Lily J – Tide (Arovane Remix)

Lily Jordy is a French American instrumentalist, singer, sound designer and electronic producer who releases under the name Lyli J. Her new LP is titled, Majji which is Lily’s phonetic spelling of ‘magie’ – the word for magic in French. She says it is dedicated to the breathtaking landscapes of the Alps and how hyperreal they can appear to the naked eye (she lives in the French countryside outside Grenoble). You must listen to the rest of Lily J’s work.

Pet Twin – Wondering

Now here is one that caught my attention from the very first moments. Such a wonderful air of confidence in the way Wondering is crafted. “I hope things will be ok from bed. You’re better than that” James Gallagher almost whispers, the three short verses then fold into a repeated “dom da da dum” coda, while more lyrics are faintly heard in the background. James, based on Oxford fronts Juniper Nights, Pet Twin is his alternative and electronic project, About Wandering, James says, “A lot of Pet Twin’s tracks are written in winter, where my environment provides my inspiration”, adding, “I often record in the dark”. Wonderful features a superb uncredited image as do many of his excellent releases. Memorable.

Rubberband Girl – Taller

Utilizing a Kate Bush song for your stage name does suggest you may head in a esoteric folksiness direction I guess. Yet Caitlyn Scarlett who is Rubberband Girl says she was inspired by memories of sitting with her mum watching her brother playing in a field as young children, laughing and crying at how precious those moments were without us knowing, and how the passage of time would inevitably change it all. I like this. Another cool sleeve.

Miranda Sykes – Stay

Oh, the cold start of Stay is mesmerizing. Beyond how difficult it is to begin a song so powerfully, Miranda Sykes proves what an exceptional voice she has. She hails from Totnes an old established market town in South Devon, a place where a tad too much scrumpy (cider) caused me to almost miss a wedding I was summoned to be “best man” at. But, that’s another story…I’m sure Miranda won’t mind me mentioning that she has been around for a few years now, she started at the age of 18 playing bass in a country rock band. Out Of The Woods is Miranda Sykes latest solo album, it’s a delightful collection of well-considered songs showcasing her potent voice. Another cool sleeve artwork.

Dead Anyway – The Circulatory System

First of all, I apologize to you and to Dead Anyway for not giving them the exposure they deserve until now. Damn it! Dead Anyway make essential music that has to be in your collection. Listen to and get their latest long-player, Partially Eaten By Animals, then do yourself a favor and nip out and chase down their earlier releases. Kate Arnold does the lyrics and vocals while Marc Symonds takes care of the beats and instruments. And what a glorious sound they make. “Artery’s carry blood away, veins lead straight to the heart” Announces, Kate on The Circulatory System, who can argue with that? Dead Anyway are important. And a thumbs up for the sleeve art. Update: Kate Arnold contacted us to say the lovely artwork is by talented artist, Suzanne Barrett.

Lengualerta, Nai-Jah, Alpha Steppa – Ceasefire Now/Ceasefire Dub

The call for Ceasefire Now in Gaza is reverberating around the world. Here then with that exact title is Lengualerta, Nai-Jah & Alpha Steppa. We share with you the full version plus segueing into the dub. This one is on the highly-rated Steppas Records out of London. Listen carefully to the words – and don’t ignore!

Lost Signal In Collusion With The Happy Somethings – Overjoyed Android

We are so pleased that The Happys have become massive faves here at Life Elsewhere Tower. These lovely people keep sending us new releases and we love ‘em for that. Plus, the music they make is so good, Overjoyed Android is a collusion with Lost Signal. We have had that one on repeat play, causing my lovely producer, Stephanie and your’s truly to practice out robot dance around the studio. Marvelous! (The record, Overjoyed Android, not our robot dancing!). 

Lost Signal – Geese

Lost Signal is the moniker of Norwich-based Matt Couchman who says, Lost Signal refers to the lack of dopamine neurotransmitters caused by Matt’s Parkinson’s Disease. Matt goes onto say, he found the tunes on his album Moments while hunting for the signal. Take a serious listen to the Lost Signal album, you won’t be disappointed.

Miranda Faul – Not Much Of A Man

Over in Dublin, Miranda Faul is getting a lot of attention. The provocatively titled, Not Much Of A Man, Miranda says is about falling hard for someone who isn’t available, feeling chemistry between the two of you, knowing that they feel it too. It also comes from a place of anger; you’ve started to think that they might be in the wrong, might be playing you, hurting you. Then Miranda says, It’s not exactly feminist, but I wrote it in a blur one morning when I felt that way about someone I wanted to be with; frustrated, angry, powerless, vulnerable. This is the first of three new singles in 2014 ahead of her debut EP due for release this summer. One to watch.

Marika Hackman – Big Sigh

Does Marika prefer to wallow in despair? Perhaps, but that’s OK, as I love what she is doing here on her LP, Big Sigh. This is Marika Hackman’s fourth studio album, a lot to enjoy here, especially if like me you enjoy having a bundle of tissues nearby as you listen. Perfectly realized. 

Ciaran Harte – Love Is Strange

I can remember when I first played this 7” during my Wednesday’s New Wave night at the legendary Tug’s club in Seattle. The dance crowd was used to me trying out a new platter, after all they’d danced to Love Will Tear Us Apart, Fade To Grey, Once In A Lifetime, A Forest and so many more. Love Is Strange with its blippy electro beat was perfect. The amyl nitrate infused dancers called for a repeat play. So, it became a big favorite in our little alternative world. The sleeve of my original copy is a little worse for wear now after all those plays over the years. I’m told a copy of Love Is Strange in excellent condition can go for as much as $140. It has to be said that Ciaran Harte did sound as if he were doing a spirited impersonation of Bowie doing his referent impersonation of his big influence, Anthony Newley. Alright, so while we head down the avenue of cultural influences, do check out a vide up on YouTube to accompany Love Is Strange, it’s from Blind Beast from Japan, 1969 directed by Yasuzo Masumura. Which in turn reminds me of Roman Polanski’s 1965 film Repulsion. A must-see classic featuring the absurdly beautiful Catherine Deneuve as young woman with a pathological fear of men. Brilliant!

Maya Q – Starburst

And now for a tasty slice of Drum & Bass from a terrific compilation, Club Moss courtesy of Wisdom Teeth imprint out of London. This is the debut of Maya Q with Starburst. D & B at its finest here, the album is mostly instrumentals and worth the price of admission.

Daisy Rickman – Feed The Forest

Howl, Daisy Rickman’s LP will be released on the Spring Equinox 20th March 2024. Daisy tells us that Howl is Cornish for sun and her recordings are a collection of pieces created during her time living in Cornwall and Dorset between the Winter Solstice of 2020 and Beltane 2023. Them she goes on to explain it’s just her on the record playing a mix of Singing, Acoustic Guitar, 12 String, Double Bass, Drums, Percussion, Sitar, Cello, Bouzouki, Banjo, Accordion, Clarinet, Fiddle, and Synthesizer…whew! Daisy also tells us that this record is dedicated to my Grandmother Barbara J Rickman, whose spirit guided and stayed close with me during the creation of this music. Fair enough.

Spectre – Texture

Taking us to the close, Spectre a producer from London by way of New Zealand gives us an appealing Dubstep jaunt with Texture from his EP of the same name. This one is on the fittingly named, Dank & Dirty label. I had this one on in my car at full volume, late at night as I drove down the freeway…absolutely magnificent!

The artwork is by Philipe Place “Interesting shadow at Polk theatre” 2021 28” x 28” Kodachrome print. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection