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Louise Trehy – ‘Hang On’

Its been almost twenty years since British duo Swallow (pictured) called it a day. The 4AD dream pop outfit released their debut LP ‘Blow’ in ’92, before moving to Rough Trade and disbanding following an EP release in 1994. While Mike Mason continued to work in music and film, singer Louise Trehy left the industry. But the good news is, she’s back! Louise got in touch over the weekend, posting some early home demos on Soundcloud with plans to hit the studio again when possible.

 
Louise Trehy – ‘Hang On’

Listen to more of Louise Trehy @ Soundcloud.

Sigur Rós – ‘Brennisteinn’

In January, Sigur Rós announced the departure of long-term keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Now a trio, Sigur Rós will release their new album ‘Kveikur’ on June 17 (June 18 USA) via XL Recordings (pre-order here). ‘Brennisteinn’ (brimstone) is the first track released from the album, check out the video below. The Icelandic vets are tipped to get more “aggressive” this time round, a reaction to their previous LP ‘Valtari’.

 
Sigur Rós – ‘Brennisteinn’

Visit Sigur Rós online @ XL Recordings @ Facebook.

Top 100 Shoegaze Albums

Remember earlier in the year I said there was a long term project underway involving some classic tunes? No? Well – ta-dah! This is it, a list of SBWR’s 100 Greatest Shoegaze Albums. I was going to do the whole, countdown thing, gradually posting tracks… but that would be boring. In fact, halfway through I thought, wow, this is pointless… but in Forest Gump fashion, I’d run far enough not to turn back. The point is, its not about deciding what’s best, its about discovering something new (or old, in this case). Throughout the process of compiling the list, many discoveries were made. There’s a bunch of info on how it was put together on the actual webpage here… 100 Greatest Shoegaze Albums.

For more, visit SBWR’s End Of Year Lists here.

Public Transport – ‘Dark Days’

“While it owes something to Boards of Canada for its sound, its closest inspiration was Lush’s ’92 album ‘Spooky’. I wanted to take their world of shimmering, skittering guitars and perfect-yet-unsettling chords and translate it into the world of synthesizers.” The words of Public Transport, aka Duncan Bailey, an electronic musician from Maine. His latest instrumental work ‘Dark Days‘ was released this week, check it out plus more here!

 
Public Transport – ‘Dark Days’

Visit Public Transport online @ Soundcloud @ Bandcamp @ Facebook.

Savages – ‘She Will’

Joy Division, Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Birthday Party, that’s the caliber of names being thrown around as comparisons to London’s Savages. The post punk four piece are expected to be a defining band, everyone from the BBC to the local hipster are buzzing on these guys. Or girls, should I say. That’s a lot of hype (and pressure) for a band that are yet to deliver their debut album!  But on May 7 (a day earlier in the UK) Savages will release their full length ‘Silence Yourself’ via Matador (pre-order here). Attitude and presence has gotten Savages this far but depth of songwriting will be the litmus test in May. Also, whether the throat grabbing appeal of their live shows can be vividly captured on record. ‘She Will’ is the first track released from the album, take a listen below.

 
Savages – ‘She Will’

Visit Savages online @ Matador @ Facebook.

Selenian – ‘Sunday Diving’

‘Sunday Diving’ sounds a little like an electronic Tame Impala, full of dreamy vocal lines, cascading keys and far flung sounds. Selenian are a five piece from Northern France, founded in 2011 by Nicolas Gallo. The group are currently working on their debut EP due for release later this year.

 
Selenian – ‘Sunday Diving’

Visit Selenian @ Soundcloud @ Facebook.

Woozy – ‘Diving Bell’

Marvelous tune from New Orleans trio Woozy, who released their new EP ‘The Sun Let Its Hair Down‘ this week (via Chinquapin Records). If traditional song structures give you the squirts, then Woozy have answered your call! Part schizophrenic math rock, part “twinkly shoegaze”, these guys are a musicians kinda band. Complex and intelligent with enough melodic glitter to keep you smiling throughout. A feel good trip!

 
Woozy – ‘Diving Bell’

Visit Woozy @ Soundcloud @ Bandcamp @ Facebook.

Viscous Liquid – ‘Never Fun’

You know when someone blasts an awesome track in the next room but you can’t quite hear it? That’s the kinda feeling I get from ‘Never Fun’. There’s an intentional obscuring of sound going on, like your cochlea window is closed but your eardrum’s bedroom door is left slightly ajar. Or… perhaps I just need more sleep. Viscous Liquid is a solo artist from Reading, there’s a bunch more tunes over at Soundcloud to discover.

 
Viscous Liquid – ‘Never Fun’

Hear more Viscous Liquid @ Soundcloud.

Weekender – ‘Spanish Peaks’

Some of you may remember The Tweeds, a five piece rock act from Philadelphia? They dropped their debut LP ‘Goliath’ back in 2011? Well, apparently tweed wasn’t the best fit because they’ve changed names to Weekender. This week (no pun intended) they release a new EP featuring the single ‘Spanish Peaks‘.

 
Weekender – ‘Spanish Peaks’

Visit Weekender @ Bandcamp @ Facebook.

Dråpe – ‘Memories’

‘Canicula Days’ the debut album from Norway’s Dråpe is out next month (April 18 via Riot Factory). We’ve treated our ears to the first single ‘Blue Skies‘, now dive into the follow up – ‘Memories’. I’ve heard four or five tracks from this record and while I’m not a betting man, I do love to contradict myself – so five bucks says this is one of the strongest dream pop albums of 2013! *puts crystal ball back on shelf* P.s. don’t hold me to the five bucks please.

 
Dråpe – ‘Memories’

 
Dråpe: “Memories just happened to come about while we were recording our album and was nicknamed “the dance song”. Someone once said that it’s the perfect song for some good old fashioned linedancing, but yeah – we’ve still to see anything like that at our shows (except when singer and guitarist Ketil gets in the right mood backstage, that is). It’s is a feel-good song, with a sense of fragility lurking just beneath the surface. The song is basically about the waking up a little late on a Sunday and letting your mind fly backwards through last nights ups and downs.”

Download Dråpe @ iTunes / Visit @ Riot Factory @ Tumblr / Connect @ Facebook.