LISTEN: The Shamefaced Sparrows - "Ride That Seastorm!"

The Shamefaced Sparrows - "Ride That Seastorm!"


When your father is Link Wray and your mother is a Frech Ye-Ye girl, you have a lot going for you. Imagine the melodic hypnotism of yé-yé thrown into a vat of scuzzy garage rock, and, after simmering for some time, you'll come up with something along the lines of The Shamefaced Sparrows. With hints of surf rock cool, their sound is filled with enough instrumental and lyrical melodicism to avoid drowning in a sea of fuzz. It plays out like a film noir, with mystery -- or better yet gloom -- hanging around like a dense fog as our main character tries to keep some semblance of himself. Everything that's good and safe seems worth risking for the temptation of what lies beyond that corrupt, ignominious decision. No one said the ride would be easy, but that's why it's worth it all.

The Shamefaced Sparrows are a duo out of London. More on SoundCloud.

LISTEN: Niteflights - "Coney Island 1912" + "It's Not A Problem"

Photo by Ella Nash

Niteflights are a band from London that attract and charm with the infectious sound of indie pop and ensnare with the twisting, sharp rhythms and arrangements of post-punk. The band draws their name from the Walker Brothers' great, dark beauty of a final album, 1978's Nite Flights. Although the band's music doesn't actually contain any of the dark undertones of their namesake, Niteflights certainly shares a bit of the urgency found in album tracks "Shutout" and "Fat Mama Kick." There's an interesting balance between the playful and the heartfelt in their music that gives a bit of depth without sacrificing a sense of glee. This is indie pop that's unwilling to sit still, buzzing with excitement and ready to ride the directional rollercoaster of post-punk.

Niteflights - "Coney Island 1912"


Niteflights - "It's Not A Problem"