"Apparition" by Quivers

We like all the music we feature here, but we have favorites. It is human nature. And one of those favorites is Melbourne's fantastic Quivers. They create terrific pop music, put on a great live show, and are nice people. 

Earlier today Quivers let us know that they have signed to Merge Records and will release new album Oyster Cuts on August 9. We would be thrilled if the new album matched the highs of their previous Golden Doubt, but based on the first single -- "Apparition" -- we dare dream that it will surpass their debut. It is bold, bright and confident with crunchy guitars and a buoyant chorus. This album is going to be so, so good!

As we mentioned, Quivers are a good live show and they have an ambitious tour schedule beginning in June. The dates and venues are at the bottom of this post. 

Quivers' website

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Bandcamp for Oyster Cuts

Spotify link for "Apparition"

Various relevant links

Tour Dates

Australian Shows:
Jun 14 Kyneton, VIC – Major Tom’s
Jun 15 Beechworth, VIC – Tanswells

Jun 21 Melbourne, VIC – Northcote Social Club

Aug 30 Adelaide, SA – Queen's Theatre

Sep 06 Ballarat, VIC – The Eastern

Sep 07 Castlemaine, VIC – The Bridge Hotel
Nov 1 Canberra, ACT – Sideways

Nov 2 Sydney, NSW – Waywards

Nov 3 Port Kembla, NSW – The Servo

Nov 15 Hobart, TAS – Altar

Nov 16 Brisbane, QLD – Black Bear Lodge

US Tours:
Jul 26 Carrboro, NC – Merge 35 Festival

July 29 Seattle, WA - Substation
Jul 31 Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
Aug 01 Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
Aug 02 Washington, DC – Comet Ping Pong
Aug 03 Philadelphia, PA – TBA

Aug 04 Richmond, VA – Get Tight Lounge

Oct 14 Columbus, OH – Skully’s Music Diner*
Oct 15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall*

Oct 16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
Oct 17 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room*
Oct 18 Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Lounge*
Oct 19 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater*
Oct 21 Austin, TX – Radio / East*
Oct 22 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall* 

Oct 23 New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre*

* w/ Superchunk

Europe / U.K. Tour: (More TBA soon):

Dec 03 Dresden, DE – Ostpol
Dec 05 Hamburg, DE – Hebebühne

Dec 06 Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
Dec 10 Paris, FR – Supersonic
Dec 11 London, UK – The Lexington
Dec 12 Manchester, UK – Castle Hotel

"Wish You Were Here" by Neutrals

 

 In 2022 it was written about Neutrals in a brilliant write up of their album Bus Stop Nights (link to full review): 

There are punk bands that are all thunder and fury. We respect the passion and listen avidly, but at times the art of the song is lost. Then there are bands that declare themselves punk, but seem to like the idea of being a punk band while really being a pop rock band. And then there is a rare punk-oriented band that has the incisive writing and aggressive performing, but also understands the need for a hook, a laugh and a melody. Such a band are Oakland, California's Neutrals.

We don't mind stealing that language for our post about their "Wish You Were Here", the first single from their upcoming album New Town Dream, because we wrote it. And it remains at least as true today as it was two years ago. In just this first single we get shaggy C86 guitar pop and Josef K style clanging guitars. We are tingling here (nothing a few beers won't cure, of course).

Neutrals is a trio that craft songs with sonic punch, melody, and incisive lyrics. They believe what they believe and don't hold back in telling you. It is a stunning band that deserves a wide audience, and perhaps this album will help them attain that.

New Town Dream will be released May 31 on Slumberland Records and Static Shock Records.

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Bandcamp for New Town Dream

Various links for New Town Dream

"I Can't Have It All" by Yea-Ming and The Rumors

 

If Yea-Ming and The Rumors are releasing an album it is on our list, no questions asked and no PR materials needed.  May 24 is the drop date for the upcoming I Can't Have It All, and while we haven't listened to the album yet, the title track is a lovely '60s shaded guitar pop gem. Evoking sun and sand and the promise of summer, it is just what we needed on a cloudy day.

I Can't Have It All will be released via Dandy Boy Records.

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Bandcamp for album

"Here Comes the Order of Malta" by Oh Boland

 

This makes back to back posts for Meritorio Records artists, but there are no apologies from us. When a track makes us feel as alive as "Here Comes the Order of Malta", then we will promote it as if we are paid to do so (which we certainly are not). A couple of bars in we want to climb into the car, roll down the windows and crank up the music. To keep peace in the neighborhood we might also start the car and drive -- just kidding, this song demands that we drive. It reeks of vitality, of adventure, of 'get out and do something'. 

The song is the first single from the upcoming Western Leisure, the third album from Oh Boland.  band-now-solo-project of Irishman Niall Murphy. Western Leisure will be released May 31 via Meritorio Records most everywhere and Safe Suburban Home in the UK.

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Bandcamp for pre-order of Western Leisure

"Garden" by Stephen's Shore

 

The last few weeks have been tending the post surgery needs of a relative that was a teenager in the '60s, and in California and other parts of the West Coast. So it seems to us that the perfect song to celebrate our return is the rousing '60s-inspired "Garden" by Swedish band Stephen's Shore. We would understand if it made you want to grab a surfboard and head to the beach, because that is exactly what came to our minds (right before the the realization that we no longer have surfboards). But at least we have "Garden" and our memories ...

"Garden" is the first single from the upcoming EP Neptune, which is due May 10 via Madrid's Meritorio Records. Stephen's Shore are Viktor Sjodin, Johan Dittmer, Mattias Bergqvist, P.A. Blomqvist, and Erik Stackpole Undehn.

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Bandcamp for "Garden"

Bandcamp for Neptune

Ryann Gonsalves - Ouch

 

We applaud anyone that releases a self-reflective album titled Ouch! on Valentine's Day. I guess we are just wounded romantics. But Ryann Gonsalves' debut LP deserves applause for more than its title and release date. The focus is inward on the composer, but it reflects a strong sense of self and is infused with humor and whimsey. An able musician as well as a vocalist and songwriter, the songs are pleasing and, while concise, well-formed. There are plenty of rewards for the listeners in Ouch!; it is one of those albums that just makes us happy to play. We already counted ourselves as fans of other projects in which Ryann participates. Now we can look forward to more of her solo work as well.

Ouch! is out now in digital and cassette formats via Oakland's Dandy Boy Records. Ryann also is the frontperson for Torrey and plays in Aluminum and Reality TV.

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Bandcamp for "Ouch!"

Various relevant link

Hanemoon - Rain or Shine

 

How about some sweet, sincere jangle pop to gladden the heart? Rain or Shine comes from Berlin by way of Portland, Oregon, courtesy of Hanemoon. The melodies are varied but invariably delightful and the arrangements are dynamic and agile. As the title says -- rain or shine -- these are tunes for all weather any any mood.

Hanemoon is Hans Forster, who also is a member of Seaside Stars and Man Behind Tree. Rain or Shine is out now via Jigsaw Records which also has the previous Hanemoon albums. A very important note for buyers is that you should use the links below. A scammer has created a fake Jigsaw site with the 'dot shop' suffix, and you will lose your money if you try to buy there.

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Bandcamp for Rain or Shine

Jigsaw Records page for album

Bandcamp for previous releases

Dancer - 10 Songs I Hate About You

 

We don't know the members of Glasgow's Dancer personally, but we suspect that they may be as fond of caffeine as the WYMA staff. The songs on their new album for Meritorio Records, 10 Songs I Hate About You, are bursting with energy, purpose and a rare level of inventiveness. All of that, the ace musicianship and the distinctive vocals of Gemma Fleet make this album one of the most distinctive and treasured of the year so far.  

I don't know why they call themselves Dancer, but our imagination tells us that their music dances across our brains led Fred and Ginger. The album a warm heart and a good dose of wit. It unspools like a live show with Gemma announcing the title of each song and guitarist Chris Taylor and bassist Andrew Doig seeming to freestyle to great effect while drummer Gavin Murdoch keeps it all grounded.

10 Songs I Hate About You is out now via Meritorio Records.

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Torrey - Torrey

 

2024 is proving to be a year that will make our ears very, very happy. And one of the standout albums to date is the self-title LP by the Bay Area's Torrey. Crafting a multi-layered dreampop suffused with textures spanning the range from airy and gauzey to melodic, shoegazey bombs, Torrey gives the listener new aspects to examine with each listen. The level of detail and the variety of elements is incredible, but the band masterfully blends it all to deliver music with just the right balance between polish and indie scruff.

Torrey are Ryann Gonsalves, Kelly Gonsalves, Sinclair Riley, Adam Honingford, and Susie Chinisci. Torrey is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.

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Various links for Torrey

Bandcamp for album

Various links for Torrey

"Acid Island 45" by Kindsight

 

We took a break to assist a family member who had surgery last week, but she is on the road to recovery and we are back at the keyboard. And we celebrate our return with the rush of excitement embodied in "Acid Island 45", the new single by Danish band Kindsight. The introductory guitar squall, break-an-arm drumming and full-out pace made us think that in another world this would be on a greatest hits compilation from the Shop Assistants. And that is intended to be high praise. The song is taken from the upcoming No Fame No Shame, which will be out April 19 via Rama Lama Records

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). .

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Bandcamp for single

Various links for "Acid Island 45"

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

Label page for album

"We're Going To Make It In A Man's World" by Camera Obscura

 

A month ago we debuted "Big Love", the first single from the upcoming LP Look To The East, Look To The West by Glasgow's beloved Camera Obscura. Today, we have the bright, lush and upbeat second single "We're Going To Make It In A Man's Word". The song was co-written by vocalist Tracyanne Campbell and keyboardist Donna Maciocia, and reaffirms that this band has lost none of its ability to nail the perfect pop song.

The album will be out May 3 via Merge Records.

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Various links for Look To The East, Look To The West

Merge Records page for album

Flowertown -Tourist Language

 

Tourist Language is a special one -- an intimate, romantic Leap Year treat from Flowertown. The duo consisting of Michael Ramos (Tony Jay) and Karina Gill (Cindy) creates aural tapestries emphasizing atmosphere, tone, and their remarkably captivating and conversational vocals. This album doesn't rock you with volume or dazzle you with pyrotechnics (although we absolutely love the tones of the guitars that seem to live inside our chests). No, it hits deeper. Like a treasured conversation with your past lover, or maybe your next lover. We wouldn't want to live without this one.

Tourist Language was released on February 29 in vinyl and digital formats by San Francisco label Paisley Shirt Records.

Bandcamp for Tourist Language