Into Music Reviews: More New Music October 2024
We’ve already brought you some top tunes this fine October and we are in such a good mood here at Into Creative that we reckon we should share some more belters with you!!! Of course, we said as much previously and we are as good as our word, so read on…….
Artist: Snowgoose
Album: Descendant
Label: Snowgoose / Violette Records
What a joyous experience it is to listen to the new Snowgoose album! While I always find it unfair for writers to refer to an artist’s assumed inspirations during reviews, I’m happy to contradict myself here as anything which might get this wonderful music to fresh ears is, I think, doing the world a favour in these dark times.
With this in mind, here is an album reminiscent of Trees or any of those beautifully produced but very expensive early 70’s Vertigo Swirl albums, late 60s West-Coast studio pop bands (think Gary Usher, Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends etc); all with a hint of Scottish 80s indie guitar pop (guitarist Jim McCulloch was of course a member of Soup Dragons and BMX Bandits).
Crystalline vocals sitting gracefully with clean separation between gorgeous exotic instrumentation makes for a refreshing nod to post Pet-Sounds Sunshine Pop. The songwriting is evocative of the refined, classic singer-songwriter era but really becomes something uniquely special when combined with rich and inventive guitar textures, drones and clear melodies. Disposing of the consumer genre-signposting, this is an on-point, modern and timeless record This will not just warm your hour, it’ll bring happiness to your day and that alone is reason to listen. Certainly an album of the year.
For more on Snowgoose head to their website here.
Artist: The Cathode Ray
Album: Advance Retreat
Label: Last Night From Glasgow / Stereogram Recordings
A Scottish post-punk supergroup of sorts (featuring members of TV21, The Presidents Men and The Belsen Horrors!), The Cathode Ray have proved to be purveyors of fine New York Punk, Glam and unsurprisingly, Scottish post-punk. After a five year absence this release is a very welcome return, being full of supremely well executed songwriting and playing.
If you like sharp, dark indie-pop with a hint of NYC sleaziness then this has your name on it.
Head over to the LNFG website to order the album here.
Artist: Primal Scream
Single: The Centre Cannot Hold
Label: BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd
This is the aural representation of late stage musical capitalism, the final results of asset stripping your earlier collaborators. When those mavericks and inspirational generators have left the building, when there is nobody left to take from and your own ideas (and ideals) are finally exposed to all for what they are, this is what that sounds like. AI Primal Scream. Country Girl, the nadir of the last 50 years of music is Forever Changes when sat next to this. Not even ‘Shit Sandwich’.
For more on Primal Scream head to their website here.
Grant McPhee
@GrantMcPheeFilm
Links:
@BandSnowgoose
@VioletteRecords
@LNFGlasgow
@jcwthoms