Eighteen new tracks from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. New music from Two Cartoons, Chvrches, Girls Names, Sports, Widowspeak, Cristobal and the Sea, US Girls, Robert Forster, Fidlar, Joanna Newsom, Baio, The Decemberists, Empress Of, Soda Shop (pictured), Black Honey, PWR BTTM, Family of The Year and Lust For Youth.
Two Cartoons ‘Males’
Catchy garage pop from ex-pat Dunedin duo. Taken from their forthcoming debut album Happiness isTrouble (Far South, release date tbc).
[Two Cartoons]
Chvrches ‘Bury It’
Their disappointing and bloated debut album was only rescued by a couple of great singles and some excellent live shows. Album number two Every Open Eye (out now) is much more the ticket and finds them ramping up the songwriting and cutting down on the filler. This is one of the highlights.
[Chvrches]
Girls Names ‘Dysmorphia’
More dark rock n’ roll from the Belfast band’s third album Arms Around A Vision (out now, Tough Love).
[Girls Names]
Sports’ Get Bummed Out’
Following on from ‘Saturday’, ‘Washing Machine’ and ‘Reality TV’, this is the fourth track to be featured from the Ohio band’s still-not-quite-out yet second album, All of Something (Father/Daughter records, 30 October). Can’t wait to finally hear the whole thing.
[Sports]
Widowspeak ‘Borrowed World’
Brooklyn dreampop duo with a track from their latest album All Yours (out now, Captured Tracks). Unlike previously featured track ‘Girls’, this one features Robert Earl Thomas on lead vocal.
[Widowspeak]
Cristobal and the Sea ‘Counting Smiles’
Opening song from the Anglo-Spanish-Portugese-Corsican quartet’s debut album Sugar Now (out now, City Slang). Starts off as a simple percussion-free indie folk number before the flute and drums kick in, raise the tempo and it becomes an irresistible piece of dance floor psych pop.
[Cristobal and the Sea]
US Girls ‘Window Shades’
Third track featured here from the experimental popster Meghan Remy’s 4AD debut Half Free (out now). Funky, electronic pop with orchestral flourishes.
[U.S. Girls]
Robert Forster ‘A Poet Walks’
Former Go-Betweens legend with a track from his first solo album since 2008’s The Evangelist. Songs to Play is an excellent album, it finds Forster at the top of his game as both songwriter and performer. A warm and charming collection of songs that couldn’t have been made by anyone else.
[Robert Forster]
Fidlar ‘Why Generation’
Psych pop verses and garage pop chorus from the LA band’s second album Too (out now, Mom & Pop).
[Fidlar]
The Drink ‘Roller’
One of the more straightforward tracks from Capital the absolutely brilliant first-album-proper from the London-based post-punk-folk three piece (Melodic, November 13). You can get a download of the whole album now if you pre-order the physical edition direct from Melodic.
[The Drink]
Joanna Newsom ‘Leaving the City’
Over five years on from magnum opus triple album Have One On Me, Joanna Newsom returns with her fourth album Divers (Drag City, October 23). This is the second preview track from the album after August’s ‘Saponkanikan’.
[Joanna Newsom]
Baio ‘I Was Born In A Marathon’
Vampire Weekend bass player with a track from his excellent debut solo album of electronic dancefloor pop, The Names (out now, Glassnote).
[Baio]
The Decemberists ‘Fits & Starts’
Surprising garage punk number from the new Florasongs EP (October 9, Atlantic), 5 songs recorded at the same sessions that produced this year’s excellent What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World album.
[The Decemberists]
Empress Of ‘How Do You Do It’
Following on from ‘Water Water’ back in May (ITP #78), here’s Brooklyn-based electronic pop artist Lorely Rodriguez with another highlight from her debut album (out now, Terrible / XL).
[Empress Of]
Soda Shop ‘Wistful Past’
New York indiepop duo with a track from their charming self-titled debut album (out now, Velvet Blue Music)
[Soda Shop]
Black Honey ‘Corrine’
Brighton buzzband with new single about having a row with your best friend who then quits their job, sells their phone and moves to the other side of the world before you can make up.
[Black Honey]
PWR BTTM ‘I Wanna Boi’
Another great track (the fourth featured here) taken from the New Paltz queer punk duo’s brilliant debut album Ugly Cherries (out now, Father/Daughter Records / Miscreant).
[PWR BTTM]
Family of The Year ‘Hey Kid’
Lovely downbeat number from the LA sunshine indie pop band’s self-titled album (out now, Nettwerk).
[Family of the Year]
Lust For Youth ‘Better Looking Brother’
Swedish electronic trio led by Hannes Norrvide successfully channel 90s Depeche Mode on their new digital only single (available now, Sacred Bones).
[Lust For Youth]
In The Pharmacy 