The Prongs – Hey Dandy

What a rousing way to begin this volume. Two seasoned fellas from Dublin give us charming rant that encompasses descriptive memories of a dandies life from a bygone era. The self-titled post-punk lit-rockers immediately establish their literary credentials with these open lines,“Hey dandy, what you got in that sack? Books by Albert Camus and Jack Kerouac”. Here we have John Fleming and Niall Toner Jr open for business as The Prongs, Fleming is an award-winning radio dramatist who has written half a dozen radio plays (and sports an impressive pair of silver sideburns), Toner Jr is a renowned musician,  songwriter and soundscape designer who has played and toured in bands since the 1980s. Together these lad’s make deliberately retro-ish music with Hey Dandy and strike a moody pose as captured in Susan Gleeson’s video for the single. Hey Dandy is a teaser for their forthcoming album and from what I’ve seen I’m betting The Prongs are impressive live. 

Emily Ulman – Severe Clear

Sometimes focusing intently on the song and the voice is simply magical. “Sever Clear is an aviation term describing skies so pure and bright” says Emily, “the unlimited visibility makes it almost too perfect to look at. Pilots describe these conditions as disorientating and dazzling and sometimes dangerous” she continues, “Sometimes clarity isn’t sharp or sudden or cold. Sometimes it is soft and patient and a little bit dizzying. And perfect.” Perfectly explained. Emily Ulman is out of lovely Melbourne, Severe Clear is from the album of the same name. Gorgeous sleeve photo by Lisa Sorgini. A huge thumbs up all round.

Snakeskin – Olive Groves

Lebanon-based Snakeskin are Julia Sabra and Fadi Tabbal. Olive Groves is from their LP, We Live In Sand. I selected this cut because it is so damn haunting, the sparse incantations of “Olive groves, eternal wars” express hypocritical religisosity. The whole album is draped in visionary electronic dream pop, shapeshifting above ambient and industrial undercurrents, sometimes moody and unsettling. The video for the cut October Sun is as mesmerizing as it is perturbing. Excellent artwork by Mohamad Abdouni. Don’t overlook this one.

James K – Blinkmoth (July Mix)

Did you know Blinkmoths are tiny, bioluminescent, insectile creatures? Apparently, beings with poetic souls consider them beautiful, because they glow in the night – that seems reasonable. Blinkmoth is from the album Friend from James K, this the work of Jamie Krasner who has been making electronica music since the early 2010s in New York City. A curious collection here, reminiscent of…that was my first observation, yet on repeat play, James K has made a singularly inviting album.  Make sure you also take a look at Jamie/James K’s website.

Mayshe-Mayshe – Tiny Disasters

On listening to Tiny Disasters from Mayshe-Maysh’s Mosswood LP be prepared to enter another world. Alice Mayshe Rowan out of York, UK is Mayshe-Mayshe and she is huge fan of the extraordinary author and artist, Tov Jansson. Alice credits Jansson for creating the Moomin world & stories that inspired these songs. To learn more about Mayshe-Mayshe you must indulge in her music and then pop on over to her website. Following that, head to this remarkable site devoted to Tov Jansson. Lot’s to discover there. Throughout the Mosswood album, Alice has collected and included ambient sounds of birds, streams and even a rain storm. Delightful!

Georga Raath – Call The Plumber (demo)

Do yourself a favor and turn the volume up on this one, I don’t want you to miss one word. Georga Raath says she is a real life mermaid fairy performing witchcraft in a kingdom far far away – about Call The Plumber she tells us, “Writing this song was the first step in a long journey of healing, and learning how to let go. I think I may always be learning.” Oh yes! Georga is from Fremantle south of Perth on Australia’s beautiful but distant southwest coast. It almost feels impossible that such moving, plaintive music could have originated from someone located near pristine velvety sandy beaches and never-ending azure skies. Raath’s music is deeply personal and may I suggest, brave. 

In Love With A Ghost – Flowers (feat. Nori)

Lou from Paris, France says, “I’m a chronically online transgender lesbian, I make music sometimes,  I hope you have fun visiting my website and its many pages.” I did Lou and I enjoy your music. In Love With A Ghost is Lou, Flowers on the Let’s Go EP features Nori (Norielle) Lou’s back catalogue is certainly worth searching out. I can’t quite put my finger on what I actually like about In Love With A Ghost as I hear something different on each cut. And that’s a good thing.

Joanne Robertson and Oliver Coates – Doubt

Oh my, this is a beautiful collection that defies genres, which could explain the album title – Blurr. But of course, that’s my convoluted analysis. Joanne may simply like the word Blurr (with two Rs). With cellist Oliver Coates accompanying Joanne on Doubt and a couple of other songs we have poignant music. On listening carefully, is it optimistic instead of maudlin? Perhaps Joanne’s not perfect voice is the key? Joanne who hails from Blackpool says, “Blurr was written in between painting sessions and also whilst raising a child.” There is a directness in that sentence which could describe Blurr – the album. 

Sha Ru – Above, Below Around

From New York via Berlin Sha Ru are a duo who blend spoken word with bass-heavy electronics. Masha is Sha who grew up in Russia and Ru grew up in Italy, together they make dance floor music with potent lyrics. Above, Below Around from their EP Vibra Vibra flirts with Drum & Bass and Dubstep. A massive extended version would be welcome at III Points Festival as endorsed by my son. 

Hollie Cook – And The Beat Goes On

Here is a superb example of classic Rub a Dub style as was made famous in ‘70s Jamaica by King Tubby and others, i.e, not with the use of computers for automation and endless digital nonsense but with fingers, late night vibes and re-arranged with a razor blade. The Mr. Bongo imprint out of London have perfected the original Dub technique as shown with And The Beat Goes On by Hollie Cook from the LP In Dub (Collector’s Edition). Trainspotters may recall The Whispers’ disco classic And The Beat Goes On reinvented here in Dub glory from London-based artist Hollie Cook’s original cover version. Essential!

Debdepan – Ghost 

Debdepan are Chelsea Tolhurst and Grace Bontoft from Margate on the south coast of England. On Silent Kid Records Ghost is from Debdepan’s Lovers & Others EP. Chelsea and Grace have an odd, perhaps silly video for Ghost which is surprising as their lyrics are surprisingly grounded and relatable, exploring the feelings of frustration and uncertainty that come after getting ghosted. A big thank you to Daryl Bamonte of Archangel Music for sending this one over.

Jo Goodey – Tears In Your Eyes

Written, produced and all instruments by Jo Goodey on the Jubilation Sound label based somewhat surprisingly in glorious Devon, southwest England. Tears In Your Eyes is on the LP, Lost In The Spareroom album. Joe says, “Here are some tunes buried in my hard drive built in the days when I had a small setup in my spareroom. I got Logic just before the first 2020 lockdown and the resulting time at home allowed me to dive deep back into the music-making after not having done anything for many years.” Jubilation Sound tell us they are devoted to roots reggae, following the tradition of classic reggae sounds. And a big thumbs up for the cool sleeve art, it looks like it came originally from a Lino-cut. Excellent.

The photograph above is by Lawrence Copper (1956 – 2020) “Solitary chair” 1999 Kodachrome print. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection