Twisted Teens – Is It Real? 

I read one commentator attempting to explain Twisted Teens with “They are either punks who play country music or cowboys who play punk music. The answer just depends on which part of their sound hits you first.” Fair enough but then the writer heads off in a wordy jumble of references all a little too smarty-pants, “The guitars drone like Caspian looted them from Warhol’s factory.” What’s essential to know about this duo from New Orleans is they make much-needed damn fine Rock ’n’ Roll. Their album, Blame The Clown confirms for me that you don’t need to get all analytical about their music. Ramon (RJ) Santos and Caspian “C-Bird” Hollywell clearly enjoy what they are up. Keep that in mind as you rock out to Is It Real? Not complicated, it’s a blast!

Black Shape – Desecration Demon

Type in your search engine, “Black Shape – Drinking The Morning After”  you’ll be treated to this unnerving info, “If the black color in your stool continues for more than a day or two after drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.” That could seem fitting advice when you learn Black Shape’s album Drinking is followed by their EP, Drinking The Morning After. Then you discover, Desecration Demon is a powerful black, 6/6 flying creature card for four mana in Magic: The Gathering…that’s another universe for me. OK, so let’s focus on the music and why I included this cut in Volume 394. Admittedly, I rarely go in this direction – gloom-laden, metal-punk, industrial-thrash – select your own descriptor. What caught my attention was the brazen “homage” to early Killing Joke and how well-crafted the recording is. I’m sure the people involved mean well, I endorse their determination. Not for your mum.

PaperSailor – Strange Loop

Multi-instrumentalist Michael Wilson, based in Glasgow presents as PaperSailor, he states, “PaperSailor is an industrial alt-rock band, I strive for honesty in a musical landscape that is easy to fake. If you like hard-hitting music that asks you to unapologetically be yourself, you’re in the right place.” Of course, I could take that as a bit of a challenge, but I’m assuming Wilson is speaking from the heart so I’ll accept his sincerity. As it happens Michael Wilson has crafted together an appealing collection of songs with a nice knack for including surprising embellishments on I Prefer The Early Stuff. Full marks to Michael and a big thumbs up for the tender photograph he included for sleeve art. 

Sweetspot – Ice Cream Lover

“I could lick you from head to toe. You’r as sweetness goes. You’re just so so so” Sings Cristobal from Berlin-based Sweetspot, craftily diverting our attention away from the fact that these funsters are most likely only kinda sweet in name. With Lucus, Afik and recently added Isac they tell us their music blends Dream Pop, Noise and Shoegaze. No reason to argue with that. As it happens, I think they make jolly pleasant music urging me to do a bit Trainspotting – although the references I might rustle up will probably date back to obscure singles from the late 70s. It’s worth noting that the name Sweetspot has been selected by a New Jersey cover band and an outfit from New Zealand amongst more, I’m sure. 

Vlimmer – Young Folks

By now, regular attendees to my ruminations on new music will know how much I not only enjoy but also love sharing new releases from Alex Donat at Blackjack Illuminated Records. As if on cue, the energetic Mr. Donat has offered forth a new double-sided single under his Vlimmer moniker. Without batting an eyelash Alex stares into the camera with a deadpan gaze and announces that here is Vlimmer’s gloomy slow-core cover version of the upbeat indie-rock hit single, Young Folks, by Peter, Bjorn and John. And…it’s brilliant! What really pleases me is how Alex Donat forges ahead with an idea, not giving a damn what anyone thinks. Genuinely top shelf!

Mary Hurrell – Roses The Whole Place

What a cool cut this is from the splendid compilation, The Black Hill, The Glass Sky available via Somewhere Press out of Glasgow. This collection of recordings were crafted in response to a text by art historian Eloise Bennett, rooted in ritual, voice, and myth and written in dialogue with Scottish folklore and the starkness of its terrain. The sleeve notes explain, “Moving through imagery of ancient stone monuments and weather-worn landscapes, these works form their own mythology, tracing rituals half-remembered and gestures carried by land.” Certainly not one to overlook. As always, I value the effort that goes into compilations and believe they are a perfect way to indulge in music you may never get to hear. (Besides subscribing to Life Elsewhere of course). 

Ninush – Stardoll

Nina Lim has been at the center of London’s alternative music scene for a few years now. She studied classical violin at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and established working relationships as a violinist with Black Country, New Road, Jockstrap, Geordie Greep and M.T Hadley. Stardoll is from her debut EP, The Flowers I See In You. The recordings were made in close collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Tsang (Bon Iver, Griff, Chloe Qisha), apparently the pair worked freely and without constraint creating what maybe noted as Pop sensibilities, but could hardly be described as a Pop record. Lim says she is far more concerned with creating exciting, intricate worlds to explore. Through her EP’s five songs Nina shares a rich blend of influences and experiences at the same time giving us her intimate and expansive world views, deeply personal and new. The EP’s delightful artwork caught my attention, then I discovered Nina drew the original artwork, wanting to preserve its handmade quality , she later asked her friend Katie Broderick to turn the image into a print. Fabulous, as is the portrait photo of Ninush. Impressive.

TV Buddha – Baby Woah! (Version)

At the risk of repeating myself, compilations are a valuable way of hearing new music. I’ve offering that mantra since – er – well – since the beginning of time, or least rock music time!Here we have a stellar collection from the New Now imprint out of Chicago. Red Xerox compiled by Eli Schmitt is a splendid 12 track long-player that really lives up to this declaration, “This compilation is not a reminiscence of the good old days or a document of a time long gone, it is NOW! Please join us. The future is yours and mine. we dedicate this compilation to punks everywhere, those with young heart and ready hands who will one day remake this world from the ashes of empire.” TV Buddha with Baby Woah! proves their point plus Eli Schmitt is banging away rather competently on the drums, the excellently named Johnson Rockstar on guitar, bass and vocals, while Kellen Baker plays guitar and on Farfisa is Kai Slater. Altogether they create music I want to hear blasting over the Tannoy system at my local Publix supermarket. A BIG thumbs up for this one. 

Junebug – Perfume

When new music comes my way I always want to give you a little overview, some pertinent info, yet every so often there is scant info available. So, I then have to dig deeper and hope I can search out tiny-teeny particulars. In this case I have to send big kudos to Daniela Torres of KSSU for her Junebug interview. Here are a couple of edits: Junebug from Modesto, California made up of three members: Julian (guitarist/ lead vocalist), Margaret (drummer) and Kenny (bassist). The band formed during COVID. Their song making process starts off with Julian creating something on the guitar and then he sends it or plays it for Margaret and Kenny. “I make the bases, and they add on to it” says Julian. Kenny explains that Julian has an archive of a lot of riffs/ ideas but a lot of them do not make it to the next stage. When they are trying to make a song, they have to do it individually. “It has to be Julian alone, then me, then Margaret then everyone else. So, it really just stars with Julian. It is a very time consuming process, but I like how everything turns out in the end.”  I must let you know that so many artists or bands use Junebug in their stage names. From New Zealand to Tennessee to South Wales the moniker Junebug pops up a little too frequently. I mention this because I sincerely hope that this extremely competent trio from Cali does not get overlooked. They write and make excellent music and your job is to give ‘em support. Yeah!

Peter Hall – My Mistake 

Peter Hall has an impressive back catalogue certainly worth investigating. Diverting from the head-banging cuts at the start of this volume we now venture into carefully-crafted singer-songwriter territory. Hall has a not-quite fragile voice, sort of sweet at times and reminiscent of emotive balladeers of that peculiar period when rock songs could be winsome without being laughed at. The fact is, Hall does write good songs and he presents them with a well-mannered panache. Play his Afterlove album when you need a little distraction from all the annoyances of everyday life. My Mistake haunts me, do the words prompt my brainpan to blink away a possible tear or two? Yes, it’s a familiar sound, but then again this Nottingham-based artist convinces me of his sincerity.

Chloé Jara-Buto – Donkey Kong

It’s quite simple really, you can say almost anything in French and it will sound kinda sexy. For instance, Donkey-Kong! The same can be said of Miaw (Meow), Nouveau Grappin (New Grappling Hook) and Chason Pour Taupe (Song For A Mole) and the rest of the songs on this accomplished artist’s new LP, Om-Om. The seemingly simplistic songs with minimum production are treated to the occasional electronic and ambient/found-sounds while all convincingly delivered in a deadpan, yet knowing mode. Based in Montreal, Chloé has an excellent back cataloge to indulge in, all with delightful artwork. Ms. Jara-Buto makes me smile, even though I know she maybe frowning.

Sadcoolgirl – Here (2016)

OK, do yourself a favor and listen to Dial Tone the debut LP from Sadcoolgirl in its entirety. Trust me, this is a wonderful, honest reveal from a talent who has yet to be misunderstood by music blabbers – er – um – I mean bloggers. From the little info I found this is the work of Lys Aka (?) AKA Sadcoolgirl out of somewhere in New Hampshire. She says, “Dial Tone is a record about connection and what we do when it flickers. about wanting, circling back, almost catching it. sometimes you call. sometimes you don’t. sometimes you wish you had.” And then, “I haven’t hung up yet.” The more I listen, the less I can find to question about these songs except to wonder do I need to know more to savor the perceptiveness clearly on display here. Possibly, one of best uncomplicated productions I’ve heard in a long time. The choice of the sleeve photo tells me Sadcoolgirl should not be underestimated.

Kéo – Wild Roses (Feat. Layv)

The moment Kéo’s voice began on Wild Roses I was hooked. There are so many ways she could have delivered this song perfectly, I choose to believe the artist took her time and careful consideration before she stepped in front of the microphone. Keep that thought in mind as you listen to the other cuts on her debut LP, Reminders I’m Alive. Produced and performed with exquisite skill by Kéo, this is such a mature album in so many senses. Do note that Kéo says, “Reminders I’m Alive is an offering back to the world. A body of work that gently acknowledges the darkest parts of being human while extending reassurance and companionship.” Quietly sensational.

Lunda – Hard Times/Dub

Courtesy of Poor Man’s Friend Records out of Bristol a reinterpretation of one of Baby Huey’s most powerful and enduring recordings. This stirring version from Lunda harks back to golden age of authentic Roots Reggae. Impressive singer, Lunda Dimbelolo with her Congolese/French roots brings a powerful yet emotive take on the song, Lunda writes, “When I first listened to the song, I fell in love straight away with how unpolished and human it is. Baby Huey doesn’t just sing the song, he tells a story with so much passion and soul. I didn’t want my cover to smooth that out or tame it. I wanted to lean into the vulnerability, the tension, and the urgency, but from my own lived perspective. My aim wasn’t to outdo the original, but to sit inside it honestly and let the emotions come through in a way that felt present and immediate, like it was being sung for the first time again.” I dare you to not move you body to this incredible release!

The photograph is by Charles H. Swain 1945 – 2020 “Another Buddha” 1987 Kodachrome print. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection