Albums of 2022

 2022 - What a year it was / still is.  This isn't the place for a news retrospective, this is all about the music.  Specifically the music released on albums from the independent scene over the last 12 months.  I've agonised with the order (a bit - not too much) for a chart style countdown. These are my arbitrary rankings on the day I hit publish and I’m not expecting anyone to agree with my choices or rankings.  (You can bloody well write your own blog if you disagree). Have a read below, nod at the ones you know, and maybe discover something new.  As always support the underground scene, play them, follow them, share their music and catch them at a gig if you can. 

I’ve attached a Spotify playlist for this blog with a favourite song from each album. But Bandcamp is where most of these artists will see a benefit so I've included links for digital or physical copies if you can afford to purchase something for your collection. 

#30 The New Nostalgia - Bleed & Bloom. 

Bleed & Bloom is the debut album from Amsterdam’s The New Nostalgia. Modern Rock N Roll is rarely this angry and humorous, at the same time.  It’s bouncy, smart, and full of dirty riffs. 

Favourite song: Ibis Budget 

Twitter: @newnostalgiauk

Bandcamp: https://thenewnostalgia.bandcamp.com/album/bleed-bloom-2

#29 Holy Coves - Druids & Bards

Creeping through the mists off the Isle of Anglesey comes the dark brooding alternative rock beasts known as Holy Coves. These songs build up until the listener is ensnared in their  B.R.M.C by The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Come Down by Dandy Warhols are good reference points for the sound of this album.  They are continuing their UK tour in February 2023 after main man Scott sustained an injury.  They have also been championing new music and giving up and coming bands a leg up which is what we love to see in this new music community.   

Favourite song: The Hurt Within 

Twitter: @holycoves

Bandcamp: https://holycovesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/druids-and-bards

#28 Hey Calamity - Desperation 

All your South Australian dream pop and shoegaze needs are catered for here.  Swathes of synths wash over you and soaring guitars ring out.  It has a big sound that I've been digging lately.  The songs deal with emotions and gets as gothic as The Cure in the early 80's in many places, especially on the songs Running In Circles, and Words Don't Mean A Thing. 

Favourite song:  Ocean In Between Us   

Twitter: @heycalamity22

Bandcamp: https://heycalamity.bandcamp.com/album/desperation

#27 Chris Boddington - Dirty Bit

An album that will take you back to the 90s with 8 banging tunes influenced by artists such as Prodigy, Orbital, Propellerheads, Death In Vegas, Roni Size, 2 Bad Mice, SL2, and The Chemical Brothers.  The beats are big, and the sounds are a bit dirty.  Chris has also just released a second album of the year called Can't Complain which delves into funkier upbeat territory.

Favourite banger: Phoenix 

Twitter: @chrisbodmusic  

Bandcamp: https://chrisboddington.bandcamp.com/album/dirty-bit-album-2-2022

#26 Professor Yaffle - Let There Be Light 

Liverpool's Professor Yaffle have created yet another sublime trippy album. I love the Andy Warhol smoking Cyberman cover art and you can get carried away with this excellent album that runs for an impressive 66 minutes.  Within you will find everything from electronic noodling, swathes of organ, jazzy horns and the deftest touches on the percussion front. It's got the inventiveness of early Boo Radleys under the influence of Nick Drake.

Favourite song: Wandering Star, Pt 3 

Twitter: @ToffeeYaffle

Album Link: https://www.professoryaffle.co.uk/product/let-there-be-light/

#25 Kevin Robertson - Teaspoon Of Time

Second solo album from Kevin Robertson, front man of Aberdeen’s The Vapour Trails. An album of light psychedelic pop ear-worms reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian. 

Favourite song: Misty Dew Soaked Mountains

Twitter: @Kevinrol17521365

Bandcamp: https://kevinrobertson.bandcamp.com/album/teaspoon-of-time

#24 Triangle Rain Club - Triangle Rain Club

Harking back to the scuzzy alternative rock scene of the late 80s and early 90s, Chicago’s Triangle Rain Club is heavily influenced by The Cure, Sugar, Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, and most prominently The Jesus and Mary Chain on the gruff vocal delivery. This debut album contains 10 short melodic songs drenched in feedback and is easily digestible with a running length of 27 minutes. Play on repeat!

Favourite song: In My Head   

Twitter: @RainClubBand

Bandcamp: https://trianglerainclub.bandcamp.com/album/triangle-rain-club

#23 Thousand Yard Stare - Earthanasia

Formed in 1988, Thousand Yard Stare were a band I had heard of and I loved 0-0 a.e.t. but I didn't get into them until their previous album.  Then Earthanasia came along and blew me away with the quality of the tunes.  It is a varied album and a joy to listen to.  Released on their own fantastically named Stiffed Aardvark label in October.       

Favourite song: Square Peg Round Hole 

Twitter: @wearetys  

Bandcamp: Earthanasia LP | Thousand Yard Stare (bandcamp.com)

#22 Lines of Flight - Signs of Life 

10 songs recorded in isolation using ipads and whatever they had about the house.  Helen and Matthew are both from Leeds and they met online and created this album together / apart. Lines of Flight released a song per month during 2021 so the album is already familiar.  But now they are collected together on a beautiful sky blue vinyl that allows you to wallow in the ethereal vocals and dark gothic pop.  

Favourite song: Birthing Bell

Twitter: @linesof_flight

Bandcamp: Signs Of Life | Lines of Flight (bandcamp.com)

#21 Voldo - Melting Pot 

Choons straight out the Banger Wardrobe, delivered in a melting pot of genres and styles.  Great songwriting accompanied by beats, samples, guitars, banjos, piano, in fact, anything that fits the mode. A modern day trip hop Odelay. 

Favourite song: Caley Line 

Twitter: @voldomusic

Bandcamp: https://nunnyboy.bandcamp.com/album/melting-pot-album

#20 The Lazy Eyes - Songbook

Sydney's psychadelic pop band mix the late 1960's with the early 2020's combining The Beatles with Tame Impala to create an immersive album that will have you grooving and grinning in equal measure.     

Favourite song: Fuzz Jam

Twitter:@TheLazyEyesBand

Available from: Official Site - The Lazy Eyes

#19 Lossline - When I Look Out I See No Stars

If you’re looking for sad bleak delicate songs set to ethereal soundscapes interspersed with upbeat sad bleak sing-a-longs that make you question the point in existence, then look no further than the Manchester’s Lossline. An excellent album from the most unhappy-go-lucky band in the Northeast. 

Favourite song: Death Masks 

Twitter: @losslines

Bandcamp: https://lossline.bandcamp.com/album/when-i-look-out-i-see-no-stars 

#18 Jay Tennant - Forever Roses

An album of indie guitar anthems containing seven previous singles to soundtrack the night.  Poker Polka sounds like Shed Seven hitting the casino disco,  Spectre is the new music scene’s alternative Bond theme, full of menace and espionage imagery.  Jay hasn’t stopped releasing new music and has already released another four new songs likely to appear on the follow up album in 2023.

Favourite song: Spectre 

Twitter: @jaytennant_

Bandcamp: https://jaytennant1.bandcamp.com/album/forever-roses

#17 The Finest Drops - To Live Between The Worlds

An album of gothic jangle psychedelic shoegaze that was the soundtrack to my two days of covid fever.  I rediscovered it when compiling this list and it’s a great album regardless of your rapid antigen test results. The Finest Drops hail from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and this album is available on CD or pay what you want for a digital download on Bandcamp. 

Favourite song: For Another Time   

Twitter:  @MrStuRobson & @DavidNHewitt

Bandcamp: https://thefinestdrops.bandcamp.com/album/to-live-between-the-worlds

#16 Andrew Johnson - Sunrise Empire

My favourite of Andy’s new albums this year. Full of breezy indie pop nuggets embracing a range of instruments, styles, and influences.  

Andy is a favourite of mine, my most streamed artist of the last few years, and one of the most prolific songwriters around.  Subscribe to him on Bandcamp and you will get exclusive albums and singles throughout the year (digitally and through your letterbox). Honestly you will never need to tweet “I need new music” ever again. 

Favourite song: Oversquared 

Twitter: @itmustbeandy

Bandcamp: https://andrewjohnson1.bandcamp.com/album/sunrise-empire

#15 Cigarillo - Deodorant 

Nearly two years after I first heard RTL2 / Everyone Loves Janet, the debut album Deoderant is released to great joy amongst those lucky enough to dip into Cigarillo’s take on Britpop.  The songs are varied, inventive, smart and each gives a few knowing winks to your favourite bands of the 90’s. Expect more from Adelaide’s End of The Pier record label next year, as they have several albums in the pipeline.

Favourite song: The Forecast Was Wrong

Twitter: @eotprecords & @BenTOGM  

Bandcamp: https://cigarillo.bandcamp.com/album/deodorant

#14 Gabriel’s Dawn - Gabriel’s Dawn

Midlanders Gabriel’s Dawn released three brilliant singles back in 2021 all are included on this melodic summery jangle pop album.  Sweet melancholy female vocals cuts through the chipper tunes giving it a Belle and Sebastian vibe.  Ten songs of love, hope, despair, stalking and defiance.  Gorgeous jangle pop of the highest order.

Favourite song: I Don’t Believe (In The Summer Of Love)

Twitter: @GabrielsDawn

Bandcamp: https://gabrielsdawn.bandcamp.com/album/gabriels-dawn

#13 Shader - Everything Is Connected

The debut album from Stoke-on-Trent band Shader. Roughly two-third of songs were previously released as singles over the last few years. So as a follower of the band it is instantly familiar to my ears and the new songs are also brilliant making this a very strong collection of indie guitar anthems. Favourite song: Time Is Right 

Twitter: @SHADERUK  

Available from: Shader - Official Store (tmstor.es)

#12 Skylights - What You Are

York band Skylights have filled their debut album with indie anthems that have been blasting out of stadium tanoys over the last couple of years.  Y.R.A., Enemies, Outlaw and Britannia are examples of epic sounding terrace singalongs perfect for ramping up the tension.  Elsewhere Darkness Falls and Driving Me Away are delivered as acoustic versions with Julia Violinista providing the strings. A monster of a debut and you sense they will take things even higher in the near future. 

Favourite song: Y.R.A.

Twitter: @SkylightsYRA

Available from: Shop - 42's Records (musicglue.com)

#11 Shoes On Now - Deadhead

A punk rock concept album about gardening.  My teenage self would shudder with embarrassment at this idea.  But as a middle aged dad losing the battle with Mother Nature each weekend trying to make my scrubby sandy patch of land resemble a garden, this tickles me.  It is very funny, frantic, and strangely addictive.  There are some great song titles such as Pockets Full Of Poo Bags, and Rats In The Compost.  My highlight is the touching punk opus No One Can Help Me, which is an expose on father-son relationships, stubborn male pride, and the desire to leave a legacy.  "Shoes On Now" has also become a phase I've taught my dog this year, to alert him a walk is iminent.     

Favourite song: No One Can Help Me 

Twitter: @shoes_on_now

Bandcamp: https://shoesonnow.bandcamp.com/album/deadhead

#10 Sunzoom - Sunzoom

Sunzoom's album opens with a hippy chant reminisicient of 60's throwbacks The Cosmic Rough Riders.  Elsewhere a former Beta Band member plays on Pour Me Another Wine.  The songwriting is of a high order demonstrated through the vivid imagery on Anytime Soon based on the experiences of a D-Day Veteron, and his personal family experiences on The Place Where The Long Shadows Grow.  There are beautiful Beatlesque harmonies, and string arrangements, and whether you soak it up on your headphones or blast it out loud, it's clear Greg is very happy experimenting in the studio and it's mind blowing for a debut album.  As Palpatine said to Anakin, "We will watch your career with great interest..."   

Favourite song: Hell No

Twitter: @SunzoomMusic

Album link: https://cargorecordsdirect.co.uk/products/sunzoom-sunzoom

#9 Lyon Tide - Life Pop Bang 

There’s a wonderful combination of mature songwriting and synth pop on the second album from West Midlands band Lyon Tide. From the beat driven opening banger Chemical Burn, through the 1980s singalong of Life Pop Bang, and the minimalist approach taken on Silent Words sung by Julia Faulkes. There is haunting melancholy on album closer One Way Love and previous single Alone, where the vocals take centre stage over the percussion and soft synthetic swirls as the music briefly rises in the middle and then fades away - quality songs. 

Favourite song: Alone  

Twitter: @LyonTide

Bandcamp: https://lyontide.bandcamp.com/album/life-pop-bang

#8  Dean Dovey - Journey To The Sun

A truly outstanding album from the Bard of Birmingham.  The production is awesome transforming the songs into the full HD Widescreen Surround Sound epics.  Dean is an excellent songwriter and there are no weak links in his ten-track debut album featuring previous singles, If Only, Shout, Wishing Well, Journey To The Sun, Borrowed Time, and Loving Heart.  The new album tracks are pure quality as well and I'm constantly changing my mind about a favourite song which shows the strength of this album.  At the time of writing, I'm going with the epic album closer Where The Light Comes In, which ends with a female backing vocalist, a horn section and a big cheeky nod to The Smiths and The Beatles.       

Favourite Song: Where The Light Comes In

Twitter: @deandoveymusic

Bandcamp: Journey To The Sun | Dean Dovey (bandcamp.com)

#7 Sean Buckley (& Friends) - Featuring 

Salford’s Sean Buckley has been collaborating with the cream of the new music scene over the last 18 month’s providing his melodic electronica music as the basis for others to embellish, collaborate, sing on, or just shout “I’m Alright” over the top of it.  It’s a fabulous collection of songs featuring Lewca, 3 Little Wolves, Joe Peacock, Laura Jayne, The Shop Window, Ollie Winder, James Willows, Gomrund, and Leon The Pig Farmer.    

Favourite song: Pull (with James Willows)

Twitter: @Mintball 

Available from: Streaming sites on 30/12/22

#6 Narcissus - A Sense Of Place 

The debut album from Manchester band Narcissus is a slab of ultra cool dark electro bangers with more hooks than a secondhand pirate store. The beats, bleeps, strings, guitars, samples, and vocals combine to create music that is utterly compelling. Guest vocalists Becki Fishwick plays an integral role elevating the songs to the next level in the same way that Denise Johnson lifted Primal Scream. Ten songs - all killer no filler - it’s a riot. 

Favourite song: Friends In High Places

Twitter: @narcissushq @beckifishwick

Available from: Shop - 42's Records (musicglue.com)

#5 Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar 

Friday Night Rockstar is an incredible collection of witty autobiographical songs from the life of my favourite Geezer.  There’s a mixture of genres here, smooth R&B grooves, drum n bass, and hedonistic party music undercut with self-deprecating lyrics.  Lewca and S.O.A.P. have collaborated with some of the cream of the new music scene to create this album which includes contributions from Ben Todd, Ben Samama, John Michie, Orange G, James Willows, Oh! Paulo, Ambre, Mondo Trasho, Zar Acoustic, Victory Flow and Shark Star. What a squad of talent to draw from!   

Full review: Old Indie Kid: Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar - Album Review

Favourite song: Friday Night Rockstar 

Twitter:@Lewca

Bandcamp: https://lewca.bandcamp.com/album/friday-night-rockstar  Released 16/12/22

#4 Joe Adhemar - About The Soul

Joe Adhemar’s fifth album of the decade is delivered from an artist at the top of his game. Joe’s production on his synth heavy album is quality here as he tackles different genres with ease. Listen on quality headphones to unlock deeper levels beyond my limited hearing range!  Good Day For Falling (reggae), Georgio (disco), About The Soul (soulful techno), Power Lines (Electro-Waltz). He has found his preferred baritone vocal style which unites this collection despite the variety of styles on each song.  Joe’s songwriting tackles subject matter including relationships with the environment, partners, friends, an electronic music pioneer, longing for return to earlier times, mental health, wealth inequality and err…power lines. (Probably some symbolism that was lost on me there). 

I recorded a show with Joe Adhemar and Moby Tanner where Joe explains his album with us in a track-by-track review. https://www.mixcloud.com/inyourearsmusic/joe-adhemar-about-the-soul-album-introduction-with-old-indie-kid-and-moby-t/

Favourite song: When Our Lungs Are Empty

Twitter: @joeadhemar 

Bandcamp: About The Soul | Joe Adhemar (bandcamp.com)

#3 The Shed Project - The Curious Mind Of A Common Man 

The Rise of  The Sheds continued this year, with the release of the long awaited debut album filled with new music anthems - A Day In The Dam, My Life, Lucky Number, Bedtime, One Shot, Feel My Love, Friend, Modern Way.  It's an album of highs influenced by their heroes The Stone Roses and the Madchester scene. Roy is a legend and top dude on twitter always supportive of others.  He says the next album will blow this one out of the water - hope we get to hear it in 2023.  

My full album review here: Old Indie Kid: The Shed Project Debut Album

Favourite song: Don't Wait For No One 

Twitter: @project_shed

Bandcamp: https://theshedprojectuk.bandcamp.com/album/the-curious-mind-of-a-common-man

#2 The Heavy North - Electric Soul Machine

One of the best bands I discovered during the initial lockdown of 2020 were Liverpool’s The Heavy North. Kenny’s distinctive vocals and the 70s soul infused blues rock sound are a killer combination. It amazes me that they don’t have a residency at Las Vegas already.  Following on from the fabulous Dive Bar Blues EP the Electric Soul Machine album was a long time coming, delayed by vinyl pressing problems but worth the wait when it arrived. It’s already a classic of the 2020s with brilliant songs including Darkness In My Eyes, Awake, Satisfy You, No Good, and As Long As You’re Here With Me. And this legendary band are back in the studio at the moment working on the follow up. 

Favourite song: Satisfy You  

Twitter: @TheHeavyNorth

Bandcamp: https://theheavynorth.bandcamp.com/album/electric-soul-machine

#1 The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word 

The Maidstone Massive released their second album at the end of November and have taken out top billing with my album of the year. I love this band and also awarded them second place for their debut album last year. The Shoppies have turned the jangle up to eleven and have written a collection of gorgeous indie pop love anthems.  Ten blissful jangle pop songs stepped in a love of the alternative music of the late eighties to mid Nineties. Whilst music can’t be adequately conveyed using words, I tried, and you can read my full review here: Old Indie Kid: The Shop Window A 4 Letter Word

Favourite song: Circles Go Round

Twitter:@theshopwindow1 

Bandcamp: A 4 Letter Word | The Shop Window (bandcamp.com)

So that wraps up another year of awesome independent music.  My partner in broadcasting crime, Moby Tanner and I will be back for a final radio show later in December. We will be counting down the top 100 songs as voted for by the new music twitter community and Louis Tomlinson’s fans. It will be the final ever #indie100cup show (cross my heart and hope to die), on InYourEarsMusic. I hope you can catch that show and see which songs made the final cut. 

Thanks for reading and please share my blog to help raise awareness of the brilliant talent that exists on the underground scene. And check out some of the albums you haven’t heard yet.

Cheers Danny @oldindiekid1

 

Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar - Album Review

Album released: 16/12/22 

Available from: https://lewca.bandcamp.com/music

The story so far…

Brixton born, Parisian commuter, Lewca has released 3 EPs between December 2020 and June 2021. The first two (3 Kids & A Mortgage and Walking The Hedgehog) appear on opposite sides of a vinyl. His third EP Geezer Pop was included alongside the first two on a CD titled Year One.  Lewca has also released a number of excellent singles in collaboration with the crème de la crème of the new music scene (Sean Buckley, Ben Todd, OrangeG, Post Industrial Poets, Fire Up The Sun, The Geezer Choir, Invisible Squirrel and Le Spectre). Head over to Lewca’s Bandcamp site to order your vinyl, CD or digital downloads. 

Lewca is a natural storyteller and in each song, you learn more about his life, loves, losses, dreams and realities.  His songs usually contain witty self-deprecating humour, whilst others are poignant or angry at injustices in the world. 

Lewca’s been influenced by everything from The Clash, Ian Dury, The Streets, Tom Waits, 2-Tone, Reggae, Hip Hop, Rave, and a thousand other artists and genres but crucially the influences aren’t mimicked, they just fuel his fire, and he retains his own character and distinctive voice. 

The music assisted by his main man S.O.A.P. (DJ Son of a Pitch) takes on genres as fit the mood of each song so you can’t pigeonhole the Lewca sound. 

Friday Night Rockstar - The Album

I’ve had early access “perks n shit” so I can provide this track-by-track album review…

Such a Cunt 

Yes, this album has more than a few profanities on it so if that offends you or your sensibilities you might as well fuck off now.  Still reading? Awesome! The album opens with a piano ballad and an acknowledgment that life is finite. It then offers a message of self-improvement set to wicked drum n bass track.

Friday Night Rockstar

Title track and first single from the album is an ode to the joys of being a weekend warrior. There’s some brilliant lyrics “Ain’t even made it, already overrated…since the late Nineties, I’ve been sedated”.  “I’ll be yelling in a pub til they put me in the ground”.  Punky metal shredding guitar riffs from John Michie and Zar Acoustic have been cut up and rearranged and these two appear on most of the album tracks.  Liverpool’s psychedelic garage act Mondo Trasho also feature on the chorus. 

Harmony Korine 

A tale of Lewca’s 1980s childhood with a flashback inducing chorus about driving around, kids unrestrained in the backseat of a smoky car.  Klaxons A bouncy electro track with klaxons. A song that deals with the passing of time and then comes full circle.  The title is the name of a controversial filmmaker and skateboarder who is turning 50.   I had a similar wake up call recently when I realised both Eminem and Johnny Lee Miller are both 50 now. 

A Million Things 

A short song about beloved comedian Bill Hicks. “This is just a ride…It feels like the Universe is falling to bits”.

Everyday Struggle 

This is the flip side of Friday Night Rockstar, the daily grind and commute required to pay those bills. “It’s hard labour, I ain’t done no crime, I’m selling my life one day at a time”. Lewca acknowledges he can’t complain too much about his lot but it’s still a pain in the arse working for The Man. The music is catchy, and a bit of a bop enhanced with the awesome vocals of Oh! Paulo and the Harmonica of OrangeG.

Forget My Name 

A song from the dark nights of the soul when the mind turns sour.  Lewca talks of depression in the first half of the song and then says a door was opened and with help he came through the other side. Gorgeous vocals from Victory Flow lifts this song even higher making it one of the highlights of Lewca’s career. 

Incredible 

A song about Lewca under the influence at a karaoke party. His confidence in his abilities is chemically enhanced with James Willows crooning “I feel incredible I feel fucking awesome”.   The voices in his head provided by Ambre are telling him “You’re so wicked baby loving your song I wanna listen to you all night long”. This universal acceptance of Lewca’s talent is undercut in Lewca’s own lyrics but they can’t get him off the mic. A classic single. 

The Love Within

Lewca’s pornographic love song to his wife set to stabbing organ and funky bass.

Radio Gigolo

A song imagining future fame, when Lewca’s a changed into mainstream big shot.  “I’d be like someone else I don’t even know.  So hungry for fame I’d even sell my name for some spicy wings or a TV Show”.  As Lewca admitted when I interviewed him, if he ever made it as a rock n roll star, he’ll probably be dead in a couple of years. So, buy his album but don’t buy two copies. 

Golden God

Lewca raps over this unhinged backing track and contains many classic rhymes “don’t fuck with my mid-life crisis, got a cocktail bitch, show me where the ice is.” “I’m way too old and I’ve got a dad bod, no connection, no money, long shot”. “It’s fine in my mind I’m a golden god.” screams Lewca. 

A Song

A punk hedonistic banger with Arabic and Caribbean trimmings. Lewca tells a few stories with a common theme when an angry girl in a club, an uncaring supervisor, and finally his kids tell him to cry them a river and write a fucking song about it. This is that song. 

Fell In Love With A Serial Killer 

A brilliant song written by Ben Todd and given the Lewca cartoon sheen as a serious theme - holding a relationship with a woman who enjoys killing people. They say love is blind and we’ve all got to go somehow, and no-one wants to die alone… 

Smoke In The Air

The acidic drum n bass beats are back on the album’s closing track. “When I’m dead and gone, and the party is over, just play my song, look over your shoulder. I’ll be there, floating like the smoke from a Saturday night in the air”.  

So that's the album.  If you already know Lewca and have read this far you don't need any encouragement from me.  Please share this review so others might discover him.  If you are new to Lewca then you can find him on all the usual socials and streaming sites. 

I urge you to order your copy of the excellent Friday Night Rockstar album on the format of your choice.  It'll be out mid-December, so it'll make a great stocking filler for your kids!  

Friday Night Rockstar is available from:  https://lewca.bandcamp.com/music

Further Lewca Listening... 

I interviewed Lewca and played several songs from this album on my November 2022 DAFTPOM Show on InYourEarsMusic.com.  Lewca interview begins at 22 minutes.

 

Mixtape Nov 2022

 This November 2022 Mixtape blog arrives on the seventh anniversary of my first monthly blog.  They have been fairly sporadic over the last three years as I focused on radio shows but I’m hoping to revive them in a regular format.  (Hoping but not promising).  

Here’s twenty recent tunes I recommend you listen to and the playlist to stream as you read. If you can support the independent artists with a purchase, share their music or this blog, they and I will be very grateful.  

1) I Don’t Feel Today - Common Goldfish

Tottenham based band making groovy tunes that sonically hark back to the Madchester scene.  Common Goldfish have released three excellent singles to date - Shout Louder and Feel The Fuzz are the other two.  A band that I have really been enjoying since discovering them in the submittracks@inyourearsmusic.com inbox. I Don't Feel Today | common goldfish (bandcamp.com)

2) My House - 3 Little Wolves 🐺🐺🐺

My House sounds like The Cure during their Pornography era mixed with the melodic tunes of Peter Hook’s Monaco.  It has been a pleasure to hear the development of this band over the last few years. Frontman Paul was an old friend of mine since the 1990s and I’m so pleased that his band have been going from strength to strength and have a debut album expected early 2023.  3 Little Wolves (bandcamp.com)   

3) Devil Bar Blues - Jack Gill

Jack Gill hails from Liverpool and delves into heavy blues riffs.  Fans of The Heavy North and Mexican Dogs should check out his back catalogue as I am.  A live album and about six previous singles to discover if you’re digging this recent song.

4) I Wanna Be Overrated - YNES 

Perhaps the wittiest lyricists out there on the underground scene backed with well-produced snotty punk music.  “I wanna be truly hated by someone than myself. I wanna be overrated”.  Looks like this is the eleventh single and the ones I know are all brilliant. Hopefully YNES will feel overrated by my review.  YNES (bandcamp.com)

  

5) Rush - Jaap Stamina

Kent based electro artist who has released a huge trance tune that takes me right back to the Nineties.  It’s got a menacing pounding beat, acidic squiggles, a chilled interlude and a glorious build up and it bangs like a couple of horny rabbits. This one is released on 18th November.  Pre-save Rush by Jaap Stamina

6) Rock N Roll Ain’t Dead While We’re Living - Laurie Wright 

This is a glam rock stomper with a lo-fi punk sheen. London’s Laurie Wright has been releasing loads of great modern punk rock songs lately and this one is a life-affirming sing-along song with elements of The Clash and Slade thrown together. Laurie Wright (bandcamp.com)

7) 80s Clowns - Feardrops

Synthesizers and drums provide an eerie music, similar to Tubeway Army, with lyrics about “Winter in a forest town, haunted by those 80s Clowns”.  This could easily appear on a Stranger Things soundtrack.  Feardrops are a new project based in China that have released five singles in 2022 but have relatively few listeners - so they need to be heard. 

8)  Taste The Brainbow - Blokeacola 

Taste The Brainbow was the first single taken from Blokecola's excellent Wig Game EP.  The lyrical content is darker than previous releases and Blokeacola has used cut n paste phrases from the internet as his lyrics which certainly makes this a unique project.  Despite the oppressive themes there is still dark humour here "Not even Facebook wants my data".  The music and vocals are wonderful and the whole EP is worthwhile investment of your time (and some coins). Wig Game | Blokeacola (bandcamp.com)  

9) Silent Fears - Echo Northstar 

New wave minimalist keyboards, a persistent drumbeat and a beautiful voice rising above it all.  A wonderful piece of music from a London based Irishman.  Also check out his previous single Someone Else which I played on my DAFTPOM Show a few months ago.   Echo Northstar (bandcamp.com)

10) Fly Away - Romy 

Romy is a teenage sensation (13) who is writing and recording songs well in advance of her years.  Fly Away is a song about wanting to escape when faced with memories sparked by a photo. Romy plays acoustic guitars and sings her heart out.  She has released six songs this year and is one to watch for the future. Fly Away | Romy (bandcamp.com)

11)  Death Masks - Lossline

Manchester's Lossline bring the drums on this upbeat gloomy anthem. The lyrics are universal and depressing but there is beauty in the bleakness - perhaps the majesty of the music carries it.  "And we sleep with white noise because our thoughts are too loud.  And we sleep next to our phones, cos we just can't switch off, anything, anytime for anyone".  Taken from the album When I Look Out I See No Stars. Lossline are a band to wallow in.  When I Look Out I See No Stars | Lossline (bandcamp.com)

12) Radioactive Hybrid Terror Pigs - Joe Peacock 

A blistering tornado of guitars and pounding drums sees Joe with his most aggressive sound yet. Surprising from Joe who is an old hippy friend from my student days. You never know what to expect from Mr Peacock, from one release to the next but there is always an intriguing personal or historical story behind each song.  This one deals with animals taking over the land deserted by humans in the wake of a nuclear disaster.  Some great grunting noises at the end too.  Joe Peacock (bandcamp.com)

13) We Need Light In The Dark - Tobisonics 

The title track of Tonbisonic's debut album is beat track, a bell chiming, a repetitive chant, strange noises that appear in your headphones, samples and 80's keyboards to build up a great electro track.  The album was written about his battles with his mental health issues and contains seven top tunes. 

We Need Light in the Dark | Tobisonics (bandcamp.com)

14) When Our Lungs Are Empty - Joe Adhemar

The final track of Joe Adhemar's fifth album is a stunner - the album About The Soul has been released on Bandcamp, CD, and a very tasty Vinyl.  It is finally coming to the streaming sites in December.  World weariness is a style that Joe has nailed here and the closing chants of "fade away" are a perfect ending for this album which mixes up the genres and incorporates more electronic synthesizer elements than his previous work (outside of the Invisible Squirrel alter-ego).  About The Soul | Joe Adhemar (bandcamp.com)   

15) Save My Soul - Solar Eyes

Save Our Souls is a great psychedelic space rock song from Birmingham’s Solar Eyes. It is taken from their second EP Alcatraz released at the end of October. There is plenty to love about this band so give them a follow and we can all go for a trip together. 

16) Chemical Burn - Lyon Tide 

A dance banger from Birmingham's Lyon Tide.  They have embraced their inner Chemical Brothers and written a biological love song that really kicks. It is the opening song from their amazing second album Life Pop Bang which deserves a much wider audience.  I recommend you check out the album.  Trust me!  Life Pop Bang | Lyon Tide (bandcamp.com)

17) Shelly Gold - GreenCircles and Ollie Winder

Ollie wrote the lyrics and teamed up with Newcastle band GreenCircles who provided the music and backing vocals.  It sounds like an early Roses song, complete with reversed guitar parts, a Jackon Pollock/John Squire paint splatter artwork.  It's got quality lyrics and music and I hope you love it as much as I do.  Shelly Gold | GreenCircles and Ollie Winder (bandcamp.com)

     

18) Wrote For Luck - Kinfauns

The combined vocals of the wonderful Amelia Coburn duetting with Andrew Johnson, singing the lyrics of Shaun William Ryder and playing the music of Happy Mondays on ukulele and acoustic guitar.  The result is gorgeous as you can hear.  Wrote For Luck | Kinfauns (bandcamp.com)  

19) Forget My Name - Lewca

The next single from Lewca's forthcoming Friday Night Rockstar album.  I think this is one of the most powerful tracks from Lewca so far.  It features vocals from Victory Flow and has stunned the listeners to my recent DAFTPOM show.  It pulls at the heartstrings as a tale of struggling and fighting against the odds.  The album is out Mid December and can be ordered here...  Friday Night Rockstar | Lewca (bandcamp.com)

20) Change Is On The Horizon - Voldo

Groovy laidback beats, weird noises and samples "Gotta make a change" this has a contempory feel but is steeped in deep cuts from their record collections.  Taken from the new Voldo album Melting Pot which, as its name implies, takes all their influences and forges something new and compelling.  Melting Pot | Voldo (bandcamp.com)  

Please also check out my blog reviewing The Shop Window's second album which is released at the end of November.  I'll be back next month with my blog on my albums of the year.  

The Shop Window A 4 Letter Word

Album Review

A 4 Letter Word

The Shop Window

reviewed by Old Indie Kid 

Release date: 25th November 2022 on Vinyl & CD with a digital release in December. 

Pre-order a physical copy today before they sell out! 

theshopwindow.bandcamp.com/

spinoutproductions.com/shop/

Maidstone’s greatest indie jangle pop band, The Shop Window have returned with a second album of delicious aural treats.  But before I dive into that, let's reflect on their journey so far.  During the Britpop years Carl & Syd were members of 90's band Westpier - label mates of Sleeper.  The friends reunited in 2018 when Carl returned to Kent after years of living overseas and they added Phil and Martin to complete The Shop Window line-up.  Their first release was on Bandcamp at Christmas 2019, and they followed up during the lockdowns with a string of singles, a 7" vinyl, and award-winning videos before dropping their debut album in June 2021 - The State Of Being Human.     

Mere months after the debut album, they started playing gigs and releasing singles from the follow up, which will soon be in your hands, your ears and your life.  They have released a second 7" on indie label Spinout Nuggets, a wonderful acoustic EP (raising funds for MacMillan Cancer Support), a second Christmas single, and a Forgotten single in collaboration with new music legends Sean Buckley, Jen Dixon & Chris James Willows.     

The second album has been in the can for months, but they delayed the release date until confirmation that the vinyl pressing plants could keep up with the demand for this highly anticipated second album.  No need to fear - Spinout Nuggets and the band are pleased to announce they are taking pre-orders and licking stamps, so your stockings needn't be empty this Christmas!     

But how does this second set rate as a collection of songs?  Does it hang together well, does it have overarching themes, maybe even a character ark?  That’s what I will now attempt to answer, with a track-by-track review.  I will also be trying to decipher the cryptic crossword clue set in the album's title - A 4 Letter Word. Crucially, what is that word, and more importantly, is it a rude one?

The Shoppies 2022

Eyes Wide Shut, a recent 7" single, opens the album with a gorgeous slice of upbeat jangle cake with a catchy chorus and harmonies.  My favourite part is the second half when the vocals end (no offence intended), but this is when the music rises, and you can enjoy the tightness of the band.  Some great "Wah-Wah" effects, and the final moments remind me of something just out of reach - perhaps the strings heard on Jollification by The Lightning Seeds?  Solid start to album #2.

With Love To Lead, the second track, is full of imagined chivalrous actions as Kings, Princes and Knights fight each other to win the hand of ye Maiden fair.  Noble quests are undertaken, and honourable stands are made.  I think the 4-Letter Word must be one highly favoured  by The Beatles, and it's the unifying theme of the album.

The Lay Of The Land was the first single released way back in November 2021.  Musically, The Shoppies are drifting into the otherworldliness of 60's psychedelia (Pictures of Matchstick Men) and borrowing images from Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland.  The opening line “Time will take its toll down the rabbit hole” also links to one of the major themes from the debut album - that of aging.  The song also confirms that LOVE is "the meaning of life".  The song's reference to Magpies links to the imagery for the single and album covers - each has a silhouette of an animal with a heart.    

Dancing Light is a wonderful composition, echoing the jangling goodness of a Smiths record. Dancing Light is sweetness and light and has a stirring chorus full of emotion. Great harmonics on the repeated refrain "Let me feel the love , sweeps me up in waves, falling from above, moves in many ways".  It’s a tender song that lets the listeners in behind The Shop Window. 

It’s By Design deals with the idea of whether fate or chance determines who we form relationships with. "Stars aligned to make this history, so they say".  The musical interplay between the band is excellent and very engaging to the listener, especially in what I will term the middle eight / bridge / bit in the middle with no singing. (I dropped out of recorder lessons aged 5 and my musical terminology has only marginally improved).  Trust me it's very catchy and this would be a stand-out track for most albums - but a 4 Letter Word has such a high-quality threshold that it's an album of highlights.   

Circles Go Round is the opening song on Side B (get it on vinyl if you want your circle to go around).  Circles Go Round sounds like former single Out Of Reach's riff and beats were put in a blender on high speed.  It’s another jaunty Smiths-esque tune that seems to oscillate between speeds.  It’s bound to have crowds of middle-aged fans putting their backs out trying to dance to this at live gigs.  The song was written about Carl and Syd, getting the band back together and creating new music as old friends.  "Jump start the heart again, sit back and ride the wave... Years roll by, let this define us". 

Lighthouse is a truly fantastic song.  A tale of anxiety being overcome by LOVE, hope, and other ace things.  A lovely LOVE song written by Carl to his wife. "When you radiate light it's a window to the heart of you. Lighthouse of hope sending a beacon to my call".  It'll melt your heart and leave you singing, "ba ba-ba ba-ba ba" as it fades away.   

        

That Feeling is, in my humble opinion, the closest The Shop Window have come to the early sounds of The Stone Roses, and that's not a comparison I make lightly.  This is perfect lush indie pop and wrapped up in less than 3 minutes. The chorus proclaims, "When I get that That Feeling I'm alive". (However, the correct answer is "I need sexual healing").   

Maid Of Stone is catchy, yet mysterious.  To me it speaks of childhood and a mother's LOVE "It's in this place where we began, where we walked before we ran" and "Inspiration - TV Screens, in shop windows, chasing dreams, Sheltered by a Maid of Stone".  I absolutely adore this song from my Maidstone brothers.      

Low sounds magnificent and it is well placed as the final track on the album.  The frustration of the Covid lockdowns is captured by the lyrics "A year disappeared, frozen in time, never get it back, Mother Nature's crime".  A world-weary song where Carl sings of "running on fumes" and a determination to keep your head above water and try not to fall into despair.  The music is heavily influenced by the slower majestic Blur songs - and it wears it well.  It builds to a good place and ends the album with LOVE as the savior.   

    

Conclusion - if you loved the first album - this is even better. If you haven't discovered The Shop Window before, then are you in for a treat!   

theshopwindow.bandcamp.com/

spinoutproductions.com/shop/

Further reading - My review of The Shop Window debut album The State Of Being Human

Did you know???  Carl co-wrote a song called Ocean Blue sang by Kylie Minogue.  Hear it below.  

(50) Ocean Blue (B-Side) Kylie Minogue - YouTube

Sonica \\\ Inception EP

As a huge consumer and supporter of underground independent music I am always on the lookout for new talent and I think I discovered the West Australian band Sonica via Triple J Unearthed website. The Perth based four-piece formed in 2019 and comprise of Alan Pettigrew (guitars), Roshan Weddikkara (bass), Slyvain Ayrault (drums) and Claire Turton (vocals). 

Sonica Photo by Skylar Slate Photography

I played their first two singles on my Daftpom radio show and have been following them since. In May ‘22 they released their debut four track EP titled Inception. 

Sonica \\\ Inception EP on Spotify

The EP opens with Places, a jangly guitar number, supported by a rumbling bass line, drums and ethereal female vocals.  The music transitions into woozy shoegaze territory as it soars with distorted guitars.  The opening song clocks in at 5 and a half minutes so there is no lack of ambition here. There are influences  of many of 80’s and early 90’s bands on display on this EP.  

Second track Life could be a cross between The Cure and The Cocteau Twins and continues the dream like state that permeates this collection. These songs can be played on a loop and you’ll be forgiven if you enter a trance.

Charmed is a six minute hypnotic tune showcasing the haunting classically trained vocals of Claire evoking memories of Curve’s Toni Halliday and Kate Bush.  The lyrics aren’t always clear but this is expected when the vocals are used as another instrument blended into the atmospheric mix. 

The final track on the EP is Descent into Blue, a remastered version of their debut single originally released in February ‘21. Opening with Roshan’s infectious bass riff that sets the song’s dark mood. It is an outstanding song which deals with the breakdown of a relationship soundtracked by an epic finale of crashing drums and dirty guitars. 

Sonica have released a blinding debut collection and I look forward to future releases from the Perth band and seeing where they go from here. Follow them on the socials and streaming platforms here… http://www.sonicabandau.com/

Album Review Cime

The Independence of Central America Remains An Unfinished Experiment by Cime

This is an album I was given an advance listen to a few months ago and it is certainly an unusual way to pass a half hour.  Strange rhythm patterns, maracas, a mixture of Spanish vocals and English poetry readings.  Lo-fi recordings, coughs, tinkling symbols and distorted instruments that I can’t even place.  It is a concept album about presumably the history of Latin America. I know very little about this period of history and I’ve never been further south than Denver in the Americas. But I’ve listened to enough Flaming Lips albums which is a good grounding to enjoy this album. 

The voices swirling around and impersonations of crowds, interspersed with personal observations, jokes and historical narratives are chaotic but all the more interesting for that. 

If you enjoy the ramshackle experimentation of Foxygen and early Beck records with then this is an album for you.  If you favour Oasis wannabes then this is not your scene. This album (TIOCAIAUE) which I’ve already given an acronym is heavily influenced by the greats of psychedelic rock and sounds like it was recorded on some great psychedelics.

Cime pronounced (Ceemay) is the Californian DIY artist behind this project.  @cimebarrilete on Twitter 

The album was released on 1st July 2022. Digital downloads and CDs available from Bandcamp. https://theccg.bandcamp.com/

Also available on streaming sites

https://open.spotify.com/album/2Cg0Wh6Eyhzd7pEeXMhGjl?si=EaJv3-FlQVyYDP4lAWZapg

The Shed Project Debut Album

A band who emerged from a Shed in Bolton and only released their first single in January 2020 have created one of the most anticipated albums of the year. 

The Curious Mind Of A Common Man

The Shed Project

Like so many of us, of a certain vintage, it is heavily influenced by the spirit of the Roses and sounds absolutely mint.  Before I give a track by track review I would like to talk about the band and their attitude.  I am basing this mostly on Roy Fletcher, singer songwriter and main mouthpiece who is very active on the socials. The Sheds are a great bunch of blokes, Roy, Tim, John, Ollie and Shane. They’re funny, humble, friendly whilst totally believing in their abilities.  They champion others in the music scene and there’s no aloofness here.  They are a bunch of mates and want others to join them.  I haven’t seen them live but those who have will confirm it isn’t an audience watching a band, its a party with everyone invested in the good vibes.  A sign of their class was shouting out previous band members on their promotional posters for the album.  “Once in, never out”.

So they’ve got loads of good will on their side and great expectations for the debut album, but is it any good?  Will it twist your melon or should you call the cops?  Here's my track by track review. 

Side A

Modern Way

The swagger of Ian Brown mooching on stage and a minute of sexy guitar riffs introduce the album with a beast of a tune.  The percussion is spot on Roses fans are gonna love it.  It’s over six minutes long but I’ld happily listen to a 12 minute version - it’s that good. Roy’s lyrics are uplifting encouraging you to get up and stand proud when you’re feeling beaten down by the system and life.  It’s a call to everyone suffering and struggling in their lives.  The message is to find strength in the love of your friends and family.  And stick it to The Man whilst you’re at it.

Amsterdam 

The narcotic mini break to the Dam was a mega single last year, one of seven singles released over the last two years that makes it to the album.  Amsterdam opens with the sounds of bicycle bells, trams and The Shed Project trying to make it across the street in a hazy adventure.  It’s such a feel good song that they are probably entitled to a grant from the Dutch Tourist Board.  The trippiness takes off as a little Beatlesesque Day In The Life sound montage is followed by the tempo suddenly taking off as the trip starts to get out of control.  

My Life

Song three is the amazing autobiographical tale of life as a kid growing up in the 80s.  Being of the same age as Roy, this really resonates with me.  A song about growing up, taking knocks, and being defiant that you can rise again and believe in yourself.  The music is wonderful and you should all know it by now - if not put it on!

Temptation 

A new song that reminds me of the Inspiral Carpets and early Charlatans.  Underpinned by a great bass line with jangly guitars.  A song about offering help to a friend who’s fallen into addiction.  It’s an upbeat banger despite the message that you can fall too far into temptation.

Sal

A gorgeous love song sung to Sal. It sounds a little like The Shed Project covering Fleetwood Mac’s Albertrous at double speed. With the tropical birdsong samples it places it on a warm island beach in my mind.  

Lucky Number

Roy continues his wooing and outlines his best pick up techniques in Lucky Number, a early single and the first Shed Project songs I heard back in 2020.  The early singles have all been remixed for the album as their production skills have rocketed over the last year.

Side B

Bedtime 

Side B starts with Bedtime.  I’m calling it Side B because I fully expect a vinyl release at some point, even though the initial releases will be digital and on CD.  There is even a vinyl crackle mixed into the beginning of Bedtime on the recording so “I hear my needle hit the groove”.  This is a song that deals with a troubled mind, fearing the night terrors.  Bedtime was released as a single raising funds for a mental health charity last year.  It’s got a great sound and reminds me of The Verve and Spiritualized as it builds to it’s finale and prayers are raised whilst the strings swoon in.  Class! 

Livin’

A tale of hard grind and weekend hedonism.  The mix has elevated this song from its murky beginnings as the debut single and it sounds really crisp now.  It has an Oasis B-side feel to it and heralds the end of the chilled section.

Don’t Wait For No-one

OMG! Without any warning, a hurricane of beats, jagged punky guitars and squelchy acid noises erupts.  I’m all in! We’re now joyriding the Bolton bus on two wheels hurtling ‘round Banger Corner.  This is the album’s Beggin’ You and it’s a highlight on a album of highs.

One Shot

Another top new mix of an early single.  One Shot is a joyous blast of fun that’s placed just where you need it.  “One Shot, One Goal, Gotta Live Your Life Before You Get Old”. This is The Shed’s shot and they are living it large - even without their mate MC Tunes on this version.

Feel My Love

And the tunes keep coming - Feel My Love is as high as a falsetto dripping in chiming guitars with the biggest chorus on the album.  

Friend 

So the album signs off with blistering rabble rousing crunchy guitars and unhinged beat-fest like a XTRMTR era Primal Scream.  This new single is out in April (or now on bandcamp) and will definitely surprise many who think they know what to expect.  The finale again goes atmospheric and then suddenly silence and you are in awe of what you’ve just listened to.  

Pre-save the album here…

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/theshedproject/the-curious-mind-of-a-common-man

Pre-order a digital album from bandcamp here…

https://theshedprojectuk.bandcamp.com/

Keep an eye on the website for merch…

https://oneloverecords.co.uk/

The Curious Mind of A Common Man by The Shed Project delivers in spades.  It proudly shows off it’s influences, the same great bands we’ve all grown up with, and it’s an equal (whispers “Sometimes better”).

Oldindiekid Feb 2022