The Underground of Happiness

An edgy synth arpeggio, woolly pitter patter bass and a genuine female croon. There’s a very 80s feel, presumably deliberate, perhaps to call up the paranoia and disenchantment of that decade. And despite the singalong chorus with a wash of comforting harmonies to soften the blow, there’s plenty of that here. Time will turn the tide It’s a far cry from the motorik insistence of the last album but in its own way just as insidiously intriguing and catchy as fuck.

I had the huge pleasure of seeing Future Islands play live in Dublin last weekend - they finished their show with the fantastic 'Tin man', I've started mine with it. Sleaford Mods too, touring Ireland next month, and putting some vicious vim and bounce back into protest songs. The Go Betweens sounding sunny and carefree from 1979. Fellow Aussies Twerps sounding similarly endearing. Another ghostly, late-night folk creation from Kemper Norton and Chloe March with glorious dream pop, perhaps with a debt to Ryuichi Sakamoto. Mid-section of the show, three crooners of the highest order; Liam Hayes (Plush), back with a new album in January, Rumer with a voice like velvet and Harry Nilsson making desire and longing sound absolutely gut-wrenching. Plus Merchandise , bringing a wonderful white soul vocal to slinky rock guitar songs. More on these pages as always. Nov 4 2014 w/ Future Islands,Sleaford Mods,Go Betweens,Twerps,Jennifer Castle,Merchandise++ b...

Here's a new one on me, solo project from Jenn Wassner of Baltimore's Wye Oak . Wonderful lilting vocal over a concrete purée (it's all about the babyfood at the moment...) of guitar chords and piano arpeggios. Souper duper. Prison Bride by Flock of Dimes