Maths & Physics Club, the Lucksmiths, Tender Trap, Edson… there’s a handful of bands that, besides their attachment to the C86 sound, have one thing in common: records released in the Matinée Recordings imprint in the US. Founded in 1997, Matinée has successfully released records by up-and-coming indie pop bands for a decade, simultaneously maintaining a strong label identity (affiliated with the indie ethos) and breaking bands to the mainstream, like fellow labels Shelflife or Labrador.

Matinée also specialises in the compilation and re-release of hard-to-find songs by prominent pop bands of the indie scene of the past 20 years, expecially artists that were originally released on the legendary Sarah Records. Being too young to know those bands firsthand, I’m grateful for such efforts.

I definitely fell in love with Out to Sea, the compilation of rarities by British band Brighter. The compilation starts with 8 tracks that originally appeared on the Laurel LP. The collected singles, B-sides and compilation tracks that follow are equally strong, if not even better; “Airhead” is the one track I’d want to play to an unconvinced friend if I wanted to make him love twee pop.
The record is sometimes predictable but always comfortable, and oddly teenage-like. It makes you wish you’d spent your teens locked in your room with headphones on, watching the rain. I didn’t, but if you did, you’ll like this one.