Surf City - Crazy Rulers of the World

It's a wall-of-sound approach from New Zealand's Surf City - lots of busy guitars and reverb riding shotgun over a pretty pleasant riff in this 2010 release. Washed out vocals play second fiddle to the noise though and immediately invites comparison with both Sonic Youth and The Jesus and Mary Chain. To call it lo-fi, garage-fuzz or even shoegaze would be unfair though - there's a freshness and energy here that gives the track some real zing.  

Alvvays - Adult Diversion

Chvrches did it - now Canadian band 'Alvvays' (pronounced 'Always') has done it as well - substituting the letter 'v' for perfectly respectable vowels and consonants. Naming convention aside, 'Adult Diversion' is the first release from the band, and what a nice fuzzy, lo-fi, pop number it is. The five piece keep it good and tight but it's lead singer Molly Rankin who should receive the plaudits. Delivering melodic vocals that are swept along by the fuzz, she's the perfect foil to the driving guitars and layering synths. Also worth a mention, the band's second single 'Archie Marry Me', a poppy, reverb drenched love ballad that really shows Rankin's vocal strength. The band's debut album has just been released. It'll bring a happy, poppy smile to your face.

The Prophet Hens - All Over the World

Would you believe it? Yep, another Dunedin band sounding suspiciously like the Chills and the Bats. Surprising stuff hey. But it's a complimentary comparison with 'The Prophet Hens' bringing on loads of jangly guitar and a melody as beautiful as a singing stream on this fine, fine track. Vocals on this one sung by Penelope Esplin although many of their tracks also feature guitarist/vocalist Karl Bray. From the very likeabe 'Popular People do Popular People' album released in 2013. Dunedin - producing consistently great bands since the late 70s. 

The Walking Who - With Roses

Uplifting and harmonic with a hint of psychedelia, folk and even Jack White?? It may be hard to classify, but this one from Sydney's 'The Walking Who' is what you'd like to hear played at your local corner bar any night of the week. Proper head nodding stuff with just enough energy to get your feet toe-tapping along. Their new EP should be interesting - according to the band it reflects being 'systematically kicked out of 6 recording spaces'. Dark but not dark...