Picks of the Week
We’ve got a massive line-up for this week’s picks, featuring everything from essential indie-pop returns to legendary psych-rock revivals and a brilliantly unearthed piece of electronic history. Turn these up.
Lovejoy – “Living In The Light”
Following hot on the heels of last month’s “Against The Tide,” Brighton indie-pop mainstays Lovejoy are back with another gorgeous preview from their upcoming album, Under The Weather (dropping July 31st via Spinout Nuggets / Shelflife).
“Living In The Light” is an absolute masterclass in classic guitar pop. It channels the very best of early Creation Records, Orange Juice, and Screamadelica-era Primal Scream, but it never feels like a cheap nostalgia trip. Driven by a tight, shuffling beat and chiming guitars, the track is layered with beautiful boy/girl harmonies that build into a glorious, high-energy outro that just about holds its breath until the fade-out. It’s uplifted but laced with that perfect touch of indie melancholy. A stunning summer single.
More Information.
Strawberry Alarm Clock – Where’s One? (Album Preview)
Yes, you read that correctly. Psych-rock icons Strawberry Alarm Clock are releasing their first full album of new music since 1969, and if the advance singles are anything to go by, Where’s One? (out August 7th via Big Stir Records) is going to be the psychedelic event of the year.
Featuring five original members, the band isn’t just resting on their ’60s laurels here. Preview tracks like “Monsters,” “Blow Your Mind,” and “The Sky Isn’t Falling” show off that classic, trippy sonic DNA while bursting with a fresh, inventive adventure that puts bands half their age to shame. It’s lush, adventurous, and incredibly exciting. The Deluxe Double LP is going to be a must-own.
Laptop – “End Credits” (Mark Saunders Mix)
Back in 1997, Laptop’s “End Credits” was a darling of John Peel and Steve Lamacq, quietly cementing its status as a cult electronic classic. Fast forward nearly thirty years, and the track is having a massive, well-deserved renaissance—partly sparked by a recent cover from synth-pop royalty Doublespeak (Vince Clarke, Neil Arthur, and Benge).
To celebrate, we’ve been treated to a recently rediscovered, previously unheard mix of the track by the legendary Mark Saunders. It sounds incredibly fresh, capturing that late-’90s distinct indie-electronic edge while feeling completely relevant for today’s dancefloors. Between a sold-out London show and a massive feature in Electronic Sound magazine, it’s safe to say Laptop is getting the flowers they always deserved.