Singles Round Up 2022 – Part 5/6 – May/June

Singles Round Up 2022 - May/June

In an effort to clear my backlog, its a bumper singles round up this time around….as usual, there should be something for everyone here,

Michael Monroe – Can’t Stop Falling Apart/Everybody’s Nobody

When it comes to good time rock ’n’ roll you can’t get much better than Finland’s premier rock star, Michael Monroe, two recent singles here in the shape of the bluesy Can’t Stop Falling Apart and in the nostalgia fuelled Everybody’s Nobody. I look forward to seeing his energetic live show again next year.

Michael Monroe

Bodega – How Can I Help Ya?

Addictive eccentric NYC indie from Bodega in the shape of How Can I Help Ya? coming on like The Jam meets Tiger. By all accounts their recent Scottish shows were a joy to behold, I look forward to next time round…

Bodega

Jo Jo & the Teeth – Don’t Get Too Heavy

Another quality rawk anthem with a soaring chorus on this one from Jo Jo and the Teeth.

Jo Jo & the Teeth

Artesan – Fly

Falkirk rock band provide a laid back classic rock groove with their latest offering Fly, with the Bissett’s being joined by other Falkirk luminaries such as Vulture Party’s Dickson Telfer on this single

Artesan

Johnny Thunders – Born to Lose

I’ll use any excuse to share a Johnny Thunders track. This live version of Born to Lose was recently released as a single to promote the upcoming release of Cosa Nostra: Live at the Mudd Club, 1983, Gothenburg. 1983 in Gothenburg was a good year. If you know, you know…

Johnny Thunders

Katherine Aly – Never Giving Up On You

With her star well and truly in the ascendency, one of he rockier songs in her repertoire, Never Giving Up on You comes from Katherine’s superb debut album, Shadows Are Made of Light Too.

Katherine Aly

Pentagram Home Video – Nothing Ever Dies

Brooding rhythms abound on this one, a haunting melody for a late night smokey bar (well, when smokey bars were a thing) with a vocal that channels Scott Walker and Neil Hannon. A new album is due in the autumn.

Pentagram Home Video

London Plane – Come Out of the Dark

Katherine Aly’s album is Shadow’s Are Made of Light Too, with a similar message in its title London Plane’s new single Come Out of the Dark is a glorious and uplifting ray of sunshine with a message of hope after a prolonged period in the darkness of the early 2020s.

London Plane

Horsegirl – Dirtbag Transformation

Coming from one of the years best albums to date, Versions of Modern Performance, Horsegirl demonstrate a grasp of music far beyond their years, recreating the energy and vibrancy of US alt-guitar bands of the 90’s such as Sonic Youth and Bikini Kill without sounding too retro. or passé

Horsegirl

bdrmm – Three

Another absolute belter of a tune from the magnificent bdrmm, the shoegazey sound slowly building and rising to a shimmering crescendo.

bdrmm

Vampire Slumber Party – Look Alive, Judy

Another band channelling the spirit of the 90’s, Vampire Slumber Party tread the pop punk/power pop route with their latest single Look Alive, Judy!

Vampire Slumber Party

His Lordship – All Cranked Up

Following in the footsteps of The Courettes recently, garage rockers His Lordship are bound to set the atmosphere alight in Glasgow’s perfectly formed venue, McChuills, when they get all cranked up to visit the venue next weekend. I’m positively bristling in anticipation.

His Lordship

Rhinos – Rhino

From their self titled EP, this two-piece from Belfast (Paul, guitars and Paddy drums) hit you straight in the solar plexus with this heavyweight , heavy hitting rambunctious romp, complete with a rapid fire shared staccato vocal. Brilliant

Rhinos

Dictator – Rubik’s Cube

Children of the 80s will remember the Rubik’s Cube craze, Glasgow’s Dictator, who have been receiving much media attention this year, use it as a analogy for a confused state of mind on their latest single.

Dictator

Pizza Crunch – Young Excitement

Glasgow’s Pizza Crunch continue to pique my interest with their own unique take on post punk, with Young Excitement adding to the long list of high quality single releases to come from this hard working band. I’ve yet to catch them live, hopefully to be rectified in August, when it may be a case of old excitement when I finally succumb to their live show.

Pizza Crunch

Revolution Above Disorder – Annihilator

Following up their previous releases Illuminate and Scream Quietly, Revolution Above Disorder create another disquieting synth heavy anthem in the vein of Suicide/Jesus Mary Chain/Black Rebel Motorcyle Club

Revolution Above Disorder

Motherhood – Shepherd/Tabletop

Hailing from New Brunswick, Motherhood released their new album Winded at the end of June, they preceded the release with this pair of cracking singles, Shepherd and Tabletop showcasing their impressively compelling art-rock/punk.

Motherhood

The Bablers – You Are the One For Me

Summer vibes abound on this guitar pop gem from the second Finnish band/artist in this round up. You are the One For Me is a harmony filled power pop re-release from the 1990’s ahead of the re-issue of the bands remastered album Like the First Time.

The Bablers

Ava Vox – Silent Tear

Goth rock stylings from Ireland’s Ava Vox on the latest single to be drawn from her album, Immortalised. A strident vocal atop a dark driving rhythm.

Ava Vox

Tony Valentino – Dirty Water

The Standells frontman releases a re-recorded version of the bands bluesy garage rock ode to Boston, Dirty Water, originally the bands follow up to their hit Barracuda, and a well known standard for the Boston Red Sox.

Tony Valentino

Monsterpop – Gunshot

The lead track from Jimmy Devlin’s latest monsterpop EP is this anti-war song Gunshot, once again showcasing his ability to create classic power pop riffs and harmonies.

Monsterpop

The Gulps – King of the Disco

Its Creation Baby signings, The Gulps, continue with their indie swagger on King of the Disco, which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on indie disco dancefloors in the 90’s.

The Gulps

Have You Ever Seen The Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS – Troglodyte

Finnish band three in the round up, Have You Ever Seen The Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS released the final teaser for their forthcoming album Maine Coone in the shape of the garage flower groove of Troglodyte. Following up In Tangerine and Pool, the album is set to be a cracker.

Have You Ever Seen The Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS?

Keeley – Shadows on the Hill

Shadows on the Hill is lifted from Keeley’s debut mini -album Drawn to the Flame, reviewed HERE, the latest set of songs celebrating the life, and lamenting the death, of backpacker Inga Maria Hauser. An interview with Keeley should be appearing on Louder Than War anytime soon…

Keeley

Kiwi Jr – Night Vision

Kiwi Jr continue to be one of the prime proponents of delightfully fun jangly indie rock perfectly paired with their unique lyrical observations on Night Vision from their upcoming album Chopper.

Kiwi Jr

Gentle Sinners – Landfill

The welcome collaboration between Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap and Twilight Sad’s James Graham continues to bear fruit with this cut from their excellent album These Actions Cannot Be Undone, available now. The pair are touring later in the year with a date in St Lukes on 21st September.

Gentle Sinners

Broken Chanter – Horse Island

With the original version coming from the excellent album, Catastrophe Hits, reviewed HERE, this remix is an atmospheric, sympathetically dealt with while radically different version of Horse Island.

Broken Chanter

Jeshua – Esther

Jeshua’s Esther was one of my favourite songs of last year, it is a very personal song with lyrics about his grandmother and gets a very welcome remix and re-release.

Jeshua

Tallies – Special

Due to one of many nights with several gig clashes since restrictions were lifted I disappointingly missed Tallies when they played Scotland earlier in the year. Fortunately, I have this delicately beautiful song to tide me over ‘til the release of their new album Patina.

Tallies

Berries – We Are Machines/Haze

Two more from the excellent Berries which illustrate why I was stoked to hear they had been added as support for Jim Bob’s tour dates in November. Get there early and catch them live.

Berries

Bex – Tiptoe

Furious Riot Grrl punk with attitude from Bex with a clear message to any self serving men who still think it’s a good idea to take advantage of women in music in the 21st Century. All power to her.

Bex

Bugteeth – Ice 9

Frenetic percussion surrounded by swirling synths and keys with a dreanlike vocal meld together on this mesmerising release.

Bugteeth

Collars – Baby I’m Bored

Another favourite from this round up is the latest from Collars, a duo who I keep hoping might attract the attention of a Glasgow based promoter and appear on my FB feed announcing a date in The Hug and Pint or summat…

Collars

Marianne Dissard – When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful

Hot on the heels of the release of her album of covers, the wonderful Rappel (reviewed HERE), came the 4 track EP Won’t You Please, featuring this sublime cut. The French born chanteuse who spent a large part of her life in Arizona is now resident in the leafy suburbs of Glasgow has a series of photography related events, Planet Thanet, starting with her book launch on the 30th of July in the Glasgow Gallery of Photography and continuing through August. Check out the details on her Facebook page.

Marianne Dissard

Old City – DK3

Old City combine hip hop rhymes with punk samples. As the title may indicate, DK3 saomples California Uber Alles on a song that revisits the MOVE bombing, where the Philadelphia government bombed a house with 5 adults and 6 children in it, intentionally letting it burn and killing everyone inside.

Old City

Def Robot – House in Order EP

I’ve been very remiss in not featuring Def Robot for a while. The prolific band have had several releases out in recent months including the four track House in Order EP featuring this excellent riff laden lead song, Watching Our House.

def Robot

Bela & the Lugosis – Naked Soul

More glam rock goth from Bela & the Lugosis, the second song releases since they shared their glamtastic album Vampire Kiss with us earlier this year (reviewed HERE). Naked Soul is another glorious slice of Bowie/Bauhaus 70’s glam stomping goth rock. Whats not to love?

Bela & the Lugosis

Rat Motel – Shock

Featuring Izzi Sleep from earlier singles round ups, Rat Motel’s Shock is a shadowy bass led foot tapper packed with intrigue and mystery before it explodes into a a melee of noise and introduces fuzzy jazz infused guitars to the mix.

Rat Motel

Cumgirl8 – Dumb Bitch

Taking your life into your hands typing this bands name into a search engine pays great dividends. Dumb bitch drips with Riot Grrl punk attitude as the commentary on politics and gender is soundtracked by a hypnotically pulsating fuzz punk bassline like The Slits on acid.

Cumgirl8

pMad – Horror

Another cracking goth-tinged rocker from pMad in the appropriately named Horror. The song both somehow recalls dramatic over the top 80’s goth, while retaining a sense of sparse austere drama. They continue to pull it out of the bag with every release.

pMad

Ernest Moon – Unkind

Gently strummed guitar and singing strings introduce this heartfelt song from Ernest Moon, with lyrics reminiscing about times gone by and the return of the good times. The message recalling the old adage, if you’ve got nothing nice to say, say nothing. Beautiful.

Ernest Moon

First Class & Coach – Neon Hip

Hailing from West Cork, First Class & Coach sound like they could come from NYC a la Sonic Youth, if it weren’t for the glorious Irish brogue that gives away their true roots. I was utterly transfixed by this song from first listen.

First Class & Coach

Driven Snow – Sunlight

Following up their heartachingly beautiful song about mental health in Trying, Driven Snow share their new song, the equally beautiful Sunlight. ”Wake up with the sunlight…” bringing with it a message of positivity.

Driven Snow

Dead Pony – Zero

The magnificent Dead Pony follow up previous single Bullet Farm with this powerful adrenaline fuelled rocker. Another band who continue to impressive with every release, well and truly on the ascendency.

Dead Pony

The Best Bad Influence – Boomstick

The future of rockabilly is definitely in safe hands with these young wolves, The Best Bad Influence, one of the hardest working bands on the live circuit across Scotland’s Central belt, gigging and busking incessantly. Boomstick is their latest original composition. Check out their debut album of original songs, Rock-It!

The Best Bad Influence

The Courettes – Daydream

Talking of hard working bands, I was recently fortunate to see The Fabulous Courettes live once again in Glasgow (review of the McChuills gig HERE), funnily enough with Nyall from the Best Bad Influence in attendance… Daydream is the latest single to be taken from their Back in Mono (B Sides and Outtakes album (reviewed HERE). The Courettes continue touring around europe in their bid for world domination. Here’s hoping for a third year in a row in Glasgow in 2023.

The Courettes

Vulture Party – Blood Wolf Moon

Blood Wolf Moon was one of the highlights from their recent set at the wonderful LNFG night in Stereo also featuring Domiciles and Deer Leader, so it is great to have it released as a single. The dual vocals and driving electronic rhythms supplemented by wonderful basslines.

Vulture Party

The Burning Hell – The Last Normal Day

What is a normal day? I’d love for someone to tell me. But if you could play me The Burning Hell all day long, I don’t care about normal. With a vocal reminiscent of Calvin Johnson, musically The Last Normal Day mixes eccentric left field indie with MGMT electronic stylings.

The Burning Hell

Deux Furieuses – Bring Down the Government

With a message I can wholeheartedly put my support behind, Deux Furieuses create their contribution to the start of the revolution with this explosive mix of furious lyrics, crashing drums and a driving rhythm from riffing guitars.

Deux Furieuses

Suns Signature – Apples

Do you miss Elizabeth Fraser? So do I. Well, miss her no more. Sun’s Signature is a collaboration between Fraser and her partner Damon Reece, and the eponymous 5 track EP that Apples comes from is an utterly compelling and mesmerising selection of tracks showcasing her unique silken vocal.

Suns Signature

Silver Owls – Sleeping Giant

On this impressive song from the excellent Serpentine EP, Silver Owls from Cork portray a certain bravado and elegance, Sleeping Giant displays a swagger displayed by the likes of Echo & the Bunnymen with its fusion of crashing cymbals and throbbing bass creating an undeniable bombast and bluster.

Silver Owls

Mungo’s Hifi & Kiko Bun – Miss Burnett

Mungo’s Hifi glorious sound system never fails to impress, this time collaborating with the smooth vocal of Kiko Bun in this ode to “Miss Burnett”. The sound of summertime wrapped up in one single.

Mungo’ Hifi

Midding

Having changed their name from Clwb Fuzz, Midding show no signs of changing or toning down their all out intense assault on the senses, Figurehead mixing intensely feral guitars and rhythms with brooding vocals and mixing in almost Western style melodies as the temp rises and falls.

Midding

Junk Pups – Miss Behave

The follow up to the magnificent Front Garden Flamingo single from Junk Pups, is the even more magnificently raucous Miss Behave. Jack’s deep and fervent vocal rasp belies displays such character in its raucous delivery, a character perfectly complimented by the funkpunk laden riffs, soaring electric guitar and a thundering rhythm section that just makes you want to get off yer arse and dance. One of Glasgow’s finest new bands.

Junk Pups

Jody & the Jerms – The Harder I Try

Jody & The Jerms glow brightly as the harmonies of The Harder I Try shine and spread a feeling of ease, despite the lyrics, “the harder I try, the further I fall”, with a sound recalling the 80s/90s that falls somewhere between The Primitives/Darlings Buds and River City People/The Katydids

Jody & the Jerms

Simon Bromide – Not that Type

From the wonderful album Following the Moon (reviewed HERE), the timeless seductive charm in the laidback groove of Not That Type both references Nick Drake, and features backing harmonies that recall the Mink DevIlle classic Spanish Stroll.

Simon Bromide

The Lantern Parade – The Whiskey Song

Blues and whiskey. The perfect partner. The Lantern Parade were onto a winner from the off. Pour yourself a large measure, whack up the volume, sit back and enjoy.

The Lantern Parade

Hifi Sean & David McAlmont – Maybe

Another beauty from this remarkable pair ahead of their double vinyl release on Last Night From Glasgow. This collaboration is a match made in heaven. Heavenly vocals atop sublime beats. Nuff said.

Hifi Sean & David McAlmont

Klubber Lang – Make Amends

I think I’ve got a hotline to Finland and Ireland in this round up…. Another export from Ireland in the form of the rumbling thunder and relentless onslaught of this merciless grunge punk assault on the eardrums.

Klubber Lang

Cloth – Lucid

An altogether calmer affair following the previous listing. Cloth return with the blissfully calm soul healing sound of Lucid. Near whispered vocals over an untiring perpetual rhythm, a hypnotic anaesthesia helping to heal the overloaded mind.

Cloth

Pinkfiz – On Your Knees

First coming to my attention with the excellent feminist anthem about consent, Did I Ask? Pinkfiz is back with the “take the power back & don’t fuck with me” message of ferocious new single On Your Knees

Pinkfiz

Blush Club – Ornamental ponds

Glasgow’s Blush Club channel the spirit of past Glasgow/Scottish indie bands with their angular staccato guitars and vocals on latest single Ornamental Ponds

Blush Club

Siobamm – Meat Machine

Another powerful anthem from Siobamm who has appeared in previous singles round ups with her Gloom Patrol EP. This song has the roller derby player in playful mood, exploring her sexuality “This track is me owning my bisexual thirstiness, while also accepting my physical insecurities” with a certain defiance and raw energy.

Siobamm

Pale Blue Eyes – Star Vehicle

Pale Blue Eyes debut album Souvenirs is out in September, Star Vehicle is a mesmeric soaring epic following in the footsteps of their Krautrock fuelled debut Motionless/Chelsea.

Pale Blue Eyes

The Paranoyds – Lizzie

With a new album, Talk Talk Talk, due on the 8th of September, The Paranoyds release single, Lizzie, complete with retro styled video to go with this punk infused melody heavy tune.

The Paranoyds

The Ember Glows – Silent Love

A huge sound on this single from Montreal’s The Ember Glows, with soaring guitars, and an emotional vocal from singer Martin Saint.

The Ember Glows

Velvet Starlings – HG Wells

Straight outta Los Angeles, California comes this frenetic garage psyche rocker from Velvet Starlings.

Velvet Starlings

Horace Andy – Try Love

A genuine iconic music legend up now, with this single, Try Love, the latest offering from his magnificent recent album, Midnight Rocker.

Horace Andy

David Delinquent and the IOUs – Animal

Mr Delinquent stepped away from his guitar for a while, but I’m pleased to say he has returned with a new band, the IOUs and treated us to a couple of songs recently, the latest of which is the pop punk spiked commentary on the state of the nation, Animal,

David Delinquent and the IOUs

The Strangerz

The Strangerz blasted onto my radar in 2020 with a 90 second flash of brilliance in the shape of their debut single Straight Gay Brother. I’m delighted that they are back with this new single Shut Up which is one of the picks of the bunch in this latest round up. Another energetic offering from this, quite frankly brilliant band, displaying an overwhelming exasperation at indie “lads” with its brilliantly ear-piercing scream of a chorus.

The Strangerz

The Barbiturates ft. Sianna – Jesus & the Slave Chain

The Barbiturates have a knack of writing a catchy hook laden melody, Jesus and the Slave Chain is no exception to this, with vocalist Siannen adding an additional layer of sublime texture to this laid back slow burner.

The Barbiturates

Ryan Hamilton – Paper Plane

Superb new single from Ryan Hamilton, with an uplifting message about dealing with your anxieties and negativity a great finish to this round up – “fold your worries into paper planes and watch them fly away”

Ryan Hamilton