Six songs today, plucked from the plethera of recommendations that come my 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 16-minute companion piece of sorts to Bathyscaphe from 2024's Fruits Of The Deep. Superb, as you might expect.”
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."
