For those old enough to have been keen record buyers and gig goers in the late 70s, Jah Wobble will need no introduction. His fat, dub-centric basslines were an integral part of the early Public Image sound and, as such, he was one of the most important and influential figures in the post-punk scene. His often tough, sometimes dark bass tones mightn’t seem a natural fit with the recordings of a little-known Liverpudlian quartet, but that makes this album an interesting proposition even before a note is heard.
Category Archives: Album & EP Reviews
JOSALEIGH POLLETT – If I Let It Quiet
Josaleigh Pollett’s ‘Radio Player’ is a rather special recording. Its opening sounds throw the listener into a world of dark synthwave, suggesting something rich in atmosphere. It then takes a somewhat dramatic twist when Josaleigh adds a vocal that, at first, suggests they have a love of classic dream pop, before an increase in volume allows their voice to reach for something much bigger. Hitting a couple of soaring notes, this presents a talent with a huge, natural tone, drawing the listener further into a world where Pollett’s love of almost cinematic sounds comes into its own. It’s then all change again, when a selection of programmed beats add a hard rhythm, calling back to the late 80s and a time of sharp sounding analogue synths. This contrasts brilliantly with a very human tone, but also adds a feeling of directness beneath a lyric exploring a world where the protagonist falls asleep in the glow of a TV signal, almost as if placing themselves the world of the classic ‘Poltergeist’.
JULIA GREENBERG – Born Sentimental
There’s an old soul lurking within ‘Leaves’ by Julia Greenberg. The acoustic guitar lines and upright bass evoke elements of Joni Mitchell’s folk-jazz crossover sound circa 1974 at first, but the feeling of hearing something classic runs far deeper than that. An unpolished vocal owes more to Marianne Faithfull and her unapologically confessional style, and the presence of a tasteful accordion gives the feeling of something distinctly European. With a lack of percussion, the listener is constantly drawn towards the vocal and the lyric, shared with a perfect confidence, but despite a wordy approach, ‘Leaves’ is also a track that flaunts a simple and catchy hook, making it feel perfectly rounded. Working its charms from the very first listen, this is a must-hear for lovers of singer-songwriter fare, and by flaunting a defiantly vintage quality, it gives Greenberg’s ‘Born Sentimental’ EP a very strong centrepiece.
SWEATPANTS PARTY – Fanno Bella Figura EP
In 2022, Austrian punks Sweatpants Party released a self-titled debut album which encapsulated a superb blend of sharp edged pop punk and classic sounding Ramonescore. It was the kind of record that seemed set to take on Screeching Weasel at their own game, but with a combination of fun songs and a frontman far less likely to punch women in public, it actually bested the Chicago veterans, paving the way to more greatness in the future. Two years on, ‘Wee Little Songs’ took the band’s sound further into Weasel territory, and by packing twelve songs into just eight minutes, the material harked back to the fun fillers on Kevin Aper’s old Apers records. If you didn’t love the Sweatpants gang after this, it’s likely you never would.
SUN ATOMS – Narco Polo Remixes
In 2024, Sun Atoms released their ‘Everything Forever’ long player, a record that more than made good on the promise of a string of excellent previously released singles. A highlight of that release, ‘Narco Polo’ eschewed guitar based sounds for a mix of funk and art pop, presenting a Talking Heads-ish groove and a swathe of samples to share something that relied as much on an atmosphere as steady rhythm.