Bart & Friends : "Make You blush" EP ( Lost and Lonesome ) Only that sort of miracle could bring us back from the grave... Bart Cummings, of Cat's Miaow and Hydroplane fame, is coming up after years of silence with this unexpected release on Lost and Lonesome Recording Co (one of the few Aussie labels to keep the flame burning after Library Records and Candle Records shutting it all down...). Twelve minutes of pop splendour in 8 episodes, in order to regain consciousness... dreaming - or not, smiling -or not, [...]
WOULD-BE-GOODS - To be seen for the first time live in France, the WOULD-BE-GOODS are the indiepop quintessence. Besides the likes of Momus, Louis Philippe, Always or King of Luxembourg, they wrote the history of the cult label él Records in golden letters, establishing Jessica Griffin as a discrete and enigmatic pop icon. Inspired as never since their comeback in 2001, they recently released their great album "Eventyr" on the Matinée label.The WBG line up is with Andy Warren (Adam & The Ants, Monochrome Set) and Peter Momtchiloff (Talulah Gosh, Heavenly). Get your chance to pick them up [...]
The Garlands / The Sugarplums split 7" ( Atomic Beat ) 2009 has been one of the best "Roger Gunnarsson/Clive Reynolds" vintage years... It started in januari with that wonderful and almost secret Cloetta Paris download-only single "You and me by the stereo", produced by the man behind Milky. (It is said the new Cloetta Paris album will be released soon on Skywriting and will be preceded by a single on Papillons Noirs !) It continued in August with 3 songs written on the stunning Sally Shapiro second album My [...]
Buggy : Diagrams ( Herzfeld ) The long-awaited new essay from the poppiest outfit of French label Herzfeld is finally on track and into the racks. Buggy is fronted by Renaud Sachet, ex-protagonist of the fabulous Cornflakes Zoo adventure with Les Molies (together with his current bandmate Jacques Speyser - also Original Folks' leader) both accompanied by many musicians from the "Herzfeld galaxy-family". Lively or nonchalant, naïve or poignant (the wonderful closer A truth ), ceremonial or lighthearted, even whistling-waltzing ( Enjoy the Show ), [...]
The Tomatometers : Boys should always look down EP (Autoreleased) The Tomatometers are Bruno Durand on his own, a French poplover who used to live in London for some time but who recently got back to his homecountry. In the past, Bruno has also played drums for the pre-Maison Neuve band Refry and is still involved in the great unfinished Plastic Pancake label adventure. After a debut autoreleased demo EP called "5 uncertainties" back in 2007, partly re-released on german Cdr label Edition 59, this is his brand [...]
Viking Dress : Summarize EP (autoproduced) When French songwriter Serge Majewski claims to anyone who cares his deep love for bands like the Church, The Feelies or Felt, it's not an element of surpise to see his new musical project getting the name of a song by the last-mentioned... Viking Dress , that's a pure jangly guitar feeling with great female choirs, sung in French or English, in between Florent Marchet fantastic rides (Comme 4), Soy un Caballo' lyricism (Les pelouses) and even some old obscure Cherry Red stuff (Lalie's Game [...]
Burning Hearts : Night Animal 7" (Shelflife) Best single of the decade, so far ! A. Night Animal B. A Peasant's Dream (Jori Hullkonen Remix) Order it HERE !!!
Standard Fare : Fifteen 7" ( Thee SPC ) As a follow-up to their catchy "Dancing" single and as a foretaste to the forthcoming UK & US release of their debut album "The Noyelle Beat", Sheffield's trio Standard Fare , one of the most exciting acts to have emerged this year, spoils us with this nice-looking blue vynil 7", just in time to help us celebrate the new decade ! While A-side "Fifteen" perfectly fulfills the role of the infectious sing-along hit, B-side "Understand" gives Emma's voice another chance [...]
Fireflies : Covers EP (Littlemusic) After that unforgettable "Cherry Blossom Girl" version that staggered everybody's minds, Lisle Mitnik aka Fireflies has decided to gather all the covers he did in the past few years into this brand new free download EP featuring amazing unreleased versions of songs by Joy Division, Asobi Seksu, Talking Heads, Ramones, Neil Young, Shonen Knife & of course... this metronomico-synthetico version of "Hollow Inside", one of The Cat's Miaow best songs ever ! And here is The Cat's Miaow's original version : [...]
Maison Neuve : Touché au coeur 7" ( Sauvage ) An unclouded short road with the blessed Refry days... and then again, no wrong foot with the longer Maison Neuve journey ! As a matter of fact, Guillaume Faure and his mates have kept dazzling our ears and minds with each and every release. And this new 7" is no exception. A-side "Touched in the Heart" couldn't be so pertinently entitled. Starting solemnly and viscerally, the singing quickly turns one octave higher to release the initial tension. This allows the [...]
Coach Station Reunion : Johnny Cash EP (Autoreleased) Whether it is to make covers or writing his own numbers , catalan artist Xavi Rosès, also member of the band Fred i Son , knows his Bristol surrounding references... And no need to show uniqueness as long as you touch the troubled spot ! => free NEW EP HERE
The Bridal Shop : In Fragments ( Plastilina ) Immersing yourself slowly into the most affecting and impacting release of the year and, at some point, finding out you're the captive of a testament... The Bridal Shop has never been - and will never again be- so reflective, so desperate, so dramatic, and still, so POP, lively & obsessive !!! We'll never miss them cos' we'll never stop spinning them over and over again <3 <3 <3 => "Fragments" [...]
Silly Kissers : Halloween Summer EP (Autorelease) Another tip from our Montrealese branch, here are the young & smart Silly Kissers , revelation of the latest Pop Montreal Festival. As the artwork suggests, dazzling, shining, crafty, healthful, striking, colourful, floating and fleecy electropop ! Silly !!! => A scary video
Laure Briard chante (Demo CDr) Laure Briard ' s voice has that little something that makes it instantly endearing, a bit mischievious like Hélène , a bit elvish like Pascale and a bit naïve like Sylvie . And behind the Muse there's an Apollo crouched in the shadow... His name is Julien Barbagallo ( Aquaserge , LeCube ), also seen performing with Bertrand Burgalat or Mehdi Zannad (Fugu). You can count here on pure French POP bliss with classy songwriting, from assumed yéyé [...]
Blueboy : Bikini 7" (Aquavinyle 01) Chelsea Guitar Air France Sea Horses Three songs recorded live at "le Bikini", Toulouse (05/94) Keith (vocals), Paul (guitars), Gemma (vocals), Mark (bass), Harvey (guitars), Martin (drums) "Love is an ocean so hard to swim, a race we all run but never win, I'm looking for reasons so hard to find, don't think I'll find them but I don't mind..."
EDH : New York Tracks 2001-2002 ( Matte Black Editions -2009) This music was never meant to reach your ears. Keep it for you. These words were knowingly doomed to silence . Do not spread them. This is Emmanuelle de Héricourt 's Book of Exodus. New York was her desert. A trip taken down memory lane. Mirrors are broken. Wings are crushed. Pictures are bleak. So saddening, so beauteous ! Life is hard sometimes but don't worry babe... You never skimmed through this entry. You're [...]
Pop 'n Cherries
First Aid Kit – Emmylou
Childish Gambino - "Heartbeat" (Official Music Video)
James Blake – Live Album
Mux Mool
