On Returning - Dresses & Dreams (2011)

Jamendo

8.8

/Post-punk, Britpop, Synth pop, Crossover, New Wave, Alternative pop/rock/

Comment: Similarly to Swedish compatriots The Search`s retrospective issue Silverslut 1999-2002 (especially the first half of the compilation) reviewed the other day On Returning`s release is attuned to roll in a similar, post-punk-ish way. More concretely, rigid yet vivid bass lines, galvanic guitars, leafy synths in the background are configurated in a way to make up both in energy and synergy. Yet, there can be found out two tracks at least which make acquaintance with more synth pop structures and ambiences, on the other hand, acquiring britpop-ish feeling getting close to the Lightning Seeds-alike pop easiness.

Nina Me - After Seven Years Love

Burning Bright - Freesmiles (2011)

Black Lantern Music

9.0

/Hip-hop, Urban music, Crossover, Blues, Bossa nova, Rap, Raggamuffin/

Comment: Burning Bright is a duo (Salem Anders & Tickle) from Edinburgh, Scotland. Their 4-pieced EP constitutes a synergical mix of scratch-based dizziness, ragga(muffin) infiltrations, bossa nova-inflected nylon strings, galvanized blues`n`hop (a la some hybrid tracks by John Spencer Blues Explosion). The last track sounds similarly to Chenard Walcker`s plunderphonic repertoire. Indeed, it is joyous and highly enjoyable hip-hop.

Monster Rally - Palm Reader (2010)

Bandcamp

9.4

/Exotica pop, Chillwave, Glo-fi, Latin pop, Avant-pop, Experimental pop/

Comment: This is a relatively unsung musical project from Columbus which at times is tagged as "chillwave" and "glo-fi". However, its crucial aesthetical point is focused upon exptic pop-tinged progressions and irresistible sampledelic craftiness (compare it to the works by Cagey House, Ergo Phizmiz, Chenard Walcker, and People Like Us, for instance). Altogether, it is summery pop which used to chime in an ancient and modern way simultaneously. For example, are you able to figure out is the date of those examples of Latin-tinged pop coming either from 1930 or 2130?

The Search – The Silverslut 2000-2002 (2011)

Af-Musik
Jamendo

8.6

/Britpop, Post-punk, New Wave, Alternative pop/rock, Synth rock, Electro-rock/

Comment: This is a 35-track issue of solid rock music from Uppsala, Sweden. In fact, the album consists of 6 EP`s released in 1999-2002, during the first period of the project. Especially the first half of miscellany is vry delicious, showcasing its appeal toward the influences of 80`s dance rock, synth pop/rock, new wave, and post-punk. The second half is up to bring some Britpop and folk-ish influences into the mix. The Search`s obvious influences veer from The Cure and Comsat Angels and Smashing Pumpkins to Suede and Belle & Sebastian and Kent. Altogether, discover and afford a handful of great songs for yourself.

Allison Crowe - Silence

Sobaki Kachalova - Gryazniye Botinki (2011)

Clinical Archives

8.4

/Art-pop, Indie pop, Alternative pop/rock, Bubblegum pop/

Comment: If to speak about the recent Sobaki Kachalova`s album and the starting point of indie tradition in Russia/and the former Soviet Union we cannot be without making the reference toward the early period of Kino, Viktor Tsoi`s headed band chimed between uncompromising Smiths-esque “ballads” and pouncing post-punk-ish rhythms. Both bands were truesome pop juggernauts by both sides of the Iron Curtain. Here is a set of 10 songs where catchy guitar chords and summery strums and guitar overdrives are sometimes intervened with sheer brass attacks and artistic slo-mo bubblegum pop. Simple but suggestive.