For some years now, I have made these monthly summaries of what I really, really liked that month.
Here is my summary of the releases I loved the most in APRIL

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The list is in no particular order, but the ones I loved the most are marked with a red ||.

A Spotify playlist with songs from this list can be found below or via this link.

Did you miss the other posts in this series? Click the link to view them.

SINGLES I LOVED THIS MONTH

The Ballet

The Ballet – “Love Letter”  They have been away for some time, and it is great to have them back, because they sound better and fresher than ever. This is a lovely synthy indiepop track, and if you like The Magnetic Fields, you will love this
. (Spotify)

Peach Fuzz – “The Outside Looking In”  Definitely a contender for the catchiest song this year. A “jump around while smiling”-song. (Spotify)

Black Belt Eagle Scout – “Loss & Relax” + “Half Colored Hair”  Oh, how I love these tracks
. I first fell in love with the first, and then the second was just as good and maybe even better. Airy, calm acoustic songs. (Spotify)

Jeanines – “Either Way”  An amazingly catchy first single from Jeanines, out on Slumberland Records
. Gorgeous jangly indiepop! (Spotify)

Babe Rainbow – “Morning Song”  This beautiful, positive acoustic track has grown and grown and grown to become one of my favourite songs this month. Acoustic guitars, old-school drum machine, flute, choir and lovely vocals. It makes me happy! BTW: Watch out for crossing koalas

. (Spotify)

(more singles after the photo)

My Brightest Diamond

My Brightest Diamond – “Dorian”  I am a fan, so this pick was an obvious one. She is a unique songwriter, with an amazing voice. The song goes from the calm and quiet to exploding power. (Spotify)

Palehound – “Aaron”  Even if it is fairly upbeat and has all the indie rock elements, it is a very intimate song. I really like this one. (Spotify)

thanks for coming – “Friends Forever”  It’s kind of sad, kind of rough and lo-fi, kind of beautiful. (Spotify)

Fanclub – “Uppercut”  Upbeat, rough guitars, lovely vocals, catchy, clever production. A band to keep your eyes and ears on in 2019. (Spotify)

Billie Marten – “Cartoon People”  The song doesn’t scream “listen to me”. I still want to listen over and over again. (Spotify)

You will find even more of my other favourite singles in the Spotify list.

ALBUMS I LOVED THIS MONTH

Flying Fish Cove (Photo by Dan Bracaglia)

Flying Fish Cove – At Moonset || The Seattle band’s singles have been amazing, and yes – the album is too. Flying Fish Cove’s jangly indiepop is perfect for spring and summer.  If your record-collection includes classic indiepop bands like Heavenly, Tiger Trap, Talulah Gosh or The Pastels, you may definitely enjoy this. (Spotify)

The Proper Ornaments – Six Lenins || The London band, led by James Hoare of Veronica Falls/Ultimate Painting and Max Claps from Toy, play warm, soft, harmony-based songs with a touch of psychedelic pop and with influences from the 60s. I have liked, but not really gotten fully into their previous albums, but I enjoy this third one very much.  (Spotify)

Drugdealer – Raw Honey || The name does not fit the music in this case. This is very melodic pop, with clear inspiration from the 60s and especially the 70s. Ooooh-lalala-lovely. (Spotify)

Elva – Winter Sun || This is so good! Elizabeth Morris Innset from Allo Darlin’ and Ola Morris Innset from Making Marks/mylittlepony + their musical friends have made a beautiful debut album as Elva. Their new role as parents shines through in the lyrics, and many of the songs seem to made for their daughter. Musically, the indiepop sound from their previous bands can be recognized in Elva. I hear more folk and even country inspirations here, and I definitely think Yo La Tengo has been played a lot in their house when they made some of these songs. The whole album is amazing, and it says a lot that I actually love songs with steel guitars, because that does not happen very often…  (Spotify)

(more releases after the photo)

Gurr (picture by Miriam Marlene Waldner)

Gurr – She Says || I have really enjoyed listening to this album from the German jangly indiepop duo Gurr. Several of these songs are among the better I have heard this year. The vocals are both soft and roughly biting, and the harmonies are amazing. Both of the girls contribute on vocals, either lead or backing
. It is a very short album, and may be closer to an EP actually, – 7 songs in 22 minutes. I want more! (Spotify)

Teen Body – Dreamo || Teen Body have been mentioned here both in the EP and single section this year, and now also in the album section. Well done! Their debut is full of well crafted songs in a dreamy indie pop style, or “dreamo” as they call it.  (Spotify)

Annika Norlin/Jens Lekman – Correspondence || I guess neither of these artists need an introduction for readers of this blog. The album is a collection of a series of singles made as correspondence between the two friends Annika and Jens. The result is an very, very beautiful album, both musically and lyrically. These two both have an unique way of describing the world through words. (Spotify)

Bubblegum Lemonade – Desperately seeking sunshine || Bubblegum Lemonade has been a favourite of mine ever since I first heard his music on an early compilation from Matinèe Recordings around 2012. I am still a big fan. His fifth album is a lovely one, and as usual he gives us a collection of beautiful, warm, catchy, jangly indiepop songs. I think all his puns are intended, by the way. (Spotify)

(more releases after the photo)

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go? || I am in “good” company by recommending this. Justin Bieber and Katy Perry has also recommended the new album from Billie Eilish. Not exactly indie, as you may understand. BUT it is a very interesting album, and the songs, production, performance and especially her voice does not sound like the ordinary “commercial album”. Have a listen before you judge me as a “sell out”… 🙂 This is actually one of the albums I have played the most this month. (Spotify)

The Drums – Brutalism || For me, The Drums was always Jacob Graham’s project. I have followed him since his brilliant Horse Shoes-project, and after he left, The Drums wasn’t the same. When I listened to this new album, I heard something new. Something I didn’t associate with the early The Drums. It felt refreshing. The new The Drums remind me a bit of Baths, one of my favourite electronic projects. So, yes, The Drums is now more electronic, and very different from the old The Drums. I think I like both now. It’s a good album. (Spotify)

Jess Ribeiro – LOVE HATE || I love Jess Ribeiro’s style. She SOUNDS so cool. If  the girls from The Shangri-La’s were young today and had started a band, this may be how they would sound. There’s a lot of roughness here, a lot of power, very good melodies, a strong voice. The album is produced by Mick Harvey from The Bad Seeds, who also has produced PJ Harvey. PJ may be a reference in Ribeiro’s sound as well.  (Spotify)

Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising || I do have a problem with Weyes Blood’s music. It’s too pretty. She sings fabulously, and the songs are amazing, – and I love her music, but it is too pretty
. This album is wonderful, but I can only take it in in small doses. I mean it, – it is fabulous, and you may love everything on repeat, but I can’t. Pop with a folky 70s vibe. (Spotify)

(more releases after the photo)

Mammoth Penguins

Mammoth Penguins – There’s no fight we can’t both win || I love Emma Kupa’s melodies, her lyrics and especially her way of singing. She sings every word like it means everything for her. This new album from the trio is amazing. All of it. Every note. Listen! (Spotify)

Evripidis and his Tragedies – Mia Triti Stin Cantina || Honestly, I never thought that I would fall in love with an album sung in the Greek language. I guess good pop music works well in any language, and when the words are expressed like they are here, you know that they are important even if you don’t understand anything. Evripidis Sabadis is one of my favourite songwriters, and he really nails it on this one. The lyrics have been a good part of my experience with the previous albums of Evripidis and his Tragedies. This time I haven’t got a clue what he is singing about. It doesn’t matter. The music is brilliant. (Spotify)

Rozi Plain – What a boost || The easiest way to describe Rozi Plain’s music is probably colourful and playful, both lyrically and musically. I can’t really find a single genre that fits, because there are elements from so many genres melted into this. It’s very fascinating, melodic and almost hypnotic. Very cool rhythms in unusual time signatures for pop, but the pop elements are definitely there too. Have a listen and decide if this is for you. (Spotify)

The Bellybuttons – Practice Maps || Pavement + Yo La Tengo + Velvet Underground? They sound something like that, I think. This is the Glasgow quartet’s debut album, and it’s a good one. They have previously released a couple of EPs and some very fine singles.(Spotify)

Aldous Harding – Designer || This is one I have only listened through once, so you will not get a review here, but I have loved everything she has done so far, and my first impression is that I will love this one too. Quite unique folky pop. (Spotify)

EPs I LOVED THIS MONTH

Schande

This time there will be no reviews of the EPs because of limited time. Sorry!

Schande – Pedigree || Fuzzy, upbeat indiepop.  (Spotify)

L I P S  – L I P S EP || Very catchy dreampop with a touch of shoegaze.  (Spotify)

Life on Venus – Departure || Dreampop/shoegaze from Russia, out on Shelflife Records. (Spotify)

Bedouine – Echo Park || Beautiful acoustic pop.  (Spotify)

All Girls Arson Club – Dark fruits || They call it “weed pop, girl rock, cute punk as fuck”. I call it punky DIY indiepop. Love the band name.  (Spotify)

Brett – Perfect Patterns || Melodic pop.  (Spotify)

Vampire Weekend – This life/Unbearable white || Well, I guess you know how Vampire Weekend sounds like. I didn’t think I would like this, but I do. (Spotify)

Listen to the songs from this list on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/eardrumspop/playlist/2zvr8Ke5DMSLSyXhd4Q12a?si=QUWufepRSEWRdPQrBhGklA