Big Daisy - Go Outside

We're not entire sure that given "the event", if it is fortuitous or unfortunate that the debut single from Belfast 4-piece Big Daisy happens to be called "Go Outside". We guess it depends on your perspective, one supposes, although given the song is described as an 'agoraphobic power ballad', it could just end up being the former.

The song itself is a great piece of scuzzy, lo-fi indie-pop, inspired by the sound of Weezer & also some fantastic Alvvays vibes as well. Great music whether you want to be out in the world, or more likely that not at the moment, whether you've got no option to stay in and listen to great music with a cup of coffee and some delicious Battenberg.

"Go Outside" is out now.

Anteros - Bonnie

We've been loving the songs that London 4-piece Anteros have been putting out the last few years, with "Breakfast", "The Beat" & "Drunk" being among the irresistible pop gems the band have graced us with, and we've also been lucky enough to catch them live at The Great Escape two years running, and have been captivated by them each time.

The band have just released their latest single, which is one that we really enjoyed we heard it at The Great Escape earlier this year*. "Bonnie" continues the band's run of fine, ear-worm inducing indie-pop songs with a jagged edge and an irresistible chorus. We still think that the closest musical comparison for the band is Blondie, which is by all means the greatest compliment we believe we can bestow upon the band.

"Bonnie" is out now.



*Although in our review of The Great Escape, we erroneously referred to it as "Bunny". Homonyms are fun. 

Girl K - Neighbors

There's nothing that warms our heart more than a sumptuous yet vulnerable slice of indie-pop, which is why we're so taken by "Neighbors", the debut single from Chicagoan Kathy Patino, who records under the name Girl K. The song, which is about overlooking personal needs when giving to others, is a slice of surfy indie-pop in the mold of Alvvays, with a euphoric chorus reminiscent of "Next of Kin". A rather lovely piece of noise.

"Neighbors" is taken from Girl K's debut album "Sunflower Court", which is due out in Autumn.

Vokxen - Blood Vein

We haven't mentioned Co. Antrim based synth-pop quartet Vokxen on the blog for quite a while, last spilling digital ink on their behalf back in 2015 following the release of their debut single "Somebody". They've kept something of a low profile since then, although they were selected to be mentored as part of local music hub Oh Yeah! Centre's Scratch My Progress scheme.

They're starting to kick back into action now, and on the strength of their new single "Blood Vein", they are going to garner quite a bit of attention indeed. The song is a strong stormer of a synth-pop song, which called to mind the sound of late New Order, with strong, unconventional (for this genre of music anyway) vocals that may appeal to fans of London Grammar.

"Blood Vein" is available to download, in exchange for a modest fee, now.

Beauty Sleep - Living Right

The debut single from Belfast-based trio Beauty Sleep pushed quite a lot of people's metaphorical buttons when it came out at the start of the year. "The Dark" has been streamed over 50,000 times on Soundcloud, been picked up by lots of blogs, earning it a lot of love on the Hype Machine, and has been played on nearly every Irish radio station, as well as a few stations a little further afield.

Now six months later, the band have unveiled their follow-up single, which they hope can capitalize on the success of their debut. "Living Right" sounds like just the song to do that, in that it is both comfortably familiar to those already familiar with Beauty Sleep whilst offering something a little bit different. "Living Right" retains the hazy dream-pop sound that characterized their debut, but has a more extroverted, punchier sound that its predecessor, reminding us a little bit of Chapterhouse in places. Plus, it's got a whopping massive chorus that you can't just help but fall in love with.

"Living Right" is out now.

Bad Fit - Strong Forever

We've featured quite a bit of fuzzy indie-pop on the blog from further afield in the past few days, so it's nice to be able to write about some from a bit closer to home. Hailing from Northern Ireland's north coast, Bad Fit only played their first official gig together a few days ago, although their members have played with a plethora of different local acts over the years, including Vanilla Gloom, Lantern For A Gale & The Salt Flats. One of them was also a contestant on the game show Pointless a few years back, but that's not really relevant to their music, but is still worth mentioning, because Pointless is awesome.

Their debut single, "Strong Forever", is a very promising start for the four-piece, with its honeyed vocals mixed with fuzzy guitars calling to mind not only the indie-pop of Alvvays, but also elements of 90s American alt-rock in the style of Belly. 

"Strong Forever" will be released on 27th June.

Teenage Fanclub - I'm In Love

As anyone who has read this blog on a regular basis or follows me on Twitter will know that one of my favourite bands ever is Teenage Fanclub. As far as the rankings go, I put them at #3 on my list of top musicians, although admittedly it's been a while since I've considered my internal band ranking, so I might have to sit down at some point and consider whether there should be any movement (and just so you know, #2 is The Cure, and I don't need to tell you who is at #1).

It's been about six years since the band have released their last album, "Shadows", although the members have been rather busy in the interim period. Norman Blake releasing records as both The New Mendicants and in collaboration with Euros Childs, Jonny. Gerard Love released an album under the name Lightships, whilst Raymond McGinley played guitar for Snowgoose. They reconvened last year to record a new album, and with that on its way in September, they've unleashed the lead single on us.

"I'm In Love" offers a welcome return to the band after their absence. Like most of their post "Songs From Northern Britain" material, it's a lot less noisy and more subdued, yet still has all those qualities that make us love the band - the sunkissed harmonies, the jangly guitars, and that unbridled optimism that shines through. At this point in their career, what you get from a new Teenage Fanclub release is more or less what you expect from it, but of course that doesn't make it any less satisfying.

"Here" will be released on 9th September on CD, vinyl, download & cassette.

Basement Revolver - Words

Hamilton-based trio Basement Revolver picked up quite a big of blog love off the back of their debut single, the wistful "Johnny", back in April. Of the back of its acclaim, the band signed a deal with a UK-based label to release an E.P next month, and the group are about to undertake a tour of Canada to support the release.

What's more, they've just released a new single in anticipation of all the exciting shenanigans ahead, called "Words". The song is about how words come to be meaningless when you think about them (like 'dreamt'. That's a very weird word when you say it over and over and over again). It follows on from their debut single in its mix of fuzzy guitars, Alvvays-esque indie-pop and the wistful delivery from Chrisy Hurn. If they can deliver more great singles like this, then maybe at some point they'll receive the same plaudits as their indie-pop contemporaries.

"Words" is taken from Basement Revolver's self-titled E.P, which is out on July 15th, as a download and on cassette.

Basement Revolver - Johnny

Indie-pop of the more wistful variety - don't you just love it? We definitely do, which is why we were so smitten by "Johnny", the debut single from Ontario trio Basement Revolver. It's use of scuzzy guitars and a rather infectious chorus, coupled with lyrics very much at the sad end of the pop spectrum calls to mind the sound of fellow Canadians Alvvays, in particular their song "Archie, Marry Me". It is a lovely introduction to the band.

"Johnny" is taken from their debut E.P which will be released in July, and can be downloaded on a pay what you like basis.

Anteros - Breakfast

That all important fountain of knowledge known as Wikipedia informs us that Anteros is:

a) the name of an asteroid in a far flung part of the galaxy
b) the god of unrequited love in Ancient Greek mythology
c) a neo-tropical genus of butterfly
d) an American automobile company
e) a 3rd century Pope.

But from which of those did London based four-piece Anteros derive their name from? Scroll down to the bottom of this post to find the answer, but before you do take the time to listen to the band's latest single. "Breakfast" is a song about being bored by a partner who keeps you up late for all the wrong reasons, sung over a wonderfully breezy indie-pop tune. They've been compared to The Drums elsewhere, and there's definitely a little bit of Real Estate and Skaters in them as well.

"Breakfast" is out now.



Answer: b) They took their name from the god of unrequited love in Greek mythology. I love quizzes.

Hurdles - Dusk & Dawn

Hurdles really do like taking their time, don't they?

We first featured the band way back in 2012 following the released of their first single "Pictures". They then released one of our favourites tracks of 2013 with "Kaleidoscope", as well as a first E.P. to boot. They then took things relatively quietly in 2014 until the very last month, when they unleashed "France" upon us, and now more than a year after that, the quartet are releasing their second E.P, of which "Dusk & Dawn" is the title track.

If you've been familiar with Hurdles in the past, then you'll know exactly what you're getting with these guys, but if not, then you're in for a delicious little treat indeed. Finely crafted, tropical, sleek and polished indie-pop very much in the Phoenix mode. Welcome back guys. Now let's not leave the follow-up waiting too long this time, please?

"Dusk & Dawn E,P" is released on February 1st.

Major Leagues - Someone Sometime

It's been a while since we heard some new music from our favourite Antipodean indie-poppers Major Leagues. The Brisbane four-piece are lining up to release their 2nd E.P, the follow-up to "Weird Season", which spawned the mighty "Endless Drain". The first song to be taken from the release "Someone Sometime" is more moderately paced than that track, but still contains the scuzzy guitars and bittered honey vocals that won us over to the band in the first place.

"Someone Sometime" will be released on 10th July.

Pesky! - Keep Me

So many acts dream of being signed to the ultra-hip Fierce Panda indie record label, which is good news for Ulverston, Cumbria septet Pesky!, who are due to release their first E.P with them next month. What's even more remarkable however is just how young the band are - none of the members of the band are older than 12.

Their debut single "Keep Me" shows that the band are both more talented and with influences more broad than you would expect for a band of their age. The song mixes indie-pop and shoegaze elements, calling to mind some of the later, less sample-based songs from The Go! Team. The scary thing is, if they're sounding this good on their debut release, just imagine how fantastic they're going to be like a few years down the line. They're going to be world beaters.

"Keep Me" is taken from their debut E.P, the wonderfully titled "Smells Like Tween Spirit", which is released on July 24th.

The School - All I Want From You Is Everything

As a great fan of all things twee and indie-pop, it's always a delight to come across a band in the genre that I hadn't heard of before. Up until last week, I hadn't heard of Cardiff based septet, The School, who to date have released two studio albums since forming in 2007. However, after hearing their new single, "All I Want From You Is Everything", it is fair to say that I was sold immediately.

The song is three minutes of indie-pop loveliness, which wraps itself around your ears like a comfort blanket of pure aural bliss. If you want a hearty slice of dreamy, uncynical jangly pop, you can't go far wrong than this.

"All I Want From You Is Everything" is taken from The School's upcoming 3rd album "Wasting Away and Wondering", which will be released later this year. It is also the lead track of an E.P of the same name, which is available to buy now as a limited edition 7" white vinyl*.



*I just want to take the time to note that if you do decide to buy the E.P, you're likely to receive it very quickly. I ordered my copy of the E.P on Thursday afternoon, and within 18 hours it had made the crossing across the Irish Sea and landed on my doorstep, which has to be some sort of record. It would have taken me longer to download it from iTunes, although that has more to do with how unstable that service has been recently. So bravo, up with this sort of thing, etc. 

Hurdles - France

It might have taken until near the end of the year, but we've finally managed to get some new music from one of our Northern Irish Tips for 2014, Hurdles. The band of course haven't been sitting on the posteriors all year - they've been involved in the Scratch My Progress scheme run by the Oh Yeah Centre, which gives support to several local artists every year, and having now rejigged their line-up slightly, the band have dropped a massive new song on us all.

Given that the band's indie-pop sound has been compared to Phoenix on numerous occasions, it's probably with a sense of self-awareness that the band have decided to name their new single "France". Those influences still remain firmly in the blueprint of this new song, but it does see the band move away from the more overt references of their earlier material. It's a more subdued effort from the group, but it's still a great, funky, groovy little earworm nonetheless.

"France" is taken from the compilation CD "Scratch My Progress Vol.3", which also features songs by Hot Cops, Matthew Duly, Serotonin & R51.

Alvvays - Next of Kin

Although there's still three months to go until the end of the year, it is looking very likely that our favourite new act of 2014 is going to be Canadian five-piece Alvvays. After becoming smitten with them after catching them by chance at The Great Escape, they solidified their place in our hearts with the release of their self-titled debut album, a fantastic, subversive album that reminded us that 'indie-pop' and 'twee' should not always be used synonymously.

The band have just released the music video for one of the songs on the album, and I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am at it. "Next of Kin" was the overwhelming highlight of the album, a fantastic song, which is likely to be the jauntiest tune about a riverside drowning that you're likely to hear this year. The chorus is just a thing of wistful beauty, and the stop-motion video they've made to accompany the song fits it very well. I'm absolutely delighted that the song's made the upgrade to single status (or 'focus track', or 'stream grabber', or whatever they're calling it these days). It's a fantastic song, and (SPOILER) is a top contender to be the blog's favourite song of 2014 when December rolls around.

"Next of Kin" is taken from Alvvays' self-titled debut album, which is available now. If you want more reasons to buy the album, check out my review of the album on Drowned In Sound and wonder why this album hasn't yet entered your life. 

Cheerleader - On Your Side

Philadelphia based band Cheerleader burst into our lives earlier this with their joyous indie-pop single "Perfect Vision", a song which helped the band pick up quite a bit of blog loving, and went down a treat at The Great Escape.

They have now released their brand new single "On Your Side", which although isn't as instant as "Perfect Vision", is still a cracking single. Once the first chorus hits, you'll be hooked, it's a song that sounds like it could be the spiritual successor to what The Lightning Seeds were doing in the 90s, something that we very much approve of around these parts. Cheerleader are building up a small arsenal of cracking guitar-pop tunes, it can only be a matter of time before the wider world steps up and notices.

Tigercats - Junior Champion

Two exciting pieces of news came out today regarding London indie-pop band Tigercats. Firstly, the band announced that they had signed to the wonderful Fortuna Pop, who have put of releases by bands like Let's Wrestle & September Girls among others. Secondly, the band have announced that a 2nd studio album, a follow-up to 2012's under-appreciated "Isle Of Dogs", is on its way, and have previewed its with the first track to be taken from the album, "Junior Champion".

A self professed anthem for chess fans, "Junior Champion" sees the band in a more wistful mood than before, with the band extending their indie-pop pallet with the addition of some heavenly flute, and a brass-filled middle 8 section. They might have also delivered one of the oddest couplets in a song this year - "she's the greatest kisser, and God knows I'm no Bobby Fischer". It's a cracking new song from a group who I'd feared had disappeared for good, and if they can deliver an album of songs as good as this one, they'll be sticking around for some time yet.

The sophomore album from Tigercats, "Mysteries", will be released in January 2015.

Marsicans - Chivalry

Here's something a bit upbeat to put a spring in your step, courtesy of Leeds based 4-piece Marsicans. The band have been building up a loyal live following in the past few months, including supporting fellow up-and-comers Catfish & The Bottlemen, so the release of their latest single "Chivalry" is an important milestone for the band.

The song is a highly infectious Afro-pop inflected indie-rock tune, with some lovely guitar riffs, off-kilter drum work and a memorable chorus. The obvious comparisons would be Vampire Weekend and Little Comets, with the band falling somewhere in between the two musically.

The "Chivalry" E.P will be released on September 5th.

The Persian Leaps - Pretty Boy

Even though we may soon be reaching the singularity as far as 80s/90s inspired indie-pop goes, it doesn't necessarily mean that there's nothing of merit left in the genre. After all, one of our favourite albums of the year so far has been the self-titled debut album from Alvvays, and there's still some great wee gems just waiting to be discovered.

Like the following one from Minneapolis band The Persian Leaps. Having won over the NME with their "Praise Elephants" E.P last year, the trio will be releasing their follow-up next month. The first track to be taken from it is "Pretty Boy", a nice little fuzz-guitar driven pop tune that ticks all the boxes for sumptuous indie-pop yummyness. And at a concise 2 minutes 17 seconds long, it doesn't outstay its welcome.

"Pretty Boy" is available to download from the band's Bandcamp page.The song is taken from the E.P "Drive Drive Delay", which will be released on September 12th.