Out Today: Ride - Interplay

 Ride have released their 7th studio album titled Interplay. It was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and produced by the band and Richie Kennedy. Prior to the album release, the band already released three singles with the latest single "Monaco" below.

Ride - Peace Sign (Single)

Ride has unveiled their comeback single, "Peace Sign," signaling the arrival of their 10th studio album titled "Interplay," scheduled for release on March 29th.

Next Wave: Cindy

Cindy is a music project of the electronic artist Kai based in Antwerp Belgium who also recorded music under the name Palmbomen II in the 10's. His music could be categorized as living room DIY synth pop and chill wave. 

With the Cindy project he gives a new context to his music where Cindy is the main character and the songs are soundtracks to her own world. In 2019, he recorded several songs about Cindy where she sings about her mom, her boyfriend Justin, her cat and other personal sides of her life. Cindy is portrayed by the actress and artist Blue LoLãn who also provided vocals for the songs on the album.

Musically this record is a collection of dance songs and ballads where smooth Shoegaze melts down with Italo Disco drive. Cindy's debut album I'm Cindy contains 13 tracks and it was released on World Of Paint on June 5, 2020

Next Wave: Close Encounter

 Close Encounter is a Seattle based music band consisting of Bill Darksoft (Guitar/Vocals), Bobby Sydney (Guitar/Vocals), and Cameron Lambert (Drums). Their music is a perfect blend of shoegaze, jangle pop and psychedelic rave recalling some great genre masters, including Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. 

The band released their debut 'First Light' in 2017 and 'Lost Time' in March this year, both via Look Up Records. 'Lost Time' combines jangley disco, dark 80s pop, and 90s shoegaze incorporating diverse textures and a wide range of moods, dealing with heartbreak, and the loneliness of modern communication.
The album is available for purchase online via independent record label Look Up Records, as well as in all record stores in Seattle (Everday Music, Silver Platters, Easy Street, and others).

https://closeencounterband.bandcamp.com/

Next Wave: LEATHERS

LEATHERS is the anticipated collaboration between Vancouver visual artist/vocalist, Shannon Hemmett and producer/songwriter, Jason Corbett from Actors who we have been following since their formation and debut release "Nightlife" in 2012. LEATHERS took format in 2015 and by now they have released two singles. "Day for Night" is seductive, melancholic and the female vocals are beautifully delivered against the moody cold synths. "Missing Scene" reveals a bit different style where the guitars create a ground for very atmospheric shoegazing sound. It will be interesting to see in what direction their music will develop further. 

https://leathersmusic.bandcamp.com

Schonwald Announce their Fourth Studio Album

Schonwald have announced their fourth studio album 'Night Idyll' to be released on June 1st via Manic Depression Records. The Italian duo consisting of Alessandra Gismondi and Luca Bandini still focus on a atmospheric and synthetic darkwave sound drawing inspiration from New Order, The Cure, Suicide with guitars echoing My Bloody Valentine and Curve. The new album is now available for pre-order via Bandcamp and the duo have released, “Love Collides” as a preface to their dark sound.
https://schonwald.bandcamp.com/album/night-idyll

The band is currently touring as part for the promotion for the new album.
May 19 Cueva Rock – Cagliari + Digital Disorder, Uncodified
June 8 Bus Palladium – Paris + Soror Dolorosa
September 8 NCN – Nocturnal Culture Night – Leipzig
November 25 SOUNDFIELDS WAVE – Deinze + Ash Code, She Past Away

Next Wave: Viet Cong

Viet Cong is a Calgary based indie rock band from Canada. The group consists of two ex-members of the rock band Women, vocalist/bassist Matt Flegel and drummer Mike Wallace, as well as guitarists Scott Munro and Daniel Christiansen and it was formed around 2012. To this date they have released two EPs and two singles and this year finally they released their much anticipated self titled debut album which certainly is one of the top albums this year. Their musical style is described as Labyrinth post-punk and combines various influences and reflects in various music styles. Viet Cong invent new Post-punk instead making another Post-Punk revival. 

Next Wave: Be Quiet

Be Quiet is a five piece group from Bordeaux in France. The group consist of Benjamin Grenier (Vocals/Guitar), Lou Whitechapel (Guitar) Pierre Graber (Bass), Quentin Whitechapel (Drums) and Matei Convard (Keyboards). The group was formed in 2009 and their music is 80's orientated with influences of My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth and Joy Division and Interpol. Their music is both noisy and melodic coupling screeching guitars and rhythmic minimalist riffs. Their debut EP 'Primal' was released in April and you can preview the tracks via band's Bandcamp page. With the average age of 18 years, seems that future looks promising for the Bordeaux youngsters.

https://www.facebook.com/wearebequiet

 

WAW: No Ceremony ///- Heartbreaker

"Heartbreaker" is another track by the enigmatic Manchester based group or artist known by the name No Ceremony /// also NOC ///. The video shows baby dolls glowing in the dark in the play of neon lights. The music is noisy synth-pop electro lost in the shoegaze darkness. 

Out This Week: School of Seven Bells- Ghostory

School Of Seven Bells are back with their third album release this week. The album is entitled 'Ghostory' and it is their first album to be released without founding member Claudia Deheza who left the band in October 2010. The album features familiar ethereal and enigmatic tones surrounded by layers of influences from 80's pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. The first single from the album, "Lafaye", was released in January and the album is out tomorrow, February 28, 2012 through Vagrant Records/Ghostly International. 

www.sviib.com

In Conversation: The Silent Section

The Silent Section is a three piece group from Denmark consisting of Nicolas Calrsen, Morten N. Carlsen and Morten Møllebjerg. Their music is balancing between sensitive and fragile expression to powerful and noisy rhythms. They are one of the finest acts on the Danish label Tryghed & Tristesse through which they released their debut album in 2009. Their brilliant new album entitled 'Contour of A Passing Dream' was released this Autumn. In an exclusive interview for our blog the lead singer Morten N. Carlsen reveals more information about the musical background of the Silent Section, the influences and further plans in music.

Next Wave: Principe Valiente

Principe Valiente is a Stockholm based indie rock band consisting of Fernando Honorato, Alexander Lehto and Joakim Janthe. Their music is frequently labeled as dark pop and their sound may partly be the result of a variety of elements inspired by the minimalism of certain post punk acts and the lushness of shoegaze, but is primarily characterized by an ambition to break new sonic ground. The group has released their promising self titled debut album earlier this year and they have announced "Into My Arms" as the new new single.

PRINCIPE VALIENTE "In My Arms" by Hidden-Treasure-Music

www.principevaliente.com

M83- Saturdays=Youth

Saturdays=Youth is a new album by French electronic group M83 which is set to be released on on April 14, 2008. The album was recorded with Ken Thomas (known for his work with Sigur Rós, The Sugarcubes, Cocteau Twins and Suede) and Ewan Pearson (who has also produced for Tracey Thorn, The Rapture and Ladytron). "Couleurs" is the first single, released to digital retailers on February 25, 2008. The album's second single, "Graveyard Girl," was released on April 8, 2008 with the original album version as well as a remix by Yuksek.