Moin – Guess It’s Wrecked (feat. Olan Monk)

This is a curious one. You Never End is the third album from Moin who are Valentina Magaletti, Tom Halstead and Joe Andrews. A number of vocal collaborators here all with alluring voices that are hard to pin down as exampled by Olin Monk on Guess It’s Wrecked. Moin use a mix of conventional and unique production and compositional techniques. Subtly re-framing the current conversation about what band in 2024 needs to be, Moin walk the line between what’s reassuringly familiar and what’s unsettling and inquisitive. You Never End is a more sensitive record in sentiment, it re-contextualises grunge, shoegaze and indie rock with a weirdly comforting melancholy while still sounding direct and alive. This one is available on the Raime imprint out of London. 

Tonik Ensemble – Addendum

I absolutely love this long-player. Out of Iceland, Music Is Mass was written, arranged, produced, recorded and engineered by Anton Kaldal Ágústsson. Cello arrangements by Donna Hermannsdóttir and Anton Kaldal Ágústsson. Woodwind and brass arrangements by Elvar Bragi Kristjónsson and Anton Kaldal Ágústsson. There are more contributors but I insist you grab a copy for yourself to garner all the info. Touched Music out of the UK released this one and they say, “Simply The Best Music From All Around Our Deep Blue Marble”. A bold statement.

Sísý Ey – Ain’t Got Nobody (Tonik Remix)

We stay in Iceland for this one. A brilliant EP with 8 versions including an acapella. The idea was to get the three sisters, Elin, Elisabet and Sigga to sing live house music which would serve not only the exquisite combination of their beautiful voices into new and exciting territory, but would also showcase their abilities in a different context as all have more acoustic-driven music careers. After spending considerable time searching for “the one” to work with, the missing link was found in producer and DJ, Oculus. Together they have managed to create something very unique and special. I selected the Tonik Remix of Ain’t Got Nobody (which I’ve had on repeat play for the last day or so, especially while driving. It’s so good, crank the volume up to 11, dazzling production. Although first released a couple of years ago on Radio Bongo out of Reykjavik, this EP does not sound a least bit dated. Essential for your next house party!

eat-girls – Unison

Along with a cool video for Unison and equally cool sleeve artwork, eat-girls offer up an intriguing LP with Area Silenzio. This trio from Lyon, France have been practicing their craft together since 2020 resulting in a delicious combination of electronic groove-filled songs to sensual dubs to drum machine cavalcades of drum-machine beats. Someone suggested there is something other-worldly about eat-girls, I agree. Their LP, Area Silenzio was self-recorded and probably reflects the trio’s abilities fart more accurately than a producer could manage. I recommend that you grab a copy of this smart long-player and listen to it in one sitting. A surprising gem.

Neko – Windfall

To begin with Neko come to us with a guarantee of high quality as their album, Windfall is on the exemplary Shoredive imprint. Here they explain that they are the premier act to emerge from Bristol’s thriving Japanese language post rock/electronica micro scene – a population of 1 – to be fair this wry descriptive serves to remind us that all is not always what it first seem in the popular music world. On listening to the title cut, Windfall on repeat play I’m curious to know if there are two drummers present. The spirited cacophony of beats are startling as in impressive. This is a good ‘un. Do not overlook.

Swansea Sound – (I Wanna Wear A) Mirrored Hat Like Slade)

Ah, yes, in good ol’ Blighty there is a long tradition of releasing Christmas records, no matter how daft they might be. Swansea Sound who include members of Heavenly, The Pooh Sticks, The Dentists etc etc have taken the task seriously to conjure up, (I Wanna Wear A) Mirrored Hat Like Slade. Not only do thy pay tribute to one of England’s greatest bands they also delve into scared Englishness with dizzy glee. Any song that includes a reference to Babycham deserves regular rotation on hit radio,. Hue Williams on vocals, Amelia Fletcher on guitar, Ian Button plays drums,  with Bob Collins on another guitar and Rob Pursey plonks away on the bass, additional vocals on this single are provided by Betty Thomas. To top things off these lovey people are on the delightful SkepWax who continue to release music we love to share with you.

Dawuna – Govinda P

As soon as you listen to this cut, jot down the details and then remind yourself to search out the LP, Naya. Dawuna defies fitting neatly into a familiar genre instead choosing to lay down a path all of their own. This Baltimore-based artist has made one impressive record, each cut is sumptuous and intriguing. With a wickedly sincere production Dawuna has created a collection to savor while acknowledging that the following quote should not be overlooked. “To dwell within a land that’s meant for many men not my tone, I must pay attention to the least-paid-attention-to”. Breathtaking.

Phoebe Go – Love You Now

I have no excuse for taking a little longer than usual in sharing Phoebe Go with you. Yes, there have been many terrific releases I needed to include but for some unknown reason this one only just made it to the “must play” box. Phoebe began with a high school band at age 15 went on to form the duo Two People now presents as a solo performer. Her new LP, Marmalade is exceptional.Confident, competent songwriting coupled with first-class production. Ms. Go is been blessed with photogenic good looks, with or without makeup and a delectable splatter of freckles resulting in the waif-like  allure of Francois Hardy and Jane Birkin. A friend of mine who has discerning taste in music albeit leaning a little too far into Americana in my opinion, frequently comments that I have deliberate penchant for female singer-songwriters who all gravitate toward sad-broken-heart-love-songs. He is correct of course. And, I respond, possibly little too defensively that some of the most listenable new music today is being made by emotive female artists. Phoebe Go is a perfect example.

Sister Bardot – My Little Heart

I do like this cut, My Little Heart from the LP of the same name. Here we have Tracy Godding, a songwriter, singer, producer & multi-instrumentalist based in Brighton who presents as Sister Bardot. She was the guitarist/lead singer in the 90s Manchester indie rock three piece Bandit Queen and also Swirl. At the end of 2022 Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer and in the following year had treatment. “These were the songs written during that journey. Hope you like them!” Says Tracy. Absolutely. Another cool sleeve.

LEYA – Weaving

Out of Brooklyn, the duo of harpist Marilu Donovan and vocalist/violinist Adam Markiewicz make haunting, slightly perturbing music. Their LP I Forget Everything will take you to places you may not expect. If you indulge in their earlier works you’ll be equally surprised. Not leading the listener down recognizable pathways seems to be a welcome trait of LEYA. The lead vocals on Weaving are by Adam Markiewicz and the engineering was by Alexis Berthelot. This is a record you could easily listen to alone on a quiet night with a simple candle for light. Delightful cover image by Rebekah Campbell.

Kompromat – I Let Myself Go Blind (feat Vimala Pons & Sonia DeVille) 

The duo formed by Vitalic & Rebeka Warrior (Sexy sushi, Mansfield.TYA) say they navigate between Electronic Body Music, Cold Wave, New Wave and Radical Techno. A lot of genres there yet they happen to miss out on giving a nod to Retro. On first listen to I Let Myself Go Blind I could have sworn this was from my early 80s collection. Even their promo images are reminiscent of a bygone era. But let’s put all that to one side and concentrate on Kompromat’s obvious ability to make a steady dance-floor banger. Nothing complicated here, well executed and enjoyable venture into “Le Pop” music, especially with the French vocals on Lift Me Up.

Cloud Studies – Ghosts

Another outfit who have invested time in acknowledging genres with this adage, “It’s not quite shoegaze and it’s not quite goth. Apparently Gothgaze is a thing now, so let’s call it that”. Fair enough. Formed this year, we have Adam Cresswell taking care of vocals and bass; Nat Guest bashes the drums; while Martin J Langthorne is on guitars. Production credits go to Adam Cresswell and on additional guitar is Michael Malley. Cloud Studies are on Happy Robots, a label to keep your eye on.

Tauceti – Ghost In My Skirt

I do hope you are able to play this one at full volume. Written and produced by Tauceti, Ghost In My Skirt is from the album, Facing Herself In The Bathroom Mirror. Here is a fine collection of curiously intriguing cuts. It really is hard to define the attraction, yes, this is dance music that’s soulful but perhaps challenging if you are sober. Tauceti is on Semantica Records out of Madrid, Spain, a label you need to investigate. Big thumbs up for the beautiful photographic sleeve artwork, erotic and disturbing at the same time.