CROSSING THE POND: Bubble People + Phalcons + Rental Wives

Much great music is made on the other side of the Atlantic. Here your hostess indulges her love of all things Brit to bring you some songs you should be listening to from the British Isles.

Typically, when one sees the word "demo" in relation to a song, one does not necessarily expect something polished (let alone in tune). But that's just what's happened with "Submerge," a demo from new London psychedelic electro krautgazers Bubble People. The song is a confident, well-formed piece of expansive noise, and it rather knocked my socks off.

If this is a demo, there's no telling how good their next move is going to be.



It's hard to resist "Idle Ways." Then again, why try? Pulling together idyllic, folksy vocals with a throwback jangle, Phalcons craft a dandy of an psych pop nugget. Dreamy, sun-dappled harmonies and a little bit of mystical Welsh charm make "Idle Ways" an instantly lovable, instantly addictive song.



If you thought "Keep Me On My Toes" was a lost treasure from the 80s, you'd be forgiven. It's a mistake that's easily made, thanks to the Rental Wives penchant for that certain guitar sound and dry,  at times exaggerated vocals. The band's sense of humor is certainly on display in the song's video, working well with the more preening peacock moments of the song.

[posted 12.15.17]