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Von Pip's Top 7 Indie Tunes Of The Last Month

by Andy Von Pip
5 June 2014 3 Comments

Whether it's a perfect bittersweet love song or psychadelic shoegaze, here's the top recent songs you need in your ears...

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Alvvays- Marry Me Archie

In the wake of impressive performances at SXSW and The Great Escape, Canadian quintet Alvvays are set to release their self-titled debut album in the UK via Transgressive Records on 21st July 2014.

Alvvays stay the right side of cute mixing soaring guitars with singer Molly Rankin’s beautiful peel of bells vocals whilst their lyrics reveal a wry wistful sense of humour. It is as perfect an example of the bittersweet love song as you’re likely to hear should you live to be 190, and adroitly captures the sweet ache and hormone raging rush of first love.

Whilst ‘Archie, Marry Meis unquestionably a thing of radiance and beauty the quite wonderful Chad VanGaalen produced debut album’s sun spangled melodies mask much darker themes. For beneath the gorgeous sugar frosted refrains Alvvays explore topics such as drunkenness, debauchery death and defeat…, which sound like a list of my hobbies

 

Rebecca Clements - Wildlife

 ‘Wildlife’ is the debut track (proper) from 19-year-old Bristol singer-songwriter Rebecca Clements. It’s a song that is apparently all about “destructiveness – for people who aren’t compatible but unable to break free.” A bit like the Coalition?

But seriously this is a bold first musical statement from a young artist who subtly conveys emotion with such unaffected sincerity that it’s difficult to remain unmoved by it (unless of course you are a member of the aforementioned Coalition). Bloody lovely.


Pretties For You - We Have Our Reasons

Göteborg five piece Pretties For You latest single ‘We Have Our Reasons’ is the title track from their debut album. Martina Forsgren’s compelling and commanding vocals reside somewhere between the strident imperiousness of Siouxsie and the dark drama of Anna Calvi, and are set to a backdrop of driving atmospheric electronica and shimmering guitars replete with cavernous, menacing basslines. But there’s also a distinct pop sensibility to Pretties For You’s sound which more than hints at a band who are very much in the thrall of the Eighties.

Kult Country - Trembling Moon

It seems that MJ from Hookworms has been involved in quite a few tunes I’ve been enjoying of late . And ‘Trembling Moon’ from Manchester based Kult Country was indeed recorded by MJ at his Leeds Suburban Home studios. Given the title it has a suitably soaring spectral spaced out vibe, and features vivid psychedelic flourishes beneath a luminous driving shoegazy wash.

It’s the bands first release on No Self Records after their first single ‘Slowburn’ on Manchester’s infamous SWAYS Records grabbed the attention. The buzz around Kult Country’s live shows is steadily gaining momentum and you can find out what all the fuss is about when they play two dates in July as follows

1st July – London – Sebright Arms
4th July – Manchester – The Eagle

 

Luna Green - Swedish Strawberries

And it’s back to Scandinavia to check out Swedish newcomer Luna Green who is nothing if not prolific. Her début album was only released in November 2013 and she’s already released album number two. ‘Swedish Strawberries’ is the title track from said album and whilst it may throw the occasional nod to Lana and compatriot Lykke it also manages to sound refreshingly avant-garde and slightly off the wall. It also showcase’s the hypnotic seductive power of Ms Green’s formidable voice. It’s sexy and sophisticated pop by an artist who’s been critically acclaimed in her homeland and who looks set to cast her spell further afield.

 
Loom - Yokoso

Over the past year or so Loom have been making a bit of a name for themselves with their powerful hook laden grunge snarl. Their latest single ‘Yosoko’ that at times sounds like the Sisters Of Mercy colliding with Nirvana, is a powerful and passionate musical declaration.  It’s certainly a step up from their previous material and is undoubtedly their most accessible release to date, full of incendiary riffs with an impassioned lapel-grabbing vocal from front man Tarik Badwan.

That fact that Mr Badwan is the brother of Horrors front-man Faris should really have no bearing as to whether you enjoy this tune or not. Arguably, Loom aren’t setting out to reinvent the wheel here, but there’s certainly enough intensity melody, zeal and self belief to suggest that they could prove to be an interesting proposition if they don’t get saddled with hype overload before they have really hit their stride.


The Beaches - Little Pieces

The Beaches are an all girl band from Canada who comprise of sisters Jordan Miller and Kylie Miller, alongside Eliza Enman McDaniel and Leandra Earl. They’ve just completed a triumphant support slot with Brody Dalle on the UK leg of her tour to rave reviews, and on the evidence of the tunes, we’ve heard thus far the praise seems to be totally justified.

‘Little Pieces’ melds post-punk rhythms, synths new-wave guitars and lip curling attitude packed vocals with style, sass, and substance. It’s from their UK debut EP ‘Heights’ which was released on May 5th via I-tunes and also features the outstanding ‘Strange Love’ which should all add to the considerable buzz The Beaches are beginning to generate.

More…
Von Pip’s Top 7 Indie Tunes Released In February  
Von Pip’s Top 7 Indie Songs Released In March

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papa beaches 7:32 pm, 5-Jun-2014

thanks Andy for the mention, here is a link to strangelove http://r3.ca/5vpd

mo Trucker 3:47 pm, 8-Jun-2014

really great tunes love the beaches and alvvays

Andy Von Pip 4:59 pm, 8-Jun-2014

Thanks Mr Beaches, 'Strange Love' also features on the latest podcast http://www.mixcloud.com/TheVonPipMusicalExpress/the-von-pip-musical-express-podcast-may-2014

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