shop for available releases
Brave Irene
Excellent pop from this Vancouver band led by Tiger Trap/Go Sailor/Softies alumnus Rose Melberg. Prominent keyboards and the fuzzed-out guitars lend slightly psychedelic vibe that slots in well with early Flying Nun bands and even some of the LA Paisley Underground scene. Eight fab songs, including "No Fun" and "Longest Day."
[more info + MP3s]Phil Wilson
Ex-June Bride Phil Wilson is back with a new band and his first new songs since the late 80s, and it's an absolute tour de force of smart, punk-infused power pop. Quality tunes that are simultaneously rocking and tender, tough-minded and honest but not immune to a dash of sentimentality. Features the single "I Own It."
[more info + MP3s]Weekend
Aggressive, noisy music that combines dark post-punk with the squall of the noisy end of shoegaze, scything No Wave racket, nearly psychedelic soundscapes and surprising bursts of melody. Features "Coma Summer" and "End Times."
[more info + MP3s]Phil Wilson
Ex-June Bride Phil Wilson is back with a new band and his first new songs since the late 80s. Taken from his forthcoming album God Bless Jim Kennedy, "I Own It" combines electric and acoustic guitars to create a light, folky atmosphere. It's a brilliantly catchy tune that showcases Phil's finely-honed pop sense. The b-side, "What Time Can Do," is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Crystal Stilts
"Shake The Shackles" is Crystal Stilts' first release since "Love Is A Wave" and is a great snapshot of where the band is now and a taster for their second album, due in early 2011. Driven by echoed guitar strum and droning keys, it's a dexterous update of 60s garage pop that places it alongside late 80s Paisley Underground heroes, but the song itself is totally timeless, and impossible to place anywhere but firmly in Crystal Stilts' own unique style. B-side "Magnetic Moon" is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Frankie Rose And The Outs
Smashing debut album from Ms Rose and her excellent new band. Spooked, melancholic pop with echoes of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, The Aislers Set, Shop Assistants and Opal. Features "Candy" and "Little Brown Haired Girls."
[more info + MP3s]Tender Trap
Helmed by Talulah Gosh and Heavenly alums Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey, Tender Trap combine the harmonies, oohs, ahs and sha-la-las of classic girl-pop with the stripped down beats and dirty guitars of the Shop Assistants and The Vaselines. Revitalized by the addition of key new members, Dansette Dansette is a smashing and very welcome return for some of indie-pop's most influential players.
[more info + MP3s]Procedure Club
Noisy lo-fi pop with the emphasis on NOISE from this Connecticut duo, wherein carefully constructed tunes are given a fierce work-over by layers of guitar fuzz and synth scree. An amazing album packed with excellent songs that strike just the right balance between the songs and the noise, between structure and chaos.
[more info + MP3s]Spectrals
Excellent Spector-esque pop that combines classic 50s/60s songwriting with modern suss and a punk rock vibe. 7th Date is Spectrals' first release for Slumberland and it's a corker - an understated slow-dance shimmy punctuated by tambourine shakes and tinkling bells. Lovely!
[more info + MP3s]Tender Trap
Tender Trap are back and man did we miss them. With two extra girl voices (from new members guitarist Elizabeth and drummer Katrina) this great single combines the harmonies, oohs, ahs and sha-la-las of classic girl-pop with the stripped down beats and dirty guitars of the Shop Assistants and The Vaselines. The punk-rocking flip side "The Sum and The Difference" is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Manatee
Straight-ahead power-pop inspired by bands as diverse as Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Feelies and The Replacements. Impassioned, timeless noise-pop, featuring Mike from Whorl/Black Tambourine/Bright Coloured Lights/Crabapples.
[more info + MP3s]Neverever
Brilliant power-pop that takes in 50s rock 'n roll, 60s girl-group sounds, the 70s glam heyday of Slade and Suzi Quatro and 80s power-pop on its way to creating a bang-up-to-date idea of what pop should sound like in 2010. Timeless tunes, fuzzy riffs, pounding rhythms drive these tales of teenage love and lust. Includes "Young & Dumb," "Coconut Shampoo" and "Teardrop Tattoo."
[more info + MP3s]Brilliant Colors
Inspired in equal parts by post-punk DIY fervor and the spiky pop of C86 and early Flying Nun/Creation label output, Brilliant Colors are back with two brand new songs that further cement their status as first class purveyors of crash pop. Both tunes are non-lp!
[more info + MP3s]The Lodger
Super third album from our Leeds pop heroes. A bold step forward from 2008s well-received Life Is Sweet, this excellent album is simply a must-hear for fans of smart, soulful guitar pop. Touching on crucial references like The Jam, Orange Juice and Aztec Camera, The Lodger have created something at once familiar and totally new.
[more info + MP3s]The Lodger
Digital-only taster for their upcoming album Flashbacks. Includes two non-album b-sides. Excellent soulful pop from Leeds' finest.
[more info + MP3s]Black Tambourine
Crucial compilation from one of the first Slumberland bands. A feedback-enshrouded collision of noise and pop that owed a lot to The Jesus & Mary Chain, Shop Assistants, Galaxie 500 and 14 Iced Bears, but of course is marked as totally unique by their dark, haunting tunes and Pam's lovely vocals. This reissue includes new liner notes, new art, never before seen band photos, and SIX unreleased songs, including four new recordings made in the Summer of 2009.
[more info + MP3s]Summer Cats
Melbourne's pop greats are back with two brand-new songs. With all the fuzz, fizz and jangle you've come to expect, this double a-side single is the perfect party platter with which to kick off your summer.
[more info + MP3s]Pants Yell!
Lovely, literate pop from this excellent Boston band. This superb album features some of their best song-writing to date and, dare we say, rocks. If you dig Felt, Belle & Sebastian or Go-Betweens be sure to check this out.
[more info + MP3s]