15 Essential Tracks from the New Zealand Pop Underground
New Zealand pop song “Tally Ho” by the Clean was an unlikely candidate to be an international game-changer and a defining moment for a pop movement.
jangle pop
Song People Merge Post-Punk and Power Balladry on Haunting LP
Song People make a distinctly song-led brand of post-punk with clear roots in British folk traditions. Think Sandy Denny fronting Durutti Column.
Wishy Transcend the Sophomore Slump on ‘Nature’s Pill’
Indianapolis indie poppers Wishy take their sound to a new level of craftsmanship and catchiness with Nature’s Pill. It’s one of the year’s best records.
Robyn Hitchcock’s Tale of Two Obsessions
The beating heart of Robyn Hitchcock’s memoir, Stranded in the Future, is not necessarily his career but two great obsessions that inspired it.
Lemonheads’ Evan Dando Authors His Addictive Hooks
Lemonhead Evan Dando’s long-awaited memoir is an engaging, sometimes harrowing, trip through the 1990s alternative rock boom.
Extra Arms’ Ryan Allen Makes You an Excellent Mixtape
Power pop acolyte Ryan Allen’s latest record showcases his mastery of the genre. He discusses how his solo releases differ significantly from his band work.
The Lemon Twigs’ Retro Pop Syndrome
The Lemon Twigs may suffer from retro pop syndrome, but every nostalgic reference has an unexpected deviation, every familiar melody is twisted and turned into uncharted territory.
Mike Delevante Knows Waiting Is Its Own Reward
Mike Delevante is a craftsman. These songs are deceptively simple in their language, describing the interplay of thoughts and emotions one has being in the moment.
Sharp Pins’ ‘Radio DDR’ on Vinyl Is a Rewarding Lo-Fi Listen
Sharp Pins’ aesthetic feels like an attempt to keep analog alive in a digital world: get your hands on a zine, fill out a form, send cash, and receive a tape in return.
The Tubs Explore Love and Loss on ‘Cotton Crown’
The Tubs’ Cotton Crown deals with darker themes about love, loss, and failure despite their penchant for sunny jangle pop sounds.
Otis Shanty Make Jangle Pop Magic ‘Up on the Hill’
With Up on the Hill, Otis Shanty have taken the guitar-based, dream pop template and reinvented it beautifully for a new era.
Girl and Girl’s Debut ‘Call a Doctor’ Is a Lively Outing
Girl and Girl’s Call a Doctor nearly delivers as a concept yet still captivates with its jangle pop charm. They should be a band we follow for years to come.