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: Gustaf at YES in Manchester 4 May 2022

Words: Andy Hughes

Having literally just come back from a wee break in Wales, a last minute decision to see Gustaf meant we were out the door with not long to spare the other night. Just enough time to grab a pint and a slice of pizza at YES and zip up stairs to find a glittering band definitely from New York City. Vocalist Lydia Gammill had whipped out a flute not long after I’d walked in, whilst percussionist Tarra Thiessen danced around to her left, waving to the crowd and singing with a robotic deep voice effect (think ‘1999‘ by Prince), as heard on their 2021 debut album ‘Audio Drag For Ego Slobs‘. Later she’d be drumming on a giant empty food tin for the energetic, groovy as hell ‘Design‘.

Some lads walk past like they couldn’t care less about being here – hey, maybe this is New York! Equally NYC (I’ll shut up about it after this, I promise) is guitarist Vram Kherlopian in his glittery shirt and striped trousers. I like how everyone has their own vibe and they’re running with it – Gammill is all gesticulating and wild eyed, slapping her head when she’s not pointing an index finger at it.

Thiessen is the most striking (and energetic), bringing B52s meets go-go dancer realness to the table, bouncing about on the spot whenever she’s not running on the spot. She has seemingly every percussive instrument required, including a number of squeaking rubber chickens and pigs. 

“We love you.” Comes Thiessen’s robot voice during a brief break to much laughter. Bassist Tine Hill builds up to full on groove mode on ‘Book‘ as Thiessen is a vision, beating a tambourine with a gigantic smile that remains on her face throughout – in contrast to Gammill who’s more often than not looking manic. I had wondered how the robot voice was going to work live (having foolishly assumed it was an actual real life robot that had joined the ranks), so was happy to hear it works just as well as on record.

The crowd are proper cutting a rug as the band go full force on ‘Mine‘. “You got something to say?” Asks Gammill of a punter down below, as she puts the microphone down to crowd level. Said punter opens their mouth wide as the vocalist looks in, assuring us “I’m a dentist“. Having acknowledged the forthcoming proclamation will be unique to Manchester and “it’s just for all of us”, the German fan is allowed a go on the microphone and announces to the crowd that she’d flown over from Berlin, coming all this way to see Gustaf, leading the crowd to whoop as the band crack back on in electric fashion.

From Germany to England, Gammill (very nicely) suggests that “Everyone in the UK apologises a lot” to much embarrassed laughter amongst the crowd. It’s their first time in Manchester we’re told and I don’t think it could have gone any better. Off the back of a lively pit for closer ‘Best Behavior‘, chants of “one more tune” echo throughout the pink room and bring them back on for a well deserved encore. Thiessen asks in her robotic voice “One more tune?” as Gammill shrugs and suggests “We’re only doing it ‘cus you asked“. 

Sensing there’s just one last chance to create a vibe, the referee whistle of Thiessen signals the tempo changes – one minute the encore is bouncing along, the next it’s revved up as the percussionist loses herself in the crowd. Another blow of the whistle and the rest of the band are back to normal, as she reappears by the drum kit, wiggling her hips. As the others leave, it’s just the two of them last on the stage before it’s all over, the crowd singing back the chorus as they make their way off into the night. Don’t be a stranger, Gustaf – come back soon, ya hear?

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Listening Post – May 2022

Words: Andy Hughes

Sunrise, sunset. The year is moving at light speed, the start of 2022 a mere blip in the rearview. To settle your stomach a bit, we’ve got your usual fill of good music right here.

From our favourite baritone vocalist of the 60s to an 80s Japanese pop star, Belgium dance to African blues, contemporary alt-country to math-rock and even a star from the big screen!

Strap on your ear goggles, tell your mates and settle in.

Lee Hazlewood – It Was a Very Good Year
(Forty)

That cover with that album title. Forty was clearly a very good year for our Lee Hazlewood. The frequent collaborator of Nancy Sinatra borrowed one from her old man for his birthday album, adding a lot more pizzazz to the affair. Our favourite moustachioed man.

Alex Cameron – Oxy Music
(Oxy Music)

Like many works of art, ‘Oxy Music‘ – the latest release from quirky Aussie hitmaker Alex Cameron – took a number of listens to fully sink in. Peeling back the many layers, one finds pop bangers first and foremost, with discovery of side-splitting gags within, all underpinned by a lot of heartache. Featuring a turn from Sleaford Mods own Jason Williamson, the title track from Cameron’s latest record treads the highs and lows of addiction, packed full of exceedingly humorous lines (“I’m cooking up a codeine ragu“) whilst building to such a poignant ending.

Moon Diagrams – End of Heartache
(Lifetime of Love)

The solo project of Deerhunter co-founder/drummer Moses Archuleta, Moon Diagrams comes rooted in an 80s nostalgic sound. The dreamy ‘End of Heartache‘ is super hypnotic, captivating in its repetition as it swirls round and around your nut.

Taeko Onuki – Les Aventures de TINTIN
(Copine)

Bloody hell this is catchy stuff. Like Kate NV ahead of her, in 1985, Japanese artist Taeko Onuki crafted such wonderfully captivating wonky pop, ‘Les Aventures de TINTIN‘ very much rocking that it-is-1985 pop sound. Complete with a bass part so daft it sounds like something from a Tim and Eric sketch…

Charlotte Adigéry – Paténipat
(Zandoli)

“If in life you feel tired and hopeless, throw out all the stuff that don’t matter in the end. Dance until you’re dizzy. Be your naked and uncompromising self.“

That’s how Belgian-Caribbean artist Charlotte Adigéry set out the stall for her 2018 single ‘Paténipat‘, a proper sultry number that gets right under your skin.

Warmduscher – Lady Eggs
(Khaki Tears)

In the year of our lord 2022, the bodacious Warmduscher made their Bella Union debut with latest album ‘At The Hotspot‘. We were at their most recent Northern date (naturally) to hear it IRL and whilst there we couldn’t get enough of one of their earlier cuts, the haunted house thud that comes from ‘Lady Eggs‘.

Deerhoof – Your Dystopic Creation Doesn’t Fear You
(Mountain Moves)

Featuring Awkwafina?! Really?! The ‘Crazy Rich Asians‘ star lends a hand to Deerhoof, 20+ years into their being at the time of releasing ‘Mountain Moves‘. ‘Your Dystopic Creation Doesn’t Fear You‘ is a proper shapeshifter, moving from Steely Dan-esque yacht rock to a Missy Elliott style rap at the drop of a hat.

Caution – Hand That Looks Like Mine
(Arcola)

From tastemakers Born Yesterday (Café Racer, Stuck) comes the debut album from two-piece Caution. Lead single ‘Hand That Looks Like Mine‘ pulls together that surf-rock meets shoegaze vibe in sun-soaked, delightful fashion as your heart tries to keep up with the drum machine beat.

Andy Pickett – Paid
(Andy Pickett)

BIG tune from White Denim collaborator Andy Pickett and his 2017 self-titled album. The driving ‘Paid‘ is such a total vibe. We’re talking driving at night, eyes on the clock, somewhere to be – all wrapped up in such a swish package.

Donna Thompson – Matchstick
(Something True)

Known for her drumming chops and working alongside Falle Nioke, as well as collaborations as part of influential DIY music space Total Refreshment Centre (home to the manic Snapped Ankles), Donna Thompson has now self-recorded and produced her solo debut EP. Lead single ‘Matchstick‘ flows through dreamy cinematic jazz as Thompson speaks of daily life and taking things for granted.

MJ Lenderman – You Have Bought Yourself A Boat
(Boat Songs)

From an album that’s said to be built around songs that “chase fulfilment and happiness”, the warming ‘You Have Bought Yourself A Boat‘ has become a real earworm of late, bringing a country twang to a Dylan-meets-Whitney sound. Strong visions of stretching out on the porch and letting Lenderman’s voice wash over.

Gustaf – Best Behaviour
(Audio Drag For Ego Slobs)

Yes, Gustaf are from New York. Can you tell? ‘Best Behaviour‘ is a brilliant, snarky bit of dancey post-punk that calls to mind their hometown contemporaries Bodega and Public Practice. Love that just about holding it together vocal as Lydia Gammill unconvincingly lets us know that everything’s peachy.

Oldboy – Big Balls
(Bloody)

HOO! HAH! “They didn’t want to be a two piece – lightning bolt have that covered” – Love that from the press release for newcomers Oldboy. The raging ‘Big Balls‘ comes from their Jonah Falco produced debut album ‘Bloody‘, out early May on Agitated Records, with the raw attack of their first single very much in our wheelhouse.

Oumou Sangaré – Wassulu Don
(Timbuktu)

Released to coincide with International Women’s Day just gone, Oumou Sangaré’s ‘Wassulu Don‘ is a proper blues-y arse-shaker, fronted with a powerhouse vocal that gets the head nodding no doubt. From the album ‘Timbuktu‘, it marks her first new material since 2017’s ‘Mogoya‘.

A-Tota-So – Squirrel Bait
(Lights Out)

Featuring a number of guest vocalists from the UK and Irish music scene, ‘Lights Out‘ sees Nottingham trio a-tota-so add another dimension to their instrumental sound. Kieran Hayes of Irish trio We Come In Pieces offers a hand on the raging ‘Squirrel Bait‘, bringing a further sense of urgency to the math-rock noodling.

Tyler Messick – I’ve Been Away
(Sun’s Gonna Rise)

Absolute stunner of a ditty from Nova Scotia’s Tyler Messick, dreamily singing of leaving and not coming back, letting the grass grow and the shutters stay down. That chorus is heaven, the type that has you singing it halfway through your first listen, like you’ve known it all your life.

Meat Wave – Honest Living

Following their 2021 EP ‘Volcano Park‘, Chicago trio Meat Wave return in explosive fashion via the full-pelt ‘Honest Living‘, their first for Swami Records (run by Rocket From The Crypt/Hot Snakes bod Swami John Reis). With a full LP to be announced later this year, we’re putting this on again and again, vibing off their don’t-stop-not-even-once mentality.

Simon Love – Me and You
(Love, Sex and Death Etc)

A proper earworm this, so it is, ‘Me and You‘ is a love letter to The Beatles, The Beach Boys and romantic ditties of old. The only song in the playlist that references a “local borough council“, the brass and chimes elevate this Simon Love number to dizzying heights.

From the same album, Simon Love very recently took us on a nostalgic trip with ‘L-O-T-H-A-R-I-O‘, which you can read about here.

Ty Segall – Hello, Hi
(Hello, Hi)

Well Hello and Hi to Ty Segall, who’s just announced the release of a new album pencilled in for this summer! Hot on the heels of ‘Harmonizer‘ from last year, we’re told that for the new record, Ty has cooked up a collection of songs that are a nod of the head to the sound last heard on the likes of ‘Goodbye Bread‘. On title track ‘Hello, Hi‘, he brings that sun-soaked, fuzzy guitar attack we’ve come to adore. Well on for this! 

Ibibio Sound Machine – 17 18 19
(Electricity)

From their latest album, the Hot Chip produced ‘Electricity‘, the wild ‘17 18 19‘ is such an energetic dance-floor filler from Ibibio Sound Machine. Elevated as ever by the striking vocal of Eno Williams, she brings it down in parts – like it’s just you and her in the room – to stress the points of not breaking a promise (“it’s like breaking a mirror“), before letting loose as the band turn up the heat!

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Listening Post – August 2021

Words: Andy Hughes

Here we go again – your monthly reminder that you need another Birthday Cake For Breakfast playlist in your life. Thank the lord that we’re here to sort you out. You’re welcome.

Warning – Around the mid-point I got really hot one morning and fell into a fast and heavy phase – hit that drum like a ton of bricks and bang your head to this shit.

You know the drill, 20 tunes – old and new – ready to get you going throughout the month. Tuck right in!

Floatie – Shiny
(Voyage Out)

Super swell math-rock-esque vibes from – where else – Chicago. The sort of bopper that had us fall in love with this sort of music in the early days of Birthday Cake For Breakfast, rather than the sort of tech-y try hard stuff that leaves us feeling cold. Like melting into a big green field and becoming one with it. What a joy.

Turnstile – T.L.C. (TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION)
(Glow On)

Bloody hell – I was absolutely OBSESSED with this when I first heard it (and brother, I still am obsessed with it!) Raging fists-in-the-air hardcore from the big lads with a message that says – cheers for letting me by myself. Turn it right up and we’ll see you in the pit!

Wasted Death – Tomorrow’s Children Will Eat Algae
(Ugly As Hell II – Uglier Than Hell)

Wasting absolutely no time this year off the back of their debut EP, WASTED DEATH return with the aptly titled ‘Ugly As Hell II – Uglier Than Hell‘ – out later this month. Lead single ‘Tomorrow’s Children Will Eat Algae‘ feels like being shot in the head with a big fuck off gun. Gnarly as fook assault from three noisy bastards.

Chronophage – Abzurdity
(The Pig Kiss’d)

The drumming on this drives me crackers! A mind-cleansing ripper from Austin, TX quartet Chronophage, ‘Abzurdity‘ swirls around your nut as you scramble trying to figure out what to focus on first. Something you might not be able to live without once you’ve heard it. Go on, treat yourself.

Caroline Rose – Feel The Way I Want
(Superstar)

What a bloody pop song. On ‘Feel The Way I Want‘, NYC artist Caroline Rose drops an unreal radio friendly bop. It’s (Patrick Bateman voice) a song so catchy, most people probably don’t listen to the lyrics – but they should – as Rose sings about being a big bastard superstar and having to take everything that comes with it.

Jeff Parker – Max Brown
(Suite for Max Brown)

A welcome return from one Jeff Parker, previously seen on these pages at the beginning of the year when we first discovered his latest record (thanks to our pal Algernon Cornelius). Album closer ‘Max Brown‘ is a lovely piece to immerse yourself in as Parker and co take you by the hand and lead the way.

Taqbir – Sma3
(Victory Belongs To Those Who Fight For A Right Cause)

Ho-ly fuck! 100mph breakneck punk from – you guessed it – Moroccan outfit Taqbir. Like discovering the channels that go on after midnight when you’re a sprog, it felt like something opened up inside when I first heard the raging ‘Sma3‘. Absolutely no fucking about, get it smashed out in 80 seconds. The EP is about 7 minutes long – get it listened to.

Spread Joy – Unoriginal
(Spread Joy)

When we last spoke of Chicago quartet Spread Joy, we were chuffed with their nail-it-in-60-seconds approach. On ‘Unoriginal‘ they’ve stretched it to just over 120 seconds, but there’s no denying this catchy little number from their debut album. Mega riff that!

Primo! – Machine
(Sogni)

It’s been a while since we’ve been head over heels for the vocal of Terry’s Xanthe Waite and Amy Hill, so it was a welcome return to re-discover their other outfit Primo! this past month – Joined by the equally brilliant Suzanne Walker and Violetta Del Conte-Race. ‘Machine‘ is catchier than that virus we’ve all forgotten about, with a daft video we can’t get enough of.

Slant – Enemy
(1집)

Opener from the new Slant record – 100 seconds of FUCK YEAH! The unrelenting ‘Enemy‘ hits you like a punch in the gut, but is enough to want you begging for more from this South Korean lot. Hook it to my veins!

Sial – Kita Dilahirkan Untuk Mati
(Zaman Edan)

Fucking hell, strap yourself in! From a two track single with titles that roughly translate as ‘You are born to fight‘ and ‘You are born to die‘, it feels like you don’t have any sway in the matter as you’re pummelled to buggery by this Singapore based outfit. The frantic drumming makes one want to chuck themselves out of the nearest window (thank fuck we live in a maisonette…)

WOOZE – Tu Es Moi

Put this down as another ripper of a single from our favourite art-poppers WOOZE. Sounding like the background music to a Crash Bandicoot game, ‘Tu Es Moi‘ further cements this pair as ones to have been watching for a while! HUH!

The Fall – I’m Going to Spain
(The Infotainment Scan)

A jangly earworm that I’ve been loving of late, I was shocked to learn not only is it a cover (not that shocking with this lot), but it’s also considered a bit of a swing and a miss by the Hanley brothers (as recently discussed on their new podcast, Oh! Brother). The breezy instrumental and daft lyrics completely won me over mind, and it’s odd hearing MES singing about Elton John and his cousin Norman (alright, again – maybe not that odd…)

N’famady Kouyaté – Balafô Douma
(Aros I Fi Yna)

Come on then Kouyaté, show us what you’ve got lad! Originally from Guinea West Africa, the Welsh based multi-instrumentalist has head-spinning on the menu with new single ‘Balafô Douma‘, which is so captivating throughout its duration and kinda reminds us of Zappa in a way. The story goes that his favoured instrument the balafon (a traditional wooden xylophone) has him so excited that the title of the track roughly translates to him saying how great it is to be playing balafon!

Pardoner – Fuck You!
(Came Down Different)

Man, this is such a jam… A record that keeps hounding us on that streaming platform that shall not be named (hey! It’s this one!), ‘Came Down Different‘ catches us out again and again and we’re falling in love once more with this anthemic slacker delight with a naughty word title.

(Photo Credit: Corayama Gaytan)

Fake Fruit – No Mutuals
(Fake Fruit)

A proper dynamite bit of kit this from fuzzy lot Fake Fruit, fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Hannah D’Amato. Very much reminding us of how smitten we were with Weaves when they first hit the ground running a number of years back, this Cali lot have put together a great first impression with this rager.

Revival Season – Iron Warrior

Box fresh sun-soaked Georgia hip-hop c/o new duo Revival Season, combining the powers of Atlanta based musician Jonah Swilley (a founding member of Mattiel’s band) and Brandon ‘BEZ’ Evans, the man who shares a nickname with the maraca shaking Manc Happy Mondays mainstay. One to stick on loud as England returns to sideways rain and grey skies…

Ada Lea – Damn
(One hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden)

Album number two time from Canadian songwriter Alexandra Levy a.k.a. Ada Lea, and what an album name it is. New single ‘Damn‘ has that perfect stop you in your tracks impression and one finds themselves hanging on Levy’s every word through what already sounds like a bit of a classic.

MAITA – Road Song

Bittersweet and don’t they just know it, ‘Road Song‘ was written in a green room in Munich whilst MAITA were mid-tour. Things have slowed down a tad since, but we’re chuffed to hear new material from the outfit – who quite rightly highlight the pickle they’ve found themselves in: “It is with a gleeful irony that we release this now, at a time when we yearn so deeply to return to what felt so monotonous before.“

Gustaf – Book
(Audio Drag for Ego Slobs)

Following their signing to Royal Mountain Records last year, July saw another announcement from NYC lot Gustaf, this time their official debut album proper via brand new single ‘Book‘! Back when we discovered them at the start of the year (or was it 1000 years ago?), we suggested their first two tracks were “a great indicator that they’ve hit the ground running and whatever follows next is sure to be swell.” Damn if we weren’t right again – ‘Book‘ is a proper funky delight.

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Listening Post – June 2021

Words: Andy Hughes

Sorry, where did the last 5 months go? As we steamroll through the year at breakneck speed, your ever faithful friends at Birthday Cake For Breakfast are here to bang on about music – some new, some old – all worth your attention. Giddy up!

The B-52’s – Private Idaho
(Wild Planet)

A brief two minute clip on Twitter of The B-52’s playing ‘Private Idaho‘ live made way for a month of once a day listening to their debut album and its follow up. Such a quirky jam that’s filled a B-52’s shaped hole in my heart.

FACS – General Public
(Present Tense)

Proper engaging stuff from Chicago outfit FACS, from their latest record ‘Present Tense‘ (which you can own on mouth-watering ‘cheeto smoke‘ vinyl) – vocalist Brian Case keeping you hanging on his every word throughout the rumble and shimmering four minutes. Case recently answered a host of inane questions for us, featuring a particularly good story about Jarvis Cocker.

Crack Cloud – Somethings Gotta Give
(Pain Olympics)

Having lived within a Crack Cloud bubble leading up to and following the release of their debut album, it was refreshing to return to the record nearly a year on and still hear the rising tension of ‘Somethings Gotta Give‘ again as if it were fresh. Subdued for the most part, it really does amp up the anxiety as the track builds and builds.

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

Swit swoo, the harmonies on this are a delight from the brothers Brewis. From their latest album, the brilliant ‘Flat White Moon‘, ‘Do Me A Favour‘ has a bit of a Tom Petty vibe which we’re all about, with the second offering from the record being possibly the best across its twelve tracks.

We spoke with Peter Brewis not once but twice in the run up to the album, which you should definitely read.

Paul Jacobs – Dancing with the Devil
(Pink Dogs on the Green Grass)

The song Viagra Boys wish they’d written for their recent second album, Pottery drummer Paul Jacobs lets his freak flag fly on this quirky cut from his latest record. A stream of consciousness type vocal guides you through this cool little number.

Squid – Peel St.
(Bright Green Field)

From their highly anticipated debut album, the Squid boys have come up with the goods and ‘Peel St.’ is a proper frantic head-wobbler of delightful proportions. First run through on this I was walking in the pissing rain and it seemed to suit the atmosphere of the record perfectly. Another time I was spinning the record in the living room and heard “What’s this horrible music?” asked from the other room…

Hiatus Kaiyote – Get Sun (feat. Arthur Verocai)
(Mood Valiant)

Well isn’t this just a whopper of a sun-soaked delight (clues in the title, lad)! Aussie lot Hiatus Kaiyote are box fresh to me, but have been knocking about for a while and have been nominated for TWO Grammy’s, so they’ve clearly got the goods. ‘Get Sun‘ is a proper vibe and one we’ve been relishing in.

Sparks – Amateur Hour
(Kimono My House)

A trailer for the new Sparks documentary kick-started repeated listens to this record and its follow up ‘Propaganda‘, and what a joy it’s been. Love the glam stomp and insatiable chorus of ‘Amateur Hour‘. Proper big one.

Fugazi – Smallpox Champion
(In On the Kill Taker)

As nice as i’m sure it is to be a Fugazi die-hard, it’s even sweeter to have an entire catalogue of undiscovered music lying in ones wake. ‘Smallpox Champion‘ came on randomly the other evening and gripped me from the go. Proper noisy head bopper. It also made me realise how many bands I like that sound exactly like this… Makes you think!

Max Bloom – Pedestrian
(Pedestrian)

Title track from the forthcoming Max Bloom record here, the follow up to last year’s rather lovely ‘Perfume‘. ‘Pedestrian‘ starts off wonderfully with just piano and guitar, soon elevated to heart-swelling highs when the drums and brass come in. Top stuff as ever from the former Yuck frontman.

Max recently talked us through second single ‘Palindromes‘, which you can read about here.

Teenage Fanclub – Home
(Endless Arcade)

Tell you what I love about the opener from the new Teenage Fanclub record – it’s unexpectedly long and gets better the longer it lasts. We’re used to really long songs, like (remember that 16 minute Hey Colossus number?) – but on ‘Home‘, after it’s been a delightful breeze for the first few minutes, the guitars cut in and just let rip throughout the next 5 minutes as it drifts in and out of Steely Dan territory. Proper.

Boomgates – Laymen‘s Terms
(Double Natural)

Similar to last month’s Listening Post, I keep finding myself falling into Aussie music binges. Another delight from a recent trip comes from this absolute scorcher from the debut Boomgates LP, which perfectly creates butterflies in the old stomach. ‘Oooooooh give it to me‘ Fucking come on! Mastered by Mikey Young, obviously.

(Photo Credit: Adam Lempel)

Gustaf – Mine

Watching telly the other day and couldn’t quite place the raging tune playing over the top of a scene. Turns out it was our old friends Gustaf, discovered at the start of the year – but that seems like a year ago, mates. Cucumber cool NYC lot doing the sort of dance-y post-punk that we buzz off.

Meat Wave – Tugboat
(Volcano Park)

The Chicago lads are back and what a joy it is to have a new EP on the horizon. Second single ‘Tugboat‘ brings all the raging, thumping glory of previous album ‘The Incessant‘, flying along at speed and making one think we’re not too far away from chucking ourselves around a sweaty basement show.

N0V3L – Falling in Line
(NON-FICTION)

Captivating new single from Canadian collective N0V3L, taken from their recently released debut album ‘NON-FICTION‘. A proper personal cut, when we first heard this get a live outing, it was too much for vocalist Jon Varley who had to restart it after a moment getting himself together. Heavy stuff.

God Damn – Yout
(Raw Coward)

Off the back of releasing a new album last year (one which we suggested is an “ear splitting onslaught“), God Damn have evolved into a four-piece for the release of this absolute throat-shredding riff-y monster!

Egyptian Blue – Contain It
(Collateral Damage)

Choice little post-punk number from Brighton four-piece Egyptian Blue, taken from their 2019 four-track EP ‘Collateral Damage‘. Ripper central that gets right under your skin.

Steely Dan – Dirty Work
(Can’t Buy A Thrill)

Inspired by Tony Soprano blasting it out in his massive motor, ‘Dirty Work‘ is a certified peach, the perfect soundtrack – whether you’re getting razzed in the sun or singing too loud in the shower.

Cate Le Bon x Group Listening – Magnificent Gestures
(Here It Comes Again)

Quite the ‘magnificent gesture’ of Cate Le Bon to let Group Listening re-work some of her material (ey up!) This delightful number from the pairing of Sweet Baboo and Paul Jones treads fresh ground for the hypnotising cut from her wonderful (Mercury Prize nominated, don’t forget) record ‘Reward‘.

Mattiel – Those Words

Phwooar, this has got a bit of a timeless classic, heart-swelling vibe to it – the latest from Atlanta based outfit Mattiel, out now via Heavenly Recordings.

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Listening Post – February 2021

Words: Andy Hughes

January is normally a slow month round these parts (after all, we only managed to review TWO shows last year around this time) but this time around, as the 9 months beforehand have seen us twiddling our thumbs to the bone on occasion, it’s business as usual as we move forward into February!

Back to it so we are – you know the drill. 20 tunes – old and new – all dead boss, lad.

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

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4YVCOaEVI9rOIdnY3PhJEf

Peter Ivers – Miraculous Weekend
(Nirvana Peter)

What a jam! Where did this come from?! A real gem that sounds like it laid the groundwork for alt-poppers the likes of Mac DeMarco or Paul Cherry, ‘Miraculous Weekend‘ is as catchy as it gets. Let that harmonica ring out!

Kendrick Lamar – King Kunta
(To Pimp A Butterfly)

I’ve never been hot on Kendrick Lamar’s style, but I heard this the other week and everything clicked into place. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to suggest the vocal on this weirdly sounds almost James Brown-esque. ‘King Kunta‘ gives me reason to believe everyone was right about this cat afterall (who knew!)

Shame – Snow Day
(Drunk Tank Pink)

The past month and just before Christmas, I absolutely hammered the new Shame record. Full disclosure, the first one didn’t grip me so much and their stratospheric rise seemed to arrive out of nowhere. With ‘Drunk Tank Pink‘ however, they’ve laid the tools out on the table and paid back in full the faith put in them. An incredibly exciting record, all hits, no misses – ‘Snow Day‘ is a proper trip.

Shifting – Spudgasm
(It Was Good)

“I was blown away in less than a minute the first time I listened to Shifting’s new record ‘It Was Good’…” So said our Nate in his review posted late last year and sure enough, he’s right – ‘Spudgasm‘ is a rock hard statement of intent from Irish outfit Shifting. An infectious burst of noise.

The Specials – Concrete Jungle
(John Peel Session (23 May 1979)

Something of a theme occurs in my listening at the minute, where I’ll pick up on something I’ve put off for years and become mildly obsessed with it for a day, week, month… The Specials have always been there and I’ve admired Terry Hall for yonks, but I’ve never really paid much attention (likely as they’ve always been there – ready when I am). At just over 10 minutes, this EP is a perfect introduction.

Sleaford Mods – Nudge It
(Spare Ribs)

Fair shout to Amy Taylor of Amyl & The Sniffers – Two album guest spots in the first month of the year and in ‘Spare Ribs‘ in particular, she steals the show. Mega infectious beats on offer from Andrew Fearn (as per) in what might be the best song off the latest really good Mods album.

Gustaf – Design

Can’t fault a New York band for sounding very much like they come from New York. We’re pretty smitten with ‘Design‘, one of a pair of hotly tipped wonky debut singles from the Brooklyn based outfit.

Gabriels – Love and Hate in a Different Time
(Love and Hate in a Different Time)

This gets a hammering on 6 Music and for good reason – ‘Love and Hate in a Different Time‘ is a really special bit of kit. It’s no shock to learn that vocalist Jacob Lusk is apparently a big part of the gospel community in their home base of Los Angeles, given how commanding he sounds here. This really gives you a bit of pep in your step.

Pet Shop Boys – Rent
(Actually)

The past few years we’ve been loving the work of Neil Tennant, whether it be from backing up Liza Minnelli on the incredible ‘Losing My Mind‘ or lending a helping hand with Messrs Marr and Sumner in Electronic. This swish 80’s bop from Pet Shop Boys is a brilliant bit of storytelling.

Home Counties – Modern Yuppies

There have been quite a few internal conversations about Home Counties at Birthday Cake For Breakfast HQ the past month. With a bit of a leg up over their contemporaries, they’ve eschewed current trends, instead putting out something particularly fun in ‘Modern Yuppies‘ – helped in part via a drum machine and a second-hand analogue synth picked up off the internet.

Field Music – Orion From The Street

January 2019 – we’re off to Salford and the Imperial War Museum North for a specially commissioned live performance from Field Music, about the impact felt following the First World War.
January 2020 – we’re backstage at Soup Kitchen in Manchester interviewing Field Music ahead of a special performance following the release of their latest album, ‘Making A New World‘ – as performed a year prior.
January 2021 – we’re off nowhere fast, but at least there’s something from Field Music in the calendar – a new song to tuck into – as punctual as ever!

The Fall – In These Times
(The Frenz Experiment)

Another month, another addition to our playlist from The Fall. ‘The Frenz Experiment‘ is fast becoming a favourite and ‘In These Times‘ captures them at their catchiest as MES sings about who knows what…

Kate NV – Sayonara
(Room For The Moon)

Cucumber cool alt-pop from our favourite Russian, Kate NV. We’d recommend you put aside 40 minutes and listen to ‘для FOR‘ when you get the chance. Before you do that though, let’s bring you more up to speed with her latest album ‘Room For The Moon‘ and the enchanting ‘Sayonara‘.

USA Nails – No Pleasure
(Character Stop)

‘ORWELL WAS RIGHT, WARHOL WAS RIGHT AND I AM RIGHT.‘ 120 seconds of teeth-clenching, abrasive noise-rock from our heroes USA Nails. Rather fittingly, their second album ‘No Pleasure‘ was an early favourite moment for us from the LDN based outfit.

Working Men’s Club – White Rooms and People
(Working Men’s Club)

More from that record that lit a fire under people’s arses throughout last year, ‘White Rooms and People‘ was an early introduction to the newer sound Working Men’s Club would move into. It took a minute to sink in with us (having been initially hooked by the Gang Of Four meets Orange Juice introduction that was their debut ‘Bad Blood‘) but we’re fully on it now!

Esther Rose – Keeps Me Running
(How Many Times)

We first became hooked on this lovely ray of sunshine via the Dexy’s-esque violin throughout. A really sweet bit of alt-country meets Americana from the forthcoming third album from Esther Rose that already sounds timeless.

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

A record I’ve returned to again and again throughout the past year has been Pottery’s debut full length ‘Welcome to Bobby’s Motel‘. Now we’ve got our sights set on the solo output of drummer Paul Jacobs, who’s catching our attention with a sound that weirdly reminds us of a more hypnotic Lindsey Buckingham (when he was doing his snorting-everything-in-sight experimental phase on ‘Tusk‘…)

NewDad – I Don’t Recognise You
(Waves)

Another big one that’s been getting hammered on the wireless, Irish newcomers NewDad only have a handful of singles under their collective belts but in ‘I Don’t Recognise You‘, they’ve really hit the ground running with this nostalgic sounding indie bop. It reminds us in a way of that debut False Advertising single in its timeless quality.

Nina Simone – See-Line Woman
(Broadway-Blues-Ballads)

There was me thinking Feist came up with this ripper… A song that could do with another three minutes attached, as it is this 60’s slice of Nina Simone is absolutely wonderful. Top marks.

Gary, Indiana – Alien 3

Hypnotising stuff from Manc outfit Gary, Indiana. The brilliantly titled ‘Alien 3‘ calls to mind heavy-hitting electronics we’ve heard from the likes of Girl Band and Aiming for Enrike. Makes one long for getting mashed in a dimly lit basement venue (which I think is a feeling we get about once a week at the minute…)

(Photo credit: Will Shields)

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Hey, have you heard about…Gustaf

(Photo Credit: Adam Lempel)

I’m not one for resolutions as one year fades into the next (especially given the year we’ve just had), but I have made a conscious effort to listen to more 6 Music from the BBC this year. When I was hopping out 2 – 3 night a week to go to shows, I still gave it a good go to try and listen to Marc Riley before popping out (he himself no stranger to finishing his show and scooting over to the very same gigs on occasion!)

Today I’ve been rewarded for sticking to the plan and persevering with the radio, thanks to the discovery of Brooklyn, NYC outfit Gustaf. Late last year saw the quintet announce their signing to Royal Mountain Records (known to us via the recent METZ record) with the release of their debut single ‘Mine‘, followed up swiftly by the joyous ‘Design‘.

Formed in 2018, they’re said to have built up a bit of buzz back home via word of mouth alone (even opening up for Beck at a secret loft party), now finally letting the rest of the world in on what they’ve got to offer – infectious art-y post-punk with a knack for getting your hips moving, that’s definitely got New York blueprints within its workings.

Put together with producer Chris Coady (Future Islands, TV On The Radio), their first two tracks are a great indicator that they’ve hit the ground running and whatever follows next is sure to be swell.

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