Category: pimpod

Nick Lowe is something of a magician. He’s a brilliant producer, songwriter, performer and he returns with his first new album in over a decade for the Yep Roc label, Indoor Safari. Twelve songs of brand new originals, signature deep-cut covers and refitted versions of tracks previously released in nascent form as singles, representing a culmination of Lowe’s decade-long working relationship with those mysterious masked men and Yep Roc labelmates Los Straitjackets.

With each subsequent release from California three piece Sour Widows, I became more and more excited, I couldn’t wait for their debut album, it certainly hasn’t disappointed. “Revival of a Friend” evolves their beautiful sound and mountainous grief into a wonderful cathartic yet healing whole. Excellent musical dynamics with lyrics that unveil the spiritually purifying power of connection and love in the face of loss. Highly Recommended listening.

Minneapolis duo The Cactus Blossoms are back! Here are two blokes who harmonize beautifully with a nostalgic blend of folk and country, capturing a timeless sound that transports you to a bygone era with their heartfelt melodies. They have a new album out at the end of August and we’ll hear the first single on this episode.

Nobody’s Watching? As long as someone is listening. Especially to this excellent debut release from Louisa Stancioff who has her debut album issued on Yep Roc Records. Born and raised in rural Maine, Louisa has emerged as a gifted writer with a cinematic eye for richly detailed, emotionally- charged character studies that grapple with the complexities of everyday life.

Joe Pernice has been writing for a long time and has crafted a remarkable catalog that boldly reinterprets and recasts classic American pop. He formed Pernice Brothers in Massachusetts with his brother Bob in 1997 and this is a group that always excites me. His latest, Who Will You Believe showcases a beautiful balance between sadness and moments of solemnity with warm humor and camaraderie.

Featuring a phenomenal experimental pop record from Tomato Flower, their debut album No is one of my favourite listening experiences of 2024. Just when you think you have a handle on how to describe what you’re listening to, they throw you a curve ball. Magic stuff. Plus more great music from Blue Babe, Ducks Ltd. and Oison Leech.

Our feature is the incredible Ease the Work from instrumental ensemble Hour. It’s a grand statement conceived by Michael Cormier-O’Leary. Passionate, open, and occasionally dissonant, it blends breathy timbre with cinematic swoon and is a brilliant listen from start to end.