On his second album under the Goodbye Wudaokou moniker, Manchester based DIY artist Mat Mills leans toward the Bay Area underground to further refine his heartfelt, upliftingly melancholic indiepop. Whilst remaining a lofi artist at heart, Mill’s compositions are frequently epic in scope, with sweeping arrangements wrapping themselves lovingly around his plaintive yet affecting vocals.Continue reading “Goodbye Wudaokou – Anything Of Us”
Author Archives: francarlyon
heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…
I was totally blown away this week by the announcement of a stunning Dandy Boy Records showcase to welcome me on what will be my first visit to the Bay Area. Yes, after following the scene for some five years and covering it here for the last two and a bit, my wife Julia andContinue reading “heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…”
heavymetalkids.uk ep.26
My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps. Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below… Playlist: Monday 14th July
Lightheaded – Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!
With an ever shifting line up built around the core songwriting partnership of Stephen Stec and Cynthia Rittenbach, Lightheaded’s pure pop juggernaut continues to build giddy momentum with new EP Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming! This latest release sees the New Jersey based beat group swathed in dusty reverb, their relentless riffs and melodic wonder cutting throughContinue reading “Lightheaded – Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!”
Dragged Up – Blake’s Tape
Riding a relentless wave of restless creativity and blessed with a punishing knack for chaos and groove, Glasgow art-punks Dragged Up return with new single Blake’s Tape. Combining the fun and fluidity of nineties indie with the pulsating drive of post-punk, Blake’s Tape is an absolute blast. Front loaded with fuzz-heavy riffing and enthralling rhythmicContinue reading “Dragged Up – Blake’s Tape”
Tony Jay – faithless
Originally recorded to coincide with the band’s recently completed Japanese tour, faithless is the latest lofi revelation from Bay Area fogpop auteurs Tony Jay. Boasting a new line up and drawing influence from the band’s favourite Japanese artists Les Rallizes Dénudés and Shizuka, faithless unwinds in a hazy slowcore blur of fractured greyscale psychedelia. OceanContinue reading “Tony Jay – faithless”
heavymetalkids.uk ep.25
My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps. Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below… Playlist: Monday 16th June
Hectorine – Arrow of Love
There is a tenderness and directness at the centre of Sarah Gagnon’s songwriting that stands alone amongst the busy and beautiful Bay Area underground. Unabashed and unafraid, she wears her heart on her sleeve, wrapping her incomparable vocals around soulful dreampop melodies steeped in magic. New album Arrow of Love, Gagnon’s third under the HectorineContinue reading “Hectorine – Arrow of Love”
heavymetalkids ep.24
My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps. Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below… Playlist: Monday 19th May
Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal
It’s no secret that this blog fell hard for Bay Area duo Whitney’s Playland’s 2023 debut Sunset Sea Breeze. Loaded with charm, melody and garage indie riffing, the album captured hearts from the very first listen. With Inna Showalter (Magic Fig, Blades of Joy, Modern Charms) and George Tarlson (Grandma’s Boyfriend) now joined by EvanContinue reading “Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal”
heavymetalkids.uk 