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	<title>F— the Rules</title>
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	<link>https://ftherules.net</link>
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		<title>The Sprouts &#8211; Hit Me Go Down</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/10/the-sprouts-hit-me-go-down/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:39:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=882</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Oh, this is lovely. I wasn’t familiar with The Sprouts, but they are from Melbourne, Australia and are about to release a new album, a joint release between their local Lost and Lonesome (run by Mark from the Lucksmiths) and Spain’s Meritorio. I’m looking forward to that album, as I really love this Hit Me [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a3769294425_10.jpg" alt="The Sprouts - Hit Me Go Down" class="wp-image-883" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Oh, this is lovely. I wasn’t familiar with <a href="https://the-sprouts.bandcamp.com/">The Sprouts</a>, but they are from Melbourne, Australia and are about to release a new album, a joint release between their local <a href="https://lostandlonesome.bandcamp.com/">Lost and Lonesome</a> (run by Mark from the Lucksmiths) and Spain’s <a href="https://www.meritoriorec.com/">Meritorio</a>. I’m looking forward to that album, as I really love this <em>Hit Me Go Down.</em> A “wistful tribute to growing older and the fragility of memory” (I’m quoting their Bandcamp) and the quiet introverted jangle pop song really fits that melancholic feeling of getting older and memories slowly fading away.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://the-sprouts.bandcamp.com/track/hit-me-go-down">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/557092374/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1Y2VoQYaNRfmVvQbBo2bcs">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7yFsDcfBJ4&amp;list=RDq7yFsDcfBJ4&amp;start_radio=1&amp;pp=ygUaVGhlIFNwcm91dHMgSGl0IE1lIEdvIERvd26gBwE%3D">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1266737789/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=6588/artwork=none/track=3922646366/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://the-sprouts.bandcamp.com/album/singin-with-the-sprouts">Singin&#39; With The Sprouts by The Sprouts</a></iframe>
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		<title>Motorcycle &#8211; Relive It</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/09/motorcycle-relive-it/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:24:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=877</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[It’s time for the power pop song of the month. Relive It is the title track of Motorcycle’s debut album which was just released on Dandy Boy records. The song reminded me of label mate Joe Cusumano and while many artists on the label share musicians, I do think that comparison may be coincidental. It’s [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a3036365865_10.jpg" alt="Motorcycle - Relive It" class="wp-image-878" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s time for the power pop song of the month. <em>Relive It</em> is the title track of Motorcycle’s debut album which was just released on <a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/">Dandy Boy</a> records. The song reminded me of label mate Joe Cusumano and while many artists on the label share musicians, I do think that comparison may be coincidental. It’s my favourite song of the album, which says a lot as there are several electro pop songs on it – usually more my jam. But with a second vocalist doing <em>oooh oooh</em>, this is exactly the kind of power pop I blindly fall in love with.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/relive-it">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/541269486/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/2ERWh37oR0lpXaaCbA4iTZ?utm_source=generator&amp;si=434039afa7054455">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqfP15VzePs">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4147873610/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1313013737/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/relive-it">Relive It by Motorcycle</a></iframe>
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		<title>Swansea Sound &#8211; Mean To Be Mean</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/08/swansea-sound-mean-to-be-mean/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:53:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=874</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The first Heavenly song I ever heard was C Is The Heavenly Option, a call-and-response duet Amelia Fletcher sang with Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnston. I always thought Heavenly should have done more duets like these. Well, here is a lovely new song by Swansea Sound, in which Amelia does call-and-response vocals with fellow bandmate Hue [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a3587808840_10.jpg" alt="Swansea Sound - Pre-post-truth" class="wp-image-875" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The first <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/01/10/heavenly-portland-town/">Heavenly</a> song I ever heard was <em>C Is The Heavenly Option</em>, a call-and-response duet Amelia Fletcher sang with Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnston. I always thought Heavenly should have done more duets like these. Well, here is a lovely new song by <a href="https://swanseasound.bandcamp.com/">Swansea Sound</a>, in which Amelia does call-and-response vocals with fellow bandmate Hue Williams, whom indiepop fans may know as the singer of The Pooh Sticks (who actually hailed from Swansea). I love it. The song is a teaser of an upcoming album, <em>Pre-post-truth</em>, which will be out in November, obviously on <a href="https://www.skepwax.com/">Skep Wax</a> records.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://swanseasound.bandcamp.com/album/pre-post-truth">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/554118943/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2xBoZpaJyqIoLatSShhyGw">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://youtu.be/A2pLs5yd394">YouTube</a></p>
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		<title>Great Plains &#8211; Fertile Crescent</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/07/great-plains-fertile-crescent/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 17:34:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=870</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In the late 1990s, I used to correspond with Paul Nini (I helped him put together a compilation of Dutch and Belgian lo-fi music), who a decade before had been the bass player in the Columbus, Ohio band Great Plains. I was thinking back to that as I listened to Great Plains’ reissued 1985 album [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a0733722510_10.jpg" alt="Great Plains - Naked at the Buy, Sell, and Trade" class="wp-image-871" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the late 1990s, I used to correspond with Paul Nini (I helped him put together a <a href="https://www.discogs.com/release/18683020-Various-Waffle-And-Windmills-A-Compilation">compilation</a> of Dutch and Belgian lo-fi music), who a decade before had been the bass player in the Columbus, Ohio band <a href="https://greatplainscolumbus.bandcamp.com/">Great Plains</a>. I was thinking back to that as I listened to Great Plains’ reissued 1985 album <em>Naked at the Buy, Sell, and Trade</em>, perhaps the first time I properly paid attention to the band. College rock, yet with a wide range of influences, from post-punk to jangle pop to, here on <em>Fertile Crescent,</em> folk, creating a pretty unique sound. Great band.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://greatplainscolumbus.bandcamp.com/track/fertile-crescent-3">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/10214551/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6vnrQ6fZV2xFi8JRdfNaoS">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX42Qctmzy8">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3478889812/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2053763387/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://greatplainscolumbus.bandcamp.com/album/naked-at-the-buy-sell-and-trade">Naked at the Buy, Sell, and Trade by Great Plains</a></iframe>
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		<title>Callum Ruly Branch &#8211; Things I&#8217;ve Learned</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/05/callum-ruly-branch-things-ive-learned/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 19:23:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=867</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[“A damsel saved is a damsel earned / joining the ranks of the things I’ve learned”. We – and by ‘we’ I really mean ‘I’ – should listen to young people more often. Callum Ruly Branch (Callum Wilsie, from somewhere in the Bay Area) is 19 years of age, according to Bandcamp, and her folky [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a0229141780_10.jpg" alt="Callum Ruly Branch - Things I've Learned" class="wp-image-868" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“A damsel saved is a damsel earned / joining the ranks of the things I’ve learned”. We – and by ‘we’ I really mean ‘I’ – should listen to young people more often. <a href="https://callumrulybranch.bandcamp.com/">Callum Ruly Branch</a> (Callum Wilsie, from somewhere in the Bay Area) is 19 years of age, according to Bandcamp, and her folky indiepop (or poppy folk, if you like) sounds very fresh, innocent yet confident. This <em>Things I&#8217;ve Learned</em> is the title song of what she describes as having poured her “heart and soul of the past two years bared onto an album”. That’s how I like it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://callumrulybranch.bandcamp.com/track/things-ive-learned">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/526130544/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0fsYdCYJd69ssw6uM8nt4j">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbclBu8zIU">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2447647537/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=955219249/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://callumrulybranch.bandcamp.com/album/things-ive-learned">Things I&#39;ve Learned by Callum Ruly Branch</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Innocence Mission &#8211; Lakes of Canada</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/04/the-innocence-mission-lakes-of-canada/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:55:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=864</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[One reason why I made this a blog about songs is that there are those bands that have one song that I like so much more than the rest of their oeuvre. The Innocence Mission is such a band. Sure, their indie folk is very pleasant to listen to — indie folk usually is — [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1162" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a3440234837_10.jpg" alt="the innocence mission - birds of my neighborhood
" class="wp-image-865" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One reason why I made this a blog about songs is that there are those bands that have one song that I like so much more than the rest of their oeuvre. <a href="https://www.theinnocencemission.com/">The Innocence Mission</a> is such a band. Sure, their indie folk is very pleasant to listen to — indie folk usually is — but <em>Lakes of Canada</em> (a song from 1999) is such a beautiful song that the rest of the band&#8217;s oeuvre doesn&#8217;t seem to matter. And because I recently found the song stuck in my head — you can guess why — I wanted to share it with you all.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://theinnocencemission.bandcamp.com/track/the-lakes-of-canada">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/3094736/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2FlvmTd54D9YTGx6oSMcjM">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQqqkIoc580">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=919670854/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3039659261/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://theinnocencemission.bandcamp.com/album/birds-of-my-neighborhood-2">birds of my neighborhood by the innocence mission</a></iframe>
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		<title>Commit 2 Try &#8211; Always a Surprise</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/02/commit-2-try-always-a-surprise/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:07:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=861</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[ComCmit 2 Try, a three piece from Montreal, Canada, self-identifies as tweemo, a genre that mixes the whimsicalness of twee with the intensity of emo. I guess it’s like drawing hearts and faces on your duffel bag, except the hearts are black and the faces are sad. On their just released debut EP Famous Stages, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a1207522266_10.jpg" alt="Commit 2 Try - Famous Stages" class="wp-image-862" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://commit2try.bandcamp.com/">ComCmit 2 Try</a>, a three piece from Montreal, Canada, self-identifies as tweemo, a genre that mixes the whimsicalness of twee with the intensity of emo. I guess it’s like drawing hearts and faces on your duffel bag, except the hearts are black and the faces are sad. On their just released debut EP <em>Famous Stages</em>, I can definitely hear the emo part (the band <a href="https://rosyoverdrive.com/2026/08/20/pressing-concerns-lambchop-foglights-eliots-graveyard-commit-2-try/">apparently</a> cites Rainer Maria as an influence). The twee part less so, except in this introverted-intense <em>Always a Surprise</em>. And that’s exactly how I like my emo. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://commit2try.bandcamp.com/track/always-a-surprise">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/540879869/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4rg3CuLXkjkXMcSBtL4UhG">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UewtD52MCCg">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=149769639/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=211777171/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://commit2try.bandcamp.com/album/famous-stages">Famous Stages by Commit 2 Try</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Klittens &#8211; Reading Material</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/09/01/the-klittens-reading-material/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:49:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=858</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Today, it is exactly twenty years since I moved out of my native country, The Netherlands. It’s not something I’d have recommended a chronically anxious autistic person to do (even less so move countries a few more times) but I did and here I am, still having fun. And writing, today, about The Klittens, five [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a3225467635_10.jpg" alt="The Klittens - Butter" class="wp-image-859" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today, it is exactly twenty years since I moved out of my native country, The Netherlands. It’s not something I’d have recommended a chronically anxious autistic person to do (even less so move countries a few more times) but I did and here I am, still having fun. And writing, today, about <a href="https://theklittens.bandcamp.com/">The Klittens</a>, five women from that country, making indiepop-but-slightly-edgier that I wish people made back when I lived there. After several singles, the band will release its debut album <em>Have A Heart</em> later this month, but until then, this 2024 song is my favourite of theirs.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://theklittens.bandcamp.com/track/reading-material">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/411732519/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4VItaohyPZUHWrxPKrQp7Z">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2YMPYpcxbY">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4074361432/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3056806502/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://theklittens.bandcamp.com/album/butter-3">Butter by The Klittens</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Happy Somethings &#8211; You’ll Grow Up Quick</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/31/the-happy-somethings-youll-grow-up-quick/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:40:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=854</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Don’t judge a book by its cover, or a band by its name (Unrest, anyone?), but a band named The Happy Somethings I simply can’t not like. Indeed, the band from the English Midlands makes very pleasant pop music deep rooted in the 1960s (The Beatles aren’t bad as comparisons go). Though on this reflective [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1610010904_10.jpg" alt="The Happy Somethings - 
A Healthy Dose Of Hope" class="wp-image-855" style="width:250px;height:auto"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Don’t judge a book by its cover, or a band by its name (<a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/02/15/unrest-i-do-believe-you-are-blushing/">Unrest</a>, anyone?), but a band named <a href="https://thehappysomethings.bandcamp.com/">The Happy Somethings</a> I simply can’t not like. Indeed, the band from the English Midlands makes very pleasant pop music deep rooted in the 1960s (The Beatles aren’t bad as comparisons go). Though on this reflective <em>You’ll Grow Up Quick</em>, my favourite song from their latest album <em>A Healthy Dose of Hope</em>, they sound perhaps more 2000s American indiepop (accents aside of course). Hey, that&#8217;s a something that makes me very happy.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thehappysomethings.bandcamp.com/track/youll-grow-up-quick">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/550244762/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/1t0ReiJEXeygJXOt1ctqpE?utm_source=generator">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSGqGp5ro7g&amp;list=RDFSGqGp5ro7g&amp;start_radio=1&amp;pp=ygUidGhlIGhhcHB5IHNvbWV0aGluZ3MgZ3JvdyB1cCBxdWlja6AHAQ%3D%3D">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1120406583/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=270196538/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thehappysomethings.bandcamp.com/album/a-healthy-dose-of-hope-album">A Healthy Dose Of Hope (ALBUM) by The Happy Somethings</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Spook School &#8211; Speak When You&#8217;re Spoken To</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/30/the-spook-school-speak-when-youre-spoken-to/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 21:19:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=851</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Spook School is back! The C86-inspired Edinburgh indiepop band will release a new album, Like A Heartbeat, on Slumberland early next year. One song, Falling, has already been released and I suggest you listen to it; it is really good in a Buzzcocks-kinda way. But today I want to write about Speak When You&#8217;re [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1040" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a0345016219_10.jpg" alt="The Spook School - Try to be Hopeful" class="wp-image-852" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thespookschool.wpcomstaging.com/">The Spook School</a> is back! The C86-inspired Edinburgh indiepop band will release a new album, <em>Like A Heartbeat</em>, on <a href="https://slumberlandrecords.com/">Slumberland</a> early next year. One song, <em>Falling</em>, has already been released and I suggest you listen to it; it is really good in a Buzzcocks-kinda way. But today I want to write about <em>Speak When You&#8217;re Spoken To</em>, a song from their 2015 album <em>Try to be Hopeful</em> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortuna_Pop!">Fortuna Pop!</a>). For as I was listening to The Spook School’s back catalog while having some mentally rough days, it was this song’s energy that helped me pull through. Thank you, Spook School.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thespookschool.bandcamp.com/track/speak-when-youre-spoken-to">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/50832296/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6C6KpPKBd12vUijC7tUCFG">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxnGUUgNlhc">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2600058039/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3824938523/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thespookschool.bandcamp.com/album/try-to-be-hopeful">Try to be Hopeful by The Spook School</a></iframe>
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		<title>Beat Happening &#8211; What’s Important</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/25/beat-happening-whats-important/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:44:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=848</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[&#8220;What tattoo would you choose if you wanted it to represent a band or album you love?&#8221; a friend asked me some time ago. I didn&#8217;t have to think for a long time: the rocket cat from Beat Happening&#8216;s self-titled debut album. If there is one album that would be a metaphor for my own [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1557856137_10.jpg" alt="Beat Happening - S/T" class="wp-image-849" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;What tattoo would you choose if you wanted it to represent a band or album you love?&#8221; a friend asked me some time ago. I didn&#8217;t have to think for a long time: the rocket cat from <a href="https://beathappening.bandcamp.com/">Beat Happening</a>&#8216;s self-titled debut album. If there is one album that would be a metaphor for my own weird life it would be this: playful but also serious, very intimate, and punk in its own unique way. “I don&#8217;t have to smile if I don&#8217;t want to / You don&#8217;t have to smile if you don&#8217;t want to”. Now ink that on my leg.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://beathappening.bandcamp.com/track/whats-important">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/253608441/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4Cl7PGkgUy6GxyMeJAer5Q">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZvykoEKec0">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3356842066/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=260308749/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://beathappening.bandcamp.com/album/beat-happening-klp001">Beat Happening [KLP001] by Beat Happening</a></iframe>
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		<title>Persil &#8211; Second Take</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/24/persil-second-take/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=845</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I feel like we’ve run out of band names by now, so when I saw new music by a band called ‘Persil’, I didn’t think it was the Dutch electropop duo releasing new music after two decades. But it is them indeed, with four new tracks that sound like it is still 2004, when I [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a3348818644_10.jpg" alt="Persil - Lossless" class="wp-image-846" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I feel like we’ve run out of band names by now, so when I saw new music by a band called ‘Persil’, I didn’t think it was the Dutch electropop duo releasing new music after two decades. But it is <a href="https://persilmusic.com/">them</a> indeed, with four new tracks that sound like it is still 2004, when I saw the band play at least half a dozen times in small, dark Dutch venues, never disappointing. The late John Peel <a href="https://peel.fandom.com/wiki/Persil">was a fan</a>. I was a fan and I’m happy with the new music. I am a fan again.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://persil.bandcamp.com/track/second-take">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/488724468/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1GSFuDDolMTKXNazbUygrT?si=42c1ee9a1b8848b3">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd4jmVQBPlQ&amp;list=RDzd4jmVQBPlQ&amp;start_radio=1&amp;pp=ygUScGVyc2lsIHNlY29uZCB0YWtloAcB">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2138048382/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2039101750/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://persil.bandcamp.com/album/lossless">Lossless by Persil</a></iframe>
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		<title>Shampoo &#8211; Forgotten Lane</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/23/shampoo-forgotten-lane/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:38:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=842</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There are many bands called Shampoo. This Shampoo is a trio from New Jersey who, judging from the Five Favorites EP they just released (and the cassette’s cover art!), love West Coast pop, the Beach Boys in particular. There is absolutely no shame in that. Opener Forgotten Lane is my favourite among the five songs, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2012271171_10.jpg" alt="Shampoo - Five Favorites" class="wp-image-843" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are many bands called Shampoo. This <a href="https://shampoomusic.bandcamp.com/">Shampoo</a> is a trio from New Jersey who, judging from the <em>Five Favorites EP</em> they just released (and the cassette’s cover art!), love West Coast pop, the Beach Boys in particular. There is absolutely no shame in that. Opener <em>Forgotten Lane</em> is my favourite among the five songs, probably because it sounds least polished: as the bands from the Elephant 6 Collective taught us a few decades ago: you don’t always have to wash your hair to make a great 60s pop song.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://shampoomusic.bandcamp.com/track/forgotten-lane-2">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/550494108/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2gBbzPDbbjvwOebH4EkPx4">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWUuLipjYXs">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1516051065/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=462420961/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://shampoomusic.bandcamp.com/album/five-favorites-2">Five Favorites by Shampoo</a></iframe>
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		<title>Helen &#8211; Dead Shark II</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/22/helen-dead-shark-ii/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:26:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=836</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Helen (a SEO nightmare) is the other band of Liz Harris, better known for making fairly minimalistic psychedelic pop under the name Grouper. Helen hadn’t released anything in a decade but will release a new full album Linda’s Head later in the year; Dead Shark II is a teaser. And what a teaser it is: [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a0233762832_10.jpg" alt="Helen - Linda's Head" class="wp-image-837" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Helen (a SEO nightmare) is the other band of Liz Harris, better known for making fairly minimalistic psychedelic pop under the name <a href="https://grouper.bandcamp.com/">Grouper</a>. Helen hadn’t released anything in a decade but will release a new full album <em>Linda’s Head</em> later in the year; <em>Dead Shark II</em> is a teaser. And what a teaser it is: I know there are a lot of shoegaze-dreampop bands these days, modern technology making it easy to create the layers of pop song needed for the genre, but this is good. Like approaching Black Tambourine good. In my world that’s really good.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://grouper.bandcamp.com/track/dead-shark-ii">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/546904105/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/55d7kEkDm2PL5vK2Rq5ObV">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yifrpT8A48w">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4100779461/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2027867369/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://grouper.bandcamp.com/album/lindas-head">Linda&#39;s Head by Helen</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Crabs &#8211; Alien Girl</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/21/the-crabs-alien-girl/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:37:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=833</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I discovered The Crabs’ Alien Girl thirty years ago after someone had put it on a mixtape, apparently not long after it had been released on their debut album Jackpot. The 90 seconds of perfect American indiepop (“Take me to your world, show me to your kin / Now I understand, cause I&#8217;m the alien”) [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="693" height="693" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1249926248_10.jpg" alt="The Crabs - Jackpot" class="wp-image-834" style="border-width:1px;width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I discovered <a href="https://thecrabsanacortes.bandcamp.com/">The Crabs</a>’ <em>Alien Girl</em> thirty years ago after someone had put it on a mixtape, apparently not long after it had been released on their debut album <em>Jackpot</em>. The 90 seconds of perfect American indiepop (“Take me to your world, show me to your kin / Now I understand, cause I&#8217;m the alien”) have never stopped living in my head. Short and simple, very catchy and unmistakably Pacific North West: the duo is from Anacortes, WA and this album was released on K Records.  I’d be happy to keep it in my head for another 30 years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thecrabsanacortes.bandcamp.com/track/alien-girl">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/47155681/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/track/4MR4Rk41fb211IniQgS86C">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExXsw2XUxKE">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=135373079/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1799236835/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thecrabsanacortes.bandcamp.com/album/jackpot">Jackpot by The Crabs</a></iframe>
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		<title>Cootie Catcher &#8211; Diary</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/20/cootie-catcher-diary/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:18:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=830</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[‘Laptop twee’, like most genres, is a continuum and on that continuum Cootie Catcher (a four-piece from Toronto, Canada) is close to the twee side. I mean, listen to a song like this Diary, from its 2025 debut album Shy at first (come to think of it, that album title too): a coming of age [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2467325266_10.jpg" alt="Cootie Catcher - Shy At First" class="wp-image-831" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">‘Laptop twee’, like most genres, is a continuum and on that continuum <a href="https://cootiecatcher69.bandcamp.com/">Cootie Catcher</a> (a four-piece from Toronto, Canada) is close to the twee side. I mean, listen to a song like this <em>Diary</em>, from its 2025 debut album <em>Shy at first</em> (come to think of it, that album title too): a coming of age love song (“I bet you&#8217;re up in your room / figuring out what to do”) sung with the playfulness of an Architecture in Helsinki, one of those proto laptop-Twee bands. I love this so much and I am so glad laptop twee is a thing now.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://cootiecatcher69.bandcamp.com/track/diary">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/406598723/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3U4esVIOMs9FMVc7xxO4Xx">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH4r9_QonuY">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1439773533/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1065495136/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://cootiecatcher69.bandcamp.com/album/shy-at-first">Shy at first by cootie catcher</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Kitchenettes &#8211; Mood Ring</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/19/the-kitchenettes-mood-ring/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:09:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=827</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I mentioned Glo-Worm the other day and hey, here is another band that reminds me of their style of introverted indiepop. The Kitchenettes are an indiepop supergroup from the San Francisco scene that also brought us bands like The Telephone Numbers. They released their first ‘proper’ record earlier this year, a three-song 7” (on – [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a4194387578_10.jpg" alt="The Kitchenettes - Sunday Best" class="wp-image-828" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I mentioned Glo-Worm <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/08/12/ready-ave-my-favorite-saturday/">the other day</a> and hey, here is another band that reminds me of their style of introverted indiepop. <a href="https://thekitchenettes.bandcamp.com/">The Kitchenettes</a> are an indiepop supergroup from the San Francisco scene that also brought us bands like <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/03/10/the-telephone-numbers-telephone-numbers-theme/">The Telephone Numbers</a>. They released their first ‘proper’ record earlier this year, a three-song 7” (on – where else? – Slumberland), of which this sounds most like it was sung by Pam Berry herself. If that sounds like a huge compliment, that is because it is. But it is very true.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thekitchenettes.bandcamp.com/track/mood-ring">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/487961186/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3Xc0GVBHcnNBsxLeObewB6">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n3OAIGmfss">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2457702061/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=5970/artwork=none/track=528790006/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thekitchenettes.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-best">Sunday Best by the kitchenettes</a></iframe>
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		<title>Fishboy &#8211; Winnifred D. Larkin (As Told by The Dad)</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/18/fishboy-winnifred-d-larkin-as-told-by-the-dad/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:04:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=824</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Does anyone remember Six Cents and Natalie, the lo-fi side project of Tullycraft’s Sean Tollefson? Listening to Fishboy’s latest album (his eighth, but the first one I pay close attention to), I am reminded of that project, if only because Eric Michener from Denton, TX, who is Fishboy, has a voice that sounds similar to [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2330042306_10.jpg" alt="Fishboy - Bravest Neighbor" class="wp-image-825" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Does anyone remember Six Cents and Natalie, the lo-fi side project of Tullycraft’s Sean Tollefson? Listening to <a href="https://yofishboy.com/">Fishboy</a>’s latest album (his eighth, but the first one I pay close attention to), I am reminded of that project, if only because Eric Michener from Denton, TX, who is Fishboy, has a voice that sounds similar to Sean’s, while his songwriting (and lyrics with a lot of inner rhyme) also reminds me of Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum. Those are pretty big references, but I’d say that especially on this song Fishboy lives up to the comparisons.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://yofishboy.bandcamp.com/track/winnifred-d-larkin-as-told-by-the-dad">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/530611244/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/29oGcFC124dUDygnzHIPIQ">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2JHWRvC6KI">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2941084057/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2766888216/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://yofishboy.bandcamp.com/album/bravest-neighbor">Bravest Neighbor by Fishboy</a></iframe>
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		<title>Salmon Sisters &#8211; Cock It!</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/16/salmon-sisters-cock-it/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:36:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=819</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A theme of this blog is finding pop music in pretty much every genre. Today’s pop is hidden inside rather blunt garage punk, more particularly a song called Cock It! By Salmon Sisters, a new five-piece from Melbourne, Australia. The song is full of raw energy and the lyrics are, as you can guess from [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a0267418065_10.jpg" alt="Salmon Sisters - Siesta / Cock It!" class="wp-image-821" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A theme of this blog is finding pop music in pretty much every genre. Today’s pop is hidden inside rather blunt garage punk, more particularly a song called <em>Cock It! </em>By Salmon Sisters, a new five-piece from Melbourne, Australia. The song is full of raw energy and the lyrics are, as you can guess from the title, even more raw than that. And that is actually in its own way kind of cute.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://salmonsisters.bandcamp.com/album/siesta-cock-it">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/546324302/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7kKGI3JK6teJUHJ43DvhL4">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xwt0BiHtOM">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1803580364/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://salmonsisters.bandcamp.com/album/siesta-cock-it">SIESTA/COCK IT! by Salmon Sisters</a></iframe>
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		<title>Jeffrey Lewis &#038; The Junkyard &#8211; Roll Bus Roll</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/15/jeffrey-lewis-the-junkyard/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:33:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=812</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Last year, I saw Jeffrey Lewis (and band) play live in Paris. It was a fun show: Jeffrey, who is part of the same NYC anti-folk scene that also brought us The Moldy Peaches, is an entertainer as much as he is a singer-songwriter (and comic book artist) and he really engaged with the audience. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1075" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1564262124_10.jpg" alt="Jeffrey Lewis &amp; The Junkyard - 'Em Are I" class="wp-image-813" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Last year, I saw <a href="https://thejeffreylewissite.com/">Jeffrey Lewis</a> (and band) play live in Paris. It was a fun show: Jeffrey, who is part of the same NYC anti-folk scene that also brought us <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/08/07/the-moldy-peaches-nothing-came-out/">The Moldy Peaches</a>, is an entertainer as much as he is a singer-songwriter (and <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/08/07/the-moldy-peaches-nothing-came-out/">comic book artist</a>) and he really engaged with the audience. He didn’t play my favourite song, this <em>Roll Bus Roll</em>, which I found myself singing in my head the other day as I booked myself some bus travel. So here it is. “Roll bus roll, take me off / A rolled sweatshirt makes the window soft”.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://jeffreylewis.bandcamp.com/track/roll-bus-roll">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/423263338/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7qOFxjPb5oTxK9faXgjWv5">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf8jc_FcK7c">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4141789686/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3396307253/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://jeffreylewis.bandcamp.com/album/em-are-i-2009">&#39;Em Are I (2009) by Jeffrey Lewis &amp; The Junkyard</a></iframe>
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		<title>Miss Melody Sunshine &#8211; Grasshopper Hop</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/14/miss-melody-sunshine-grasshopper-hop/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:51:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=809</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[‘Twee pop’ is sometimes derogatively described as music for children. That is unfair given the very adult lyrics by a band like Heavenly, but some twee pop is really written for children. Such as Miss Melody Sunshine, a project by Laura Elizabeth Stone who, with collaborators from around the world, just released an album with [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1344573203_10.jpg" alt="Miss Melody Sunshine - Sweet Little World Album" class="wp-image-810" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">‘Twee pop’ is sometimes derogatively described as music for children. That is unfair given the very adult lyrics by a band like Heavenly, but some twee pop is really written for children. Such as <a href="https://missmelodysunshine.com/">Miss Melody Sunshine</a>, a project by Laura Elizabeth Stone who, with collaborators from around the world, just released an album with very happy “sunshine-soaked indie dream pop for little daisy dreamers”. I haven’t been a child for decades, but I am a twee popper at heart and I cannot resist singling along to songs like this incredibly cute <em>Grasshopper Hop</em>. For children of all ages.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://missmelodysunshine.bandcamp.com/track/grasshopper-hop">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/540290591/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4bCSVgNvwIus8jajtWKdG5">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOGnZoP6GKY">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=967134515/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3893910343/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://missmelodysunshine.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-little-world-album">Sweet Little World Album by Miss Melody Sunshine</a></iframe>
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		<title>Coco &#038; Clair Clair &#8211; Coldplay</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/13/coco-clair-clair-coldplay/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:31:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=806</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The only way you can get me to write about Coldplay is by some band having a song with that title, which is what alternative hip hop duo Coco &#38; Clair Clair (from Atlanta, Georgia) did. I won’t go into the rest of the lyrics as young kids may be reading this, but the song [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2695177882_10.jpg" alt="Coco &amp; Clair Clair - Coldplay
" class="wp-image-807" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The only way you can get me to write about <em>Coldplay</em> is by some band having a song with that title, which is what alternative hip hop duo <a href="https://coclair333.bandcamp.com/">Coco &amp; Clair Clair</a> (from Atlanta, Georgia) did. I won’t go into the rest of the lyrics as young kids may be reading this, but the song is extremely catchy and exactly the kind of sketchy hip hop I like a lot. Heck, I throw in the term “laptop twee” too as I feel that genre has the same vibe. If the duo is quite popular, it’s because kids these days are alright.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://coclair333.bandcamp.com/track/coldplay">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/538399061/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1Y0adMA2uXWIDciXWgJZMy">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-UwLitaV0U">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=198696756/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://coclair333.bandcamp.com/track/coldplay">Coldplay by Coco &amp; Clair Clair</a></iframe>
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		<title>Ready Ave &#8211; My Favorite Saturday</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/12/ready-ave-my-favorite-saturday/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:35:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=803</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There is a subgenre of indiepop consisting of extremely intimate bedroom pop that almost makes you feel too embarrassed to listen to it and where a lo-fi recording adds to the intimacy. Think The Cat’s Miaow, The Autocollants or, as suggested by another blog, Glo-Worm. It’s in that box that I gladly place Ready Ave, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2360009813_10.jpg" alt="Ready Ave - Across the Ceiling
" class="wp-image-804" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is a subgenre of indiepop consisting of extremely intimate bedroom pop that <em>almost</em> makes you feel too embarrassed to listen to it and where a lo-fi recording adds to the intimacy. Think <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/03/19/the-cats-miaow-dont-want-to-know-if-you-are-lonely/">The Cat’s Miaow</a>, <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/03/23/the-autocollants-please-dont-go-demo/">The Autocollants</a> or, as <a href="http://www.apessimistisneverdisappointed.com/2026/08/high-action-review-of-new-album-from.html">suggested</a> by another blog, Glo-Worm. It’s in that box that I gladly place <a href="https://readyave.bandcamp.com/">Ready Ave</a>, a new band from Baltimore who just put out an album full of intimate indiepop. It’s music so fragile that I worry writing about it might break it. Just listen to it for yourself. Quietly and on your own. It is really, really good.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://readyave.bandcamp.com/track/my-favorite-saturday">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/543566093/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1YHYEgCgNZCLndM36OawpU?si=0046c46346e14972">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ1yyXsRW5E">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2021085114/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1337193835/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://readyave.bandcamp.com/album/across-the-ceiling">Across the Ceiling by Ready Ave</a></iframe>
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		<title>Mujeres &#8211; Alucinante</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/11/mujeres-alucinante/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:20:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=799</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I understand that seven albums into their career, Barcelona’s Mujeres are reasonably popular in their native Spain. I don’t know why they aren’t better known outside the country, at least in the international indiepop community. The community that at the beginning of the century embraced Spanish bands like Vacaciones and Juniper Moon and that is [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a2209532339_10.jpg" alt="Mujeres - Alucinante" class="wp-image-800" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I understand that seven albums into their career, Barcelona’s <a href="https://mujeres.bandcamp.com/">Mujeres</a> are reasonably popular in their native Spain. I don’t know why they aren’t better known outside the country, at least in the international indiepop community. The community that at the beginning of the century embraced Spanish bands like Vacaciones and Juniper Moon and that is what songs like this <em>Alucinante</em> remind me of: uptempo happy indiepop with a bit of punk mixed in that is very hard to sit still to. And, despite me not speaking any Spanish, hard not to sing along to either.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://mujeres.bandcamp.com/track/alucinante">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/492997366/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/track/0EPUd3m4x7pbFuxrttBaXO">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP6ETQphxG8">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2530474186/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2242406856/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://mujeres.bandcamp.com/album/es-un-dolor-inexplicable">Es Un Dolor Inexplicable by Mujeres</a></iframe>
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		<title>Push Kings &#8211; Pop Phenomenon</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/10/push-kings-pop-phenomenon/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:37:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=796</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[“She’s a ridiculous / pop phenomenon / I don’t know why people / put her records on”. The moment I read Dagger Zine’s throwback to Push Kings’ 1997 debut album, I had Pop Phenomenon stuck in my head. It is still incredibly catchy and I see why back then I put it on many mixtapes: [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/8f0540e920273362b47ad0c43d01eba2.300x300x1.jpg" alt="Push Kings - s/t" class="wp-image-797" style="width:263px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“She’s a ridiculous / pop phenomenon / I don’t know why people / put her records on”. The moment I read Dagger Zine’s <a href="https://daggerzine.tumblr.com/post/824163586608939008/throwback-thursday-118-push-kings-st-1997">throwback</a> to Push Kings’ 1997 debut album, I had <em>Pop Phenomenon </em>stuck in my head. It is still incredibly catchy and I see why back then I put it on many mixtapes: simple perfect pop by four white dudes who on the album cover look perfectly groomed. If that sounds like the Beatles then that is because the music does too. And in this case, I get why people put their records on.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://tidal.com/track/62696709/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5gayNHjt31dm8DL64DYv3s">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0EzaxqTVKM">YouTube</a></p>
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		<title>The Catburgers &#8211; I’ve Got a Friend</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/09/the-catburgers-ive-got-a-friend/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:58:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=792</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I have written variations of “I had to double check this wasn’t recorded in 1989” several times on this blog, but in the case of The Catburgers the music really was recorded back in 1989, by some Edinburghers who got together after seeing The Television Personalities play. It is thanks to Slumberland (who else?) that [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a4249977862_10.jpg" alt="The Catburgers -Galashiels
" class="wp-image-793" style="border-width:1px;width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have written variations of “I had to double check this wasn’t recorded in 1989” several times on this blog, but in the case of <a href="https://thecatburgers.bandcamp.com/">The Catburgers</a> the music really was recorded back in 1989, by some Edinburghers who got together after seeing The Television Personalities play. It is thanks to <a href="https://slumberlandrecords.com/">Slumberland</a> (who else?) that a nine-song record of original recordings will soon be released. The band’s music does fit the 1980s Scottish indiepop mold quite well, though this <em>I’ve Got a Friend</em>, pre-released as a teaser, also reminds me of early Lucksmiths and yes, that means I love it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thecatburgers.bandcamp.com/track/ive-got-a-friend">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/535786750/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2B91eWX1wvWUejTVuaXbIL">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viv6O4ohOFA">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2583917762/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=4106372725/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thecatburgers.bandcamp.com/album/galashiels">Galashiels by The Catburgers</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Goods &#8211; Summer’s Almost Gone</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/08/the-goods-summers-almost-gone/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 20:16:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=787</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[We’ve been dealing with heatwaves in this part of the world, but in Oakland they’re obsessed with summer’s nearing end. After Twin Bloom’s Summer’s Gone, fellow Oaklanders The Goods are slightly more hesitant by singing that Summer’s Almost Gone, on a new single preceding their second album Goodbye Summertime. Season jokes aside, I really dig [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1693868988_10.jpg" alt="The Goods - Goodbye Summertime" class="wp-image-788" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We’ve been dealing with heatwaves in this part of the world, but in Oakland they’re obsessed with summer’s nearing end. After Twin Bloom’s <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/07/11/twin-bloom-summers-gone/"><em>Summer’s Gone</em></a>, fellow Oaklanders <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_goods_music/">The Goods</a> are slightly more hesitant by singing that <em>Summer’s Almost Gone</em>, on a new single preceding their second album <em>Goodbye Summertime</em>. Season jokes aside, I really dig the band around Rob Good, who also plays with personal favourites <a href="https://ftherules.net/2025/10/30/joel-cusumano-two-arrows/">Joel Cusumano</a> and <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/04/07/yea-ming-and-the-rumours-paper-doll/">Yea-Ming and the Rumours</a>. Compared to earlier work, this is slightly less 60s pop and more standard American indiepop (Math And Physics Club, anyone?). Which I love in any season.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/summers-almost-gone">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/527062987/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6ui3usV36uX4T0ZH6UgbXg">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSSlHVQt1HY">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3113321164/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3458631878/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-summertime">Goodbye Summertime by The Goods</a></iframe>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>The Moldy Peaches &#8211; Nothing Came Out</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/07/the-moldy-peaches-nothing-came-out/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:50:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=783</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If there was ever a better song recorded about social awkwardness than The Moldy Peaches’ Nothing Came Out I wouldn&#8217;t know. 25 years ago, the awkward and confused person that I was (“without 40 oz. of social skills”) would play their just released self-titled album non-stop because it felt so relatable, this song particularly so. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a1473654463_10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-784" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If there was ever a better song recorded about social awkwardness than <a href="https://themoldypeaches.bandcamp.com/">The Moldy Peaches</a>’ <em>Nothing Came Out</em> I wouldn&#8217;t know. 25 years ago, the awkward and confused person that I was (“without 40 oz. of social skills”) would play their just released self-titled album non-stop because it felt so relatable, this song particularly so. It still does and I’m very happy Kimya and Adam are still playing the occasional gig. They’re hugely influential today and actually got reasonably big because of a soundtrack, but even without all that, the world is a better place thanks to The Moldy Peaches.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://themoldypeaches.bandcamp.com/track/nothing-came-out">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/69644444/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7G0JP53JOec8gIuQ5ZEM8J">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx9Ro0V5ydg">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1784878588/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=835118233/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://themoldypeaches.bandcamp.com/album/the-moldy-peaches-deluxe-edition">The Moldy Peaches (Deluxe Edition) by The Moldy Peaches</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Carp &#8211; I Crave The City</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/06/the-carp-i-crave-the-city/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=780</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There is a loud punk band from Cleveland, Ohio called Cruelster. Minus one member you get The Carp. More melodic, but still too loud for my taste. Except for this one song, I Crave The City, which is pure feelgood pop. It is so simple (and also very catchy) that I struggle to write close [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a3790569596_10.jpg" alt="The Carp - Tangled Up With The Two-Tailed Rat" class="wp-image-781" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is a loud punk band from Cleveland, Ohio called Cruelster. Minus one member you get The Carp. More melodic, but still too loud for my taste. Except for this one song, <em>I Crave The City</em>, which is pure feelgood pop. It is so simple (and also very catchy) that I struggle to write close to 100 words about it. Think of the kind of song a punk band would write for a family gathering. And I crave that kind of music.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/track/i-crave-the-city">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/539351393/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1pTJHfoHybd3GFOsmYrIG2">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ApQQjJLYs">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1219468694/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=310676433/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tangled-up-with-the-two-tailed-rat">TANGLED UP WITH THE TWO TAILED RAT by THE CARP</a></iframe>
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		<title>Amelia &#038; The Housewives &#8211; Shattered</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/05/amelia-the-housewives-shattered/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:05:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=777</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Has anyone ever written better breakup songs than Lush with Ciao! and Hypocrite? Maybe not, but the same sarcastic energy I also hear in Amelia &#38; The Housewives’ Shattered: “I took a leap of faith ‘cause you seemed sorted / You sold a myth to me and I just bought it”. Less shoegaze-y than Lush [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1181" height="1181" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/DG627-BORDER-10cm.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-778" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Has anyone ever written better breakup songs than <em>Lush</em> with <em>Ciao! </em>and <em>Hypocrite</em>? Maybe not, but the same sarcastic energy I also hear in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amelia.andthehousewives/">Amelia &amp; The Housewives</a>’ <em>Shattered</em>: “I took a leap of faith ‘cause you seemed sorted / You sold a myth to me and I just bought it”. Less shoegaze-y than Lush but equally British – the band is from Brighton – and a really good song. “It doesn’t matter / Everything’s been shattered” and that may be true but – and that’s easy to say when it’s not my own relationship – how lucky we all are that it led to this song.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://tidal.com/track/422297861/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4NbOoaMYUz5I2tPsBdRbLu?si=99da1eb8111c4db9">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN1T4NzG0kc">YouTube</a></p>
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		<title>Guidon Bear &#8211; Animal Child</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/04/guidon-bear-animal-child/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:48:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=774</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A compilation of songs recorded in Olympia, WA’s Yoyo Studios had a huge influence on me. I lost my physical copy many years ago, but I still get warm fuzzy feelings from reading the tracklist. Pat Maley owned Yoyo Studios and while I believe they have closed, she is still making music in various bands, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a0656951314_10.jpg" alt="Guidon Bear - Internal Systems" class="wp-image-775" style="width:251px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A <a href="https://www.discogs.com/release/538647-Various-Throw-The-Yoyo-Studio-Compilation?srsltid=AfmBOoque1mIyVbjTcg2HcfiZ4gkepIRbgAuLnfQkUNDtSP1Wkc90m-z">compilation</a> of songs recorded in Olympia, WA’s Yoyo Studios had a huge influence on me. I lost my physical copy many years ago, but I still get warm fuzzy feelings from reading the tracklist. Pat Maley owned Yoyo Studios and while I believe they have closed, she is still making music in various bands, including the duo <a href="https://guidonbear.bandcamp.com/">Guidon Bear</a>. They have released a few albums and <em>Animal Child</em> is my favourite song: simple pop with an Olympia garage-y feel to it, that to me serves as a great tribute to the many contributions Pat made to alternative pop music.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://antiquatedfuture.bandcamp.com/track/animal-child">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/375163700/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7ud9K9gz9UjD83xSjQstrv">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6gWjskxvVY">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3594514078/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2507689006/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://antiquatedfuture.bandcamp.com/album/internal-systems">Internal Systems by Guidon Bear</a></iframe>
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		<title>Freezepop &#8211; Duct Tape My Heart</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/03/freezepop-duct-tape-my-heart/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:34:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=770</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I don’t think in musical absolutes, but if someone were to tell me that Freezepop’s Duct Tape My Heart is the best electropop song ever recorded, I am not going to argue with them. And yes, it does help that the song was released during my musical formative years more than 20 years ago and [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border" style="margin-right:0;margin-left:0"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="700" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a3757472376_16.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-771" style="border-width:1px;width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I don’t think in musical absolutes, but if someone were to tell me that <a href="https://freezepop.bandcamp.com/">Freezepop</a>’s Duct Tape My Heart is the best electropop song ever recorded, I am not going to argue with them. And yes, it does help that the song was released during my musical formative years more than 20 years ago and not part of the band’s latest record (which isn’t bad at all!), but still. How can I not be in love with “You’re so dreamy, you’re so sweet / swept completely off my feet”? I’m so lucky Freezepop was around when I was forming my taste.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://freezepop.bandcamp.com/track/duct-tape-my-heart">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/5491794/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0FxDPvgrm9gzEjDLsQJL60">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4CILErOLGw">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3796399143/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1846572878/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://freezepop.bandcamp.com/album/fancy-ultra-fresh">Fancy Ultra•Fresh by Freezepop</a></iframe>
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		<title>Foglights &#8211; The Rain Felt Kind</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/02/foglights-the-rain-felt-kind/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=766</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I am a big fan of Slumberland and Skep Wax, the two labels who released Foglights’s debut EP, and of The Cords, half of whom is also half of Foglights. So I had to look up Stone Anthem, the alter ego of Archie Ingram, who is the Foglights’ other half and whom I wasn’t familiar [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a1090752269_10.jpg" alt="Foglights - Nous Deux " class="wp-image-767" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am a big fan of <a href="https://slumberlandrecords.com/">Slumberland</a> and <a href="https://www.skepwax.com/">Skep Wax</a>, the two labels who released <a href="https://foglights.bandcamp.com/">Foglights</a>’s debut EP, and of <a href="https://ftherules.net/2025/10/17/the-cords-when-you-said-goodbye/">The Cords</a>, half of whom is also half of Foglights. So I had to look up Stone Anthem, the alter ego of Archie Ingram, who is the Foglights’ other half and whom I wasn’t familiar with. He makes psychedelic songs (soundscapes?), which mixed with the pure indiepop of The Cords gives us this very dreamy, introverted pop song. I absolutely love it and I can’t wait to hear the EP’s other songs. On August 21st, I will be able to.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://foglights.bandcamp.com/track/the-rain-felt-kind">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/534888986/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6KUxz8eDw8GAwYmpOZ5ADW">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETil-Ale5xU">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=272556734/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1024091622/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://foglights.bandcamp.com/album/nous-deux">Nous Deux by Foglights</a></iframe>
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		<title>Fimiguerrero &#8211; Loser</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/08/01/fimiguerrero-loser/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=763</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m really into Fakemink these days so I had started looking for other artists from the British underground rap scene. This is how I discovered Fimiguerrero, the alter-ego of British-Nigerian Fimihan Uthman Akinola. On his latest mini album he not only collaborates with Fakemink but also included a song recorded with laptop twee heroes Bassvictim. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="447" height="447" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/images.jpeg" alt="Fimiguerrero - The Statue of a Fool" class="wp-image-764" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I&#8217;m really into <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/06/29/fakemink-night-blooming-jasmine/">Fakemink</a> these days so I had started looking for other artists from the British underground rap scene. This is how I discovered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fimiguerrero">Fimiguerrero</a>, the alter-ego of British-Nigerian Fimihan Uthman Akinola. On his latest mini album he not only collaborates with Fakemink but also included a song recorded with laptop twee heroes <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/03/25/bassvictim-going-home/">Bassvictim</a>. That makes sense. This <em>Loser</em> is a pure rap song, albeit with the sketchiness that I think is typical of UK underground rap, while the techno-y alarm bells that push the song forward also make it very pop. And that’s what I happen to like.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://tidal.com/track/531249143/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4vr6mpYsYCBDH9vUcKfptP">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQv9ZDmWdlI">YouTube</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>The Simple Present &#8211; Let&#8217;s Write A New Hit</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/31/the-simple-present-lets-write-a-new-hit/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:12:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=760</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[“Let’s try more interesting things / You could be the person that sings”. The Simple Present are Cathrin and Sabine from Stuttgart, Germany. They just released a short album full of calm, unpretentious indiepop borrowing from four decades of the genre’s history. The whole album makes for some really pleasant listening, with this Let&#8217;s Write [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a2081735913_10.jpg" alt="The Simple Present - Early Days" class="wp-image-761" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Let’s try more interesting things / You could be the person that sings”. <a href="https://thesimplepresent.bandcamp.com/">The Simple Present</a> are Cathrin and Sabine from Stuttgart, Germany. They just released a short album full of calm, unpretentious indiepop borrowing from four decades of the genre’s history. The whole album makes for some really pleasant listening, with this <em>Let&#8217;s Write A New Hit</em> my favourite, as it reminds me of The Bartlebees: the simple production and also, let’s be honest, the soft German accents. “If it helps I could get us some drinks / It’s easier than you think”.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thesimplepresent.bandcamp.com/track/lets-write-a-new-hit">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/528194141/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0OfBFz3Uo81NPHgDoJOzOd">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-M30nGkSEQ">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2841449225/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=4200647607/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thesimplepresent.bandcamp.com/album/early-days">Early Days by The Simple Present</a></iframe>
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		<title>Sugar World &#8211; White Noise</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/28/sugar-world-white-noise/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:03:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=757</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The musical influences of Sugar World – Katryn and Ryan from Los Angeles – go back all the way to Black Tambourine, who in the early 1990s hid their plain indiepop behind layers of fuzzy shoegaze. I love Black Tambourine – who doesn’t? – and I’m really in love with Sugar World’s latest single White [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a1376313817_10.jpg" alt="Sugar World - White Noise" class="wp-image-758" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The musical influences of <a href="https://welcometosugarworld.bandcamp.com/">Sugar World</a> – Katryn and Ryan from Los Angeles – go back all the way to Black Tambourine, who in the early 1990s hid their plain indiepop behind layers of fuzzy shoegaze. I love Black Tambourine – who doesn’t? – and I’m really in love with Sugar World’s latest single <em>White Noise</em> (a pre-release of their upcoming album <em>Supercassettevision</em>). Compared to Black Tambourine, the song is both more twee and noisier, a combination that works really well in practice. I look forward to that full album that <a href="https://sundayrecords.com/index.html">Sunday Records</a> will release later in the year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://welcometosugarworld.bandcamp.com/track/white-noise-2">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/539782544/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1m9uVl3Gtv8Cxem4pMLg8a">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXfx_ZQ1A4">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3514857423/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=614669838/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://welcometosugarworld.bandcamp.com/album/white-noise">White Noise by Sugar World</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Rainyard &#8211; 1,000 Days</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/27/the-rainyard-1000-days/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:05:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=750</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The other day, I was talking on Bluesky with Slumberland’s Mike Schulman about the Just A Taste compilation of early singles from Australia’s Summershine label he released back in 1995. All excellent jangly indiepop from down under despite no household name among them, not even for most indiepop fans, though I mentioned The Sugargliders here [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="700" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0273099937_16.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-753" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The other day, I was <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/slumberlandrecords.com/post/3mrbd4qhqk22x">talking</a> on Bluesky with Slumberland’s Mike Schulman about the <em>Just A Taste</em> compilation of early singles from Australia’s Summershine label he released back in 1995. All excellent jangly indiepop from down under despite no household name among them, not even for most indiepop fans, though I <a href="https://ftherules.net/2026/07/08/the-lucksmiths-dolly/">mentioned</a> The Sugargliders here before. My favourite song on the compilation is <em>1,000 Years</em>, a beautiful jangly love song by Perth’s <a href="https://therainyard.bandcamp.com/">The Rainyard</a>. That version isn’t online, this version called <em>1,000 Days</em> is and I am glad I can share it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://therainyard.bandcamp.com/track/1000-days">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0yBMJ0Wker4ugA8VSielVA">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6alPvOpSfi8">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=99001546/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1465482309/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://therainyard.bandcamp.com/album/a-thousand-days">A Thousand Days by The Rainyard</a></iframe>
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		<title>Caribou &#8211; Broke My Heart</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/26/caribou-broke-my-heart/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:48:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=746</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In the early years of this century, I was pursuing a career in mathematics. At one of many seminars I attended, I may have run into Dan Snaith, who was doing the same, in a similar field (unlike me, he did finish his PhD). Now Dan is, according to Wikipedia, a “composer, musician, and recording [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a1919331232_10.jpg" alt="Caribou - Honey" class="wp-image-748" style="width:248px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the early years of this century, I was pursuing a career in mathematics. At one of many seminars I attended, I may have run into Dan Snaith, who was doing the same, in a similar field (unlike me, he did finish his <a href="https://www.ma.imperial.ac.uk/~buzzard/maths/research/notes/sp2n.pdf">PhD</a>). Now Dan is, according to Wikipedia, a “composer, musician, and recording artist”. He does so under various names, with <a href="https://caribouband.bandcamp.com/album/honey-2">Caribou</a> probably the best known. I love Cabirou’s indietronica – indie in spirit, techno in body – and this <em>Broke My Heart</em> in particular; it was one of my favourite songs from 2024. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://caribouband.bandcamp.com/track/broke-my-heart-2">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/377199833/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4wTt1Fmp7JxW07UODP7Tk4">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMlxWZ3ta7U">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3461777222/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=4052/artwork=none/track=1696513494/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://caribouband.bandcamp.com/album/honey-2">Honey by Caribou</a></iframe>
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		<title>The Paranoyds &#8211; Tracy Don’t</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/25/the-paranoyds-tracy-dont/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:12:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=743</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I saw earlier music by The Paranoyds (of Los Angeles) described as “synth punk”. That seems accurate, but on this song (from a just released EP) the synths are less prominent. Punk it still is, but more of the cute indiepop variant (there are ooo ooo backing vocals!), the one that I could imagine being [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="225" height="225" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/paranoydslatenighter.jpeg" alt="The Paranoyds - Late Nighter" class="wp-image-744" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I saw earlier music by <a href="https://theparanoyds.com/">The Paranoyds</a> (of Los Angeles) described as “synth punk”. That seems accurate, but on this song (from a just released EP) the synths are less prominent. Punk it still is, but more of the cute indiepop variant (there are <em>ooo ooo</em> backing vocals!), the one that I could imagine being released on K Records. If this kind of music is making a resurgence (this month only, I wrote about Josie, The TSG and Heather the Jerk, all of whom sound vaguely similar), then I’m all for it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://tidal.com/track/528766791/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/6sSvhZTbMmy3Jc1kz4FoJ9">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GatTqNGwb8Q">YouTube</a></p>
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		<title>Young Marble Giants &#8211; Brand New Life</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/24/young-marble-giants-brand-new-life/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:49:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=740</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I often forget what an incredibly unique band Young Marble Giants were. Active for just three years, they released only one album (1980’s Colossal Youth). On Bandcamp they self-identify as ‘post-punk’, a label that is fitting (the prominent bass line in particular), except that this is post-punk stripped down to its minimalist core, creating very [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0190916704_10.jpg" alt="Young Marble Giants - Collosal Youth" class="wp-image-741" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I often forget what an incredibly unique band <a href="https://youngmarblegiants.bandcamp.com/">Young Marble Giants</a> were. Active for just three years, they released only one album (1980’s <em>Colossal Youth</em>). On Bandcamp they self-identify as ‘post-punk’, a label that is fitting (the prominent bass line in particular), except that this is post-punk stripped down to its minimalist core, creating very intimate music. It makes you understand why generations of indiepop bands mention the Welsh band as an influence. Just like minimalist punk may be the best punk (Beat Happening, anyone?) minimalist post-punk is the best post-punk. And YMG were so good.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://youngmarblegiants.bandcamp.com/track/brand-new-life">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/162144030/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6L1TXPJxAMdVnVcMe0weWR?si=03ddd8f5a60841b9">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf-Ra36KDow">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3452951000/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=927620891/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://youngmarblegiants.bandcamp.com/album/colossal-youth">Colossal Youth by Young Marble Giants</a></iframe>
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		<title>Ceremony &#8211; Death Destruction Mayhem</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/22/ceremony-death-destruction-mayhem/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:21:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=736</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I’m not necessarily proud of it, but these days I find myself regularly singing “Fighting makes you feel strong / Killing really turns you on”. From a song called Death Destruction Mayhem. Huh? My excuse: it is a really catchy song by hardcore punk band Ceremony, from just north of San Francisco. Like, really catchy, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a2254050561_10.jpg" alt="Ceremony - Tell Me Your Dream " class="wp-image-737" style="border-width:1px;width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’m not necessarily proud of it, but these days I find myself regularly singing “Fighting makes you feel strong / Killing really turns you on”. From a song called <em>Death Destruction Mayhem</em>. Huh? My excuse: it is a really catchy song by hardcore punk band <a href="https://www.ceremonyhc.com/">Ceremony</a>, from just north of San Francisco. Like, really catchy, showing that hardcore punk is just pop, except sung with a bit more anger. The band has a history on Matador Records, so are no strangers to the indie world, but this song is from an upcoming album on <a href="https://www.relapse.com/">Relapse</a>, which feels a more natural home.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://ceremonyrohnertpark.bandcamp.com/track/death-destruction-mayhem">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/album/524001392/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZIJcSHgdDi3YOnd8d8ii0">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A-NI5ldZvs">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1344714245/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3847177121/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://ceremonyrohnertpark.bandcamp.com/album/tell-me-your-dream">Tell Me Your Dream by CEREMONY</a></iframe>
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		<title>Legendary House Cats &#8211; Out of Reach (instrumental)</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/21/legendary-house-cats-out-of-reach-instrumental/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:44:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=733</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I am – I may have mentioned this – very song-oriented and with a song comes someone singing. Or rapping, or mumbling even, but still: a human voice. John Girgus (he was in Sarah Records band Aberdeen) has a human voice, I know from some of the other things he released under the name Legendary [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0157622739_10.jpg" alt="Legendary house cats - Instrumentals, Vol. 1" class="wp-image-734" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am – I may have mentioned this – very song-oriented and with a song comes someone singing. Or rapping, or mumbling even, but still: a human voice. John Girgus (he was in Sarah Records band Aberdeen) has a human voice, I know from some of the other things he released under the name <a href="https://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/">Legendary House Cats</a>. But under that name he also put out three albums with instrumental songs, of which <em>Out Of Reach</em> is my favourite. Field Mice-y synthpop where you expect someone to start singing any moment, except at the end you realise you never missed it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>(After writing this blog post, I discovered there is a <a href="https://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/track/out-of-reach-3">non-instrumental version</a> of the song too. Oh well.)</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/track/out-of-reach-instrumental-2">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/299743748/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7F9XU94Qyf1lIrvbVKn2sN?si=ae730bb587f74eeb">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&amp;v=pe3h1XcMQSA&amp;feature=youtu.be">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3235005895/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2153574817/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/album/instrumentals-vol-1">Instrumentals, Vol. 1 by The Legendary House Cats</a></iframe>
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		<title>Manganzoides &#8211; Musaraña</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/20/manganzoides-musarana/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:34:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=728</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I have never been to Peru, but I read atlases so I know the country has a huge coastline. I guess people surf. I know for certain there is a band that plays surf garage rock. Manganzoides they are called and they just celebrated their 30-year anniversary with a compilation Dosis completa on local Buh [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a3745747981_10.jpg" alt="Manganzoides - Dosis Complete" class="wp-image-729" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have never been to Peru, but I read atlases so I know the country has a huge coastline. I guess people surf. I know for certain there is a band that plays surf garage rock. Manganzoides they are called and they just celebrated their 30-year anniversary with a compilation <em>Dosis completa</em> on local <a href="https://buhrecords.bandcamp.com/">Buh Records</a> (who are worth following if you’re into heavier indie from Latin America). With its catchy reverb going straight back to Dick Dale, this <em>Musaraña</em>, originally from 2001, is my favourite. You might like it too.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://buhrecords.bandcamp.com/track/musara-a">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/280644470/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/35kJprAal9jJuWlewymmr8?si=c5a18fb882754f98">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fF_9ulaB0I">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2570509536/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1842004525/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://buhrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dosis-completa">Dosis completa by Manganzoides</a></iframe>
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		<title>Heather the Jerk &#8211; Write a Letter</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/17/heather-the-jerk-write-a-letter/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=724</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[No matter in which order you put the words ‘indie’, ‘pop’, ‘garage’ and ‘punk’, it applies to Heather the Jerk: raw, simple, lo-fi and full of energy. Heather the Jerk is the solo-project of Heather Sawyer from Madison, Wisconsin but because it is 2026 you can sound like a full band on your own, including [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0043284079_10.jpg" alt="Heather the Jerk - Write a Letter" class="wp-image-725" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">No matter in which order you put the words ‘indie’, ‘pop’, ‘garage’ and ‘punk’, it applies to <a href="https://heatherthejerk.bandcamp.com/">Heather the Jerk</a>: raw, simple, lo-fi and full of energy. Heather the Jerk is the solo-project of Heather Sawyer from Madison, Wisconsin but because it is 2026 you can sound like a full band on your own, including <em>ooo ooo ooo</em> background vocals. Heather the Jerk released a full-length cassette in February of this year, but those five months since count as fifty punk years, so here is 74 seconds’ worth of new song, just released as a digital single.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://heatherthejerk.bandcamp.com/album/write-a-letter">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/541347471/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/41EXpZk7Tqhx4kbNGf9THm">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTXuv9DiLcQ">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4131829138/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://heatherthejerk.bandcamp.com/album/write-a-letter">Write a Letter by Heather the Jerk</a></iframe>
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		<title>Broken Social Scene &#8211; Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/16/broken-social-scene-anthems-for-a-seventeen-year-old-girl/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:54:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=721</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The girl from Broken Social Scene’s 2002 song Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl (“Used to be one of the rotten ones”) will be in her forties now. Time goes fast like that. The song by the Toronto collective (who are still making music, even though it never again got this good) is timeless though. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a1655571252_10.jpg" alt="Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People" class="wp-image-722" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The girl from <a href="https://www.brokensocialscene.com/">Broken Social Scene</a>’s 2002 song <em>Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl</em> (“Used to be one of the rotten ones”) will be in her forties now. Time goes fast like that. The song by the Toronto collective (who are still making music, even though it never again got this good) is timeless though. Dreamy, mesmerizing and the right kind of repetitive – the one that makes you play the song again and again. “Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me”. And so on.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://brokensocialscene.bandcamp.com/track/anthems-for-a-seventeen-year-old-girl">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/73421339/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0VXp4zDspR993l2hIKW17g">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLaDksDOcE4">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1674435176/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=386091169/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://brokensocialscene.bandcamp.com/album/you-forgot-it-in-people">You Forgot It In People by Broken Social Scene</a></iframe>
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		<title>@ &#8211; Autosmile</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/15/autosmile/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=718</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[“SEO wet dream”, @ (pronounced: ‘at’) describes itself on its Bandcamp. That is true, but I did end up finding that Bandcamp so we’re all good. We’re also good about the music: a duo making acoustic folk-pop whose influences go all the way back to that folk duo from sixty years ago, but whose more [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0891238747_10.jpg" alt="@ - Autosmile" class="wp-image-719" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization">SEO</a> wet dream”, <a href="https://atsongs.bandcamp.com/">@</a> (pronounced: ‘at’) describes itself on its Bandcamp. That is true, but I did end up finding that Bandcamp so we’re all good. We’re also good about the music: a duo making acoustic folk-pop whose influences go all the way back to <em>that</em> folk duo from sixty years ago, but whose more eerie songs could also have been released on K Records. And on this <em>Autosmile</em>, which was just released as a single, they remind me a bit of The Softies. I love this. Don’t @ me. Or maybe do.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://atsongs.bandcamp.com/album/autosmile">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/530466185/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0TkVOCI5fcQPt6mbFT2jil">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUkIRiSQtK8">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=371830512/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=6412/artwork=none/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://atsongs.bandcamp.com/album/autosmile">Autosmile by @</a></iframe>
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		<title>The TSG &#8211; Alright</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/14/the-tsg-alright/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:12:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=708</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The TSG is a new band fronted by Taylor Stewart, who also plays drums in The Tubs. The latter have gotten reasonably popular recently (reviews on Pitchfork, a Wikipedia page, that kind of stuff), which you’d expect from their fairly polished janglepop. The TSG is not that: raw, simple punk pop that focuses more on [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a2443023822_10.jpg" alt="The TSG - Skydiver" class="wp-image-709" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The TSG is a new band fronted by Taylor Stewart, who also plays drums in The Tubs. The latter have gotten reasonably popular recently (reviews on Pitchfork, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tubs">Wikipedia</a> page, that kind of stuff), which you’d expect from their fairly polished janglepop. The TSG is not that: raw, simple punk pop that focuses more on making it to the end of the song than on colouring within the lines. And if I’m honest, that’s how I often like my music best. They just released their debut 7” single on London’s <a href="https://gobnation.bandcamp.com/">Gob Nation</a> of which this Ramones-y <em>Alright</em> is my favourite.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://gobnation.bandcamp.com/track/alright">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/529769039/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/52D2UIyuusFgPZ2SEPfvkY?si=fe7cdfd7d0e84c63">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2xfkzDQ_vs">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3703154272/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=3627366416/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://gobnation.bandcamp.com/album/skydiver">&quot;Skydiver&quot; by The TSG</a></iframe>
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		<title>Ginette Garcin &#8211; Cresoxipropanediol En Capsule</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/13/ginette-garcin-cresoxipropanediol-en-capsule/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=703</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[My favourite Rolling Stones song is Mother’s Little Helper (which is about, to quote Wikipedia, “the popularity of prescribed tranquilisers like Valium among housewives”) but whenever I listen to it, I can’t help thinking of Cresoxipropanediol En Capsule by the late French actress Ginette Garcin, which I like a lot more. In it Garcin, who [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="599" height="600" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/R-3849215-1468869860-6172.jpg" alt="Ginette Garcin - Cresoxipropanediol En Capsule
" class="wp-image-704" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My favourite Rolling Stones song is <em>Mother’s Little Helper</em> (which is about, to quote Wikipedia, “the popularity of prescribed tranquilisers like Valium among housewives”) but whenever I listen to it, I can’t help thinking of <em>Cresoxipropanediol En Capsule</em> by the late French actress <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginette_Garcin">Ginette Garcin</a>, which I like a lot more. In it Garcin, who died in 2010 aged 82, lists a series of fictional medications with long names that she takes whenever she isn’t feeling well. In a glass of sugar water and, probably, with a strong french <em>r</em>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://tidal.com/track/2200896/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4ylQrPyGz3Epw6Iz8CkPvP?si=7860e24529d745c6">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVOSR4G_F5k">YouTube</a></p>
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		<title>Josie &#8211; The Story Of A Fool (As Told By The Fool Herself)</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/12/josie-the-story-of-a-fool-as-told-by-the-fool-herself/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:49:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=700</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Pa pa pa pa pa pa. If you start a song like that, it can’t really go wrong. The Story Of A Fool (As Told By The Fool Herself) certainly doesn’t go wrong. 91 seconds – I counted – of bouncy happy indie punk pop. Josie is from Copenhagen, Denmark, though with members from all [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a1459247621_10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-701" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Pa pa pa pa pa pa</em>. If you start a song like that, it can’t really go wrong. <em>The Story Of A Fool (As Told By The Fool Herself) </em>certainly doesn’t go wrong. 91 seconds – I counted – of bouncy happy indie punk pop. <a href="https://josieband.bandcamp.com/">Josie</a> is from Copenhagen, Denmark, though with members from all over Europe. They list Shop Assistants and Talulah Gosh as their influences (this song reminds me in particular of the former) and have been a support act for Shonen Knife. I can imagine why Shonen Knife would be a fan. I am a fan.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://josieband.bandcamp.com/track/the-story-of-a-fool-as-told-by-the-fool-herself">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/524701629/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0s68IHWC0hTaFoulRRTmV2?si=bfbe1ad4bb4b4ad8">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tIh_MIYdf4">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=251515287/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=2187869509/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://josieband.bandcamp.com/album/prenew13-oh-boy">PRENEW13: Oh Boy! by Josie</a></iframe>
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		<title>Twin Bloom &#8211; Summer’s Gone</title>
		<link>https://ftherules.net/2026/07/11/twin-bloom-summers-gone/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[martijn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 11:12:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ftherules.net/?p=697</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[It is very much not the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and the way things are going with climate change, summer won’t be gone until November, but I’m really enjoying this Summer’s Gone by Oakland’s Twin Bloom. Jangly-but-melancholic indiepop that borrows heavily from Bay Area music from both the past six and [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://ftherules.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/a0266456037_10.jpg" alt="Twin Bloom - S/T" class="wp-image-698" style="width:250px"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is very much not the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and the way things are going with climate change, summer won’t be gone until November, but I’m really enjoying this <em>Summer’s Gone</em> by Oakland’s <a href="https://twinbloom.bandcamp.com/">Twin Bloom</a>. Jangly-but-melancholic indiepop that borrows heavily from Bay Area music from both the past six and past sixty years. Local label <a href="https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/">Dandy Boy</a> (a favourite here) also mentions Teenage Fanclub as a reference and that’s not a million miles off either. I hope I get to hear a lot more music by the band. Preferably before the summer is gone.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://twinbloom.bandcamp.com/track/summers-gone">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://tidal.com/track/536964255/u">Tidal</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1ECCzCQ8xq4ygmyvAoxOeR?si=8f686d1a792547f0">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0s4kBvwMHo">YouTube</a></p>



<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3601282182/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=none/track=1603930201/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://twinbloom.bandcamp.com/album/twin-bloom-2">twin bloom by twin bloom</a></iframe>
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