Did you know that in the US, one out of eight people have been employed by McDonalds at some point in their lives? And that in Montana, cows outnumber people by three to one? Connect the dots. Meanwhile, over in London, which is a city in the European Union, JW Ridley dropped a wonder of a track earlier. Everything is phenomenal indie pop track, with a stellar driving beat and vocals that are coming in perfectly. Should be a scene to see live too, so luckily you can catch them in the UK in March supporting Ten Fé in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and a ton more. Really, it’s hard not to be on the aye side of this one. PIAS and UK powerhouse Speedy Wunderground certainly are, putting this one out on a limited run vinyl release, now. Team Poule says, right on point.
A handful of dreamy fuzzy riffs, that bedroom lo-fi aesthetic and Team Poule is SOLD. Attached below is Group Photos‘ latest offering Pilot, a wonderfully dreamy, guitar-driven pop song. A follow up then of the San Bernadino native’s debut EP from just over a year ago. Team Poule says, a proper way to kick off 2017. And a special shout out to BOP Café in Porto, pictured above.
So, after taking a good look at the last 12 months and having read up on the top lists piled up by the likes of Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Disco Naivete or Going Solo, here go 10 or so albums that felt somewhat overlooked but really made a wave in 2016 here at Poule d’Or headquarters.
In no particular order and alongside shiny Spotify links. [continue reading…]
Driving home for Christmas? Consider this stellar new track by New York’s dream poppers Past You. The group is said to have strong roots in classical music but a heart on the dancefloor. Faith is their latest gem and off their upcoming debut EP. A slow and precise electronic pop track, with soothing vocals and a hunch of a violin, a perfect driver song, counting the trees going by, having the rain drops race each other on the window. Team Poule says, a Festivus for the rest of us.
Did you know that dictators usually are of below average height? From Mussolini and Stalin to Franco Kim Jong Il, they could never quite reach that top shelf. Here then comes Danish trio The Great Dictators, who sport a bit of a controversial name but then again it’s only letters. They just released their new album Woman last month on Royal Toad Records. Attached below is Dream No Evil, a big bag of swag and lovely fuzzy riffs and a distinct sense for tempo and rhythms, marvelous. Team Poule says, aw yiss.
Driving home for Christmas? Team Poule has got you covered well with a new playlist to serve all your holiday needs. Popular Vote is a collection of 17 songs, accumulated over the past month. New names, old names, names to remember.
First on the ticket are Aarhus’ Lowly, a group of music students who have been Lowly for some time and will release their debut album early next year. Up next come Plant Eater, a sort of trip-hop group out of Portland OR who just released an album last month. After that, a dream pop number by Melbourne’s Polykite who had a debut EP out at the end of October. Malmö’s Echo Ladies follow up, a strong dream pop group with a debut to be released next year.
Pittsburgh’s wwoman share a great lo-fi pop track, check their colour cassettes that make a fitting Christmas present. Closely are up next, an engaging indie electronic trio out of Toronto. Back to Europe after that for Amsterdam’s Dakota, a quartet fusing a delicately produced lo fi pop, and a new EP out. Next come Viigo, a versatile LA/New Jersey trio ranging from glitchy electro to more poppy angles.
Los Angeles’ producer Kauf serves the next song, off his to be released debut album. Next up, Bitter Pill, a catchy experimental group of Oakland. Find after that, Wolverhampton producer Callum Drummond and his mellow beats. London power group Archivist are filed right next, strong.
The back five are led by Midnight Mystery Club, a poppy dream wave solo band out of San Luis Obispo. Next is Psychic Shakes, a fuzzy indie solo project from Southampton. Edmonton’s Tropic Harbour share a dreamy wavey tune off their new album which came out in October after that. Next, Los Angeles’ songwriter Xander Singh adds a track off his just released debut album. Finally, former Waylayers singer and Blakey form London shares a poppy number off his solo works.
And there you have it, 17 tracks that could make a Christmas commute even more worthwhile, a collection of young and rising talents, moving forward, making a collective progress. Team Poule says, let’s go.
