Youth Valley – As Passive Aggressive As It Gets

Youth Valley’s second album, As Passive Aggressive As It Gets, explores complex emotions in relationships through dynamic shoegaze and dream pop, blending intensity with melodic clarity across ten tracks.

Iceblynk – BOAB

I first crossed paths with Iceblynk in a slightly roundabout way. I met Martin Newman at a Veldt show in Glasgow while he was playing with the band, and I got handed an Iceblynk CD to check out. Needless to say, I loved it. A little while later he sent BOAB my way, which madeContinue reading “Iceblynk – BOAB”

Lies – Burning Wires, Silent Pull

Bologna-based trio Lies blends slowcore, dream pop, and post-rock influences in their second EP, “Burning Wires, Silent Pull,” showcasing intimate melodies and dynamic contrasts that resonate emotionally.

Homework – Bang Here If Stuck

Homework have become a pretty special band to me. Every guitar line seems ready to veer off course, every lyric makes you listen closer, and the whole thing holds together through the chemistry between the four members. Having written about them before, I already know how well they turn melodic indie rock into something crooked,Continue reading “Homework – Bang Here If Stuck”

Elephant Stone – ASHA

Elephant Stone have spent twenty years finding fresh routes between Indian classical music, psychedelic pop and guitar music with a heavier pulse. The Montreal group began in 2006 as Rishi Dhir searched for a new sense of purpose following his years with The Datsons, later known as The High Dials. Each Elephant Stone release sinceContinue reading “Elephant Stone – ASHA”

Selkie – inWaves EP

So, have I been looking forward to hearing Selkie’s debut EP? Absolutely. I feel as though she has been slowly revealing inWaves to us one beautiful song at a time. ‘Hours’ was first, and I remember being fascinated by the restless beats moving beneath a voice that seemed to exist in several places at once.Continue reading “Selkie – inWaves EP”

Castlebeat – Castlebeat II

Ten years is a long time in the world of music. So can someone explain to me why it feels like only yesterday I was dropping the needle of Castlebeat’s self-titled debut album for the first time. I have been really looking forward to hearing Josh Hwang revisit the spirit of Castlebeat’s 2016 debut becauseContinue reading “Castlebeat – Castlebeat II”

The Mountain – Objects

I was buzzing when Rebecca Dow reached out to tell me about her new project.  Static Sounds Club readers will know her through Virgins, a band I have written about with real affection over the years. The Mountain begins a new chapter for Dow, joining her with Northern Irish producer and musician Darren Speers. DowContinue reading “The Mountain – Objects”

Foglights – Nous Deux EP

The EP “Nous Deux” by Foglights features Eva Cord and Archie Ingram, blending heartfelt indie pop and psychedelic tones across four songs, showcasing their distinct musical styles and emotional depth.

Kinoue64 – 大人になる

Japan has an uncanny knacked of producing bands that not only nail the shoegaze sound but also evolve it too. kinoue64 is exactly that kind of band. This is my first time writing about the Hiroshima based project, so 大人になる, which translates as Becoming an Adult, becomes my doorway into a catalogue already full ofContinue reading “Kinoue64 – 大人になる”