The Predatory Wasp
HOMESHAKE continues to tease his second album of the year with a new single. Simple – accompanied by a music video directed by Jim Larson, – follows lead single Nothing 2 See,” and is the second part of a trilogy of videos for the forthcoming LP Horsie. For fans of 80s soft rock and prominent electric guitar.
Shout out to Alexander Crickdog for drawing my attention to Ms Ray’s incredible Wow Is Now EP from a few years ago, which remains a dinner party staple. Signs is similarly shimmery Sade-adjacent bedroom pop and hopefully signals an imminent album announcement.
HOMESHAKE is the long-running solo project of Toronto-based musician Peter Sagar. His sixth album, CD WALLET landed last week and was written and recorded over a majority of 2023 at his home studio in Toronto and was ““made in a heavy, straightforward indie rock style to impress my childhood self”. Hazy guitars abound, and there’s something quietly addictive about the creeping melancholy of Letting Go that’s making me listen to it on repeat.
Suntub is the second full length album from ML Buch, a double record of 15 pieces by the Danish composer and producer; a dreamy mix of shoegaze, experimental electronics and bedroom pop. I’ve only listened a couple of times so far, but so far it’s pretty much flawless, and up there with my favourite albums of the year. So many highlights, but album opener Pan over the hill should give you a good idea of what to expect.
You have three days left to download Dean Blunt’s new EP via the Wetransfer link he made available out over the weekend. Clocking in at less than eight minutes, Give me a moment features five new original tracks, including PRESSED. His ability to create and rapidly exit a vibe remains unparalleled.
Apologies for the extended hiatus. Glastonbury happened, then it took me a week before I could really even start listening to music again, never mind write about it, but here we are: I’m back, and PROMISE to never abandon you again.
Anyway, TPW favourite John Moods put out a new single last week, and here it is in all its nostalgic glory, reminiscent of the gorgeous lofi aesthetic of the similarly brilliant Molly Nilsson. Heartbreaking melodies will aways be welcome round these parts.
The latest single from matt mcwaters – who collaborates with Ta-ku as the duo Please Wait – Morning Dew was written after mcwaters and his guitar player Ilan Karasik spent countless hours listening to D’Angelo’s Voodoo at their day jobs, then jamming together after work. mcwaters also cites artists like Brent Faiyaz and Jordan Rakei as key influences, but for me the largest presence here is Thundercat, both in the vocal performance and the languid bassline and general hazy atmosphere. Whatever else it sounds like though, the main takeaway is that it sound great: ideal soundtrack to a stupidly hot day in London – or wherever you happen to be.
LOU is a Greek singer, songwriter and producer who’s latest single is a real hidden gem: dark, brooding bedroom pop with a terrifically haunting vocal and a creeping intensity that builds up beautifully as the track progresses. Also, the video includes burning candyfloss which is something I’ve never seen before. Come for the music, stay for the immolation of confectionary.
Sofie Fatouretchi was born in California to Austrian and Iranian parents, and spent time in Vienna studying at music conservatory in her teens. Over the last 6 months or so she’s been releasing a steady stream of very good bedroom pop, so hopefully there’s an album coming before too long. Try To Reach Me is restrained yet quietly insistent, and I especially love the twangy bass guitar that rolls in halfway through. Sofie was also one of the original Boiler Room US crew and has put together a number of excellent mixes over the years, including this one for XLR8R which is worth checking out.
EDIT: Just found out that the album is due this week – so really not long to wait at all.
The Predatory Wasp 