The Magic City. The Magic City

New Zealand and Boston. All added up this may be the two geographical locations that popped up most on this blog in the last seven to nine years. Where New Zealand is concerned, I'm always wondering what is in the water there causing all this brilliance. For Boston that's not a question with all that tea having gone into the harbour. Today it's Boston's turn but with a twist, because if I would have had to guess, I'd have said London and more specifically Suede with a new singer.

The Magic City has been on the blog before with two singles in 2023 and 2024. What I'm reading there is consistent with what I'm hearing on my headset. All sorts of alternative and indie rock come by, with some powerpop as an extra flavour added to the whole. With two singers David Jackel, also on guitar and synth, and Mike Quinn, also on bass, the band has two front men, of which Jackel is regularly going for his inner David Bowie and Brett Anderson when singing. The other two members are Adam Anderson (lead guitar, vocals) and Ken Marcou (acoustic and electric drums).

What strikes me foremost when listening to The Magic City is the fun the members have in presenting us their music. They are obvious fans of several styles of (Brit)poprock and manage to write their own originals that match the quality of the originals of Suede. Take 'Don't Forget Me When She Gone'. This song could have been a part of Suede's debut album with ease. That band is now its thirty plus year and The Magic City is releasing its debut album. The members do have a long track record of other bands of which one, The Daylillies, can be found on this blog as well. The song in the middle of the album is one of the best on it. Yes, it is very familiar in sound but far from a rip off. This is as good as Suede can wish for (and still is in 2026).

But let's go back to the beginning. Just listen to the bang with which 'The Magic City' enters my ears and life. An electic guitar is coming to life slowly and the band kicks in, creating the light and the shade within thirty seconds. 'Ozma Is My Shadow', the single that preceded the album, is the visiting card of the album and band. Listen to the drum part Ken Marcou is playing. All the holding back and hitting extra he does on a supertight snare drum sound. More Therapy than Suede. It gives the song an oomphh in its Britpop. The song pulls me straight into the album, making me want to hear more.

It's not all U.K., because 'A Series Of Chemicals' has the kind of quality that a band like Nada Surf has. The guitars are louder, like The Caulfields played in the 1990s. But then both these bands are more U.K. oriented in the sense of working towards the perfect pop song anyway. The "aahs" The Magic City's members sing, is a tell-tale sign of where their ambition lies. You come very close, gentlemen.

It is this variation in the approach to its songs that gives 'The Magic City' the extra quality push. The band is able to work on the arrangement of songs in such a way, that it presents surprises within songs as well. In fact, the album full of them, making me like it ever more. 'The Magic City' is one of the nicest surprises of 2026 thus far. "Come and get it", they sing in the 2023 single 'Roadrunner vs. Your Mother", also on this album. If I were you, I'd follow its advice.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order 'The Magic City' here:

https://themagiccityofficial.bandcamp.com/ 

Mansun Retold. Paul Draper

Paul Draper? The name absolutely did not ring a bell, but I assumed that he will have been the man singing in the U.K. Britpop band Mansun. Looking it up, I found two albums in my record collection. I could not have produced the titles, had my life depended on it. They are 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' (1997) and 'Six' (1998). One more album (and a posthumous one) and Mansun was over in 2003.

What I do remember, is liking that debut album a lot in 1997. When did I play it last? One time in the past ten years, I'd say. And 'Six'? maybe once after buying it. For almost everyone around the world, this will be the same. In the U.K. this could be different, as bands like Mansun were far bigger there than on the continent. Following still may be more fanatic today. But still, why an album retelling Mansun? I really don't know. Probably because there already is a 20 years anniversary album from 2017, with no less than fifty (!) songs on it.

Having listened to parts of Mansun Retold twice, I have to say that the songs I hear on the album are okay. It is certainly nice to listen to and Paul Draper's voice is still pleasant, but I already have a Mansun album. So, I decided to pull 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' out of its hiding place instead.

The album in 2026 is 29 years old and yes, you notice it. Unlike other forms of music from 1990s, it sounds dated. The soft-Britpop niche Mansun was in has not been revisited (so far). Where Mansun got a part of its mustard shows in abundance. 'Taxloss' combined Suede with 'Taxman' and 1980s synthpop like Howard Jones or Ultravox. The song has drive and is less atmospheric than the songs that I think of, if I would ever have thought of Mansun in the past years that is. That are the opening songs on the album.

Just listen how the album opens. With strings as if Mansun has just released the latest James Bond soundtrack with a little help from The Verve. It is daring though to open your debut album with close to two minutes instrumental music. Draper is making a stand in 'The Chad That Loved Me' (James Bond anyone?) The 'Chad' is, I suppose, guitarist Dominique Chad. Who plays the lead guitar, I don't know, but it is the second oomph in the song. It resonates nicely with a louder song like 'She Makes My Nose Bleed' further down the album.

Mansun, yes, after Charles, is able to produce suger-coated pop music and still sound convincing for several songs. A whole album? No, I do not get through either Retold nor 'Attack ...' all in one go. To put it on every once in a while, for that it certainly is nice enough. The only problem is when you have thousands of albums in whatever form (this one is on cd), chances are something far more popular will always be selected first.

Of course, I wish Paul Draper all the success in the world with him re-imagining his own music in 2026. He has every right to do so. Those who are not familiar with the original albums, this album is as good a place to start as any. In the meantime, I'm quite contend listening to 'Wide Open Space' once again, certainly one of my favourite Mansun songs. Without Mansun Retold that would have taken a lot longer.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Mansun retold here:

https://pauldraper.bandcamp.com/album/mansun-retold 

 

Autonomy. Stone

Stone is a band that can only come from the U.K. It has that kind of swagger in its music and presentation that British bands are so good at. The music is a mix of many things that came before (and have gone) but still sounds so fresh.

Stone is from Liverpool. It started with the duo Fin Power (singer) and Elliot Gill (guitar) who met in 2016 and started their first band, The Bohos. In the next few years bass player Alex Smith and drummer Sarah Surrage join and Stone is a fact. The foursome kept honing their chops and here we are in 2026, with this energetic, second album.

What will you hear when you put on Autonomy? Alternative rock, with some pop and postpunk/wave. The, almost, title song 'Autonomous' could come from a Big Special album, e.g. The band has obviously heard Oasis and coming with that hidden hints of Beatlesque pop elements. Fin Power clearly has listened to Alex Turner's phrasing. It all went into Stone's blender and comes out as one, big raucous musical surprise.

Listen to how much fun a song like 'Freezing' is. It is the last song on the album. Instead of it being a tucked away filler, it is more like a mission statement. The band uses dynamics and reticence as if it has done so on the whole album; not! Here it plays with the space a mix offers and with the art of less is more. The only one not holding back is singer Fin Power. He's spewing words all over the place and finds a spot for such a nice chorus as well. If what comes next has the quality of 'Freezing', the third album will be even better than Autonomy.

Promo photo

Admittedly, Autonomy in some places is better at showing enthusiasm than that it presents great songs. Most songs are good and some tend towards more. A band early in its career ought to show a lot of enthusiasm and Stone delivers it in spades.

The album's title song opens the album and shows all what the band is about. You can pick out your own favourite Britpop band as inspiration, I could pick a few even. But listen to that guitar doing that did-a-did-a-did-a-did sound. For some reason it appeals so much to me. And Fin Power has a great vocal melody going on there. The world has its Britpop anthem for the 20ties, I'd say.

Submerge into the musical world Stone presents and I'm convinced you will come out on the other side of Autonomy fully invigorated. Stone rules here.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, week 37. 10 singles

Officially it's still summer but I'd say that fall is upon us. Sunshine is alternated with fierce downpours and back again. The temperatures going down to below 20 Celsius. In the meantime summer is over in record land as well and one after another favourite band of the past few years is releasing a new record, as you can see on the blog. In this post though nine out of the ten are here for the first time. So discover and enjoy!

Angelena. GoldCoast

Angelena is the kind of song that seems to have been around since forever. The kind of song I've been listening to for most of my adult life and will listen to and discover for my remaining years. Angelena is that kind of song that was born in country music and taken through a rock mixture of electric guitars, sound drums and a warm Hammond. A song that you can listen, sing along to with a loud voice and can even make you dance. A song that ought to only come out of the U.S.. GoldCoast is the husband-and-wife duo of Rich and Jen Mahan, who make their debut under this name. As far as I'm concerned, may many a song follow this fine debut single.

Hit The Verge. Chantal Acda

With album 'The Whale' getting close to the release date, Chantal Acda has released another single from the album. Hit The Verge is a slow, somewhat dreamy song with a jazz feel because of the drumming of husband Eric Thielemans. (With Chris Eckman present as co-recording person, the Light, Distance & Sky line up is fully present on Hit The Verge.) This approach makes the single a slow listening experience in which a trumpet comes into the song, to leave it once again. Slow piano notes enter as well. The more I hear the more impressed I am. Chantal Acda does not go for the big achievements and postures. Far from even. She goes straight to the heart and mind. I read an old calendar page today saying "The biggest distance is between the heart and the mind". Not with Hit The Verge. The song has made a tight connection between the two alright.

Red, White, and Blue EP. Parts Per Million

Buckle up, folks. This EP, Red, White, and Blue, by Boston band Parts Per Million is not for the faint of ear. In my book this comes very close to the System of a Down albums of old. Metal with a melodic edge and a lot of anger, shouting and what not, while somehow still manages to keep my ear in listening mode. Most bands playing this kind of music don't, believe me. At the same time Parts Per Million shares a message with their fellow Americans. The country is "sinking down". People need to listen to each other to understand their respective positions. It is a message that is easy to miss under the onslaught of the music. (Reality caught up with my review as well, WdNvdB.) The songs are called 'Red', 'White' and 'Blue', the colours in the American flag and the Dutch one at that. In New York and parts of New England the Dutch flag is flying proudly, without the flag flyers realising it is ours. Funny that. Don't let it stop you from listening to this EP for some metal delight and to learn a lesson or two on living together in peace. The world needs it more today than ever in my lifetime.

Sad Song. Jaimi Faulkner

I’ve tried to write a sad song in my mind", Australian singer-songwriter Jaimi Faulkner is singing on his single Sad Song. In other words, the song did not just stay there and the world is a, even if it's just a little bit, better place for it. Think a very traditional singer-songwriter tune with no more than a guitar and some keys over which Faulkner sings with a fairly deep, somewhat sad and dreamy voice. In the second half of the song the rhythm section joins, giving Sad Song more body. It is the electric piano that gives the song the 70s singer-songwriter vibe above all. Christopher Cross is one of the names that come to mind, but also Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot to name two others. Faulkner is active since the 00s and has toured here regularly. He has a connection with The Netherlands and recorded his new album 'Half Of It', released on 12 September, here as well, with Dutch musicians. I have the idea that I saw him play in Q-Bus, Leiden years ago, but can't find anything on it, so it could have been another Australian singer-songwriter. Anyway, Sad Song is an elementary, yet beautiful song.

This Is It EP. Ape Hangers 

In 2001 New York City band The Strokes asked a pivotal question, "Is This It?" As far as I'm concerned and for many other music lovers the question was answered twice over. In the short run, yes, this is a very exciting album and in the long run, no, as that was it for the band, as it never made any kind of impression with an album ever again. In August 2025 Boston band Ape Hangers give the definitive answer to that question: This Is It. Ape Hangers were a band in the 1990s and then quit at some point. Circa 30 years down the line the members return older and wiser with a couple of punky, melodic rock song that put my ears on fire from the very first chords of opening song 'Happiness'. The title song matches this and st(r)okes up the fire. In 'Bombay' the tempo goes down a little, to be replaced by some subtle yet firm slide guitar playing. Drummer Dennis McCarthy had not been told he was playing a punk ballad song as he is releasing his inner 'Animal' for a lot of the time. The trio, Pete Sjostedt (guitars and vocals) and Bob Kiah (bass and vocals) are back and the world ought to know it. Ape Hangers check the band out!

Flowers At Her Door. Fitzsimon and Brogan (FaB)

The song starts like a Britpop song from the mid-90ties, bright and with a firm step and then singer Bee Brogan starts singing and it comes quite as a shock. As if from beyond the grave her voice sounds, so smokey and rough. I can only compare it with some ladies I hear speaking on the street who have obviously smoked far too much for decades. In music I only have the Genya Ravan album Rum Bar Records released a few years back. When she sings in a higher registry as a form of response call, we might hear what she once have sounded like. However, what it does, is it definitely makes Flowers At Her Door stand out. Musically, I like the The Byrds reference guitarist Neil Fitzsimon plays a few times. The combination makes FaB an interesting musical experience.

Rainbow Days (demo). Mark Fry

Another singer-songwriter enters this week's singles post. Mark Fry allows us to listen to the bare essentials of the songs he released on his previous album 'Not On The Radar'. Rainbow Days comes of a whole album with demos called 'Not On The Radar (The Demos)'. The result is the listener gets an insight into how the songs started their life but more than that. I can't judge the whole album but listening to Rainbow Days (demo)' I would say the song does not need anything more. Mark Fry's guitar plays a slow motive over and over and together with his voice makes it a meditative song. Sometimes a song doesn't need anything more than just a voice and a guitar. Rainbow Days (demo) is one of them.

Special Kind Of Crazy. Badterms

Covid projects. Although the pandemic itself lies behind us for a few years, plans that were formed at the time still see the light of day. Curt Florczak (Boston), who can be found with a solo album in 2021 on this blog, teamed up with Hans Molnar from Arizona and from these exchange of ideas the band Badterms was formed and finally the music sees the light of day. Knowing Florczak a little, I'm not surprised to hear some aggressive alternative rock bordering on punk. Tightly played instruments, guitars that play a nice chord-based melody in between the vocal lines and a lead singer whose voice has seen some mileage. Although the band released several EPs on a German label, this is the band's U.S. debut album, like it is new for me. With Special Kind Of Crazy Badterms gives off the message, we're here to make a good old-fashioned rock and roll impression. Nothing more but certainly nothing less.

Galvanized. Clone

Clone is a Brooklyn based postpunk band led by LG Galleon. Now postpunk is a very wide genre and I can not for the life of me put Clone in the same box as British Isles band like Shame, Sprints or Fontaines DC or Dutch bands like Tramhaus and Global Charming. Had I been asked without knowing anything about Clone I would have put them in the box alternative rock with some influences from the 1980s. A lighter version of Killing Joke. Take Galvanized, the second song of the upcoming EP Care To Try (3 October). It is a hard rocking song, but the lead guitar definitely has a light touch, that lifts the song up for the whole of the way. At the same time Galvanized has a dreamy quality that the drummer keeps punching holes into. That dreaminess hovers over the tough song in the form of backing vocals that ooh and ahh all throughout the song. It is a combination that makes for a great song.

Sickness. runo plum

The third singer-songwriter this week is runo plum. With Sickness a far more alternative form of singer-songwriting is presented, although the basic idea is the same. Plum could play her song at a campfire and most likely will have the same strength. An acoustic guitar and dreamy voice would do the trick. Had she been living in France decades ago, she would have been called a sigh girl. Let me not forget Aimee Mann at the time of 'Bachelor No. 2'. In the past years she has released her songs herself. No longer. She signed with a label and will release her debut album in November, 'Patching'. Sickness is a song that slowly progresses and gets a darker edge because of the electric lead guitar. She worked with instrumentalist Noa Francis and producer Lutalo and based on this single, the result could be a very pleasing album. Sickness mixes lightness with darkness in a way that makes me want to listen to more. I'm sure we will get that chance in the coming weeks.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

Antidepressants. Suede

It is 1993 and I had a period in which I did not have a lot of money to spend. Standing in the local record store I had two records in my hand 'New West Motel' by The Walkabouts and 'Suede'. The choice fell on the latter. What a mistake, as The Walkabouts (and the Chris & Carla duo) soon became my favourite band in the 1990s. Here it's 2025 and Suede is in its second run for well over a decade and is producing one fine album after the other. The Walkabouts disbanded in 2012; forever I think.

Suede always remained one of my second layer Britpop bands, where I will always come back to every once in a while. In 2025 it has moved up one layer, as it is one of the only Britpop bands that are still active 30 plus years after the start of Britpop. With Antidepressants Suede shows that there is no falling back on routine or that the band is the worse for wear and tear in any way. This album is filled with energetic songs that sparkle. They are full of life and enthusiasm.

Right from the very start Suede makes its point. Yes, it sounds familiar. Had I been selected to do a blind test to the new songs, I'm certain to have been able to name the band. Brett Anderson's voice stands out of course but there's also the sound of the band that comes through quite clear in 'Disintegrate' and beyond.

Does that make Antidepressants a must have album? After all, I already have quite a big collection of Suede albums. After the first few listening sessions, I thought to answer no, I have enough of them. Since, I have changed my mind. The album is different enough. From Britpop Suede moved to a tighter and louder form of music. For lack of a better word, I would call the music punky. It has nothing to do with The Sexpistols, Green Day or The Offspring, for that the music is far too melodic in its outset. That said, this a tough album to crack. And I simply have come to like it a lot. Even more than the four albums that came before since the reunion. That puts it on a line with my previous favourites, 'Suede' and 'Head Music' with 'Coming Up' tightly behind the duo.

I remember an interview with Brett Anderson from 1996 in which he commented on Bernard Butler leaving the band and Richard Oakes joining. It read something like "Here was this 16 year old kid claiming he would write an album filled with hits for us". That album was 'Coming Up' in 1996. 29 Years down the line things haven't changed, except that hits probably will no longer happen. Keyboardist Neil Codling co-writes songs as well, so credit where it's due. The current line up, including rhythm section Mat Osman and Simon Gilbert, is extremely stable and that shows in the confident music the five are presenting.

Summing up, I am surprised by how good Antidepressants is. I thought I had heard it all from Suede. The band put me in my place and one again I'm a fan.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Antidepressants here:

https://antidepressantssuede.bandcamp.com/album/antidepressants 

2025, week 34. 10 singles

Slowly the season is starting to change. Days obviously get shorter and the nights longer. And the man who in 1973 set summer's end into words best with his number 1 hit 't Is Weer Voorbij Die Mooie Zomer', Gerard Cox, let the world know he does not have long to live any more. At 85, okay. The number of releases is climbing as well with summer's end nearing. So here is an overview of singles released in the past weeks. Enjoy!

Long Line. Soft Bait

More New Zealand today. Soft Bait is a newby on this blog, so let's do a short introduction. The four piece is from Tamaki Makaurau, as Auckland is know in the Maori language. The band consists of Joshua Hunter (vocals, guitar), Patrick Hickley (guitar), Keria Paterson (bass), and Cameron Mackintosh (drums) and has released its second album, 'Life Advice' late last month when I was enjoying a nice holiday. Soft Bait certainly can be put into the postpunk side of music. In fact I would advise the fans of Soft Bait to listen to Rotterdam band Tramhaus and vice versa. I'm sure you will both find something you like. "I come from a long line of bad backs", what an opening like for a song. Energy is shared all over the song, in the right kind of doses, as you will find. The rhythm section never relents. The guitars do hold back and make the more of an impression when they do go for it. The end is almost apocalyptic. Soft Bait, check the album out. 

Humankind. Mannifesto

I'm going to be very straightforward here, as I seriously asked myself the question how it is possible that I responded so positively to a song that is one big musical cliché? Before I go into the answer, let me introduce Mannifesto, as Humankind is the first release of the band. It consists of singer/saxophonist Patsy Gamble, guitarist Manny Manninen, bassist Martin Engelien and drummer Manni Von Bohr, with Pete Feenstra as lyricist. All have a truckload of experience in (classic) rock music for decades and can be called veterans. They formed a band fairly recently and here is the first result. Now to answer the question. Despite the music sounding very familiar, the band lays down a great groove, Gamble a solid vocal and guitarist Manninen plays his riffs like there is no tomorrow and a great solo to finish things off. The result is a powerful song that deserves being heard, clichés or not. This band knows full well what it is doing and what it wants to achieve.

Burn. Eric Barlow

From raving at a wall to burning things down is but a small step for Eric Barlow. With the former single he debuted on this blog and that introduction today is continued with a single that quite nicely sits somewhere between pop and rock like they used to make, as they say. Burn has it all, from a nice guitar intro, to a well strummed verse and a chorus that pricks up my ears. Again, I hear sounds from the 60s permeate into Barlow's song, with the sting of 1990s indie rock. It is as if I'm hearing a song that I ought to remember but just doesn't come from the depths of my brain. We all recognise a moment like that. A vocal melody that just does not finish itself or the next vocal line that doesn't follow where it should. A snippet of a melody that goes around and around but never connects to what will tell the name of the song and artist. Eric Barlow created a song that reminds me of such moments while providing an excellent start and an oh so pleasant follow up. Bring on more, please.

Free Space. Jake Nicholl

Near the end of my review of 'Lonely Mission', Jake Nicholl's 2024 album, I wrote: "In the bio it says, Jake Nicholl approaches each album differently". Well, listening to Free Space, the single to his new album 'Saturn Return', released on 1 August, it looks like he really delivered on his promise. Where I placed 'Lonely Mission' in the period of time where Tim Hardin and Leonard Cohen broke through, Free Space is an electronic affair and should be placed in a line with lo-fi electronic bedroom pioneers like Pickle Darling, Carol Cleveland Sings and Moon Moon Moon. Free Space is an electronic, slow song, with digital rhythms that sound like they were created on synthesizers from the 1970s, while Nicholl sings with a slightly or somewhat more treated voice. At the same time it is a song and one that it is nice to listen to. The album was released during my holiday, but I will try to give it a chance in the coming few weeks. Free Space is the kind of song that invites further listening.

3x3. a fungus

Over three years ago a fungus' debut album 'It Already Does That' made it to this blog with a favourable post. The band is still active in the postpunk/alternative rock niche of music. At the same time things have changed. Gone are the huge guitars, enter electronic rhythms supporting the drums and a sound that is postpunk yet far from noisy. As if a fungus has understood that the competition with bands like Tramhaus, Marathon or Personal Trainer cannot be won and looked at what the band is good at itself. The result is a single that shows another side of the band, while remaining interesting. 3x3 is a bare affair. The band keeps things small, while presenting riffs that are not your everyday's over a rhythm which is just as exceptional and all without blowing my ears inside. Yes, a fungus made curious to learn more. Whether its new album is smaller in sound as well we'll know on 29 August, when 'Field Relief' is released.

I'm Not Sad. The Cords

Wow. That was the word that came to mind when listening to I'm Not Sad for the first time. It is a dreamy, yet uptempo song that captured me within a few seconds. Sure, it sounds very familiar, as it is in a format that has been released now for over thirty years. A good addition is a welcome addition and that is what The Cords present. Imagine, the song was over before I had time to collect my first thoughts! At one minute and forty seconds it's all over. I'm Not Sad is the second single taken from the band's upcoming debut album 'The Cords'. The duo of sisters Eva and Grace Tedeschi from Glasgow, who obviously have a love for music from a long time ago. I'm thinking Teenage Fanclub and the dreamy side of The Stone Roses. When I'm Not Sad not only reminds me of bands like that, but clearly competes with them, something nice may be brewing. By 26 September we will know more.

The Golden Arc. Garlands

With Garlands we remain in Glasgow. Except that Garlands is on this blog for quite a few years now. Once again Gordon Harrow (vocals and guitar), Darren Mackay (bass) and Stef Blair (drums) have produced a nice sounding single that has one foot firmly in the past and one in the present. The Golden Arc has a The Beatles vibe, a 90s indie sound and the firmness to be from the 2020s. The song starts off fairly quiet and relaxed. The guitar part may continue into the song, when played alone it comes across as slow and soothing. The song has a 'Rain' connotation here, without the psychedelic effects The Beatles introduced in the 1966 song. When the band kicks in, the same guitar part gets a totally different context and becomes a driving force. The guitar overdubs do the rest and there's more you may want to discover. There are quite some nice details in The Golden Arc. There are so many recent Garlands singles now. When can we expect them as an album?

Stay Close By. Tamar Berk

"Hi, it's Tamar" it reads in an email and then I know new music will be arriving soon. For four years Tamar Berk is a regular on this blog and her fifth album in as many years will most likely get the same treatment. Stay Close By is out for some weeks now. I'm still catching up with new music by friends of the blog. Stay Close By is a mid tempo song. If something like an alternative rock ballad exists, I'd say the song qualifies. Tamar Berk sings with a dreamy, soft voice, that hovers over the song and sails through the cracks in the mix of the instruments, making her voice extremely present, despite singing softly. It adds tremendous quality to the song which already is so good. From a modest start, one electric guitar with a slightly dirty sound, the song is built bigger and bigger. Huge drums enter and several guitars with big and extremely small parts. All together they make for a single that delivers a big promise for the upcoming album, 'OCD' is released on 5 September.

All I Get. WILDES

And more dreamy music today. WILDES is Ella Walker, who is about to release her second album, 'All We Do Is Feel' on 12th September. At the start of the song, I had the impression to be listening to a Wolf Alice clone, but WILDES plots a totally different course. All I Get seems to be bursting at the seems for wanting to present big, fat rhythms. Electronic pulses are all over the place but always restrained and on a leash. Like a dog at the entrance of a campsite wanting to jump in front of my car before being restrained. The Wolf Alice idea comes from the way Walker harmonises with herself during the song. The approach makes sure that the tension is always building up and makes you want to listen as you want to know how it ends. I gave some away but not all, so you will have to find out for yourself. I'm not sure whether I can cope with a whole album filled with music like this, but I will listen first as All I Get is a good song and interesting to listen to at that.

Give Me Back My World. Ash

Ash? I think I have the band's debut album. '1977'? There's also a ten year old review of an album called 'Kablammo!' that I have absolutely no recollection of listening to unfortunately. The band still exists in 2025, so is around for circa 30 years I'd say. For a band with members in their 50s Give Me Back My World has a fresh, even young sounding atmosphere. This is a fun, poppy song. It's all nostalgia for things that have come and gone musically long ago. But as most music today brings back the best of the past, Ash's new single fits right in. The band found some nice adornments that make Give Me Back My World fun to listen to. In fact they are all over the song. This fits in with Nada Surf's best and that is meant as a big compliment. By far I've missed most of Ash's output but this is a song that makes me want to hear more. That more is called 'Ad Astra' and will be released on 3 October.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

Trash Classic. Frankie and The Witch Fingers

Anyone who wants to start listening to Trash Classic without any pre knowledge: you better fasten your aural seatbelt first. Frankie and The Witch Fingers take off immediately in the most nervous and erratic way possible. The first Pere Ubu album comes to my mind immediately. Trash Classic presents a whole range of modern dances. Add a little Zappaesque burlesque elements and a lot of punk (attitude) and you might start to get the picture. I for one am convinced that this L.A. band knows exactly what it is doing and what it wants to get across.

That also includes a perfect mix of U.S. punk rock and the more alive side of later Britpop, with bands like the Automatic and before that Supergrass. The resulting mix is an alternative form of pop. Frankie and The Witch Fingers know what pop songs are and how to hide them from plain sight. Beneath that wall of sound, of riffs that are not your every day’s and the loads of energy caught in the studio, there are songs to enjoy. In other words, the best of both worlds is on offer on Trash Classic.

The first release by the band is already over ten years ago. I sort of missed it all, that makes the introduction today the more pleasant as I'm totally fresh to what I'm hearing and that is an album filled with songs that seem to go everywhere in my mind. My brain feels totally charged after a listening session with this band.

That band is founding members Dylan Sizemore (vocals and rhythm guitar), Josh Menashe (vocals, lead guitar, synthesizer), later joined by Nicole "Nikki Pickle" Smith (bass), Nick Aguilar (drums) and Jon Modaff (synths).

Later into Trash Classic you will start hearing more influences like the U.K. punkfunk from the early 80s. That nervousness remains in place though. In 'Simple Reset' they sing about a nervous breakdown. The song is probably able to induce one in people hearing it. Or set the party going. There's nothing in between I guess apart from running away as fast and far as possible.

In short, don't expect any subtlety here. Frankie and The Witch Fingers rocks and then rocks some more. The band rocks your boat and rattles your brain. With Trash Classic they offer a party anywhere you go. You only need to bring the music in whatever form with you.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can order and listen to Trash Classic here:

https://frankieandthewitchfingers.bandcamp.com/album/trash-classic 

2025, week 16. 10 singles

Easter weekend. I made a typo typing eater weekend. It can be called that of course. A few days with the family, food, drinks, Easter eggs and most likely less time to read a blog or listen to new music. Here are ten new songs anyway, so enjoy! And, Happy Easter!

Throw A Fist. The Northern Line

Just listen how Throw A Fist starts. The Northern Line lays down an irresistible groove. I won't say it's like The Stone Roses but the concept certainly is. Drums and at least two percussive instruments play for 10 seconds, bar two short bursts on a Hammond organ. Then the bass joins in and  the organ starts playing a melody. Guitar one joins the rhythm and then guitar two starts playing the main riff over that strong groove. Only at 40 seconds the singer joins with "I never felt so low". That may be, by after that 40 seconds I'm in high spirits. What a great groove and what an upbeat song Throw A Fist is. The Massachusetts band relive the Britpop days of the mid 90s, with a band like The Charlatans in mind, think its album 'Up To Here' e.g. It seems like I did not judge so positively on The Northern Line's debut single 'Lightning Strikes', as you cannot find it on this blog. Throw A Fist is and rightly so. What a groove!

Nothing. Sex Scenes

Nothing starts with a groove as well, but here we are in punk territory immediately. Sex Scenes is from Milwaukee and is the kind of band that does not hold back. Not in its music nor in its artwork. The blood vomiting skull on its album's sleeve is somewhere between a joke and serious. The music is all seriousness though. In just 2.14 minutes Sex Scenes tells and plays all. Nothing is the band's first single from the first album 'Everything Makes Me Sick', and it comes with a bang. Sex Scenes is around since 2016 but it's singer, Sarah Turbo, joined in 2021. She sounds like Amy Taylor of Amyl and The Sniffers in an angry mood. Behind her the band rages with a distorted bass guitar and guitars that play a great hook or two during the song. Nothing is quite the introduction to the upcoming album, to be released on 8 May.

Wonder. Benét

Unwinding, the big slow down comes with Wonder by singer Benét. The song starts as a sort of 'Let Love Rule', but next reminds me more of G. Love & Special Sauce where its rhythm is concerned. Wonder slowly evolves into a dreamy song, where friends of Benét wonder about a topic that concerns them, sampled into the song. This makes Wonder a song that sets itself apart, as it is not entirely the singer's song. Musically, Wonder is a basic song. Drums, a bass guitar is enough to kick it off. Surely but slowly the song flashes out with more instruments and in the vocal arrangement. It becomes an intricate weaving of instruments and voices, that makes for interesting listening. And then other voices take over, where the melody keeps Wonder going. It all ends abruptly, with an acoustic guitar providing a short coda. Album 'Make 'm Laugh' is expected on 6 June.

Scars. After Elmer

With Scars Rotterdam band After Elmer turns the clock back for a few decades. Around the year 2000 there were bands like Creed that started to play songs like these, post grunge. But there's also some emo in Scars. After Elmer builds up the song in an excellent way. An empty beginning with strong accents from guitar and drums. Next up is the release in the chorus, where the band goes full out. It's the kind of chorus that deserves a moshpit. An audience that goes apeshit as one. No matter how forceful the chorus is, the band has taken care of a strong vocal melody. That is just one part of the song though. The dynamics work really well and the band is an ace in getting the accents in all the right moments. After Elmer may have hit its jackpot with Scars.

Low Hanging Fruit. Matt Tecu + Fernando Perdomo

An instrumental is not your every day on this blog, but we have another one with Low Hanging Fruit. I have no clue who Matt Tecu + Fernando Perdomo are. The names are totally new to me, but this single rocks in a very old-fashioned way. Low Hanging Fruit rocks to hard to be from a cheesy circa 1970 movie soundtrack but the song contains the concept of it. That organ does the trick alright. It provides this psychedelic feel to the whole. The lead guitar is somewhere between surf and rock, while the drums definitely make it a rock song. The bass on the other hand is in Serge Gainsbourg territory. It gives you an impression how diverse Low Hanging Fruit sounds. It's from an album called 'Getting Warmer' which is out already.

Before The Fall EP.  Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners

On Before The Fall Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners defy genre and time with an all-time mix of folk, Irish folk, punk and what not. Of course, rightly so you will think of The Pogues, Gogol Bordello, and even Dropkick Murphys. It's all in the opening song 'White Russians', right up to the mock Iwan Rebrow background singing. The instruments and approach are more traditional than the last two mentioned bands. That makes Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners a more traditional band. This shows in the songs that follow, as the punk tempo goes out of the songs. 'When The Money's All gone' even  moves into country territory. The accordeon gives the song even a French Mediterranean flavour. The lead guitar adds a Chris Isaak kind of rock and roll. 'Train's Off The Rails' moves into The Paladins style rock and roll. In the following two songs you will be surprised once again by the music on offer. Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners may have a hard time choosing what kind of band it wants to be, in each song the band convinces. Before The Fall is an EP that deserves attention. Party time, is another good description.

Call Out Your Name ft. Pete Townsend. Inge Lamboo

A Dutch singer working with The Who legend Pete Townsend? The answer is yes, as you can see. The result is an indie rock track with some real fiery guitar work by Townsend. What is more important, is that the track caught my attention from the very start. Call Out Your Name hovers somewhere between indie rock and a Fleetwood Mac kind of pop. Lamboo has a voice that can compete with every female singer coming out of the U.S. in indie rock/pop. Whether Alanis or Katy Perry, she's right up there. The music itself is fairly basic. She let's her voice do the talking. And then there's that lead guitar that throws "some mud against the wall in that old sixties style" as Townsend called his contribution. At 79 he has followed Inge Lamboo online and was especially caught by her mash up of Arctic Monkeys with Fleetwood Mac. The result is a nice single and a trip to London for Lamboo to see The Who and present the single to Townsend. Her second album, 'This Is How The Future Sounds' will be released on 30 May. 

The Experiment EP. Replaced By Robots

Replaced By Robots only rang a bell because of books on the fourth industrial revolution, not because of a band. That changed with the release of this five song mini album which the band released recently. The trio consists of Goolkasian, Heather Joy Morgan and Adam Wade. Morgan has a background in painting, the others have played in various bands over the past two decades. For The Experiment they worked with producer Paul Q. Kolderie. It resulted in a mini album that combines upbeat alternative rock, with some glam rock and synth things. Replaced By Robots manages to combine several decades of music in a successful way. Heather Joy Morgan even does a Nico, one who is not on the verge of moving to the other side. What gets to me, is the upbeat music that The Experiment offers. It allows for both serious listening and dancing all in one. Replaced By Robots delivers it all in one go.

SS-100-X. The Speed Of Sound

What the story is, I still have to get into. Fact is, The Speed of Sound has released three albums under the name 'A Cornucopia', with partly the same track names. One of the singles from an album titled additionally 'Minerva' is SS-100-X, I suppose a soviet Union type missile that was aimed at us in the 1970 or 80s. This song is 'I'm Waiting For My Man' by the Velvet Underground during day time. Without any trouble I'm able to sing "standing on a corner ..." over the intro. The vocal melody is it's own, making it a different song. The song has a chorus as well. SS 100 eggs, I hear, influenced by Easter? The lyrics are not on scoring heroine but on the Kennedy assassination and conspiracy theories around it. SS-100-X was the code name of the car the Kennedys were in on that fateful day in 1963. The combination of the lyrics and the music make it an interesting song to listen to. In fact it's good.

He Seems To Think That He's A King. Garret Vandermolen

Do protest songs still exist? Many people argue that they do not any more. Garret Vandermolen has decided that this has to end this situation and wrote a song against the would be (soon actually?) dictator in The White House, his oligarch friends and sycophants bowing to his every whim. The title to the song tells it all. It is not the kind of king my country has or the U.K., no a king that reigns at will, like Louis XIV, who went to war in the summer, held court in the winter and kept his potential enemies as close as possible. Raised taxes for his own whims, including hobby wars, lavish luxury, etc. It's that kind of king Vandermoolen is singing about. The song is the right mix between mocking, an upbeat beat and melancholy singing. Say Tom Petty style. The sad thing is, that everything I and many others fear, may well be reality very soon. He Seems To Think That He's A King is the kind of song that may get Garret Vandermolen into serious trouble any day soon. Hopefully, the day will come that these "mighty will fall". It will take more than this song though. Let's call it a good start and make it the anthem of resistance.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

2025, week 15. 10 singles

This week we have a nice mix of new bands and artists to this blog and names you could have encountered before. As always, the mix of genres presented with this selection of singles and one EP is going from here to there. Some sound very familiar and others are totally their own. From soft to loud, it's all there, so, enjoy!

Rain. Steph Cameron

Who feels like travelling back on this blog circa 10 years will find Steph Cameron in two reviews by the hand of Erwin Zijleman. Since then we encountered silence here. With Rain she returns to the blog. Rain is a single from her upcoming album 'Blood Moon' (25 April). It is announced as her first band album. Is Rain a spectacular song? No, that it is not, but it certainly brings back fond memories of one of the most popular rock albums from the past, Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours'. It is said to be one of the best selling albums today. Steph Cameron does a Nicks-McVie here and that is the second time I write this in just a few weeks (see 'The Test' by Billy Nomates on 23 March.) Steph Cameron's music is a little softer than Fleetwood Mac's, a Lindsey Buckingham is missing, but the intention is so clear. in the way she sings but even more in the harmony vocals. They are such a dead give away. And yet, this makes for pleasant listening on Rain.

Hilarious In Love. Attawalpa

"Know I'm dead, so funny I'm dead", singer Luis Felber sings in Hilarious In Love. Quite the chorus, isn't it? The music is just as slacker as the lyric suggest. The song started when Felber caught Covid for the first time and had to socially distance from his wife for over a week. The Peruvian-British singer came out of it with a song that is quite rich in details. There are some Britpop influences from Oasis to Supergrass, a The Beatles string arrangement comes in and in my head I can even hear George Harrison laying down a slide guitar solo. The basis of the song contains a bongo, that partly explains the slacker vibe that hangs over the song. Attawalpa may be playing dead, that rhythm just goes on and on. It makes sure the song is totally alive. Album 'Experience' is released on 4 July.

Empathy Centre. Corin Ashley

Although Corin Ashley has a role in music for over 20 years playing in bands and working with several more or less famous names, Empathy Centre has nothing to do with music from the past 20 years. This is 1960s territory for the whole of the way. You can hear everything from The Small Faces to The Kinks, right up to The Beatles and a whole lot of psychedelia for good measure. Add a Stevie Winwood organ solo and you get the drift of what Empathy Centre is about. Ashley is a musician from the Boston scene who played for ten years in a band called The Pills. Empathy Centre contains the final work of his friend Ducky Carlisle, who has since passed away. as a memorial song. Both can be proud of their achievement.

Tessæil. Skyjoggers

With Tessæil Skyjoggers enter this blog for the first time with more than just a bang. Alexi Belle (guitars & effects), Juan Rico (bass, synth & vocals) and Gabo Sabor (drums & vocals) present an over 12 minutes long instrumental sonic onslaught of loud and wide, relentless drumming, a tough pounding bass and loads of effects put on the guitar(s). The Tampere, Finland based band holds nothing back on Tessæil. The result is a sonic adventure Skyjoggers takes you on. Yes, it may take some stamina to sit through over twelve minutes of space rock but I'm not complaining. This is space rock as it is meant to be. Loud, tough and spacey. I visited Tampere for a conference at the start of the summer of 2023 when Finland was experiencing record breaking temperatures. with light so bright that wearing glasses inside of the venue was necessary in the main hall of the university. Skyjoggers were not in sight unfortunately. Tessæil sounds like this bright light.

The Game. The Highway Dollys

"This is Bakersfield Country Music that Rocks", reads the start of the bio accompanying the link to the song. Country?, if you say so. Make it rock as far as I'm concerned. Until today, I had never heard of The Highway Dollys, so here we have another band making its debut on the blog today. The trio consists of Pamela Hogan (vocals & guitar), Liz Borden (vocals & guitar) and Greg Hogan (guitar). All musicians of a certain age. (Liz Borden was on this blog circa a half year ago with her single 'Shake'.) When the chorus of The Game starts, I'm sold. Liz Borden sings with a punk-fired voice. Well worn in and has the rough edge to make The Game sound totally convincing. The lead guitar work is nice as it gives the song its own flavour. If The Game is the quality mark of The Highway Dollys, then I'm game for more.

Politics EP. Real Beaut

Real Beaut? That brings me be back to Australia where I lived for a half year as a teenager. Just think the local accent to it and you get the drift, that's a real beaut, mate!. Real Beaut is also an alternative rock band from Boston. The band consists of Andrew Doherty, Benny Grotto, Johnny Northrup and Keith Pierce and together they are able to  combine tough rock with good and honest melodies that allow for enjoying listening to and singing along when the time calls for it. Keith Pierce's voice sounds like it has been recently tarred and gives the band a very authentic rough sound. The three musicians match their frontman but also provide a lighter touch at the right moments. Politics is only four songs long, a true EP, long enough to convince and short enough to long for more. The first two songs really rock out and when the tempo and volume goes down in 'Profane And Pedigree' the band convinces as well. Not for the first time guitarist Andrew Doherty shows that his chops are well above par. Allow him to go off for few seconds and he lays down a brilliant short solo. I'd swear there is a female backing vocalist for most of the record, but if  it's so, she gets no credit. Bass player Johnny Northrop does. A(nother) girl called Johnny?

Running/Planning. CMAT

Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson or CMAT can be found on this blog once in 2024 with a review by Erwin Zijleman of her album 'Crazymad'. For me CMAT is a new name and during the first minute of Running/Planning I was wondering what to do with this single. Slowly but surely I found myself getting into its groove. The Irish singer lays one down alright. A slow The Stone Roses vibe lies under a voice that brings Lily Allen to mind, when she dared to sing "fuck you" in the sweetest of voices. That vibe is all that happens in Running/Planning. It is all about surrendering to that medium slow beat. Around it a violin may jump in to give the song a little extra. CMAT does the rest, especially in the chorus and the bridge where she shows off her vocal prowess. Once into the vibe there's no stopping Running/Planning.

Where The Wind Blows Free. The Bablers

Also The Bablers makes its debut on the blog. The Finnish band of music veterans will release its album 'Like The First Time' on 25 April. Judging by Where The Wind Blows it could be an album that combines Paul McCartney style The Beatles ballads with The Connells' '74-75'. That gives you an impression of the mature sound of The Bablers. Soft pop with a prominent string arrangement and a soft vocal leading the way. There's nothing spectacular going on, all smooth sailing and pleasant listening. When The Wind Blows Free is part of the re-release of the album that at the time was only available in Finland and Japan. Given a new mix and arrangements The Bablers go for a wider international release and deserve a listen into for certain. (Having one Finnish band on the blog is already special, but two in one post?)

Overlander. The Budos Band

'V', was the album that got a short but sweet review in 2019. I don't know what happened to 'VI' but album 'VII' is underway (30 May). Overlander is described as Zambian rock. Now I have no experience at all with Zambian music, but what strikes me is that I do have albums from 1969 by Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago Transit Authority that sound somewhat like this track. The lead riff even brings Chicago's '25 or 6 to 4' to mind, as does the sax solo that is presented in Overlander. This is a mix of jazz rock, fuzz and psychedelia if I ever heard it. Overlander is an instrumental rock track, where The Budos Band really goes full out. 'VII' apparently was recorded without any concept in mind when starting to work after a two years hiatus. Many a band can only hope for so much spontaneous energy spouting from the instruments and players.

I'll Be Fine. The Slow Death

'No Light to See' was released last Friday and is the 5th studio album from The Slow Death. The Minneapolis punk rock band presents itself with flying colours on I'll Be Fine. Listening to the single there's absolutely no doubt there. Singer Jesse "Pretty Boy" Thorson has a rough voice, think Mike Ness for one, that makes sure his message lands loud and clear. Together with Jack Gribble (drums), Luke Lechler (organ, guitars) and Alex Bammel providing some lead guitar here and there, Thorson is able to shift a truckload of energy across to my ears. I'll Be Fine kickstarts at a hundred miles per hour and ends there. No rest, no stopping, just go, go, go. Another band makes its debut here and in a memorable way as well. Hell, yeah, I'll be fine with music like this.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

2025, week 11. 10 singles

Week 11 comes with cold and sunshine, no rain in sight. Pollen are in the air super abundantly, my eyes are watering for most of the day, but for the rest this year it's fine for a change. Musically, you will find a few familiar names but also totally new ones. It's time to explore once more, enjoy!

Praying For Your Downfall. Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae is an American singer-songwriter who taps in to female singer-songwriters from the U.S. from around 1995, with names we have all but forgotten, like Nathalie Imbruglia and Joan Osborne. Her single Praying For Your Downfall has the same kind of light touch in her music, but the lyrics are rather vindictive. Whoever she's singing about, this relationship did not end well. That makes the song from today, as the lyrics are very direct and far from subtle. "Keep whistling, as I never was your dog". There's not a lot left to imagine there, is there? Musically, the contrast is huge, as I'm not afraid to mention how light the music sounds and even Jensen McRae's way of singing. "What if God was one of us", it sounds like that alright. It makes for a pleasant single nonetheless. Album 'I Don't Know How But They Found Me!' is out on 25 April.

Again Again EP. Dana Gavanski

Last year I reviewed Dana Gavanski's third album 'Late Slap' and Erwin Zijleman her first album 'Yesterday Is Gone' in 2019. Early in 2025 she is back with an EP, Again Again. Let me start with the downside for a difference. Again Again delivers on its title. If anything, there is a lot of conformity on the EP where the choice of songs is concerned. Piano-driven songs in a slow to at best medium tempo. From there the enjoyment starts though. Dana Gavanski sings with an undercooled, somewhat dreamy voice, carried by the music mixed underneath her voice. In between pursuing life in many and very ways, somewhere between touring and silversmithing, Gavanski turned to her piano and learned to play better and started to record the songs she wrote on it with Syd Kemp to assist her finding a more live sound in the studio. Mission accomplished, I'd say. Again Again may be subdued but far from bare or lifeless. Give the songs some attention and beauty opens itself for you. In many and varied ways. One of these ways is a touch of New Zealand singer-songwriter Aldous Harding, which suits this music well. With Again Again Dana Gavanski has given herself another musical avenue to explore and more options for the future.

Trouble. Voom

And yet another gem from our antipodes in Auckland. After two singles in 2024, you can find them on this blog, Voom returns with an alternative rock song, that could also be named alternative slacker rock. It has a Beck kind of 'Loser' vibe, without the dance rhythm. Buzz Moller, Murray Fisher, Nick Buckton, and Josh Sorenson released their previous record nineteen years ago and have been working on dozens of demos all through these years and now is the time to get them out to fans of old and new, like me. 'Something Good Is Happening' is slated for 16 May. In the meantime we have Trouble. A song with an irresistible groove. One of the kind that makes me nod my head and move my shoulders in this concept of a dance. The kind of groove that takes over my mind and body. Trouble sounds tremendously familiar, like a thousand other songs I like. With ease I'm grooving to number 1001.

No Front Teeth. Perfume Genius feat. Aldous Harding

No Front Teeth is a single of six plus minutes, with a video that's rather confrontational on a few levels. The song has as many twist as the video. Nothing is what it seems. From the very first seconds I'm captured though. Perfume Genius, the alter ego of Mike Hadreas, sings with a voice that reminds me faintly of Roger McGuinn. He sings with Aldous Harding, who has frequented this blog often, then she sings alone with an angelic voice, just before the song explodes in your face. The music takes you from a soft flowing brook to a the wildest cascades right over the edge of a waterfall and back in to soft flowing water but with deep dark depths beneath you. No Front Teeth is musical danger, that may be the best description. Album 'Glory' is out on 28 March.

You're Right There. NoVanGogh

I certainly am not a painter, so that makes me a no Van Gogh as well. Duo Doug Sparks and Colin Hastings are musicians and may want to be Lennon and McCartney or Fagen and Brecker or Crosby and Nash, I digest from listening to You're Right There. NoVanGogh aspires to writing and producing the perfect pop song and come a long way reaching it. Sparks wrote the song with Robin Goodchild, who plays guitar and sings. In fact, You're Right there is a duet sung with Lydia Salnikova. Somehow everything is in its right place. Nothing is overdone and just perfect. My ears are pleased from the very beginning right up to the final seconds. All the elements that make up a good pop song are present it seems. Perhaps it's better I write what used to make a good pop song, as I truly do not hear anything in what is called pop nowadays. NoVanGogh taps into the greats of the 60s and 70s and those artists and bands that used these elements for their own pop songs since then. You're Right There is a song that deserves to be heard.

Save Me. Diederik Nomden

The name Diederik Nomden can be found on this blog many times. Today he returns with the single Save Me, announcing his upcoming album 'Sooner/Later'. Now The Analogues appear to have reached the end of the road with the three final shows in the Ziggo Dome in 2024, it is time for a new solo record. Save Me shows that being able to play The Beatles songs perfectly does not exclude writing extremely good songs yourself. In fact Paul McCartney may wish he writes a song as Save Me today. I haven't hear one approaching it for decades. Save Me is full of confidence, but also so subtle. A pop song like it has to be. Fellow Analogue Jac Bico lays down some nice solo licks, a warm Hammond organ does the rest. Save Me overflows with dedication and warmth for this song. I hope that the people who came to hear Diederik Nomden sing The Beatles will come out to hear him sing Save Me as well. It would be so well deserved. Save Me is a top song.

Westside Pavillion Of Dreams. Hooveriii

Hooveriii? Wasn't that the band that played nice psychpop/rock songs? Not on the first single of it's upcoming album 'Manhunter'(16 May). Westside Pavillion Of Dreams is a very direct song, that goes for it from the get go. Sure, it still has a pop feel, especially in the vocal melody. The band is going for it and is more or less hammering away on my eardrums. In a nice way, sure, but not what I was expecting to hear. Hooveriii is the brainchild of Bert Hoover  III with an ever changing band behind him. On the new album there are many guitarists. Westside Pavillion Of Dreams is a guitar song. The drums may be sweeping things up in the background, rather loud, it is the stack of guitars playing riffs and loud chords that set the tune. Westside Pavillion Of Dreams is a clear change but certainly not for the worse. Let's wait and see what 'Manhunter' will bring.

Only You. Womb

From psych rock with an edge is a small step in the weekly single session to dreampop, just like moving from the south of the U.S.A is to New Zealand. Trio Womb releases another single of its just released third album, 'One Is Always Heading Somewhere. Only You is an extremely soft and floating song. With only a little exaggeration the way a foetus might hear music in the womb. The band, Cello, Haz and Georgette Forrester, are not afraid to tone down completely and let the atmosphere of the song do the talking. Yes, there is drums playing, a bass and guitars and all sorts of sounds going on, what strikes me most is the mood of the song, dreamy and subdued. So. I'm okay with calling Only You dreampop, but not without some relative scary moments in the dream, in the form of unexplained darker sounds in a few moments. Summing up, Only You is more than just nice.

Tuesday. Julien Baker & Torres

So far, I've refrained from writing on the duo's releases. That changes with Tuesday, the third single from the upcoming album of Torres and Julien Baker, 'Send a Prayer My Way', to be released on 18 April. With Lucy Dacus releasing her new solo album soon, two of the three boygenius members are releasing new work. But first, Tuesday. This is a country song of sorts, with a quite dark lyric. A song about a deeply disturbed girl/woman and the impact she has on the "I" in the song. The music is sort of a backdrop to the story, ending in self-mutilation of the "I". Things sort of turn out alright but there is a sense of shame that keeps hanging there, despite Tuesday's shame is not the "I"'s. Being a parent, I can't help feeling worried for someone I do not know and may not even exist in the sense of beyond this song. It's downright scary.

Alexa, What Is There To Know About Love?  Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires

I know nothing of poetry. I do not have the mind for it and can't understand it somehow. While I love reading, I can't read poetry. It can't be helped. So, when I received an email about a song based on a poem set to music, I did not warm for the concept immediately. Brian Bilston is one of currently famous poets in Great Britain. The title is to be taken literally. Bilston is asking Alexa, to answer the question "what is there to know about love"? This is answered by Alexa with an angelic singing voice. This is just the start of existential and post-existential questions, not without humor at that, Bilston fires at Alexa. Who, perhaps in confusion, resorts to just singing 'oohs'. The music though is driving and almost exhilarating, if anything I'd say belated Britpop. The Catenary Wires, Amelia Fletcher, Rob Pursey and Ian Button, have set 13 poems to music. The album 'Sounds Made By Humans' is to be released on 6 May. In the meantime I've let me be surprised by Alexa, What Is There To Know About Love?. This is actually a very good single.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght