Best Records of the Year 2019: 40-21

After our favorite EPs, now is time to unveil our Best Records of 2019! As we said in the previous post, the last twelve months we have published way less than we would have liked. So, in order to "repair" that scarcity of music (many groups left in the pipeline), we have thought it necessary to increase the number of bands included on the list, from 30 to 40, splitting the post in two. Therefore, here are our mandatory albums, the ones that have created our personal soundtrack and have helped us trough this incredibly long 2019, with this first chapter covering LPs from 40 to 21. Amazing albums, that deserve to be listened. And stay tuned, the Top 20 arrives tomorrow!

40. Struck Gold - Sprinters
39. Aniquilación - Los Punsetes
38. Ripe for Anarchy - Business of Dreams
37. Memory - Vivian Girls
36. Slow Century - I Was a King
35. It’s Real - Ex Hex
34. Birds Songs of a Killjoy - Bedouine
33. Río Arga - Río Arga
32. West Bay Playroom - Holiday Ghosts
31. Meadow Lane Park - Le Superhomard

30. A New Illusion - Rose Elinor Dougall
29. Reward for Effort - House Deposit
28. Gazing Globe - Outer Spaces
27. Mi Defensa Personal - Arista Fiera
26. Kiwanuka - Michael Kiwanuka
25. Kinship - She Keeps Bees
24. No Treasure But Hope - Tindersticks
23. Salto al Vacío - Star Trip
22. Beware of Dogs - Stella Donelly
21. Fireraisers Forever! - Comet Gain

Want to check the best recors of 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011?

RiotGrrrl Day Playlist!

Today is the RiotGrrrl Day! Why the 9th of April? Because last year, the Major of Boston, Mark Walsh, honored and recognized the great Kathleen Hanna's works towards music and feminism, with the idea to promote riot grrrl culture in his own city. A much welcomed celebration we obviously couldn't miss. So, in order to celebrate, we have created a playlist with female bands from the last four decades. The idea is try to bring you a diverse and significant, in terms of riotgrrrl/feminist movement (knowing it's impossible to include all of them of course, share your favourites with us!). A fantastic excuse to enjoy and celebrate much loved music played, sung and written by women! Girls to the front!

Discoverer 95: new indie findings

Back with our new music proposals series. Several amazing bands awaiting to be discovered for you, here's the flamboyant trio of the week!

Beverly. Based in Brooklyn, Beverly is a duo formed by hyper-active indie musician Frankie Rose, former member of Dum Dum Girls, Crystal Stilts, Vivian Girls, and Drew Citron, formerly in Ava Luna. Together since 2013, they finished their debut album in early 2014, with the irresistible first single 'Honey Do' happily collapsing our ears since February. Now, since past week we can enjoy the full album 'Careers', out on Kanine Records. The 60s married with the 90s, sweet female vocals wrapped in a dreamy pop haze with occasional bursts of electricity and fuzzy feedback placed on the background. Pleasant and solid in equal measure, the 'Careers' of Beverly promises to be an utterly joyous ride!

Cozy Catastrophes. Hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, Greg Adams ran the independent reissue record label Beehive Rebellion Records before writing over 1.000 album reviews and artist bios (!) for the All-Music Guide, plus hosting a thematic oldies radio program. What was left in his music agenda then? Starting his solo recording project, which he did last year, releasing debut album 'An Instructive Amusement' in August 2013. Now, thanks to our dear friends from February Records, Adams is back with a new EP, 'Way Last June', out now (there's an ultra-limited cassette too if you prefer, hurry!). Smart, warm and slightly somber bedroom-pop full of delicious melodic hooks and a subtle use of instruments like Casios, glockenspiels. An intimate pleasure!

Blessa. Although Liv Neller and Alex Burton started creating music before in Suffolk, as a quintet format, alongside with Jake Murray and brothers Robert and Andy Piercy, they only started making music together when most of them graduated at Sheffield's University in July 2013. After a few songs available online, in November arrived their debut 7" single 'Between Times / Bloom' on No-Self Records. The buzz start spreading and, finally, here's their follow-up in the form of EP 'Love is an Evol Word' out next week on Carmel Records / Generator. Dreamy pop fronted by Neller's killer vocals, here's The XX colliding with Fear of Men, electronic hints sharing melodies with jangly guitars... It might be an evol word, but you can't help falling in love with a band like them. Instant crush.

Discoverer 78: new indie findings

More fantastic new indie discoveries selected for your listening pleasure, enjoy!

Dutch Barn. Our beloved EardrumsPop again folks. They not only come out with another fantastic (and FREE!) release, the ePop 036, but they also remind me there was a band waiting to be listened. This five piece from East London were formed from the embers of folk group Little Ray in 2011, debuting with album “Lighter Later“ in April 2013. The record and the EPop single are delightful trips to guitar-driven indie-rock tunes. Open spaces, sparse, folky roots, heavenly coexisting with reverb and upbeat melodies. They've been defined as a cross between Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr and Stereolab. The comparison is accurate in terms of sound, but also in terms of potential.
Upset. Careful, super-indie band here. This L.A. trio, formed in 2013, is leaded by Ali Koehler, former drummer of Vivian Girls and then Best Coast, alongside ex-Hole drummer Patty Schemel.(looks like they met over Twitter) and guitarist Jenn Prince from La Sera. Upset's debut, "She's Gone", is out since October 29 through punk label Don Giovanni. Any hint of what could the record sound like? Right, pop-punk infected with hooks, channeling '90s indie-rock spirit and so ready to grab you from the ear you will think this record has been on your shelf since 20 years ago. Not to miss. 

Old Lacy Bed. Back to Japan to meet this young girls-band from Nagoya formed in 2012. As always happens (unfortunately) with Asian bands, there's not a lot of info out there, so we'll stick with what we know. Although there are some more tunes at the soundcloud, what it seems a split release with band The Moments and song "Coastlands" included on the Ano(t)raks "Soon V.A." compilation from September 2012, their first proper debut might be this lovely, immediately addictive 7" single "Little Girl" on Dufflecoat Records, available since June. Somewhere in the middle of the sweetest shoegaze and the fuzzier twee-pop this three songs are just wonderful. We want more! 

Discoverer 53: new indie findings

New band proposals in this freezing Sunday, enjoy!

Concrete Knives. Coming from Caen, France, this young quintet started making music together at high school. On April 2011 they released their first EP, "You Can't Blame the Youth", and thanks to the buzz created by their tunes and their praised live shows, they signed with Bella Union on 2012. Their debut album, "Be Your Own King", was out in October in France, and this month arrived its worldwide release. Incredibly catchy songs, danceable, full of upbeat rhythms, infallible pop hooks, vocal harmonies... Think on bands like Lacrosse, Fanfarlo, Shout Out Louds, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Talking Heads, Arcade Fire... Impressive sound shaker. Irresistible.

Dick Diver. Off to Melbourne, Australia, to meet this Fitzgerald's fourpiece. Started as the project of guitarists Alastair McKay and Rupert Edwards, it quickly turned into a collaborative full band. They debuted in 2009 with EP "Arks Up", very successful  in Australia. Album "New Start Again" came out in late 2011, with digital EP "Alice" following in 2012, announcing the arrival of "Calendar Days", second LP coming this March, propelled with single "Water Damage". Jangle pop that flirts with punk, rock or blissful pop, packed with a distinct, unique vibe... like I have been hearing them from a decade now. Amazing expectations. What a discovery!

The Babies. We end this week's proposals in Brooklyn, NYC, to meet a band originated in 2009 from the friendship of Vivian Girls' Cassie Ramone and Woods' Kevin Morby. Although not conceived as a serious affair initially, with the addition of another friend, drummer Justin Sullivan plus Brian Schleyer, they evolved into a proper group with tours and releases: some singles in 2010 and their s/t debut on 2011. A rarities/demos collection followed shortly, and by the end of 2012 came "Our House On the Hill", their second album. Carefree, straightforward lo-fi indie-rock with joyous girl-boy vocals. Light-hearted and contagious music.

The Ladies of Indie are coming back!

August starts with new songs and announcements from some of my favourite singer/songwriters. Ready for some videos?

My beloved Basia Bulat has to come back (hopefully very soon) with a new album. While we wait for it, here's a new song (although we were lucky to hear in Barcelona), premiered with a stunningly simple yet brilliant video (courtesy of the talented people from Yours Truly). Great as always.

BASIA BULAT "IT CAN'T BE YOU" from Yours Truly

After many listens, I'm still undecided about this one. "Do You Remember" is the first single from Ane's Brun forthcoming album "It All Starts with One", that will be out this autumn. The video (first chapter from a short film based on her music) is pretty curious. Have your say!

Ane Brun - Do You Remember (Official Video)

I told you it wouldn't be the last time I would thank Eardrumsmusic. Gospel Music is not a new album, but a project from Black Kids' Owen Holmes. His first release, on 2010, was the EP “Duettes”, featured lovely duets with Shirley Simms (Magnetic Fields), Darren Hayman, SoKo and Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls) and Tracyanne Campbell from Camera Obscura on this delicious song, "Automobile"!


The fantastic and criminally underrated Irish songstress Gemma Hayes released her fourth album, "Let It Break", at the end of May. I finally had the chance of checking the record, and all I can do is recommend you to do the same. Emotional and intense tunes, like on this "Shock to My System" one of the gems of the album.


A couple of announcements to end the post. Another Irish lady, the lovely Lisa Hannigan has her new album finished and set to release in September. It's going to be called "Passenger". And last, Feist has confirmed her return after the huge success of "The Reminder". "Metals" will be out in October 4. And if you have artistic talents and feel like painting, you can change the colours of the album cover in her facebook page for special prizes....

Stop awful album covers 2

It was bound to happen. Unfortunately, is a growing epidemic: horrible music artworks keeps spreading. This second round of visual disasters are all from albums/singles released this 2011, and wants to serve as an act of protest against them. This is war, stop awful sleeves!

ARTWORK ATROCITIES

Tennis: Cape Dory

Done on purpose, I know, but it's a crime to give a beautiful record such a kitsch sleeve

Beirut: The Rip Tide / Arctic Monkeys: Suck It and See

Put the albums together cause its the same case: brilliant works, zero effort on the cover

 Destroyer: Ideas for Songs (reissue) / Morrissey: Very Best of Morrissey

And they go together because... you get it. Great to know you are relaxing guys, but do we need to see it?

Lady Gaga: Born This Way

Photoshop indigestion + worst of metal clichés= Gaga's next chapter of awfulness

Peter Bjorn and John: Gimme Some
Coherency must be this: colour, design, image are all ugly. Ironic, of course

Vivian Girls: Share the Joy
Very little effort usually translates into a very poor artwork....


Steve Miller Band: Let Your Hair Down
....But sometimes a lot of effort in a cover can have an insane result 

Wavves: TV Luv Song (single)

And to end the "monsters parade"... this... What the hell?? Carl Winslow? Really??

Discoverer Special: Primavera Sound new findings

For today's round of new findings I propose you bands that are playing at Primavera Sound Festival  2011. Some more excellent options among to choose to see live this coming week!

The Tallest Man On Earth. Among the bands discovered by now, there's a special place for Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth. Hailing from Dalarna, Sweden, he's a young (just 28), modern era folkie troubadour, but not just one more to add to the bunch. His songwriting skills, his fingerpicking guitar style and his mesmerizing voice will translate you directly to another time, another place and another name: yes, Bob Dylan. But vocal similarities aside, I'm just using the comparison to highlight how big the talents of Matsson are. Best thing you can do is to judge yourself, checking his two albums and EPs. Eagerly awaiting to see him live on Saturday afternoon.
The Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Dreamer

Deep Sea Arcade. This Australian (from Sidney) five-piece band will make you think immediately on the 60s and another mythical name: The Beatles. Luckily, there's a more adventurous music here, closer to the power-pop classicism and The Zombies psychedelia, but also to Bristol's sound or Air's ambient pop. What matters, though, is that whatever their approach is, the band always seems capable of transform it into an addictive pill of perfect indie-pop, with an unforgettable melody. Their debut album will be out on September, but I already guarantee you won't regret listen them now.

Las Robertas. This ridiculously young (the four members are well under 25) all-girl band comes from San José, Costa Rica, a place that you won't usually relate with the actual melodic lo-fi punk explosion. But they don't have anything to envy to Vivian Girls, Best Coast or the Dum Dum Girls. In fact, they have pretty distinctive sound, a bit darker (full of death references) and noisier, despite the mixture of wistful vocals harmonies and crunchier guitar riffs, reminiscent of Black Tambourine or Sonic Youth. Their debut album,"Cry Out Loud", was released last year, gaining the recognition such a collection of hits deserves.


Las Robertas - V for you

Discoverer 2: new indie findings

Second round of indie bands for your listening pleasure!

Reading Rainbow. Sarah Everton and Rob Garcia are Reading Rainbow, the couple responsible of "Prism Eyes", their sophomore album, a refreshing treaty of indie pop/garage-punk, full of reverb, compulsive beats, hyper-vitaminated guitars, joyful intertwined harmonies and occasional vintage synth sounds, like in this "Always on My Mind". If you like Best Coast, Wavves or Dum Dum Girls, try Reading Rainbow.

La Sera. "Kickball" Katy (or Katy Goodman) is one third of the Vivian Girls, one of the top bands from the lo-fi/pop-punk, female-fronted, American scene. But she also embarked herself on a solo project, that after hearing a couple of tunes in 2010, has crystallised in a debut album released this February, where she replaces the noisier sound of the Vivian Girls for a poppier style, somewhere between Pixies and the dream-pop. Add funny videos like this one, and the combination  is simply irresistible.




Summer Fiction. Before 2010 ended, an unknown band from Philadelphia released a collection of charming, bookish and classy indie pop gems. It was one of the best debut albums of the year and it all came from Bill Ricchini's mastermind, who composed and self-produced this wonderful album. Chamber pop that trails back to the 60s and has the looks of a black and white French or Italian film full of glamorous parties, betrayals and summer romances. Like in this stunning "Chandeliers".

Discoverer 1: new indie findings

Weekends are the perfect time to discover new music, don't you think? Starting today, each weekend a post will be devoted to suggest "new" (meaning relatively unknown groups, or at least unknown to me, that recently started their careers) indie bands that are worth a look.

Minks. Shaun Kilfoyle and Amalie Bruun come from Brooklyn, NY, and their debut album, "By the Hedge", published on January, confirms the expectations of their previous 7", like this stunning "Funeral Song". Echoes of New Wave (the Cure anyone?), boy/girl harmonies, ethereal synths and guitars, and the ability to create unforgettable melodies.


The Narcoleptic Dancers. Charming indie pop, catchy and breezy, from this Franco-Dutch duo, Anton Louis Jr. and Melody Van Kappers, with an irresistible debut EP, "Not Evident", out now. You'll find yourself smiling.


Let's Buy Happiness. The best kept secret of British indie comes from Newcastle. With a couple of EPs ("No Hot Ashes" is among the best things released on 2009) and a slowly arising career supporting Idlewild, Vivian Girls and playing Glastonbury, one cannot expect anything else but greatness. Fronted by the gorgeous voice of Sarah Hall, the hypnotic, icy, blasting, and unique sound of the band is mesmerizing.