La Souterraine are one of France’s coolest indie labels. They frequently release compilations of alternative music influenced by chanson, bedroom pop and post-punk. Some of the ditties on offer are almost Beatlesque in their pop perfection. Vallée du Don is one I stumbled upon, but the whole catalog is worth exploring.
Cristina Quesada seems to be the missing link between Italo-Disco, Debby Harry, France Gall and indie-pop. She appears on Elefant Records, one of Spain’s finest independent record labels, and this album absolutely floors its competition. It’s perhaps the funnest record I’ve heard in months, with the energy of a power-pop disc. Worthwhile!
Quite a tasty album here. Lalalar are not some common Anatolian Rock ripoff. Rather, they do use the venerable genre as a reference point, but you can hear influences such as post-punk and darkwave seep into the stew.
Vtoroy Etazh Porazhayet (2nd Floor is Striking) are a Moscow post-punk outfit, and it seems both Russia and Belarus are producing a lot of these days. They are released by the French record label Belka Records. Their sound will appeal strongly to those who are into the post-punk renaissance of the past five years or so.
Israeli singer Luna Abu Nassar produces a darkly mellow sound, singing in both Hebrew and Arabic, and her lilting voice fits well with such heavy instrumentation. The only problem with this gem is that I don’t understand either Hebrew or Arabic, and from what I understand, the lyrics are quite profound. Still, this is so sonically pleasant that it was worth sharing with you, my friends.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we present you a new post-rock band out of Mexico City called A Shelter In The Desert. The band’s sound incorporates a lot of shoegaze sounds and has a cinematic vibe to it. Impressive, and worth exploring.
If you can believe it, this Czech EP was recorded by a 17-year-old kid who has a profound appreciation for bedroom pop, new wave and indie. He’s quite a decent storyteller, and despite the lo-fi production, there’s a lot of charm in this album.
Politics is loathsome. Human beings, however, can be beautiful. All of them, not just your favorites. If you can help out those in need from all points in this disgusting war, I’m sure the labels, the artists, and most of all, the people who could use the funds to survive, would appreciate it. Even if Bandcamp Friday dips into the well too much these days, at least they’re trying to help, so kudos to them. Here are three that caught my attention, so look, enjoy, and support if possible.
David J should need no introduction, but if you’re new here, he made his name as the bassist of Bauhaus and the leader of both Live and Rockets and Tones On Tail. This new album, What The Patrons Heard, was 34 years in the making. He combines his post-punk roots with a singer-songwriter vibe he has mastered since his early solo releases on record labels like Situation Two and Glass, among others.
Sufjan Stevens released this album in 2006, and it manages to hold up well. He does a fine job interpreting classic Christmas tunes that are charming, sometimes irreverent and silly, but it makes a fine listen as we prepare for the coming of the Savior of the Universe this snowy evening.