘) but full of quirks (and chirping, tweeting birdsong), it sounds like it’s come straight off the soundtrack of PlayStation platformer ‘Croc: Legend of the Gobbos‘ (obviously a good thing).

Baby Cool – The Sea
(Earthling On The Road To Self Love)

The opener from her forthcoming solo debut, we welcome back Nice Biscuit via this from co-front woman Grace Cuell, a.k.a. Baby Cool. There’s a real dream-like quality to ‘The Sea’ – all vibe, it’s an enchanting offering from the Australia-based artist that has a bit of Cate Le Bon about it. 

Emma Pollock – Hug The Harbour
(The Law Of Large Numbers)

Emma Pollock, one of the founding members of cult Scottish alt-rock group The Delgados, truly captivates on ‘Hug The Harbour‘. From her second album ‘The Law Of Large Numbers‘ out in 2010, it’s all driving forward during the verses, the drumming keeping you on your toes as you hang onto every word from the vocalist.

Natasha Sandworms – Pet You
(No Magic)

Fuzzy heart-stopper here from the brilliantly named Natasha Sandworms. Eight minutes fly by in an instant, a haze of washed out guitar and soft, distant vocal, the guitar work taking on a nostalgic tone at points, reminiscent of early New Order.

Public Body – 35s & 40s
(Break From Life)

Another winner from the never-miss Brighton five-piece Public Body, we’ve banged on about this lot for years and seemingly will continue to do so when they churn out rippers like this. From their debut release on FatCat Records, ‘35s & 40s‘ propels forward with a DEVO synth attack and hardly lets up across its five minutes.

The Cowboys – After Sunset
(Volume 4)

What a swagger The Cowboys have about them. Would you expect anything less from a crew with a name like that? From a 2016 cassette release, ‘After Sunset‘ is a real treat from the Bloomington, Indiana outfit, vocalist Keith Harman really putting it out there with a twinge of a country and western great about him.

Myd – Moving Men
(Metronomy Remix)

DeMarco and Mount on the same record? Woof! From the tremendously titled album ‘Born A Loser‘, French artist Myd’s cheery whistle-fest ‘Moving Men‘ gets a proper moody Metronomy makeover. Metronomy main man Joseph Mount and Mac DeMarco go back to back on the vocals with Myd to elevate the single into the stratosphere.

The C.I.A. – Impersonator
(Surgery Channel)

Denée Segall returns once again as The C.I.A., with husband Ty and Emmett Kelly backing her up, the trio busting out the fuzz for the covid-catchy ‘Impersonator‘. Flitting between cool customer and Valley Girl, Segall’s vocals keep you hooked whilst the double bass thud of Kelly and Ty rattles the ears.

Dinosaur Jr. – Start Choppin’
(Where You Been)

Mid-October had me all g’d up for Massachusetts mainstays Dinosaur Jr.,when the trio visited Manchester for a proper head-banging affair. A dipped toe previously, sure, but homework was undertaken prior to the show and in all the cramming, ‘Start Choppin’‘ was a major standout amongst all the gold. Solid.

Akusmi – Cogito
(Fleeting Future)

On ‘Cogito‘, Pascal Bideau – the French-born, London based composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer – reminds us so much of fellow Frenchman (via Canada) Mathieu David Gagnon a.k.a. Flore Laurentienne. Inspired in part by a visit to Indonesia, where Bideua immersed himself in traditional Gamelan and gong music, ‘Cogito‘ is such a delightful, hypnotising piece.

Dutch Uncles – True Entertainment
(True Entertainment)

From the long awaited follow up to ‘Big Balloon‘ (which the internet tells me came out in 2017?!), Manchester’s goodest boys Dutch Uncles return with the scintillating ‘True Entertainment‘. The art-poppers have clearly not missed a beat in their time away, crafting yet another bop to add to their ever-growing collection. The skills pay the bills.

Kenny Segal / Serengeti – Ajai Finale
(Ajai)

Fairly soon, people are going to start asking you if you’ve watched ‘The Bear‘ yet. Save yourself the embarrassment and get it watched. From its soundtrack comes this, a collab between LA producer Kenny Segal and Chicago rapper Serengeti, which in itself feels like an episode of the hit TV show condensed into just shy of four minutes.

Kyoto Kyoto – Fenderr
(Mirror Flexing Jaw)

A choice slot supporting Tricot the other month in that London is a good indicator of where Kyoto Kyoto are up to. The London based trio released their debut EP ‘Mirror Flexing Jaw‘ at the start of the year and from it, ‘Fenderr‘ has really gripped us. Calling to mind the likes of Squid and The Homesick, it’s proper energising stuff.

(Photo Credit: Cameron Kelly)

Horse Lords – Zero Degree Machine
(Comradely Objects)

Taken from their forthcoming fifth album ‘Comradely Objects‘, Baltimore, Maryland quartet Horse Lords are all about the build on ‘Zero Degree Machine‘. Hypnotising and then some, the instrumental threatens to fly off track again and again but really rewards you for locking in. Proper rad.

Blacklisters – Leisure Centre
(Leisure Centre)

Blacklisters know where it’s at. Long live the ‘Leisure Centre’. Fond memories of post-swim hot chocolates from the vending machine at Madeley Court as a youngster… The title track from the latest Blacklisters release is pure gnarliness, a proper Pissed Jeans-esque thudder to get your neck jamming.

Martha – Beat, Perpetual
(Please Don’t Take Me Back)

Sugar-rush, anthemic poppy punk from Martha, the Durham lot hitting the ground running with the opener from their latest record, ‘Please Don’t Take Me Back‘. That chorus is pure energy and impossible not to love. Dig those killer J Mascis style guitar parts!

Martha recently gave us the low-down on the title track – read that here.

BODEGA – Statuette On The Console
(Broken Equipment)

With no fewer than nine versions of the song out there (each in a different language), New York art-punks BODEGA really put the graft in for this cut from their second album ‘Broken Equipment‘. Anthemic is the name of the game with ‘Statuette On The Console‘, a track which reminds us quite a bit of fellow New Yorkers Blondie.

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Editor’s Picks: Top 50 songs of 2021 – Part One

Words: Andy Hughes

What a year it’s been. Still though, 2021 next year! What’s that? Oh fuck… December 2021 and bloody hell if we’re not hurtling back to where we were a year ago in the UK!

It is all doom and gloom, however the new music just keeps on coming (to the point we’ve found it hard keeping up) and once again we find ourselves tasked with picking the 50 best songs that came out this year to give them the Birthday Cake For Breakfast seal of approval. Some choice cuts here.

As ever, the list that follows is alphabetical rather than a crowning achievement for the number one spot. After all, it’s not a competition (though surely the Birthday Cake For Breakfast #1 song of the year would be a coveted accolade? Alas…)

Amyl and The Sniffers – Hertz
(Comfort To Me)

Nails Aussie punk from Amyl and The Sniffers, taken from an album which has planted itself firmly in my nut this past few months. Revved up and mega infectious, when vocalist Amy Taylor shouts, you listen.

Anz – You Could Be (ft. George Riley)
(All Hours)

Manc artist Anz caught our attention mid-year with the wonk-pop joy of ‘Unravel In The Designated Zone’, following it up swiftly with a new EP and the straight pop brilliance of ‘You Could Be’. Some tune this!

Arab Strap – Fable of the Urban Fox
(As Days Get Dark)

“Fuck off back to fox land, these streets are fucking full.”

Following a lengthy break, Scots Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton reunited once more in 2021 for the release of ‘As Days Get Dark’, one of our favourite releases of the year. Moffat is famed for spinning a yarn and it’s the captivating ‘Fable of the Urban Fox’ which particularly took hold of us this year.

For a full review of ‘As Days Get Dark’, look no further.

The Armed – All Futures
(Ultrapop)

DETROIT! Excellent return single from ‘Motor City’ hardcore shape-shifters The Armed. We came for the video (Clark Huge!), but we stayed for the tune. Though we mainly just like watching the video and seeing this lot looking so splendid… A proper anthemic adrenaline rush.

Lots more words can be found in our ‘Ultrapop‘ review here!

Audiobooks – The Doll
(Astro Tough)

Christ this is catchy stuff! Eccentronic Research Council comes to mind on this oddball number from London based duo Audiobooks. A moody club backing sits under a weirdly captivating tale of the search for a missing doll, told in hypnotic fashion by vocalist Evangeline Ling.

Black Midi – John L
(Cavalcade)

They’re still an outfit that divide opinion. But opinions can change. Mine certainly did with ‘Cavalcade’, the now three-piece behind it ticking all manner of boxes on their second album (including the surprising Prefab Sprout numbers we weren’t expecting). The manic head-trip ‘John L’ is our favourite at the time of writing…

A review of ‘Cavalcade‘? But of course.

Max Bloom – Pedestrian
(Pedestrian)

Following on from a wonderful solo debut last year, the former Yuck vocalist returns in 2021 with album number two – led by title track ‘Pedestrian’. A John Lennon solo stylee mingles with bursts of brass on this beautiful piece.

Max talked us through second single ‘Palindromes’ ahead of the album release, which you can read here.

Bodega – Doers
(Broken Equipment)

Writing the 2021 anthem we’ve all had on our minds (‘Bitter, Harder, Fatter, Stressed Out‘), New Yorkers Bodega line up their second album with a ludicrously infectious return single. Never a foot wrong, this lot.

The Bug Club – We Don’t Need Room For Lovin’
(Launching Moondream One)

The debut offering from Welsh lot The Bug Club had us hooked from note one, their garage rock chops making for quite the head-nodder. Can’t fault a faded out guitar solo neither, and hey – we’ve not been as stoked about the alphabet since primary school!

Silly questions were answered by The Bug Club earlier this year, which you can read here.

Chubby and the Gang – Lightning Don’t Strike Twice
(The Mutt’s Nuts)

The punks came up trumps this year off the back of signing to Partisan, with the release of their hotly tipped second album. ‘Lightning Don’t Strike Twice’ captures the vigour and anthemic nature of their debut ‘Speed Kills’, with a chorus that just won’t quit.

A full rundown on ‘The Mutt’s Nuts‘ can be found here.

Cold Comfort – Too Stained
(Weak and Dazed)

Northwich based solo artist Ben Forrester followed up on his noisy roots this year, influenced by the likes of Health Plan and METZ, to create a fuzzy five-track EP that sounds a bit like Bloc Party at their most infectious on the quiet. Dead good this!

Forrester talked us through some of those very influences just last month, which you can find here.

Deliluh – Amulet B

Daddy or chips? Tough call picking between A and B on this one, both sides of the latest single from Deliluh offering up slightly different flavours (A recorded as a quartet, B as the current duo). ‘Amulet B’ is a bit more immediate, channelling Reznor and his mates, though we’re just as hot on A!

Deliluh were the first band we saw live without restrictions post-lockdown (!) – full highlights here.

DITZ – Ded Würst

Rock hard this from Brighton lot DITZ, ‘Ded Würst’ flicking between hypnotic to crushing, pneumatic drill heaviness at the drop of a hat. Love that LOUD/quiet dynamic.

DITZ told us everything there is to know about the single just the other month – you can read that here.

Du Blonde – Smoking Me Out
(Homecoming)

With a bit of an American High School movie end credits flavour (‘Homecoming’ – I get it), ‘Smoking Me Out’ chucks in ‘Joe’s Garage’ x Rocky Horror Picture Show in the mix for this uplifting, anthemic alt-pop banger.

FACS – Strawberry Cough
(Present Tense)

Shimmering and glitching away, the trippy ‘Strawberry Cough’ very much gets under your skin throughout its five minute duration. An early favourite from the latest album, you’d expect nothing less from the cucumber cool Chicago outfit known as FACS.

Just this month, FACS own Brian Case gave us his 2021 highlights – all that here.

Field Music – Do Me A Favour
(Flat White Moon)

Another year, another untouchable Field Music record. From their eighth full length studio album – full of EOY contenders – ‘Do Me A Favour’ (with its slight Tom Petty vibe) really tickled our fancy for 2021.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Field Music earlier this year – read that here.

Folly Group – Sand Fight
(Awake and Hungry)

The hype is real! Londoners Folly Group rip it up on their debut EP, closer ‘Sand Fight’ the best of a strong set. The catchiest of the current crop of UK post-punk acts knocking about, 2022 will no doubt have big things in store.

Gabriels – Love and Hate In A Different Time
(Love and Hate In A Different Time)

If it’s good enough for Elton John, it’s good enough for us. Reg called it right with the LA-based trio, producers Ryan Hope and Ari Balouzian sound-tracking an incredible vocal performance from gospel singer Jacob Lusk. A chorus for the ages, Lusk sounds timeless.

God Damn – Yout
(Raw Coward)

God Damn at maybe their most raging, the lead single from their new record ‘Raw Coward’ is ear-shredding. Frantic and crushing, it makes one long for social distancing to be a thing of the past. Throat lozenge required.

God Damn were good eggs and told us all about the single mid-year – read that here.

Gnod – Pink Champagne Blues
(La Mort Du Sens)

Proper ear-destroyer from up the road in Salford via Gnod, the driving parts of ‘Pink Champagne Blues’ proper propel you into explosive bursts of crushing noise for dizzying results.

Gnod were kind enough to put up with some daft questions from us – answers here.

Gruff Rhys – Hiking In Lightning
(Seeking New Gods)

Whilst we can’t quite shift the image of Simon Farnaby singing these songs (listen yourself – definite sound-alike), we’ve still been mad for Gruff Rhys this year and his latest epic. The driving ‘Hiking In Lightning’ is a real winner, from our favourite record about a mythic volcano (tough competition!)

Seeking New Gods! Reviewed! Here!

Aldous Harding – Old Peel

Ahead of a bumper UK/EU tour next year, New Zealand’s own Aldous Harding put out a notable live favourite this year in ‘Old Peel’. Following on the wonkiness of 2019’s ‘Designer’, the latest single is a real quirky gem.

Holiday Ghosts – Off Grid
(North Street Air)

Ripper territory from Brighton’s Holiday Ghosts, ‘Off Grid’ capturing the sound of the sea, beach frolics and the sun having his hat on. A real fuzzy garage rock trip.

Home Counties – Modern Yuppies

Great use of their time in lockdown, Home Counties invested in some old gear purchased off the net (a second-hand analogue synth and a drum machine) to add some 80s daftness into their set up. Wise move we reckon as ‘Modern Yuppies’ is an oddball delight.

Paul Jacobs – Half Rich Loner
(Pink Dogs on the Green Grass)

Released at the very start of 2021, Jacobs (who we’ve loved hammering away behind the kit in Pottery) dropped this cool little number to preview his latest solo release. Rocking with a touch of the Lindsey Buckingham’s about it, with some Zappa chucked in for good measure.

Jacobs answered a series of daft questions for us around the same time – dig it!

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Listening Post – November 2021

Words: Andy Hughes

As regular as my dog barking me awake every day before 9AM, Birthday Cake For Breakfast has your NEW monthly playlist to tuck into! First of the month, like clockwork.

Featuring everything that’s been tickling our fancy this past month, within these 20 tracks you’ll find new and old, loud and quiet, hard and soft and everything in between. Do yourself a favour – give it a like so you remember it each month and share it with your friends so they can do the same!

Jonathan Richman – You Can’t Talk To The Dude
(I, Jonathan)

‘No he don’t taste the food, he’s just shovelling it down.’ Yet another wonderful ditty from the ever brilliant Jonathan Richman, rhyming up a storm as is his wont. Continuing our lifelong Richman trip.

Nation of Language – This Fractured Mind
(A Way Forward)

Don’t look forward, look backward! Glittering nostalgic joy on offer from Nation of Language out of Brooklyn, NYC. ‘This Fractured Mind‘ is an energetic delight, calling to mind The Human League and ‘Johnny and Mary‘. Perfect pop.

Mr Ben & the Bens – How Do I Get To You?
(Melody Shed)

Wonderful Autumnal feeling on offer from the latest out of Lancaster’s finest, Mr Ben & the Bens. Crunchy leaves, wrapping up tight, crisp air. Rocking a bit of a timeless feel, one loves those brass bursts!

Wednesday – Handsome Man
(Twin Plagues)

Total slacker jam from North Carolina outfit Wednesday. Brings to mind the feelings we first felt when we fell in love with Milk Teeth all them years ago (before Josh left…) A spine-tingler no doubt, turn this one right up, kid!

Wombo – Dreamsickle
(Keesh Mountain)

Really swish stuff from Kentucky’s own Wombo, the trio letting rip on ‘Dreamsickle‘. The almost dreamlike vocal of Sydney Chadwick compliments the post-punk-ish instrumental perfectly. Joy Division one minute, The Strokes the next, then Omni the next.

Cate Le Bon – Running Away
(Pompeii)

Further Bowie vibes on the latest from the brilliant Cate Le Bon, from her forthcoming new record ‘Pompeii‘. Luscious and warm, ‘Running Away‘ is a welcome return, one which builds upon the splendour of the untouchable album ‘Reward‘.

Tall Ships – Gallop
(Everything Touching)

Lump in the throat territory from a pivotal album in the early days of Birthday Cake For Breakfast, a mid-October morning was sound-tracked quite wonderfully by the fantastic debut album from Tall Ships (RIP). ‘Gallop‘ sounds a lot more relevant almost a decade on from when we first heard it…

We Are Scientists – Contact High
(Huffy)

Boy oh boy, We Are Scientists know how to write a bloody catchy chorus. Whilst they’ve been waffling on about bringing back the bridge ahead of the release of ‘Huffy‘, there’s no denying their knack for penning an anthemic, sing-a-long refrain. Hearts set to burst.

Kit Sebastian – Senden Başka
(Mantra Moderne)

Satisfyingly 60’s sounding cucumber cool number from London formed duo Kit Martin and Merve Erdem, the pair bringing Turkish and French influences to the table. Martin perfectly sets you up for the knockout vocal of Erdem.

Delta 5 – Mind Your Own Business

Leeds lot Delta 5 sounding box fresh in the year 2021, despite ‘Mind Your Own Business‘ coming out forty years ago! Hypnotic bass line make no mistake, this is such a rager.

Metronomy x Biig Piig – 405
(Posse EP Volume 1)

From an EP we’ve been positively rinsing since its release a month or two back, this sultry, 80’s sounding piece featuring the vocals of the brilliantly named Biig Piig has been swirling round my brainbox almost as much as the undeniable collab with Folly Group and Brian Nasty. The fact that Metronomy have now followed it up with the ludicrously catchy ‘It’s Good to be Back‘ is testament to them!

BODEGA – DOERS
(Broken Equipment)

Dynamite lead single from the forthcoming BODEGA record, ‘DOERS‘ takes about 40 seconds before you know you’re in good hands. An anthem for the 2021 pandemic crowd, the refrain of ‘Bitter, Harder, Fatter, Stressed Out‘ feels very relatable!

The Limiñanas – Migas 2000
(Down Underground)

Rocking shoulder-shuffler from French duo The Limiñanas, with a garage-rock vibe that makes you want to whack on a pair of black shades and light one up. Much in the same way that BODEGA sound like they’re from New York, The Limiñanas most definitely sound like they’re from France (the vocal helps…)

Spill Tab – Anybody Else

As heard on that latest Metronomy EP, LA based French-Korean artist Claire Chicha creates perfect wonky pop as Spill Tab, with ‘Anybody Else‘ very much hitting the spot.

Future Islands – Peach

We’re still vibing off the latest record from Future Islands at Birthday Cake For Breakfast HQ, so it was a treat recently to discover this standalone single. I’ve always said they sound best when they’re moving at a clip and ‘Peach‘ is very much that brand from the quartet out of Baltimore.

SASAMI – Sorry Entertainer
(Squeeze)

Nails double-peddle nastiness from LA artist SASAMI and her newly announced album ‘Squeeze‘. Discovered here via the involvement of Patti Harrison (the star of multiple scenes in I Think You Should Leave), ‘Sorry Entertainer‘ is a ripper, a metal blast from the past that sounds gnarly as you like.

Mitski – Why Didn’t You Stop Me?
(Be The Cowboy)

Recent Mitski news resulted in some looking back to 2018’s ‘Be The Cowboy‘ and the terrific, hypnotising dance-y bop ‘Why Didn’t You Stop Me?‘. Love how much it builds and builds, leading to that fist in the air crescendo!

Ibibio Sound Machine – Electricity

Last month we were bigging up Ibibio Sound Machine and we find ourselves doing so once again this month off the back of their latest single, ‘Electricity‘. Recorded at the studio of Hot Chip, the collective were so keen on it that they wanted the world to know and we’re chuffed they did – yet another arse-shaker from the outfit.

The Gun Club – Death Party
(Death Party)

Raging garage punk banger from Yank lot The Gun Club. Love that yelped, almost unhinged vocal delivery from Jeffrey Lee Pierce. Proper sinks its teeth in this one, its repetition working you up so much you’re begging for another verse at its end.

Pigeon – Yagana
(Yagana)

Absolute disco-dance delight this, the work of Falle Nioke and members of SAULT, Soma World and Michael Kiwanuka’s band. The story goes the quintet got together in Margate after a visit to the pub, setting up an impromptu jam sesh that eventually led them to the business of ‘Yagana‘ (which translates to ‘It’s been a while‘), which was recorded in just one weekend. You’ll note Nioke has previously been seen round these parts, the vocalist moving to the UK from West Africa back in 2018 and coming to our attention through collaborations with sir Was and Ghost Culture.

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WATCH: BODEGA announce new album and a UK/EU Tour via new single ‘Doers’!

Words: Andy Hughes (Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana)

2021 and we’ve finally got a contemporary follow on from Daft Punk’s ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger‘. Very much capturing the current mood of just about everyone, on new single ‘Doers‘, BODEGA return with the choice refrain of ‘Bitter, Harder, Fatter, Stressed Out‘.

‘Doers‘ dishes up more helpings of the cucumber cool we’re-definitely-from-NYC sound that we first fell in love with on their debut ‘Endless Scroll‘. More musings on the big apple from our man Bodega Ben, as he lets fly with an almost stream of consciousness vocal down the camera lens of your mind.

Complete with a new video, it’s a very BODEGA DIY affair, recorded at the old abandoned IBM offices in Kingston, NY, the players of the piece wearing those masks you used to be able to buy from The Works for £1.99 in the late 90’s.

The ripper of a return track comes with much in the way of announcements – number one on the list being a new full length, ‘Broken Equipment‘, out March 11th 2022 on What’s Your Rupture? and Dinked in the UK (complete with a flexi-disc featuring the non-album single ‘Top Hat No Rabbit‘!) There’s also an EU/UK tour to get excited about – full dates available here!

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a/s/l: The Wants

Remember the days of the old schoolyard? Remember when Myspace was a thing? Remember those time-wasting, laborious quizzes that everyone used to love so much? Birthday Cake For Breakfast is bringing them back! 

Every couple of weeks, an unsuspecting band will be subject to the same old questions about dead bodies, Hitler, crying and crushes.  

This Week: Cucumber-cool NYC trio THE WANTS

Words: Andy Hughes

Have you ever seen a dead body?
Jason Gates (JG): Yes.
Heather Elle (HE): Fortunately, no. Only herds of phone zombies.
Madison Velding-VanDam (MVV): Yes, several.

Who is your favourite Simpsons character?
HE: Whichever ones my friend Megan Amram writes for.
MVV: OG Lisa.

What T-Shirt are you wearing?
JG: I’m wearing a black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up a bit.
HE: Accidentally wore a red turtle neck in 64 degree weather.
MVV: I’m generally opposed to wearing t-shirts.

What did your last text message say?
JG: “That’s ridiculous”.
HE: “Thanks, dad” in response to him hearing the new record.
MVV: Free VZW Msg: Your 24hr TravelPass session will end at 2020-03-13 08:26:04 EDT Time. Another daily session will be triggered by Int’l Talk, Text or Data. For details visit vzw.com/intltrvl

What’s the last song you listened to?
JG: I was actually just checking out some video footage of The Wants live in France so that was it. The song was “Hydra”.
HE: Prettiest Eyes– “Marihuana”
MVV: Cybotron – “Cosmic Cars”

How did you meet the people in your band?
JG: Just around Brooklyn.
MVV: To clarify, we didn’t meet on the street, we met playing at shows.

What’s the first record you bought?
HE: Unashamedly… Smash Mouth’s ‘Fush Yu Mang’ on CD.
MVV: I was a devious Napster addict. I’ve learned the error in my ways; support artists and buy records!

What was your favourite VHS growing up?
JG: VHS?!! (Young bastard! – Ed)

When was the last time you cried?
JG: Hell I don’t know, it’s been awhile.
HE: Yesterday.

Have you ever kissed someone & regretted it?
JG: Yeah.
MVV: Who hasn’t?

Best Physical Feature?
MVV: NME called us a “well-cheekboned trio”.

Worst physical feature?
MVV: Oh and Brooklyn Vegan says I’m tall and lanky, with anvil-esque features — that’s fun.

Reasonably ok/not bad feature that you’re not fussed about?
MVV: I feel I’d come off too vain if I keep going with this.

Do you have any pets?
JG: Absolutely not.
HE: An orange tabby named Mar Mar.
MVV: My girlfriend’s dog Frankie.

Ever picked up any injuries on tour?
JG: I get bruised up or my hands get cut regularly.
HE: Just emotional ones. It’s a steep learning curve!
MVV: With all the adrenaline spikes and gas station food it’s a challenge to keep your head on straight literally and figuratively.

What did you do for your last birthday?
JG: Hung out with friends.
MVV: I was one of those friends. I think I’ve been playing shows my last few birthdays.

Name something you CANNOT wait for?
HE: For this pandemic to end so musicians can carry on with playing shows and touring.
MVV: And of course for everyone to be safe! The end to this epidemic would be lovely otherwise our profession is fairly screwed.

Do you have a crush on someone?
JG: I do.
HE: Absolutely not.
MVV: Yes.

What’s the shittest experience you’ve had as a musician?
JG: Typical stuff like bad gear breakdowns during a show or a fight in the crowd.
MVV: There’s many, often with venue sound engineers who don’t know what they’re doing or don’t like your face.

If you could go back in time, how far would you go?
JG: I’d want to try a few eras actually. Opium dens in Paris around 1940 with Antonin Artaud and Anaïs Nin sounds fun.
MVV: It’d be interesting to witness a time before this society experiment was so thoroughly underway. So like a 500 thousand years? Hell, two million?

How do you want to die?
JG: Happy.
HE: Middle-aged-ish and quick.
MVV: I can’t say I really want to die any particular way.

What’s your favourite thing about pizza?
JG: I rarely eat it.
MVV: I can’t condone all makes of pizza, but there is an undeniable genius to the flavor combinations: bread, cheese, and tomato sauce. Magic, especially in New York City.

What are you craving right now?
JG: Sushi & my drums. I crave both of those things often.
MVV: Science fiction — and I’ll no longer do your dishes!

Have you ever been on a horse?
JG: Yes.
MVV: No.

What did you dream about last night?
JG: Ice cream.
MVV: Being trapped in a prison of my own design.

If you could go back in time and kill the baby Hitler, would you?
HE: I don’t condone murder.
MVV: How Kantian of you Heather. Yes, for the greater good, I would have murdered baby Hitler — and gone after Pol Pot! — in fact, the list of genocidal maniacs I’d be open to murdering as babies is long.

Do you like Chinese food?
HE: Yes! Just ordered from the legendary Mission Chinese last night.
JG: Very much.
MVV: When I’m hungover or depressed generally, unless it’s Xi’an Famous Foods.

Have you ever been on TV?
JG: Yes.
HE: Yes, but not enough.
MVV: Sort of. Does French TV count?

Ever meet someone famous?
JG: Yes.
HE: I saw William Hung on the street once.
MVV: Josh Homme visited his guitar tech at a show recently. He was sweet, a real life Johnny Bravo.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
JG: Jesus.
MVV: This one’s over my head I think.
HE: All in one piece.

Debut album ‘Container’ is out now on Council Records! Pick yourself up a copy why dontcha?

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Listening Post – February 2020

Words: Andy Hughes

February already is it? Christ… Not just that, almost the end of February as well. Tell you what though, the new music keeps getting churned out and I keep getting stuck in, so it’s not all too bad. It’s been a big month for new discoveries and listening to really great records walking around the local park, as well as hammering records whilst writing up two big interviews that kicked off our year – More of that below! It’s also been a big month for doing the garden, hence the delay…

*UPDATE – Our playlist only sticks about for ONE MONTH before we move on. No regrets. You can listen to the latest playlist below!*

Jamie Lenman – Personal
(Devolver)

I had the pleasure of chatting with Jamie Lenman at the tail end of last year, both of us cross legged across from each other on a bunk bed like we were having a sleepover. Whilst writing up the piece, ‘Personal‘ got played again and again – an audio highlight reel of Lenman’s strengths whipped up into one track, with its killer riff, anthemic chorus and fist-raising shouty moments. A belter.

BODEGA – Treasures Of The Ancient World
(Shiny New Model)

Another new record that’s been on heavy rotation, the follow up to the debut album from cucumber cool NYC outfit BODEGA. Second track ‘Treasures Of The Ancient World’ is an infectious bit of kit, calling to mind their mates Parquet Courts.

Michael Kiwanuka – You Ain’t The Problem
(KIWANUKA)

A face and name i’ve seen about time and time again, but music i’ve never listened to. Until now. Fully backing Kiwanuka from this point forward, with this big single from the LDN-born singer a true earworm. What a chorus!

Tropical Trash – Your Place In The Chain
(Southern Indiana Drone Footage)

A record I’ve come back to again and again throughout the past year, introduced to me from our resident noise guy Nate. A Hot Snakes-esque straight down the barrel bit of noise-rock. The album is a rager!

Aiming For Enrike – Don’t Hassle The Hoff
(Music For Working Out)

Can’t get enough of this infectious instrumental math-rock duo right now! From their latest album ‘Music For Working Out’, we described Aiming For Enrike as “one of the most creative instrumental outfits in the world today“. Not a bad shout.

Metronomy – A Thing For Me
(Nights Out)

As acknowledged last month, Metronomy completely passed me by at the time they were putting out arse-shakers like this. I’m making up for it these days though and the past four months following the release of new album ‘Metronomy Forever‘ have been heavily soundtracked by their back catalogue. This track from their 2008 LP ‘Nights Out‘ is pure pop brilliance.

Wasted Shirt – Double The Dream
(Fungus II)

Anything new from Ty is a delight, especially if it’s riff-y and shout-y. This ticks both boxes, with the added thumbs up thanks to one of the bods from Lightning Bolt joining him. Hits you like a fucking lightning bolt this one, kid (ey up).

Purple Mountains – Darkness and Cold
(Purple Mountains)

Sunny Saturday mornings have often been soundtracked by this record, having picked it up just after Christmas. Not for the tone, obviously, but the warmth of the instrumentation and the brilliant songwriting from the late David Berman, the perfect pairing for many cups of coffee.

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Reducer
(Viscerals)

New output from the Pigs lot – ‘Reducer‘ is more of a straight on rager than some of the lengthier head-smashers from last album ‘King Of Cowards‘. A head-spinner none the less, it’s a great indicator of what’s to be expected from their forthcoming new album!

Field Music – Coffee Or Wine
(Making a New World)

Another interview from this year and another album that was played again and again during the writing process, ‘Coffee Or Wine‘ kicks the new Field Music album off good and proper – A tale of what it might have been like for young soldiers on the return from the First World War, reintegrating back into society, all wrapped up in that trademark Field Music pomp.

Anna Burch – Not So Bad
(If You’re Dreaming)

From her forthcoming new album ‘If You’re Dreaming‘, the Detroit based singer songwriter builds anticipation stupendously with the heartwarming ‘Not So Bad‘. All the warmth we’ve come to expect from Burch following her wunderbar debut.

Moaning – Ego
(Uneasy Laughter)

Another new album on the way from Sub Pop regulars Moaning, this time around the sound is more synth heavy, making for a very 80’s sounding moody pop number with the most infectious of choruses (even given the context!)

The Homesick – Male Bonding
(The Big Exercise)

A favourite discovery in 2020, The Homesick have been my ‘have you heard about this lot?‘ band since I discovered them via this single at the start of the year. From throat-shredding shouts to that majestic closing stretch, i’ve been hooked ever since.

Thundercat – Black Qualls (feat. Steve Lacy & Steve Arrington)
(It Is What It Is)

It would be hard to follow up phenomenal 2017 LP ‘Drunk‘ but Thundercat seems like the man for the job. New single ‘Black Qualls‘ is a hilariously sincere sounding funk number from a man who treads the line between piss-take and heartfelt like a pro.

Jonathan Richman – Sleepwalk
(Jonathan Richman)

Who said Instagram stories are good for nothin’? Discovered this via the story of a young man with good music taste. Always on for a bit of Richman, this delightful instrumental is that good it doesn’t even need the dulcet tones of the Modern Lovers frontman (save for whatever it is he says towards the end…)

New Order – 1963
(Substance)

“Oh, God, Johnny, don’t point that gun at me.”

One of the things I love about New Order is that, on the quiet, the lyrics are a bit naff. Some of the best New Order songs (with the naffest lyrics) tell a central story all the way through, with ‘1963‘ being a sounds-like-it-should-be-serious-but-isn’t tale. Cracking 80’s dance beat to it as well.

Bombay Bicycle Club – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong
(Everything Else Has Gone Wrong)

Bombay Bicycle Club kind of passed me by when they were first becoming massive, though I always remember listening to their records years later with our resident indie kid (at the time) Ben. Title track from their new record and it’s an instant pop smasher.

Corridor – Goldie
(Junior)

Canadian outfit Corridor took hold of our attention late last year with the release of their latest album ‘Junior’. I recently took in the whole thing on a walk around the local park in the fog and – let me tell you folks – it was a delight. Wunderbar pop sensibilities throughout. Try it out yourself.

Tennis – Need Your Love
(Swimmer)

New one from indie-pop Husband and Wife duo Tennis, firm household favourites. The word that comes to mind when thinking of Tennis is ‘warmth’, from the production to the vocal of Alaina Moore. Love the stop-start beat!

Electronic – Getting Away With It
(Electronic)

Marr and Sumners, with Tennant on backing? Mad… Similar vein to New Order in the sense that Barnie is talking utter shite again, but it’s all wrapped up in this electronic (ey-up) dancefloor smash that’s been played at least once daily since I first heard it a few weeks back.

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Editor’s Picks: Top 50 songs of 2019 – Part Two

2019 eh? You’d laugh if you weren’t too busy crying… Bloody good year for music though.

With it being the end of the year, we’ve joined the long list of your other favourite websites to compile the best songs released this year. 50 songs sounds like a lot to work with until you have to compile said list.

Here’s the second of two parts featuring a list of the 50 best songs released this year – part one here. Continued in alphabetical order mind you, as things are complicated enough as it is don’t you think?

Laundromat – Humans

Long awaited new material from one Toby Hayes (ex-Meet Me in St. Louis/Eugene Quell). ‘Humans‘ reminds me a bit of early Beck in a way (though he’s not spouting gibberish about microwaves and such) and is a super cool slice of where Toby is at in 2019 Brighton.

Cate Le Bon – Daylight Matters
(Reward)

It was hard to choose a track from the latest Cate Le Bon effort, given the wealth of worthy contenders. We were head over heels for first single ‘Daylight Matters‘ on release – such warmth in the instrumentation and as per, a real shift put in by Le Bon to make hearts swell.

Steve Mason – No Clue
(About The Light)

The Beta Band kinda passed me by (save for that scene in ‘High Fidelity‘), but I’ve had this single on at least once a fortnight since I first heard it on the radio mid-year. Ex-Beta Band vocalist Steve Mason knows how to pen a tune, eh? Chorus on this one is sublime.

Metronomy – Salted Caramel Ice Cream
(Metronomy Forever)

I don’t know exactly how it happened, but the past 10+ years have had a Metronomy shaped hole in them for me. How did I miss out on the likes of ‘Nights Out‘ and ‘The English Riviera‘?! What exactly was I playing at? This all changed following the release of their latest effort ‘Metronomy Forever’, particularly the delectable ‘Salted Caramel Ice Cream‘. A pop gem, love the catchiness of it.

Oh Sees – The Daily Heavy
(Face Stabber)

With an opening that sounds like a dog toy gripped between the jaws of a canine, ‘The Daily Heavy‘ is the first track from the exceptionally titled new Oh Sees album ‘Face Stabber‘ and one which sets the record up more than nicely. Each player firing on all cylinders, the rhythm is hypnotising as the vocals of JPD swirl around your head almost in a murmur. A driving psych journey that hardly lets up across its 7+ minutes.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Oh Sees lifer John Dwyer earlier this year – read that here!

Omni – Sincerely Yours
(Networker)

We’ve been bang into OMNI for a few years now and have greedily lapped up everything they’ve offered thus far. Their Sub Pop debut ‘Networker‘ took a few listens at first, but it’s definitely a grower. Lead single ‘Sincerely Yours’ once again shows off the guitar chops of Frankie Broyles, with lovely little Television-esque flourishes, whilst bassist Philip Frobos’ smooth vocals are just the ticket.

N0V3L – To Whom It May Concern
(N0V3L)

The less quirky branch of the “multimedia collective“ Crack Cloud crew, N0V3L lean more toward moody 80’s sounding post-punk and ‘To Whom It May Concern‘ is a real sharp bit of kit. From a fantastic debut LP.

Orville Peck – Dead of Night
(Pony)

The sort of act that gets David Lynch hot under the collar i’m sure, Orville Peck has been on the old radar for a while but it wasn’t until a few months back that I got fully tucked into debut album ‘Pony‘. Now he’s on everyone’s radar and more power to him! The only country sounding artist on the list you’ll be surprised to hear, ‘Dead of Night‘ deals in romance on the dusty trail as two mean hombres travel through the Nevada desert.

Pizzagirl – Ball’s Gonna Keep On Rollin’
(First Timer)

Opener from the debut Pizzagirl LP, ‘Ball’s Gonna Keep On Rollin‘ is similar to label-mate Guest Singer’s debut in that we’re treated to a lot of moody 80’s tinged synth-pop with an Alex Cameron feel. Bright lights, big city vibes, it’s the sort of track that might’ve been your favourite on one of those ‘Now That’s What I Call Music‘ comps way back when…

Pottery – The Craft
(No. 1)

I first heard this during a bit of downtime whilst we were on our jollies in Italy. When we landed in Manchester the following week, I caught them up the road at The Castle Hotel and it was one of the best shows of the year. The Quintet based in Canada put out a belting EP earlier in the year and ‘The Craft‘ is one of the best from it – spot on, energetic post-punk.

POZI – Engaged
(PZ1)

There was a 24 hour period when I first heard this song where I played it again and again and again. Absolutely obsessed. A song about being infatuated with your mobile telephone device. The album is a cracker too.

POZI talked to us about what inspired the LP not long after release – read all about it here.

Public Body – Talking Show
(Public Body)

Jangly, energised post-punk out of Brighton that calls to mind much missed Manc outfit DUDS – Public Body caught our attention back in August and we’re keeping a keen ear out for whatever they’ve got planned next.

Purple Mountains – All My Happiness Is Gone
(Purple Mountains)

A wonderfully warm yet heartbreaking number from the late David Berman. The uplifting instrumentation is backed by words of such sorrow, made even sadder by his death not longer after the album’s release. Love the vocal delivery on “It’s not the icy bike chain rain of Portland, Oregon“.

BODEGA picked the Purple Mountains album as a 2019 highlight – more on that here.

Ty Segall – Taste
(First Taste)

The raucous opener from Ty Segall’s latest LP, he hopped behind the kit for this and a number of songs from the album, with his drumset heard via the left speaker and the kit of Charles Moothart heard on the right side. Great B-Movie horror video too.

Sleaford Mods – Discourse
(Eton Alive)

‘Flipside‘ was one of our top tracks last year and cut to 2019, we’ve got ‘Discourse‘ in the top ranks too – a passionate delivery from Williamson against some of Fearn’s best beats on the record. Honourable mention to the joyous ‘Big Burt’.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jason of Sleaford Mods earlier this year – Check that out here.

Snapped Ankles – Tailpipe
(Stunning Luxury)

Non-stop party power from that band dressed head to toe in shrubbery. ‘Tailpipe‘ captures the sound of Snapped Ankles perfectly – maximum speed, hypnotising rhythms that make the listener feel like they’re off their nut. Nearly impossible to not find yourself shouting ‘SUCK-A-SUCK-A-SUCK-A-SUCK-A-TAILPIPE‘ by the end of it.

Squid – Houseplants

Big year for Squid, eh? We’ve had the pleasure of catching them a few times this year and their live set-up gets better and better. ‘Houseplants‘ kicked it off for us in the first half of the year, a total rager – the unhinged, yelped vocal of Ollie Judge hard not to love. A proper good band to get on board with in 2019.

THANK – Think Less
(Please)

“Baby i’m feeling fucking worthless…” One of our favourite Leeds bands knocking about at the minute. It’s a bit horrible, like – our review of their new EP suggested they’re “a kind of demented synth-rock“.

Uranium Club – Grease Monkey
(The Cosmo Cleaners)

More holiday adventures – I took our lass to Bordeaux where Uranium Club just happened to be playing (convenient). I picked up a copy of this record at the show when it was box fresh and still in the stages of getting proper artwork etc. More fast-paced garage-rock-esque fun from The Minneapolis Uranium Club, it revvvs along at pace with that trademark sarcastic vocal style.

THANK picked ‘The Cosmo Cleaners‘ as a 2019 highlight – more on that here.

USA Nails – Smile
(Life Cinema)

Featuring one of the most killer riffs in the USA Nails catalogue, ‘Smile‘ is a rock-hard rager and deals in the mundanity of everyday life in ear-piercing fashion. The album might be one of their best (a big ask!)

Vital Idles – Break A
(Vital Idles)

Super cool EP opener from Glaswegian outfit Vital Idles – The slightly strange yelps from vocalist Jessica Higgins captivate as the bass line gets right under your skin.

WAND – Walkie Talkie
(Laughing Matter)

A record that kept my attention a lot this summer, ‘Walkie Talkie‘ is a proper driving corker from Californian shape-shifters WAND. A real joyful racket.

Warmduscher – Midnight Dipper
(Tainted Lunch)

More sleazeball antics from Warmduscher, ‘Midnight Dipper‘ is a real funky piece of kit from their latest LP. Sounds like you’ve heard it before but then again, not quite – Vocalist Clams Baker sounds exactly like the sort of person you don’t want to meet in the pub.

Dr. Alan Goldfarb (on behalf of the band) talked us through their musical inspirations as part of our What’s On Michael Portillo’s iPod feature – Check out his picks here.

WOOZE – I’ll Have What She’s Having
(What’s On Your Mind?)

A personal favourite of mine in 2019, WOOZE came to our attention late last year through their initial singles. ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having‘ is absolutely joyous – hyperbole description wise, we hit the nail on the head back then: “Incredibly invigorating bursts of art-pop, they both manage to sound washing-line-fresh whilst sounding as if they were produced and released about forty years ago.”

WOOZE answered a host of daft questions for us as part of our a/s/l feature – Get your chops round that here!

Working Men’s Club – Bad Blood

Working Men’s Club have come on a bit since their initial single (sold out over and over) haven’t they? They’ve shifted gears somewhat since their debut and players have come and gone, but ‘Bad Blood‘ was a total gem of a debut – an exciting bit of energised post-punk that sounds as sun-soaked as the single art looks. Calling to mind the likes of Gang Of Four and Orange Juice, hearing this it’s no surprise that they’ve been building a big fan base at a rapid pace.

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For those sorts who don’t read, you can listen to all of the above (and everything from PART ONE) in our handy Spotify playlist here!

Like what you see? Why not stick around and check out the other articles and interviews!
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