Just Mustard – Mirrors

I have made no secret of the fact I adore Dundalk’s finest musical export, Just Mustard. Out on May 27th Heart Under is the long awaited follow up to their landmark debut album Wednesday. I had reported last month on the stunning teaser single ‘Still’. A dark affair, with massive bass and raging guitars it blew my mind!

Today they have dropped another single from the album. ‘Mirrors’ with its watery, swelling guitar chords showcasing the softer, dreamier side of the band in contrast with the aggressive industrial tones found on ‘Still’.

Guitarist and ‘Mirrors’ co-vocalist David Noonan says of the single: “‘Mirrors’ was one of the final songs to be written for Heart Under, the lyrics and music arrived together in what felt like one moment and we wanted to keep the feeling of one thought or moment constant throughout the song”.

Right now, Heart Under is stacking up to claim album of the year by a country mile.

You can pre-order the album now from the band’s website or your choice of indie retailer.

The band are out on tour throughout 2022. Check out the dates below to see if they are playing near you.

1. 23

2. Still

3. I Am You

4. Seed

5. Blue Chalk

6. Early

7. Sore

8. Mirrors

9. In Shade

10. Rivers

Just Mustard Live 2022

Apr-21 – Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club *

Apr-22 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts *

Apr-23 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar *

Apr-25 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club *

Apr-26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel *

Apr-27 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel *

Apr-29 – Columbus, OH – The A&R Music Bar *

Apr-30 – Cleveland, OH – The Beachland Ballroom *

May-2 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre *

May-3 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix *

May-5 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall *

May-6 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre *

May-7 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *

May-9 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre *

May-10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell *

May-12 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall *

May-13 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre *

May-14 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo *

May-16 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom *

May-18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater *

May-27 – Rough Trade East – London, UK (in-store)

May-30 – Resident – Brighton, UK (in-store)

May-31 – Rough Trade – Bristol, UK (in-store)

June 1 – Rough Trade – Nottingham, UK (in-store)

June 2 – Jumbo Records – Leeds, UK (in-store)

June 20 – Banquet @ The Fighting Cocks – Kingston upon Thames, UK (out-store)

Jun-3 – Dublin, Ireland – The Academy

Jun-4 – Dundalk, Ireland – Spirit Store

Jun-8 – Cork, Ireland – Cyprus Avenue

Jun-10 – Berlin, Germany – Tempelhof Sounds Festival

Jun-11 – Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands, Best Kept Secret Festival

Jun-13 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Limelight

Jun-15 – Limerick City, Ireland – Dolans Warehouse

Jun-16 – Galway, Ireland – Roisin Dubh

Jul 17 – Cologne, Live Music Hall DE*

Jul 18 – Munich, Neue Theaterfabrik DE*

Jul 20 – Berlin, Astra DE*

Jul 21 – Gruenspan, Hamburg DE*

Aug 23 – Longhorn, Stuttgart DE*

Aug 24 – Wiesbaden, Schlachthof DE*

Sept 11 – Ramsgate, Kent, England – Ramsgate Music Hall

Sept 13 – London, England – Village Underground

Sept 14 – Bristol, England – The Exchange

Sept 15 – Brighton, England – Patterns

Sep 16 – Southampton, England – The Loft

Sept 17 – Norwich, England – Voodoo Daddys

Sept 20 – Liverpool, England – Jimmy’s

Sept 21 – Nottingham, England – The Bodega Social Club

Sept 22 – Manchester, England – Band On The Wall

Sept 23 – Glasgow, Scotland – Broadcast

Sept 25 – Leeds, England – Brudenell Social Club

Oct 5 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso

Oct 6 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Merleyn

Oct 7 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Ekko

Oct 10 – Munich, Germany – Orangehouse

Oct 11 – Vienna, Austria – Das Werk

Oct 12 – Leipzig, Germany – Moritzbastei

Oct 14 – Berlin, Germany – Privatclub

Oct 15 – Hamburg, Germany – Molotow

Oct 16 – Cologne, Germany – Artheater

Oct 18 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Rotondes

Oct 19 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique

Oct 21 – Paris, France – Hasard Ludique

Oct 23 – Winterthur, Switzerland – Albani Music Club

Oct 25 – Barcelona, Spain – Sidecar

Oct 26 – Madrid, Spain – Wurlitzer Ballroom

Oct 28 – Porto, Portugal – M.ou.co

*w/ Fontaines D.C.

Image – Olaf Grind

Teenage Fanclub – I Left A Light On

Bellshill boys Teenage Fanclub have, arguably, had a tempestuous few years. The departure of songwriting genius and core member Gerry Love, two polarising albums, Norman Blakes marriage coming to an end and all the problems Covid has brought with it, it’s been hard for our boys.

That’s why it was so heartening and uplifting to open my inbox this morning to see the new single ‘I Left A Light On’. Written by Blake during the Endless Arcade mixing session, the band didn’t record it at that time as the album was pretty much finished at that point.

Instead, they returned to the studio to record it recently, and boy I’m glad they did.

Starting like a lost Beatles track on piano the song blossoms gently. It is a very gentle song. You can draw comparisons to the band during their Songs From Northern Britain era. It builds to a warm hug of a ending leaving you wanting more of the same. Thankfully it sounds like this is in plan with Blake being quoted saying “As a band we’ve already started thinking about another new album, this song is the first signpost towards that”.

Grab a brew, sit back and enjoy ‘I Left A Light On’ by Teenage Fanclub.

The Rosie Varela Project – Fault Line

If the name Rosie Varela sounds familiar, you’d be right. Rosie is the primo mover and shaker from Texas based gazers Eep. She’s now launching her debut solo album under the name The Rosie Varela Project. What Remains is up for pre order now over on Bandcamp however we’ll circle back to that in another blog very soon.

Varela has released the single ‘Fault Line’ as a taster of what is on offer. Opening on a simple acoustic guitar and vocal line the song quickly blossoms. Drums beckon in a chiming xylophone and lush complimentary backing vocals.

As the song heads into its final stretch, it explodes into full bloom. Full on psychedelia follows with reverse guitars and Beatle-esque strings like Strawberry Fields Forever.  

These aren’t the sounds we’re used to hearing from Varela but she owns it. The creativity and sonic dexterity on display could only have come from her heart and head. The musicians (and close friends of Varela’s) who play on this track have given us a tease of the magic that’s ahead of us on this album.

I’ll be back with a full breakdown of the album soon (spoiler alert…….it’s amazing). Until then head on over to Bandcamp and get it pre-ordered. While you’re there check out her albums with Eep too.

Here’s the video for the single. Enjoy!

Sun Shines Cold – Temporal Solace EP

I’ve a massive love for the sonic soundscapes of post rock. Imagine my joy when fellow Scots, Sun Shines Cold, dropped their latest EP this month.

Edinburgh based Colan Miles and Brian Jordan have been making music together for a long time now. Their musical partnership has nurtured a musical shorthand that’s evident on the ‘Temporal Solace EP’.

The first piece, ‘Finding Solace’, has all the hallmarks of a great post rock track. The elemental swells and falls. The sweeping six string flourishes, ebbing and flowing. The build, build, build to the wall of fuzzed out sonic ecstasy. There’s an icy uneasiness driving throughout this number keeping the listener on edge and awaiting that release the closing segment brings. It brings to mind being swept out to sea from the calm shore to the crashing waves of the ocean. This is music to lose yourself in.

Moving into the second piece the unease is replaced with a sense of endless space. A journey unending. ‘Temporal Shift’ is built upon the interplay between the pulsing bass and reverb-soaked guitars. There’s a restrained beauty on show here, Miles and Jordan giving the song the delicate touch it needs to keep it driving along. Driving? Maybe that should be floating along, as this piece brings to mind the exploration of the heavens.

The ’Temporal Solace’ EP is without doubt the bands most accomplished tracks to date. A quick dip into their Bandcamp page will attest to how high a compliment that is. Sun Shines Cold create music that excites me. It’s music that captures and holds your attention. I’d love to see a long player from these guys someday. What a sonic journey that would be.

Head on over to the Sun Shines Cold Bandcamp page to download and stream the ‘Temporal Solace EP’ now.

T.G. Shand – Little Sieve

As a big Miniatures fan, I was so happy when lead singer Annemarie Duff returned with her solo project T.G Shand.  Hailing from Ōtautahi New Zealand she is creating some sublime dreampop. Her 2021 singles ‘Lemony’ and ‘Seats’ signalled her as a real contender for Liz Frasers crown.

Now she is back with a new track for 2022. ‘Little Sieve’. It’s beautifully understated. Coming in on a chilled-out shuffle beat it evokes sunsets at the beach with its guitar lick dripping in watery reverb and laid-back vocal delivery. Annemarie’s voice is such a treasure. It’s the magic ingredient that makes this glorious little pot of sunshine fly.

‘Little Sieve’ is available now over on her Bandcamp page along with her other amazing music. If you’re quick you might be able to snag a copy of the single on lathe cut clear vinyl.

Arcade Fire – The Lightning I, II

After a long five years away Arcade Fire return with a new single and the news we’ve all been waiting for. Their latest studio album We will be released on May 6. After the heady disco vibes on Everything Now what would this new music sound like? I was so excited to find out. Like you, I was there at 6pm UK time waiting for the new single ‘Lightning I, II’ to drop. That’s when we found out about the album too. After some frantic pre-ordering I settled down and hit play on the video you see below.

Directed by friend of the band, Emily Kai Bock, the video expresses the feeling of the last two years: trying to make grand plans only to have the storms of life force you to improvise.

Straight out the gate we find an Arcade Fire sounding nostalgic for the sound that built them. The epic swells of the Neon Bible era underpin this opening section. It just feels so good to hear Win and Regine sing together again. It’s at the halfway point when the track double times your heart just explodes. This is why I love Arcade Fire.

It’s so obvious how much love, care and attention has been poured into this song. When Win sings “A Day, a week, a month, a year, every second brings me here” you absolutely feel his longing because you have felt it too. We all have. The last two years have been hellish. The lack of connection, community, belonging. It’s taken its toll on us all.

This appears to be the theme of We. You only have to look at the song titles.

01 Age of Anxiety I
02 Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)
03 End of the Empire I-IV
04 The Lightning I, II
05 Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)
06 Unconditional II (Race and Religion)
07 We

The albums seven tracks are split into two halves. The first half ‘I’ deals with matters of the self and our personal anxieties. The second half ‘WE’ is about the power of community and what we can achieve together.

That communal spirit has always been Arcade Fires strength. It’s the backbone of their live shows. It’s so good to see them embrace that again and in such a full throated and loving way.

You can pre-order We now on a number of different formats from Arcade Fires link tree here.

Label Focus – Spirit Goth

Sometimes you find a record label that just produces album after album you love to bits. I’d like to pause to shout these heroes out from time to time.

To kick us off let’s look at US label Spirit Goth, created in 2016 by Castlebeat main man Josh Hwang, he’s has been championing smaller acts and bringing them to a wider audience. No mean feat when writing, recording and releasing your own music at the same time.

Spirit Goth have number of cool things going on worth pointing out. Firstly, they run a cassette tape subscription service called Cassette Club! Each month, they will mail you out limited-edition cassettes featuring an artist in the lo-fi indie rock genre! Secondly, they operate a digital release only, net label called BIRTH-D-I-Y. On there you will find a wealth of amazing music to peruse. Lastly there is the label itself, currently on release 41. A most impressive output for such a small label.

So, who can you expect to hear on Spirit Goth? Let’s dive in and have look at some of the artists currently with the label.

Sea Lemon

Fresh to the label is Seattle based bedroom pop artist Sea Lemon. This is the new solo project of 26-year-old songwriter Natalie Lew. Sonically inspired by the lush dreamy atmosphere of Alvvays and Chromatics and the bittersweet glittery vibes of The Beach Boys and Rilo Kiley, Natalie’s songwriting and sound is all about being both present in the moment while never fully letting go of nostalgia, and her experiences growing up as a 4th-generation-Asian woman. Check out her latest track, ‘Sunday’.

Cathedral Bells

Cathedral Bells is Matthew Messore’s shoegaze/dream pop project based out of Cassadaga, Florida. He deals in a gloriously dark edged brand of that bedroom synthpop sound that Spirit Goth do so well. The parallels to Castlebeat are undeniable, but this isn’t a carbon copy act. Far from it. They merely inhabit that same space. His 2021 album Ether is an absolute triumph and warrants your immediate attention. Check out the single ‘Dark Aura’.

Hause Plants

Hailing from Lisbon in Portugal, DIY bedroom pop artist Guilherme Correia writes and records as Hause Plants. Ranging from themes like social anxiety, careless coming-of-age and nights out in a big city, Hause Plants’ songs are bedroom pop in their essence, but are meant to be heard and played live, combining the urgency and vitality of 80’s post-punk with the ethereal landscapes of dream pop and shoegaze. Check out the track “Visual Diaries” featured on his Film For Color Photos EP.

Kekko

Kekko is the psychedelic lovechild of cosmic duo Tim and Cherie Kekko. These guys make the most beguiling, other worldly music. Definitely blazing their own trail their music defies pigeon holing. It’s got elements of psych but also space pop and then again, it’s also got a lo-fi aesthetic. Their Dreaming Life EP is an absolute joy to behold. A trip from start to finish. Check out my favourite track ‘Within You’.

CASTLEBEAT

We simply can’t talk about Spirit Goth without mention of Hwang’s own project Castlebeat. Now on album number three he has laid the path for so many others to follow. His self-titled debut was recorded at home in his garage yet has the production values of any high-end studio recording. That first album is a regular on my turntable. There is not one bad track on it. Then came the follow up VHS in 2018. Josh himself considers this a direct continuation of his debut. For me it is a shade darker and denser in production but just as engaging and enjoyable. On Melodrama, his third outing, Hwang broadens his musical palette. Drawing from his dream pop roots he reaches out into synthwave, hip hop, jangle pop and more whilst maintaining his lo-fi credentials by continuing to record at home. Check out new track ‘Racing’ for a flavour of where he is going next.

There are many more artists for you to explore and enjoy on the Spirit Goth website and Bandcamp page. Don’t forget to check out Birthdiy on Bandcamp too.

Ghost Patterns – Drone Jam / Howl

London based Ghost Patterns return after thrilling us with their stunning debut album Infinite. Not content with delivering one slab of sonic goodness they’re treating us to two singles. For those unfamiliar, Ghost Patterns are a four-piece psyche band who fold in elements of shoegaze and post punk to create their unique sound.

I was instantly smitten by Infinite and its fuzzy technicolour world. I’d draw your attention to tracks like ‘Oracle’ for its Banshees, epic scale delivery. Title track ‘Infinite’ also demands your attention with its hypnotic delivery. If you haven’t got it on your ‘to listen to’ list add it immediately.

It’s on the back of that amazing album that these two new tracks arrive. Let’s kick off with a listen to ‘Drone Jam’. A very literal title as we dive headlong into vortex of swirling guitars and pounding drums. This instrumental delivers new levels of intensity with each section. It certainly keeps the listener on their toes. By the closing section you are fully under their spell. ‘Drone Jam’ is psyche wig out that delivers in spades.

‘Howl’ on the other hand is a driven, vocal track with canyon size reverb and a riff ten feet tall. This band really do deal in widescreen aural treats. There is an early Cure, goth feel to the backing and delivery which when blended with their psyche sound makes for something all of their own.

There is lots to explore in their back catalogue so make sure you head over to their Bandcamp page to grab these singles and their album. If you happen to be in London on March 29, you can catch them live at the Shacklewell Arms in Hackney supporting the awesome Mayflower Madame.

Just Mustard – Still

Excitement reached fever pitch this week at the Static Sounds Clubhouse with the announcement of a new album from Dundalk’s finest, Just Mustard.  Out on May 27th Heart Under is the long awaited follow up to their landmark debut album Wednesday. They had teased us with a sneak peek, back in November last year, with the release of ‘I Am You’. It was a typically genre defying, slow burning lesson in how you can take everyday instruments, like electric guitars, and create a soundscape like no other.

This week they have dropped another single from the album. Whereas ‘I Am You’ slowly built to its awe-inspiring finish ‘Still’ comes in HOT! Katie Ball owns this track with her strongest vocal performance to date. This is dark, dark territory we’re in. The bass looms large like an ogre while the guitars rage against each other. It’s the drums however that surprise the most. Driving the funkiest groove under the whole thing they lift this song to another level. Check the track out for yourself whilst enjoying the amazing promo video.

If this is any indication as to what the rest of the album is going to sound like we are all in for quite a treat.

You can pre-order the album now from the band’s website or your choice of indie retailer. The album also came out as part of the Dinked releases however they’ve now sold out.

https://justmustard.lnk.to/heartunder

Whimsical – Rewind

Two years on from the release of their last album Bright Smiles & Broken Hearts US shoegaze stalwarts Whimsical are back with a new LP and single.

The band, Krissy Vanderwoude (words) and Neil Burkdoll (music), gave us a taster with the single ‘Gravity’ last summer. The album Melt will be released on April 1 via Shelflife Records and Through Love Records. We don’t have to wait to hear the new single ‘Rewind’. Let’s jump in.

The track opens on powerful guitar strums from Burkdoll incorporating a neat false stop to bring in some pulsing electronica. This is something new to the bands sonic arsenal and it really lifts this songs intro. No wonder it was picked to lead out the new album.

Vanderwoude gorgeous, lilting tones sing of a relationship gone awry and her desire to “rewind it to the start”. As always, the sound of her optimistic lyrics claims the gaps in the melody and make the song whole. You can tell these two have a musical telepathy that transcends the physical distance between them.  

This is their first single of the year however March heralds the release of not one but TWO more choice cuts from the album. More news on that nearer the time.

In the meantime, head over to Bandcamp if you are in the US or Through Love Records if you’re closer to Europe to pre-order the new album. For now, here is the video for ‘Rewind’ created by the visual and musical genius that is Andy Jossi.