Mixtape June 2021

Welcome to June - it’s almost July as I write this introduction.  I’ve been writing this blog on and mostly off for the last four weeks so it includes a number of songs that have been out for a while plus a two that aren't available on Spotify yet - which I'll add later, if I remember.

My previous blog was an album review for The Shop Window debut which is out on 25th June.  If you missed that then check it out here…The State Of Being Human Album Review

I’ll be hosting the #Indie100Cup Chart Show InYourEarsMusic.com on Saturday 26th June from 10am (UK time).  Listen in as I reveal the Top 40 indie songs as voted by the Twitter Music Community.  The Cup isn’t over yet but as we are half way through the year I’ll bring you the best popular unpopular songs from the first half of 2021.  

Enough cross-promotion, time for 20 reviews and recommendations in the continuing saga that is my new music blog. 

Old Indie Kid's Mixtape June 2021 Spotify Playlist 

1) Tangerine Dream by Alright
A wonderful strum-a-long from this new band about their upbringing in Blackpool, the streets, the people and a desire to leave.  The Tangerines is the nickname and colour of the kit of Blackpool FC.  “We’ve been living in a Tangerine Dream, but that’s not, that’s not enough for me”.  A great debut and one to watch.

2) Emily by Lossline

Brilliant single from this new Manchester band. It has a similar theme to Tangerine Dream’s song - trapped in a dead end town and no way out.  Whilst family and friends have moved on they are stuck there.  Maybe Alright and Lossline could arrange a house swap? I’ve gone back and listened again to Lossline’s previous releases and they’re really growing on me. Further essential listening are their songs Streetlights and Ready Welcome.  

3) 84 by Bad Money

A trip to the past - the Mid-Eighties - it’s full of 80s cliches and pop culture references.  Heaps of fun in an idolised 3 minute blast of Back to the Future era day-glo nostalgia.

4) For My Friends by Super 8 

I’ve only recently discovered Super 8 but I’ve already been inducted into the inner sanctum of the Super 8 fan club and want to share the music I’ve discovered there.  

Trip is another prolific singer songwriter producing his songs in Trippy Towers and simultaneously working on two albums.  Super 8 creates some brilliant songs like this example - a distant cousin of The Beatles All I Need Is Love.  A song for his friends - befriend him on the socials and it can be a song about you. Super 8's Bandcamp Page

5) Golden by George Rowlands 

George Rowlands has been gathering a large following on YouTube posting cover songs and singing as Liam in Oasis tribute bands. Last year he released his debut EP of original material and this song is taken from his forthcoming second EP.  It’s a quality song that starts with a strum-a-long guitar, hand claps and a killer vocal singing about the old days, footy in the streets, tunes on the jukebox and a fond remembering of his youthful days.  It’s a well written song which acknowledges times have changed but George raises a glass to his friends from his armchair who are still golden. Stay gold Pony Boy.  

6) Trauma and Grace by Feverjaw

Soaring guitars, driving percussion and great harmonies “Don’t waste your time, seize the moment” urge the South Wales  rock trio on a single taken from their forthcoming debut album All Bets Are Off available for pre-purchase here.  Great band - get into them. https://feverjaw.bandcamp.com/album/all-bets-are-off

7) No Place to Hide by Shocks

Northern Ireland’s Shocks play great rock n roll with metallic tasting guitar riffs. This is another talented trio that rock hard and have the tunes.  A Feverjaw and Shocks double header would be a fantastic gig one day! 

8) Manchester, You’re My Heaven by Ollie Winder

Ollie has just released a three track EP led by this ode to Manchester dedicated to the 22.  It has a Ten Story Love Song vibe with added beats.  Ollie is perfecting the art of the short indie pop song where 2 minutes is considered a long track.  This is his eighth single of 2021 and also includes a funky Begging You like track called All Across The Sky.

9) Slow and Steady by Blokeacola 

Blokeacola specialises in trippy melodic melodramas with dry humour in the lyrics and daft humour in his videos.  This is like the psychedelic furry animals and it’s well worth exploring his previous releases if this whets your appetite. Blokeacola's Bandcamp Page 

 

10) It’s Been Heaven Knowing You by Amends

A song told from the perspective of a long term inmate. Amends are a New South Wales band mixing punk country and indie sounds whilst channeling the rebel spirit of Johnny Cash and the longing for redemption.

11) Hang Glider (Bubby Style) by Lewca ft The Geezer Choir.  

One of the best cover versions ever recorded in my humble and well sought after opinion.  It helps when the original in a much loved slice a laid back indie pop brilliance taken from Moonlight Parade's  outstanding Paint The Sun EP.  Lewca scoured the world, assembling some of the finest untapped talent of their generation to provide the terrace chants on his cover version.  The cover is faithful to the original in some ways but where Moonlight Parade’s original is like sipping a fine wine, Lewca’s version is more snorting chemicals at a rave with the Geezer Choir leering and sneering over the chorus.  The song is available to buy on Lewca's Bandcamp Page with all profits from sales until the end of June going to Cancer Research.  Also check out the video below which is a homage to the original but features a Parisian punk rapper and a couple of bucket headed buffoons.  

12) Don’t Be A Fool by Lonely Lost Boy is the debut single from Dundee based artist Gordon Hennessy.

It’s jangly country pop and sung with a distinctive warbling vocal delivery.  Gordon’s played in plenty of bands but after writing a stack on songs during lockdown he has decided to launch his solo career.

Give him a follow on the socials and streaming sites so you don’t miss his future releases.  In fact that obviously applies to everyone here.

13) Patriot Song by Art Block

Here’s a song that demands your attention.  It’s a little reminiscent of History by The Verve - perhaps it was the mention of The Thames flowing through both songs but it’s a good reference point.  The strumming acoustic guitar and violin accompaniment builds well as Art Block sings a love poem to his city and takes his listeners on a meandering tour of the sights and feelings that are invoked along the way.  It’s a beautiful song that deserves all the acclaim it has received since release. 

Art Block's Bandcamp Page 

     

14) Beautiful Day by The John Mitchie Collective 

This is the final single taken from the glorious High Vibrations album that was released in January.  John throws the kitchen sink at the mix and it’s all the better for it.  John’s a self taught studio wizard, in fact he might actually be a wizard?  He’s a fan of Brian Eno, Brian Wilson and anyone who would rather lace together musical snippets into something that rewards those who listen closely on their headphones.  John doesn’t plan to play this live so he is free to create amazing soundscapes.  Do yourself a favour and listen to his debut album in the dark on the best headphones you own. 

The John Michie Collective Bandcamp Page

15) Blu by Pastel 

Swirling and jangly belter of a new song from Manchester’s Pastel.  “Strung up and quartered, blood’s thicker than water, It’s getting better and higher than this”. Does it have a deep meaning- probably not but it does it’s job of being a choon! 

16) Dreams, Schemes and Young Teams by Shambolics

Shambolics have released some brilliant singles over the last few years and this is another fine example of the Scottish band’s talent for crafting guitar based indie-pop ear worms.  I’ve just noticed they are managed by Alan McGee so they should be in safe hands.  

17) Meet Me By The River by Matt McManamon

A song dreaming of a reunion and second chances with a rendez-vous by the River Mersey.  Taken from the new album Scally Folk https://mattmcmanamon.bandcamp.com/album/scally-folk

18) The Madhouse by Crimson Bloom

A new acid funk bonkers bongo fest, celebrating the club culture of your youth “Red Stripe, Blue Monday”.  Pete’s guitars are spot on here and it’s a huge indie-dance tune.  It’s part of a four track ep that’s already been released on bandcamp.  It includes a version of last single The Storyteller sung as a duet between Andy and Jen Dixon. There is a limited edition 10 track CD which compiles recent singles and remixes. Buy it on the Crimson Bloom Bandcamp Page.

19) Find Another Way by Shark Star

Shark Star recently announced he was retiring from making music due to his hearing loss making it almost impossible to continue working as a recording artist. He is returning to visual arts projects.  Shark Star has signed off with a beautiful song that encourages the listeners to pick themselves up and find another way.  I only discovered Shark Star’s music in April but Thanks for the music Shark Star and good luck.

20) The Scenic Route by Sam Lambeth 

The final track from Sam’s debut solo album Love & Exile is a thing of wonder - Sam begins the song using his acoustic guitar and piano that we have all become familiar with during his entertaining isolation recordings.  Sam sings about the end of a relationship, and the mixed emotions that he’s feeling  “Was I born a bad seed, that my soul can outgrow?” as he leaves it behind taking the scenic route through life.

It reminds me of Find The River by R.E.M. which is one of my favourite songs.  This is a well constructed opus that clocks in at 6:30 but never outstays it’s warm welcome. A limited edition, WWF Chariety CD with Sam's hand drawn animals is available on Sam Lambeth's Bandcamp Page  

I'll be back with another blog next month but tune in to my Chart Show on InYourEarsMusic.com