Into Music: More New Music February 2025
Into Creative are back with some more musical delights for you to feast over and trust us on this, there are some absolute corkers in this latest review. So, sit back, read on and check out the music.
Artist: The Loft
Single: Dr. Clarke/Got A Job
Label: Precious Recordings of London
The Loft are back!!! When I think about music in the early 1980s and then consider the current scene, three artists spring to mind. The Bluebells, Michael Head and The Loft. All fantastic back then and still to this day coming out with fresh, indie pop laden with melodies that melt the senses. On display here are more hooks than you’d get in a Butcher’s abattoir.
This is the band’s first release in around forty years yet the songs here just slip into the consciousness like a hand slides into a glove. Pete Astor provides a typically laconic vocal while Andy Strickland’s guitar wanders along, leading the rhythms down a path well worn, familiar and welcoming. Pleasingly, there is more to come with news of a new album, Everything Changes, Everything Stays The Same which is due for release mid March 2025 on Tapete Records.
Put simply, this is a stunning return from the one time Creation Records favourites. Listen to Dr. Clarke and you’ll likely morph into the Churchill dog, nodding along and muttering “Oh yes“!
To buy the single, head to the Bandcamp page here. The Loft play Mono in Glasgow on Saturday 29th March, tickets via the link here.
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Artist: Sparks
Single: Do Things My Own Way
Label: Transgressive Records
Sparks are still making new, innovative and original material since first forming in 1971 and continue to perform live with an upcoming tour planned. Quite incredible really. New album MAD! is preceded by the single, Do Things My Own Way and that is quite the fitting manifesto style statement for brothers Russell and Ron Mael.
The track captures the Sparks sound, menacing keyboard swirls, metronome guitar and Russell Mael’s hypnotic vocal all add to a heady mix that showcases the American duo’s unique sound which leans on a Euro-disco vibe. A band that have influenced a slew of acts and continue to do so, they don’t look in the rear view mirror but seem to have an insatiable appetite for the future, for new music and new ideas.
Of course, they still celebrate their back catalogue (and no wonder) and will no doubt play a great mix of old favourites and new songs when they hit the road later this year including a date at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 24th June. For more details on the new album and tour, head to the Sparks website here.
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Artist: The K’s
Single: Breakdown In My Bedroom
Label: LAB Records
They say it takes a lifetime to record your first album but just twelve months to do “difficult” album number two. Many an act have struggled with that over the years but I doubt that will be the case with The K’s. Their debut album I Wonder If The World Knows? was released in April 2024 and the follow up, Pretty On The Internet is due to follow in June 2025. Ahead of that, new single Breakdown In My Bedroom has dropped and if anything, it sees the band on their best form to date.
Fait to say, the Merseyside band made waves when they first hit the scene last year and the new track is beyond assured. Clocking in at exactly three minutes, it is a confident floor filler, reaching for epic heights, Jamie Boyle’s vocal matching the band’s gallus tuneage, though the lyrics tell the story of mental health issues. Boyle stating “Breakdown In My Bedroom was written as a reflection of my ongoing struggle to maintain mental stability when navigating through various situations. It’s about that internal battle – the moments when anxiety takes over, and the idea of staying in my bedroom, locked away from the world, seems like a safer and more comfortable option than facing social interactions or confronting difficult situations“.
The K’s will tour extensively in 2025 including festival dates at SXSW in Texas before returning for a U.K. tour including TRNSMT at Glasgow Green. For more on The K’s head over to their website here.
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Artist: Vonnie Whatever
Single: Joie de Vivre
Label: Wilbur & Moore Records
Occasionally music just needs to be escapism, joyous and perhaps not taking itself too seriously. Step forward Vonnie Whatever aka Siobhan Chapman who has the key ingredients formulated in the shape of Joie de Vivre, a light two minute song full of melody and whimsical notes. Despite that, the track covers introspection, mental health and how to navigate feelings while seeking solace across uncertainty.
The track is the forerunner for Whatever’s upcoming EP which will be released on 28th March 2025 and where the artist will have a live stream via Twitch for fans. This is a great way to discover a cool new act who blends indie with bedroom lo-fi and challenging lyrics. More please.
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Artist: The Chesterfields
EP: Janice Long session 06.01.87
Label: Precious Recordings of London
The latest release from Precious sees a welcome addition with a session The Chesterfields did for Janice Long in early 1987. This is quintessential post C86 pop, four tracks that clock in at a shade under nine minutes. The Yeovil four piece certainly knew their way around what makes indie pop stand out. Jangling guitars, harmonies, urgent vocals and a rhythm section that is locked into a hip-swiveling groove.
Two Girls And A Treehouse is sumptuous, while What’s Your Perversion? has shades of The Housemartins weaving its way throughout, the vocals (and backing) are laid back yet feel spontaneous.
Sadly, founding member Davy Chesterfield was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2003 though the songs live on through the various albums, singles and sessions such as this. There is plenty going on here and future PJ Harvey producer John Parrish pops up as Scott Tracey to provide percussion and backing vocals. Indeed, Parrish was a vital constant for the session given his experience and know how which the young band relied upon. The closing Love Mountain is perhaps my stand out but that may well change by the time tomorrow comes and that’s what I like here, all four tracks have something special to offer.
To order The Chesterfields session, head to the Bandcamp page here.
John Welsh
@welshjb
Links:
@transgressiveHQ (4) Transgressive (@transgressiveHQ) / X
@TheKsUK
@JamieTheKs (4) Jamie Boyle (@JamieTheKs) / X
@vonniewhatever (4) vonnie whatever (@vonniewhatever) / X
@wilbur_n_moore (4) Wilbur & Moore Records (@wilbur_n_moore) / X
@TChesterfields (4) The Chesterfields (@TChesterfields) / X