If You Don't Control Your Mind, Someone Else Will

Six songs today, plucked from the plethera of recommendations that come way every day. All worth your time and your money.

1) Disaster!: Neil Brogan (Near Broken Band)

Tags: alternative / DIY / indiepop / jangle pop / lofi / powerpop / Belfast

Neil: "I like making songs"

Me: "I like listening to your songs"

2) Walking Barefoot - Marche Pied Nu: Anne Gallien (single)

Credits: seagulls, Lucie the bass, thumb piano, egg shakers. scarlett 2i2, laptop, garageband. 

Anne: "stand up / you can do it / you got this!"

Me: "1980s Siouxsie & The Banshees/Pink Industry downtempo vibes, with a bassline to die for and gloriously sensual French vocals."

3) T H A M E S: The Woodentops (single)

Credits: Time stretching, digital toning Acoustic guitar and voice

Rolo: “Hi, a new release here, a long ambient piece with a touch of folk in the tradition of naval and sailor song, a continuous roll, like the river itself, with audio like light reflecting and depth of water. Its not rock or club or pop or beats of any kind. Its more a throb, or a pulsation, Hope you like the mood.! ®¬ <-Rolo”

Me: "Solo Rolo, with a near 11-minute companion piece of sorts to Bathyscaphe from 2024's Fruits Of The Deep. Superb, as you might."

4) The Morning Of The Trip: Andy Bell & Masal (Common Primitives)

Tags: alternative / electronic / jazz / turkish folk / ambient / harp / indie / kosmische krautrock / psychedelia / shoegaze / London

Andy: "Playing [my] guitar “as if it was a waterfall""

Me: "The follow up to 2023 debut Tidal Love Numbers promises to be an even more satisfying trip"

5) No Compass Required (Puerto Montt City Orchestra No Direction Remix): Warriors Of The Dystotheque / Balaphonic (No Compass Required EP)

Credits: Jonny Mac, Sean Graham, Mike Rufolo, Nick Rufolo (WotD), Danny Ward (Balaphonic), Angus Murray, Tim Salter (Puerto Montt City Orchestra)

Them: "sailing round the Mediterranean in search of the Balearic Beat."

Me: "The original version, plus remixes by Chris Coco and Puerto Montt City Orchestra. will inevitably turn up on a Dubhed selection. Sheer bliss."

6) Blue Bird: Coyote (Blue Bird EP)

Story: Bluebird And The Coyote (Native American Lore)

Coyote: "Accept criticism, but never accept disrespect"

Me: "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) for 2026? Even better."