News: The classic albums ‘Submarine Bells’ and ‘Soft Bomb’ by The Chills are now re-issued through Flying Nun Records
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the New Zealand indie music scene ever since the heady days of the eighties, with the Dunedin music scene, spearheaded by the legendary Flying Nun Records, the explosive ingredient. And, at the head of the vanguard was, of course, the delectable The Chills. Flying Nun Records have now …
Track: The Ghost of Helags release dreamy, nostalgic synth pop track ‘Mary’ and announce debut album
Over the past year The Ghost of Helags have released a batch of gorgeous singles displaying an immaculate craft in melodic electronic pop infused with melancholia and elegant poise. They even took part in an exclusive Live in Session with Backseat Mafia (if you haven’t already – go and subscribe). It is excellent news then that their debut …
Album Review: Still Corners release the majestic album “The Last Exit”: a magical journey of mystery, romance and isolation.
In ‘The Last Exit’, Still Corners have perfectly captured a magical ethereal desert landscape in the spacious layers of their songs. Crystal sharp guitars, soaked in reverb and mystery, punctuate a bedrock of acoustic instruments and evocative, wild and unnatural sounds. Singer Tess Murray’s crooning, louche vocals smooth the path. There is an inherent a …
Track: Bryan Estepa: Trick of the Light
Sydney musician Bryan Estepa has impressive song-writing style that is certainly Beatlesesque in delivery, while maintaining his own distinctive delivery and style. His new single ‘Trick of the Light’ showcases his smooth vocals with an extraordinary range as well as the lush and sparkling instrumentation. ‘Trick of the Light’ is infused with a deep melancholia …
See: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever release playful video for ‘The Only One’ and announce tour news
With the magnificent album ‘Sideways to the New Italy‘ making Backseat Mafia’s top 50 albums for 2020 and my favourite 2020 music list from Australia and New Zealand, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (RBCF) continue to sparkle with the release of a video from a track off the album and an announcement of a further gig …
News: DMA’s announce ‘Live at Brixton’ album and release exciting video for track ‘Lay Down (Live at Brixton)’
Sydney’s DMA’s made Backseat Mafia’s top 100 albums for 2020 for the brilliant album ‘Glow’ (review here) and following a spate of singles and a delayed opportunity to tour the album, they have just announced the release of a double album of their last proper live gig in Europe at Brixton O2 Centre in early …
See: Astari Nite release gothic video for the brilliant track ‘Gloomy Witch’
Astari Nite continue to plough the very verdant fields of their classic goth album ‘Here Lies’ with the release of a video for the track ‘Gloomy Witch’. Soaked in gratifying reverb and delay, the guitars provide an arctic and scintillating palette to this elegant and regal track: dark and mysterious, melodic and throbbing with a …
Album Review: The Raft releases the shimmering and dreamy album ‘Summerheads and Winter Beds’
The consistently elegant and ethereal beauty of The Raft shines brightly in the new album ‘Summerheads and Winter Beds’: a collection of shimmering incandescent tracks that burn brightly. And we know, that which burns brightly lasts half as long: the album is over before you know it and you just want it to keep going …
Track: Heligoland triumphantly return with dreamy new track ‘Palomino’ and announce album ‘This Quiet Fire’
It’s been three years since the magnificent Heligoland released the divine EP ‘Coriallo’, a swooning collection of ambient dream pop tracks mixed and produced by the legendary Robyn Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) (read my review here). There is no better way to begin the new year than with the release of a new track and news …
Track: New Zealand’s Pale Lady release the bright and bouncy track ‘Lost and Found’
Just as New Zealand is the first major land mass to hit 2021, it is fitting that Wellington’s Pale Lady is the first review for 2021 from me. ‘Lost And Found’ is an effervescent start: a bright and bouncy pop track with slightly metal guitar riffs and sky-high catchy melodies. It’s classic indie fare – …