Such an evocative opening but then it is not unique to those early sequences for Glasgow’s Hector Shaw has something so emotionally wrought it slows our world down too because an ear to his malaise could provide an important lesson. Not only that but there is a beauty to ‘Vigilance’ that on more than one occasion reminded me of a cross between Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake. And I picked up on the latter from the lush production that has a hint of Richard Kirby throughout. A voice that dwells in the melancholy but can rise to the mountain peaks just as easily to give this track a subtle rhapsody ..read more

Well there is a classic alternative strut that is for sure and that’s clear even before the shade wearing singer enters the scene. When you base your song around the coolest city in the world is it any wonder that And The Sunset Burns were inspired to get into hipster mood with these minutes passing by with such an understated sense of swagger so it can’t help but rub off on the rest of us. Could have come from the 20th century such is the way ‘Just Another Day in New York City’ is turned out but aren’t we lucky to have it all to ourselves in the new one. A likely debut from a bunch of likely ..read more

Now that is how you take the wind out of a day that has torn us asunder. ‘Takes Time’ is a lovely talking to, the kind that has charm and advice and no little folk cherubic turns so that we’re feeling a whole lot better come the end. Philadelphia’s Nylon Ghost put effort and thought into the trimmings too, brass flits by, a strum offer steady company and of course a general feeling of languid happiness abounds. The clear and tender dominance however comes from a singer who offers a gentle hand to steady the nerves and all that self doubt. Gorgeous stuff and with the added glow of a build that ..read more

Such a laidback shuffle, reminding of Sleeper for the most part and that is good thing because it tells us that there is depth to all the swagger. ‘Crawlin’ 4 U’ might detail archetypal love on the rocks but it is turned out with so much charm you can’t help falling for these somewhat ramshackle charms. The crux of the statement of course is that Impulsive Hearts can’t help but offer us a singalong of the kind that sends us parallels from old school Catatonia. A mixtape candidate if this were 2001, a gem in other words from the Danielle Sines led troupe from Chicago. KH Fit 4 the Apocalypse b ..read more

A bit of Vangelis never did anyone any harms and I hear it in Roller Derby’s ‘Dreams’. Not only that because they have a neat line in chorus to go with it so we’re never far away from certain toe-tapping. In fact such is the melodic vocal flow the whole track feels like it riding atop a sweet scented sirocco breeze and it can’t help but give us reasons for joy as a result. A charming nugget that more than deserves attention especially when the Cure like chords seamlessly integrate with Philine Meyer’s vocal intent of sweet delivery at every turn. KH Dreams by Roller Derby mp3hugger’s best new ..read more

Oh the jangle of it all, the tropical foraging that reminds us why we like songs about summer and all things balmy. LA’s Strawflower capture the moment so well because there is levity every step of the way on ‘Burned Blue’. Taking their cues from the classic sixties sounds means there is joy beyond the playing and it comes in the shape of a singer who pulls from a heart in full bloom so no surprise at all at the sucrose melodies that he is able to produce. KH mp3hugger’s best new music in our Fresh Indie playlist! More Info: Offical Hear More Songs: Strawflower Year: 2024 ..read more

‘Goldenrod’ so reminds me of a band from Wales called Winter Villains, capable of lullabies for adults and no end to the hushed beauty – just try their ‘The Air’ or ‘Icebergs’. Chamber pop and folk have always been genres that gets me like no other can and ‘Goldenrod’ has that kind of persuasion, existing as it does in a sort of fantasy wonder filled world of its own and us desperately trying to feel off the magic as a result. Though Lyle De Vitry has put this just out of reach it doesn’t mean we can’t make moves to embrace. And so we did and everything felt better as a result. This is the fi ..read more

What a giddy pogo about the place this one is, a proper bolt from the 90’s blue and reminding in particular of dreamgazers Lush who operated in that cloud of guitar enabled noise but whom could still knock out a melody so that we had the sweet to go with the rampaging noise. Qubinoix appear that way inclined too so we get a swoonsome lead vocal who extols the joys of life while all around a little of the MBV chord stock of yore bounces off every available wall. Joyous stuff from this Japanese threesome for old cantankerous folks like I who remember the first time this sound emerged. KH Livin ..read more

An alluring sort of sound that is for sure, from the slow grandeur of the playing to a chanteuse (Jordan Reynolds) who expresses the words like each of them means the world to her. But that was not the half of it because ‘Fruit Tree’ goes off on one as if haunted by the ghosts of a past life. On its sways, tempo not in any linear but still feeling as if it moves with a clear thought process. This is fresh thinking, this is romance but most of all this is just a lovely piece of escapism to rustle through our otherwise unsubstantial day. KH A Pawn Surrender by rose hotel mp3hugger’s best new mu ..read more

A great choice for an opener for Justin Sconza new LP ‘Campfire’ (out today May 3rd) because it takes us by the hand ever so tenderly, while all the while being very suggestive of a Brendan Benson explosive quality. So it is clear that ‘Been So Long’ has its head set on these minutes becoming the kind of anthem that is made for enlivening idle days. The track really comes alive at the instrumental break, a sparkling chord exchange that is crisp and chiming to a degree that there might be slight pogoing where it is played. Though it is loud this is a sweet and cosy work for indie-rock romantic ..read more