Audaciously adept at refashioning the very best melodic twists and turns of 90s alternative, Bay Area fourpiece Aluminum have truly arrived with thrilling debut album Fully Beat. Reminiscent of a time when it felt as if the right chord change could alter your entire world, Aluminum bathe their soaring songwriting in a contemporary California coolContinue reading “Aluminum – Fully Beat”
Tag Archives: Oakland
Yea-Ming and The Rumours – Ruby
Jangle popping in determined defiance of projected perfection and the inescapable pressure it evokes, Yea-Ming and The Rumours’ new single Ruby is a soaring, soothing delight. Building on the spirited indie country of her 2022 album So, Bird…, Oakland based Yea-Ming Chen has further refined her winning formula with a flourishing pop polish that rendersContinue reading “Yea-Ming and The Rumours – Ruby”
Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!
Homespun harmonies and huge-hearted melodies take centre stage on this full length debut from Torrey frontperson Ryann Gonsalves, released via Oakland based label Dandy Boy Records. Steeped in truth and self-reflection, Ouch! is a warmly infectious and highly rewarding listen. Using the sparsest of arrangements to conjure deeply affecting moments of real beauty, Gonsalves’ empoweringContinue reading “Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!”
Blue Ocean – Fertile State
Following on from their early limited EP tape releases and subsequent self-titled compilation for Paisley Shirt Records (tape) and Dandy Boy Records (vinyl) back in 2021, Oakland noise-pop trio Blue Ocean have returned with news of their first long player. Fertile State is the lead single and title track from the bands debut album comingContinue reading “Blue Ocean – Fertile State”
The 1981 – Move On
I was first drawn toward Oakland indie rockers The 1981 when I saw the hype building for last years Polaroids EP. I was hooked by the beautifully retro artwork before I’d even heard a note, and the fact they were part of the wonderful Dandy Boy Records sealed the deal. Fast forward a year andContinue reading “The 1981 – Move On”
Smile Too Much – You Can’t Help Me
There is a startling amount of great stuff happening on the Oakland based Dandy Boy Records at the moment, and this wonderful new tune from Smile Too Much might just be my pick of the bunch. You Can’t Help Me is the lead track from the Oakland bands upcoming self titled EP, and it’s aContinue reading “Smile Too Much – You Can’t Help Me”
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