Drifter (/ Moon Dogs). Dreamwave

Bristol's Dreamwave has not released a regular album but two EPs in one, one called Drifter and one called Moon Dogs, and released them as one LP. As I've already reviewed Moon Dogs on 25 May 2025, I'm going to focus on Drifter here.

The EP just shoots out of its starting block like 100 meter sprinters do. Holding breath and just sprint to the finish line without thinking. Single 'Moon Buggy' is a party of a psychedelic song that slowly comes together turning into this tight rocker. The drums focus on the floor tom and hi-hat making the rhythm something that just goes on and on forever. (Don't worry, Dreamwave is not only aware of dynamics but knows how to use them successfully as well.). It turns 'Moon Buggy' into a huge musical party. If they are able to play this live successfully, there will not be a lot of people able to resist this invitation to dance and jump around.

'Web Weaver' is just as energetic. At the same time Dreamwave manages to weave a web filled with a dreamy atmosphere into its psychrock. The listener has to pay attention, as the band is going for it, but it is there for certain. The little psych stuff and the sound of the organ take care of it. Don't forget to listen to the bass part played by Grant Organ in the intro, as it really stands out.

'Space Debris' starts as a ballad. Psychedelia is let in a little more obviously, because the driving force of the rhythm is noticeable behind the balladry. American band The Black Angels come to mind, in a lighter version of e.g. its 'Death Song'. But also Small Faces and other 60s psych-pop-rockers. Dreamwave takes us on a trip around the sun at "the speed of light". 'Space Debris' shows another face of the band successfully. We may think we are float ingthrough space, drummer Alex Andrews keeps us on course. He is a strong force for Dreamwave.

When keyboard player Hester Batting starts supporting singer/guitarist Ben Symons on vocals, that is the moment when heaven must be missing an angel. Her voice adds this extra layer of psych to the band, but only because of the way her voice is mixed into this whole. It lends an otherworldly quality to Dreamwave's music. In 2025 I wrote "when I'm hearing Hester Battin sing again, I'm remembered of the only time I fell in love with a girl because of her voice coming though speakers far away at the Parkpop festival in The Hague in 1985 of 86 festival, Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue." Once again, Hester Battin has this effect on me.

Single 'Over You' is another huge psych rock song that ought to attract all lovers of psych rock in spades. Great riffing, great solo, great pulse. You get the picture, right?

The EP ends with a ballad and a rather weird one. Almost jazzy, bare with only an electric guitar and Symons and Battin singing. For the whole time I'm waiting for the band to come in. Does it? You will have to find out for yourself.

With Drifter Dreamwave again put itself on my radar. The band is touring this fall. Let's hope they play not too far from here.  

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Drifter / Moon Buggy here:

https://dreamwaveoffical.bandcamp.com/album/drifter 

Concerns Of Wasps And Willows. The Corner Laughers

The Corner Laughers is one of the weirdest band names I've encountered over the past decades. Based on the music the band presents us, I can image the members laughing all the way home from the sheer joy of playing it.

How to describe this music? The Corner Laughers blends a host of influences into its songs that all together make me want to listen more, besides putting on a smile to my state of mind. It's the kind of music that makes me feel happy instantly. Somehow it is a perfect blend of U.K. and U.S. pop from long ago.

The Corner Laughers are from northern California and consists of Karla Kane (vocals, ukulele), Khoi Huynh (bass, vocals and more), KC Bowman (guitar, vocals and more) and Charlie Crabtree (drums). Together they manage to create a lightness in their sound as if gravity does not exist and there isn't a worry left in the world. Some might call this escapism, but I'm certain that is not the driving force behind The Corner Laughers. The members must love it to find the best elements for a song and putting them into a transparent arrangement and mix.

It all starts with the voice of Karla Kane. On the one hand it's mature and not only because this is not a young woman singing. The maturity comes through in her timbre. On the other hand it has this innocence that shines through in the way she is able to sing, while remaining instantly convincing. The male voices behind her manage to sing with a lightness that underscores both Ms Kane and the touch of the band's music. It brings songs like 'Frank Mills', a hit over here for singer Bojoura in 1969 and Lulu's 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' that co-won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969 to mind. Pure pop, blending the U.S. and U.K., like I said.

Press photo

The music has a pop vibe as well from a time when a part of the pop music was full of innocence. Let me give you one example that stands out for me. It's in a song that is different, because of the following. The way the piano, played by Octavia Kane, is played on 'Crumb Clean', adds that touch of innocence. It reminds me of the way the piano was used in the romantic singles of The Kinks from circa 1966-67. You will hear the folk and country influences in the soft-toned lead lines of the guitar. Concerns Of Wasps And Willows brings so much to mind, that my head is nearly reeling but before all pleased by what I'm hearing. The Corner Laughers just do things right on this album. 

Single 'Rainbow Cardigan' was the band's debut on this blog and made me want to hear more. That more is now hear and I'm quite content to have invested time in the album. Up tempo or a little more slower and sad, the songs are made in great taste and with a fantastic pop feel. The band may sound totally anachronistic in the modern music landscape, but when a record is good, it's good. Sometimes a conclusion is at simple as that.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Concerns Of Wasps And Willows here:

https://cornerlaughers.bandcamp.com/album/concerns-of-wasp-and-willow 

The Gaya II Space Corps. Motorpsycho

It becomes ever harder to write anything inventive on a new Motorpsycho album. Almost like clockwork a new album is unleashed into the world. At the same time there is no reason to doubt that the album will at least be as good as the previous one. The opening sequence of The Gaya II Space Corps album is so strong and overwhelming that my brain tells me the following within a few seconds: Yes, Motorpsycho!, it's good!, it's invigorating!, you want to listen to this!!! The rest of the album delivers, in spades.

But where is my unique angle? Even after several listening sessions I simply do not know. Yes, I could start comparing to previous albums or repeat how I have encountered the band circa 2001 and mention the great live shows I've seen over the years. Should I go into the influences I hear here and there in the new songs, as the band obviously is good at taking a certain sound or artist and write a new song around this vantage point? I could do it all, but it would not add to all I've written before in the past 25 years.

Is it enough to just say that The Gaya II Space Corps rocks my world every time I listen to it? That it is a rich album, filled with great songs, fiery guitar solo's and stark rhythms and even a sort of folk ballad? I think it suffices, as that is exactly what this album is and Motorpsycho presents. The Gaya II Space Corps album is a great addition to the Motorpsycho catalogue, that will please all fans. For those who are not yet but love alternative rock with some loud rocking prog and 60s influences, can better start checking the band out now. You have tons to catch up on.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

You can listen to and order The Gaya II Space Corps here:

https://motorpsycho.bandcamp.com/album/the-gaia-ii-space-corps 

Everywhere Isn’t Texas. August Ponthier

August Ponthier is een non-binaire muzikant uit Brooklyn, New York, die met Everywhere Isn’t Texas een groots debuutalbum heeft afgeleverd, dat niet alleen een briljant popalbum is, maar ook een fraai singer-songwriter album.

Ik had de naam August Ponthier nog nooit gehoord, maar wat ben ik onder de indruk van het deze week verschenen Everywhere Isn’t Texas. De Amerikaanse muzikant uit Brooklyn schaart zich met dit debuutalbum wat mij betreft in één klap onder de grote beloften van de popmuziek van het moment. De muziek van August Ponthier heeft raakvlakken met de muziek van Chappell Roan en ik hoor ook veel van Taylor Swift, maar Everywhere Isn’t Texas laat ook een fris popgeluid horen met veel invloeden uit de country en de folk. Je hebt soms van die albums met songs die je onmiddellijk koestert en Everywhere Isn’t Texas van August Ponthier is zo’n album. Hier gaan we nog veel van horen.

Ik weet nog dat ik in de herfst van 2023 voor het eerst naar het net verschenen debuutalbum van Chappell Roan luisterde. Na één keer horen wist ik niet alleen dat het een sensationeel goed popalbum was, maar wist ik ook zeker dat Chappell Roan een wereldster zou gaan worden. Ik had gisteren een vergelijkbaar gevoel bij beluistering van Everywhere Isn’t Texas van August Ponthier. 

Het is een album dat deze week eigenlijk alleen door de alternatieve Amerikaanse muziekwebsite Pitchfork wordt gepromoot als een van de memorabele nieuwe albums van deze week, maar ik weet zeker dat het debuutalbum van August Ponthier dit jaar hoge ogen gaat gooien en de popmuziek er zeer binnenkort een grote ster bij heeft. 

August Ponthier groeide op in Texas en had in de Amerikaanse Bible Belt een jeugd waarin worstelingen met gender en seksualiteit centraal stonden. De Amerikaanse muzikant verruilde een voorstad van Dallas uiteindelijk voor Brooklyn, New York, en identificeerde zichzelf als non-binair persoon en queer. 

In tekstueel opzicht heeft Everywhere Isn’t Texas wel wat raakvlakken met het debuutalbum van Chappell Roan, al zijn haar teksten een stuk explicieter dan die van August Ponthier, die voor slechts één van de songs op het album een waarschuwing voor expliciete teksten heeft gekregen op Spotify. 

In muzikaal opzicht maakt August Ponthier andere keuzes dan Chappell Roan. Beiden maken pure pop, maar August Ponthier laat ook een voorliefde voor Amerikaanse rootsmuziek horen. Veel songs op Everywhere Isn’t Texas laten invloeden uit de folk en de country horen, maar August Ponthier maakt er uiteindelijk wel popsongs van. 

Als ik vergelijkingsmateriaal moet aandragen kom ik vooral bij Taylor Swift uit. Niet eens zozeer vanwege het countrypop verleden van Taylor Swift, want ik hoor vooral invloeden uit de meer pop georiënteerde songs van de Amerikaanse superster, die ook over het vermogen beschikt om songs te schrijven die je na één keer horen niet meer vergeet.

Ik had de naam August Ponthier (voorheen Allison Ponthier) echt nog nooit gehoord, maar de Amerikaanse muzikant timmert al even aan de weg op TikTok, dat zich buiten mijn muzikale universum bevindt. Het verklaart dat een aantal aansprekende songwriters uit Nashville en Los Angeles hebben bijgedragen aan de songs op het album. 

Everywhere Isn’t Texas is geproduceerd door Matthew Neighbour, die niet dezelfde status heeft als de grote popproducers van het moment, maar al wel fraai werk afleverde voor onder andere Lord Huron, Soccer Mommy en Julia Stone. Het levert een album vol lekker in het gehoor liggende songs op en het zijn in de meeste gevallen ook aansprekende songs, die ook na meerdere keren horen nog leuk blijven. 

August Ponthier trekt zelf de meeste aandacht met een aantal persoonlijke songs over een ingewikkelde jeugd en een mooie stem, die makkelijk verleidt, maar die ook over voldoende diepgang en gevoel beschikt. Het levert een geweldig popalbum op, maar het knappe van Everywhere Isn’t Texas is wat mij betreft dat het debuutalbum van August Ponthier zich ook laat beluisteren als een knap singer-songwriter album met voldoende invloeden uit de folk en de country. 

Het debuutalbum van August Ponthier kwam, net als het debuutalbum van Chappell Roan tweeënhalf jaar geleden, voor mij compleet uit de lucht vallen, maar wat heb ik nu al een zwak voor dit album en de rek is er nog lang niet uit. August Ponthier wordt een ster, let maar op!

Erwin Zijleman

 

Je kunt Everywhere Isn’t Texas hier luisteren en bestellen:

https://augustponthier.bandcamp.com/album/everywhere-isn-t-texas 

2025, week 13. 10 singles

After a week that contained more sadness than I'd ever wish upon anyone, here is some new music for you to enjoy, like I have to set my mind to encounter more positive things. Spring and summertime are upon us once again and I look forward to the lengthening days and long evenings. Like I'm looking forward to all that great music to be released in the coming weeks and months, with some live shows as well.

Brand New Me. Robert Ellis Orrall

Sometimes a song is released that while hearing them for the first time it seems that they have been around like forever. Brand New Me, a recent single by Robert Ellis Orrall is one of them. You could have fooled me into believing the song was released in the 1970s, 80s or 90s, but just never heard me by me at the time. In 2026 the song sounds just as fresh, as this artist pretends he is Heart, Gin Blossoms and Dan Baird in one. From the modest intro riff it's clear Robert Ellis Orrall brings us back to the time where folk, rock, indie and countryrock went into a blender and produced songs like 'Magic Man' and 'I Love You, Period'. Brand New Me can be added to these two examples and all others you can think of yourself while listening to this track. Brand New Me is a delightful song, Album 'Wonderland' is out since 27 February.

Mary Anne. Magic Castles

With second single Mary Anne of the upcoming album 'Realized' (24 April) Magic Castles makes to WoNoBlog for the first time. Mary Anne is a song that mixes pop, rock and a light touch of psychedelia with faint traces of the 1960s psych and pop era. The guitar solo presented here was totally unthinkable back in those days. The Minneapolis based band, that is around since the early 2000s, is not attracting your attention in a very obvious way. Mary Anne is the kind of song that comes to you slowly, like in waves, through all the well-thought out additions in the arrangement, while singer (and guitarist) Jason Edmonds sings with his soft voice lauding the woman 'whose mind he's trying to read'. In one of the waves this subtle yet very nice guitar solo sprouts forwards, topping the song off. Mary Anne is a song very much worth while getting to know.

Rewrite History EP. Fit

One of Rotterdam's Mattan Records' latest signings is the band Fit. Today the band releases its first EP on Mattan, second in total, which does make it to this blog. Fit hooks up to that very long train called postpunk. In 2026 that means that it becomes important to be distinctive. So many Dutch bands have come and also gone in the past circa eight, nine years that I've started to develop an interest in the genre again, after the wave with Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys fizzled out. Fit consist of Ide Ploeg (voice, synths), Oscar van Cruchten and Maas van Rijsbergen (guitars), Roman van Rookhuizen (bass) and Mink Huurmans (drums). With that distinction you'll find the band is more than on the right side. From postpunk in general and more specifically 'Little Something', a track Maxïmo Park would be proud of, to more danceable tracks where a hint is given to Chefs' Special, you can find it all on Rewrite History. Fit is able to add more than enough energy and youthful exuberance to its mix, making the songs fully their own. Rewrite History is not an earth shattering experience. What it is, is a very good EP that I will want to play more often for certain, to get to know the five songs better. There is no reason to doubt why Fit should not be able to follow the route ex-labelmates The Vices have taken.

Dreams I've Had. tofusmell

O.k., I'm convinced. Reincarnation exists. Elliot Smith has returned to earth and sort of starts again where he left off when his life tragically ended. No, just kidding. tofusmell is singer-songwriter Ray Chen from Winnipeg by way of Orlando, Florida. Anyone listening to Dreams I've Had will agree with me that, at least on his single, as I have not anything else by tofusmell yet, Elliot Smith's ghost is prominently present. The soft whispering, modest voice is there. The way the song transforms from an indiefolk/singer-songwriter song into an alternative folkrock song, including the addition of a dirty lead guitar. Ray Chen does it all in a very good way and in good taste. Nobody will ever write a better song in this genre than Elliot Smith's 'Pretty (Ugly Before)', but besides this point Dreams I've Had convinces me totally. Debut album 'All My Time' releases on 24 April.

Place Memory. Cape Crush

The title song of Cape Crush's upcoming album (1 May) finds its way to this blog, making it the band's second entry. And again, The Beths entered my mind instantly. Despite that the differences between the two bands are obvious, it's there any way. It is in the way singer Ali Lipman frases here words, turns her vocal's chord changes and in the background vocals. The Beths is one of my absolute favourite bands of this decade, so being compared to them is not a bad thing in my book. Place Memory rocks in the way alternative bands do. Cape Crush adds a golden melody to its rock and combines it with endless vocal lines that are all over Place Memory. Layers of them, making the song stand out totally. Bring me more, Cape Crush!

Anyone. Joan as Policewoman

Twenty years ago, I wrote about Joan Wasser's solo project Joan as Policewoman in the old magazine predating the blog by eleven years. 'Real Life' made Joan as Policewoman one of my favourite new artists at the time, just like she became for my then girlfriend, now wife. We saw her several times life in concert in Amsterdam and The Hague. And then, somehow, she slipped from my attention and her she is back announcing the 20 year anniversary version of 'Real Life' with the release of Anyone as a single and once again I'm immediately drawn into the jazzy tune. Anyone is the musical equivalent of a day where you do not have to do anything else but relax. Just lying around or reading a book. Anyone is the kind of song that I just want to listen to and not have to do anything else. It is beautiful and then some. 

Nobody's Heroes. The Menzingers

You will have to go back to the very first months of this blog to encounter The Menzingers. In April 2012 'On The Impossible Past' featured on the blog. I wrote about punk pop and a likeness to The Hold Steady. What the band produced in the past fourteen years, I don't know. Today I've encountered Nobody's Heroes and decided to write about it. The band, no longer young men, kicks the song off with an acoustic guitar and an organ, before the band kicks in. There's not much of punk to be found. There's certainly a hint of emo in the vocal delivery. The music is more alternative rock like they used to make around 2000 in the U.S. with just a lighter touch to the sound bringing the band closer to e.g. Gin Blossoms. The combination works well, because it makes singer (and guitarist) Greg Barnett's voice and vocal delivery stand out more. The music is serving, adequate and simply nice.

Cool Job. Telehealth

One more time machine on the blog. Seattle band Telehealth debuts on this blog with a song that is as odd as it is danceable and slightly infectious. A song like Talking Heads and many bands following it, like in the 00s Franz Ferdinand could have made. I'm not even going to mention the bands that sprouted this decade. For me the source is Talking Heads and let's stick there. Telehealth has all the things in place that allows for comparisons. The odd sounding rhythm, the guitar lines that are as weird as they are full of rhythm. The lyrics that seemingly are randomly generated and sang in a way that is somewhere between declaration and song. Did I mention that it works? It does and there is an album coming up. 'Green World Image' releases on 15 May. I've heard enough to want to hear more.

Over You. Dreamwave

Dreamwave returns to the blog with a song that lands somewhere in the middle of alternative rock, alternative pop and psychedelic rock. Over You manages to hold a 1960s psych and garage rock vibe and mixes it with The Black Angels on a good day, something the Austin band seldom to never has and Green Day exuberance. The result is a tremendously upbeat song that invites to dance to and sing-along with. The guitar riff may be standard for the genre, it makes Over You come totally alive. The female voice supporting the singer, gives Over You a party feeling as well. The Bristol based band has released two EPs at once, 'Moon Dogs' and 'Drifter' on 20 March. 

Born To Kill. Social Distortion

In 2004 I bought my first Social Distortion cd, 'Sex, Love And Rock & Roll'. The first four songs on that album are so fantastic. Then I found out that the band was around already for over 20 years. That makes over 40 today. And yes, Mike Ness' voice is definitely not one of a young man. The energy put into Born To Kill is phenomenal though and brings me in a good mood immediately. This song is one of a band on a mission but has nothing left to prove. Born To Kill is like a shot of adrenalin, immediately energising the senses and body into action. I would not recommend moshpits for the fans of the first hour but with a song like this the band ought pick up punk lovers of all ages. The song goes out with a banger of a guitar solo as well. Album 'Born To Kill' will be released on 8 May.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght