Introducing…Bubble Tea and Cigarettes

They met in New York, although both are originally from Asia; they’re called Bubble Tea and Cigarettes and they write and record their songs in a small bedroom. It sounds like the beginning of the perfect love story. Andi and Kat make vaporous, melancholic, exciting music, close to Mazzy Star, Galaxie 500, Beach House, Cocteau Twins or Cigarettes After Sex. The kind that leaves you hypnotized, sedated, absolutely hooked.

After releasing last year their debut album There’s Nothing But Pleasure they are back with a new song: French Movie.

The muses of La Musa: Tuvaband

Tuvaband was dreamed up by the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer extraordinaire, Tuva Hellum Marschhäuser. Infusing the air waves with some serious Indie Rock eclecticism, Tuvaband has racked up a hefty 40 million total streams on Spotify; this artist is no stranger to critical acclaim. Coming back to bite, her latest offering New Orders is an album that unfurls all of her creativity – and we can’t get enough.

Drawing inspiration from culture-shaping artists like Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, and David Lynch – Tuvaband’s oeuvre oozes feminine mystique. Traversing soundscapes from Indie-Pop, and piano-driven Folk, to transcendant Post-Rock – multitudes are wrapped up into one neat package. With Tuvaband’s soft, lilting vocals added into the mix – you’ve got a recipe for greatness.

Introducing…Knifeplay

Knifeplay spent three years worrying over and tinkering with the songs on Animal Drowning, and it shows. Recorded with Philly indie rock whisperer Jeff Zeigler, the band’s sophomore album is perfectly executed shoegaze: hypnotic and bleak and impossibly beautiful. The band owes much to legends of the genre like My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins, but their influences run deeper — to emo greats American Football and slowcore staples Duster. Animal Drowning is harrowing but calming, and it contains so many rippling effects and small but significant touches that you simply must lean in and listen closely.

Introducing…Drug Store Romeos

British three-piece band Drug Store Romeos have the dream pop genre downpat. The latest young band to tackle the softly psychedelic sound, they bring a refreshing peppiness to the genre’s traditionally hazy and dense song structure, offering songs that arrive like warm, comforting hugs from an old friend – think Galaxie 500 and Cocteau Twins with a splash of Tom Tom Club.

They have released their debut album that’s been years in the making, utilising the full breadth of their back catalogue for the track list, and the escapist themes of the album’s title The World Within Our Bedrooms. 

Best Covers: Tomi Tomaski ‘Lady’

Inspired by Serge Gainsbourg, Cocteau Twins, Sebastian Tellier and Julian Cope and having played in bands including Swim Deep and Childhood, Tomi Tomaski is now making his introduction as a solo artist with dreamy debut single ‘Pure Air’ and French band Modjo cover ‘Lady.’

Music by Bergman: Jónsi

Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson is an exceptional musician, whose signature move is playing guitar with a cello bow. Often praised as an otherworldly angel, Jónsi in fact does strike a lot like one because of his angelic falsetto voice.

Jónsi is the front man of the Icelandic post rock band Sigur Rós whose music has achieved a jaw dropping success. Jónsi has been involved in many music projects since the creation of Sigur Rós in 1992. 7 albums on his hand, collaborations with the movie industry resulting in several movie soundtracks, collaborations with his long term boyfriend Alex, as well as solo performances.

Jónsi returns with a new video for his single, “Swill.” “Swill” follows the release of “Exhale,” which he dropped in April. And the two songs are part of his first album in a decade, Shiver, set to release on Oct. 2 via Krunk. The record includes vocal contributions from Robyn and Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. PC Music founder A.G. Cook headed production.

Favourite Gig: Dead Can Dance

Dead Can Dance, started in the early ’80s by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry, are considered one of the most influential bands around. They’ve inspired the likes of Björk, Enigma, Florence and the Machine, This Mortal Coil and Cocteau Twins. The duo are back in Barcelona to play two nights at BARTS as part of their tour called A Celebration. Life & Works 1980-2019, where they celebrate their 40th anniversary of a career filled with beautiful and eclectic music. Tonight and tomorrow.