Jigsaw Records

State Drugs - Takings & Leavings cd

$10.00

aw, it's no secret: I love indie rock just as much as I love indiepop. Give me the energetic sounds of bands like Superchunk or the Thermals anytime! That's why this record, though it sticks out among the rest of the generally poppier Jigsaw releases, should make total sense in the overall label canon as it relates to my musical taste (as it should!). This is highly spirited indie rock that reminds me of both of those afore-mentioned bands, but even more so, some brilliant lesser-known bands like Failures' Union, Shallow Cuts and Bedford Falls (seriously, go look 'em up). State Drugs' debut album contains a dozen really catchy songs (one of them a classic Replacements cover) with plenty of loud guitars and gritty, earnest vocals. Oh, and I happen to know that there's plenty more where this came from...

Not limited. All songs written by State Drugs, except track 12 by the Replacements. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Space Daze - Too Mystical cd

$10.00

last summer, we brought you "Waves Collapsing", a compilation of all of Space Daze's digital EPs and singles from the past few years; now we're proud to present the second proper full-length album from this Seapony off-shoot! This album contains nine tracks of mellow, tender indiepop songs in the same vein as Seapony but would also fit nicely alongside the Arctic Flow, Real Estate or Beach Fossils. Space Daze has a unique ability to write beautiful melodic songs with perfectly effortless guitar leads and an air of distinctly northwest mysticism. An altogether brief but highly enjoyable listen!

Not limited. All songs written by Space Daze. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Regrets - Endless Desire cdep

$5.00

We've been releasing a fair amount of local Seattle bands on Jigsaw lately, and here's another one! The Regrets fuse the tuneful, romantic simplicity of '60s pop with the energetic, jangling underground garage-pop sounds of the decades since. With wistful lyrics, reverb-fringed guitars and catchy melodies, these guys make fuzzed-out, infectious songs about youth, love & self-doubt. This is their second release (following a self-released EP from a couple years back), and it was superbly produced by Dylan Wall at the renowned Hall Of Justice studio. I'd keep my eye on this band, as they're obviously poised for greatness!

Not limited. All songs written by the Regrets. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Slum Summer - ABABO cd

$10.00

Slum Summer formed a few years ago in San Diego, and is led by recent UK expat, Hugh J Noble (who released a number of entertaining solo records throughout the '00s), and rounded out by another Brit and a pair of Americans. The band mostly plays low-key indie rock with catchy melodies and storytelling-style lyrics, replete with obscure references, literary and otherwise. For that very reason, Hugh's songwriting often reminds me quite a bit of Graeme Downes of the Verlaines. Overall, a very cool and solid debut from this promising new band. 

Not limited. All songs written by Slum Summer. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Crabber - Bluesbusters cd

$10.00

though a new band, the members of Crabber from Hamburg, Germany have been around the block a few times, playing in bands such as the Legendary Bang, Kristallin and Dr. König Arthus since the '90s. One of their biggest influences is the Wedding Present, and though that does shine through clearly in these noisy janglepop songs, the band they actually remind me of the most is the more obscure Dot Dash, with whom they share many similarities both musically and in the overall sound and production. With a title like "Bluesbusters", Crabber's debut album is sure to brighten up your day!

Not limited. All songs written by Crabber. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Robert, Bruce - Together Singles cd

$10.00

Bruce Robert has been self-releasing digital singles from his Boise, Idaho home over the last couple years, and as the title of this disc may suggest, this is a collection of the best of those songs. Though a multi-instrumentalist, who created the majority of the music on this album, Bruce is helped out by a number of friends, including Jeremy Jensen of the Very Most (on a variety of instruments) and Raine Saunders-Irving, Gia Trotter and Sean Samuel Kelly (all taking turns on vocals). Touchstones for these songs include the Essex Green, Pale Lights and the Yearning - all equally wonderful jangly indiepop bands who also sometimes enjoy playing in a minor key.

Not limited. All songs written by Bruce Robert. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Kaveh Kanes - Loanwords cd

$10.00

eleven months ago, we brought you the reissue of this Indonesian band's debut album, and now (as promised) we're happy to present to you their second full-length! As you might expect, their sound has grown considerably in the couple years since their debut was recorded - ie. the production sounds much better and clearer this time around - but their general style has not changed too much. They still play easy and refreshing jangly guitarpop in the style of Beach Fossils, EZTV or a male-led Seapony, and boy, do they ever play it WELL. These nine songs shimmer and sparkle along with the best of 'em, and are a pure aural treat, as well, proving that geography is not what makes a band, but plain old stellar songwriting...

Not limited. All songs written by Kaveh Kanes. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Sharesprings - Paraparlor cd

$10.00

after a few sought-after EPs released on micro-labels in their home country and a couple more compilation appearances on Cloudberry and Quince, at long last, we have the debut album from Indonesia's Sharesprings. And though it only clocks in at around 20 minutes, this mini-album was well worth the wait! The band excels in pure and dreamy indiepop in the style of early Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, the Drums and Beach Fossils, but they aren't afraid to turn up the noise in songs like the Talulah Gosh-esque "Elza, I'd Write You A Song". The songs have roughly equal parts boy and girl vocals, and they even sometimes sing together, for a beautiful effect. Yes, this is indeed the perfect POP! album you didn't know you were waiting for... until now!

Not limited. All songs written by Sharesprings. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Ghost Thoughts - No Chill cd

$10.00

after releasing a successful debut EP a year and a half ago on Jigsaw, Davina Shell (from Amsterdam via Vancouver, BC) is back with a full-length from her mostly solo project, Ghost Thoughts. And once again, she's given us another collection of highly personal songs about relationships and their pitfalls. Musically, she's continuing to grow from her formative days in Thee Ahs, branching out into further territories mined by contemporary artists such as Waxahatchee, Eskimeaux and Japanese Breakfast - folk-based pop with a bigger sound, augmented by Vancouver producer-extraordinaire, Jay Arner (who also provided the drums). Overall, this is a stunning batch of deceptively bittersweet pop songs!

Not limited. All songs written by Ghost Thoughts. Available digitally on Bandcamp

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Sunbathers - A Weekend Away With… cd

$10.00

the Sunbathers splashed onto the scene in 2012 with a cdep and 7" on the sorely-missed Dufflecoat label, and immediately impressed us with their gentle and hushed seaside-themed tweepop in the style of the Marine Girls. The duo have mostly been silent ever since, but we're now proud to present their debut full-length album, titled "A Weekend Away With...". Like their earlier works, this has a very strong Marine Girls vibe to it, complete with beach sounds and minimal hand percussion accompaniment to the gently strummed guitars. Side note: Julie's voice sounded very familiar to me when I first heard the band, but it wasn't until much later that I found out that she was actually the singer of Confetti (who released some wonderful 7"s on Sunday, Heaven and Marineville in the '90s)!

Not limited. All songs written by The Sunbathers. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Space Daze - Waves Collapsing cd

$10.00

even before Seapony went on their hiatus, their chief songwriter, Danny Rowland, started his solo project, Space Daze. He released a tape on the Beautiful Strange label back in 2014, titled "Follow My Light Back Home", but everything he's put out since then has been digital-only on his own Bandcamp. Well, this collects all of those digital releases onto a packed disc clocking in at nearly 74 minutes! Musically, this is not all that different from Seapony, only there is quite a bit more variety to the songwriting, as is often the case with solo projects. Also, with Danny's voice at the front, this sounds a bit less like his other band, and more like, say, Beach Fossils or Real Estate. A gentle and pleasant listen!

Not limited. All songs written by Space Daze. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Pre Nup - Oh Well cd

$10.00

following on the heels of their fabulous 4-song debut 7" on Kingfisher Bluez, Jigsaw is proud to present the debut album from Pre Nup, a husband/wife duo from Calgary, Canada. This blink-and-you'll-miss-it classic is only about 24 minutes long (when you include the hidden bonus track available only on the cd - how '90s!), but man, is it ever packed with hit after hit! Their sound is best described as energetic crash-pop, similar to that which bands like Cause Co-Motion, So Cow and Times New Viking have mastered. The songs are short and catchy with lots of fuzzy guitars and self-deprecating lyrics. A fun ride, for sure!

Not limited. All songs written by Pre Nup. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Cozy Slippers - Postcards EP cdep

$5.00

Cozy Slippers is a Seattle trio with dual-lead female vocals and a warm veneer of nostalgia. Following their self-released debut EP from 2017, Jigsaw is happy to present their second EP, "Postcards", which is another five slices of pure indiepop in the style of Cub, Heavenly and the Icicles. Jangly guitars abound on these songs, but you'll also find hints of keyboards that help flesh out the sound. And memorable melodies? Oh yeah - lots of those, too! Just try and get the chorus of "Back And Forth" out of your head after one listen... Expect big things from this new band!

Not limited. All songs written by Cozy Slippers. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Watoo Watoo - Modern Express cd

$10.00

it has been over four years since the last Watoo Watoo album ("Une Si Longue Attente", also on Jigsaw), but the band members have been busy with their own side projects, Photon (Michaël) and Montclair (Pascale). They have reconvened one more time, however, to make one more gorgeous POP! record, entitled "Modern Express". Falling somewhere in between Stereolab, Felt and Broadcast, with a heavy dose of original French pop, the duo have created yet another instant classic filled with jangly guitars, vintage synths and lovely bilingual female vocals, besting their already stellar prior output. Be sure to pick up the cd, which is the only place to get their cover of a translated British hit as a bonus track!

Not limited. All songs written by Watoo Watoo, except track 11 by the Wedding Present. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Candybomber - Singular cdep

$5.00

Stewart Tudor-Jackman spent his younger days leading the indiepop duo, the Kensingtons, in the mid-'90s and even revived the name some years back, releasing EPs on Dufflecoat, Anorak and Cloudberry. This new project of his, however, is miles away from the rather twee pop sound of the Kensingtons - instead, we have four slices of good, solid powerpop a la Matthew Sweet, the Posies and Fountains Of Wayne. Let's put it this way: if Not Lame Records were still around, this would've fit perfectly on their roster between Cherry Twister and Martin Luther Lennon. A great taste of what's to come!

Not limited. All songs written by Candybomber. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Flying Fish Cove - Flying Fish Cove EP cdep

$5.00

composed of a bunch of friends of mine, I've been a fan of this Seattle band since they first formed about a year ago, and Jigsaw is happy to introduce the world to them via their self-titled debut EP. Simply put, Flying Fish Cove play pure indiepop in the style of Heavenly, Go Sailor and Tiger Trap, with nimble guitar melodies and layers of sugary-sweet vocals on top of four memorable songs. Already working on their follow-up, this is a great taste for this young and fresh band who - spoiler alert - I've recently joined on drums!

Not limited. All songs written by Flying Fish Cove. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Beat Degeneration - Searching For Some Heaven cd

$10.00

hailing from Italy, this is the second full-length from Beat Degeneration, following their debut cassette on Weiner Records. The trio plays a mix of indie rock, indiepop and powerpop, channeling bands like Surfer Blood, the Drums and Crocodiles (whose Charles Rowell produced this very album). Their songs have a wide range of moods with some songs, like "Jamie Is Gone" and "I Love You Sweetly", having big and catchy (dare I say, radio-friendly?) choruses, and others, like the ambient surf-instrumental, "Pappelallee", and the record's piano-centered closer, "Painted On The Wall", showing off a gentler side. Yes, there's a bit of something for everyone on this cool and varied album.

Not limited. All songs written by Beat Degeneration. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Megrim - Families cd

$10.00

last year, we reintroduced the world to Les Autres, an excellent French indie rock band from the '90s, via a compilation entitled "Backwards". Now, we're happy to present the debut album (after a couple self-released digital-only EPs) from Megrim, which is the new project of that older band's guitarist/vocalist, Olivier Doreille. Like Les Autres, comparisons can be drawn to early '90s contemporaries such as Lorelei and Hood, but Megrim's sound is a bit more fleshed out, at times reminding me a lot of early Death Cab For Cutie and Nada Surf. Their songs are sometimes driving, other times melancholic, but always interesting, making for a well-rounded and rewarding album to listen to.

Not limited. All songs written by Megrim. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Rochester, Anthony - Sings For You cd

$10.00

it's been quite a few years since Anthony's last release, the self-titled Anthony Rochesters EP, and even longer since his last solo album, "Hot Hits '96" (both also on Jigsaw), but that's what happens when life gets in the way. But despite the long wait, his sound has not changed all that much; he's still playing easy-going AM-styled soft-pop filled with vintage synths and melodies galore. You'll even find a little bit of a disco feel in songs like "Parasep Discotheque" and "Let's Make Love Happen". The band he reminds me the most of is the Simple Carnival, but he also has a bit of a Jens Lekman-esque charm to him - and try as you might, it's really hard to resist good old Anthony Rochester...

Not limited. All songs written by Anthony Rochester. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Popincourt - The Brilliant Missing Link 7"

$7.00

Popincourt released a smashing lp on Jigsaw last year called "A New Dimension To Modern Love", and now they follow up with an equally brilliant single called "The Brilliant Missing Link"! The A-side is an instantly catchy hit in the style of Paul Weller, Joe Jackson or Ray Davies, that's sure to brighten up your spring, while the flip gives us the full version of "ImprovISAtion", which was previously only available as a couple teasing snippets on the album. A thrilling single, available in a limited edition in a thick, handsome sleeve!

300 copies pressed. All songs written by Popincourt. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Speedlights - Night Driver cd

$10.00

two years after their self-titled 2015 debut EP, The Speedlights of Denton, Texas return with their first full length album. The ten new tracks build on the late '70s powerpop influences that formed the earlier recordings, but it's almost as if the band have now moved ahead a few years into the new wave early '80s. The catchy hooks are still ever present for the quartet, though the addition of periodic synthesizer lines and occasionally darker moods are more akin to The Cars than The Knack this time out.

Not limited. All songs written by the Speedlights. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Cracked Actors - One Act Plays cd

$10.00

this debut album from Cracked Actors of northern England just fell into my lap recently when the band wrote me out of the blue requesting I release their record. Well, I just happened to really like it, so I happily obliged and here we are two months later with the newest Jigsaw release! The band they actually remind me the most of is an obscure 80s group from the southern US called Carnival Season - with their crunchy guitar sound, raspy vocals and super-catchy powerpop songs - but seeing as fewer than five people will get that reference, I'll instead just say they're a mix between mid-period Replacements and Mega City Four. Ten punchy songs in exactly 21½ minutes - you can't go wrong with that!

Not limited. All songs written by Cracked Actors. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Kaveh Kanes - Capital cd

$10.00

orignally released about two years ago on Kolibri Rekords of Jakarta, this Indonesian band's debut full-length has been out of print for some time now, and we're all too happy to bring it back into the world! The eight songs on this album shimmer and sparkle along with the best of Beach Fossils, Seapony and EZTV's work - easy-going and very dreamy sounding, with hushed male vocals over reverbed-out strummy guitars and laidback songs. And if you like these songs, wait until you hear their new record, due out on Jigsaw next year!

Not limited. All songs written by Kaveh Kanes. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Half Forward Line - The Back Of Mass cd

$10.00

Half Forward Line is the new band from Brian Kelly (So Cow), Niall Murphy (Oh Boland) and drummer/recordist Ciaran o Maoláin. The plan for the band was to write a set of new songs as quickly as possible and perform them as soon as possible for a good old-fashioned lark, and as a result, the trio have crafted a short, sharp dose of power pop. Recorded over two days in the lounge of a derelict rural Irish pub, this album takes in tales of wedded bliss, social anxiety and the perils of letting someone try on your glasses. Infused with the pioneering jangling spirit of the Flying Nun roster, along with garage rock sonics and Kelly's inimitable brand of buzzsaw pop and slice-of-life lyrics, Half Forward Line have delivered a half-hour album hallmarked by hook-laden songs.

Not limited. All songs written by Half Forward Line. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Occasional Flickers - Sleep And The Time In Between cd

$10.00

based in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Occasional Flickers have been around for over a decade and this is their third album to date, after full length releases on Plastilina and Linger On Records (as well as a 7" on Cloudberry). Their sound is almost distinctly Scottish (even though band leader/songwriter Giorgos Bouras is originally from Athens, Greece), in the style of the Orchids and Belle & Sebastian. Though the songs are predominately light and breezy jangly pop, they also display some grand tendencies (see the epic "Most Of The Time" as a prime example). Overall, this is a well-thought out album and well worth the wait!

Not limited. All songs written by The Occasional Flickers. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Shrug Life - Shrug Life cd

$10.00

hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Shrug Life have only been around for a couple years, and here we have their debut full length. Musically, they remind me a lot of the Lodger and fellow countrymen (and Jigsaw labelmates) So Cow, with their edgy and energetic yet very melodic indiepop sound. And lyrically, their well-written songs tackle everything from life's shortcomings and drudgeries to more serious topics like local politics and abortion rights. Co-released with Ireland's Little L Records, this is a strong batch of songs that we're proud to share with the world!

Not limited. All songs written by Shrug Life. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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San Martin, Brad - Shoot Tomorrow / Learn Tonight cd

$10.00

just over two years after his debut, "Tell Someone" (also on Jigsaw), we're happy to present you with Brad San Martin's second solo album! You may know Brad from his previous classic indiepop band, One Happy Island (with releases on Wee Pop! and Odd Box Records), but with his solo work, he branches out into more AM-friendly soft-pop territory, a la Harry Nilsson or Van Dyke Parks. And this time around, he's assisted by some pretty big names, as well: Mitch Easter, Pete Weiss (who also produced the record) and Kevin Dunn (whose guitar work on "Cook And Morton" is simply stunning). Yep, Brad's knocked it out of the park yet again with this one!

Not limited. All songs written by Brad San Martin. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Joy Cleaner - Total Hell cd/lp

$10.00

after releasing the discography compilation from Makeout Vertigo, we kept in touch with Kyle Wilkerson, and when he passed along some tracks he recorded with his new band, Joy Cleaner, we jumped at the chance to release it! The old school indiepopper in me wants to liken this to Masters Of The Hemisphere, simply because JC are at times a dead ringer for that underrated (and much-missed!) '90s band. However, I also acknowledge that more modern references could be helpful to some, so I'd say this is great for fans of bands like Dogbreth and Diners; bands that maintain a balance between jangly/breezy indiepop and rough/edgy indie rock, keeping the hooks and melodies up front. This album is chock full of hits, too numerous to mention, and will be the perfect soundtrack for the entire summer (and beyond)!

CD not limited, 300 lps pressed on pink vinyl. All songs written by Joy Cleaner. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Sky Mata - First Album cd

$10.00

the Sky Mata is the moniker for a Japanese fellow named Matthew Haya, and, as you might guess, this is his first album. His sound is very simple and stripped-down, almost like a minimal Marbles or Stuart Moxham, had he been part of the Elephant 6 collective. The songs have a very intimate sound, as if he had recorded them in his apartment late at night, careful not to wake his neighbors with the drums (which are hit ever so lightly). The interplay between the nimble bass and melodic guitars is fantastic, reminding me of Pinback at times, and there are enough memorable tunes to keep you coming back for more listens.

Not limited. All songs written by Shrug Life. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Hoop - Super Genuine cd

$10.00

recorded a couple years ago in Anacortes (with Nich Wilbur at the Unknown), but finally seeing the light of day now, this is the debut album from Hoop, a lovely all-girl quartet from Seattle led by Caitlin Roberts. It's a deeply personal album about a toxic relationship, and with its sparse yet beautiful delivery, you really can't help feeling moved by the end of it. Musically, the band reminds me of Unrest and Lake, sharing those bands' knack for muted, naked beauty, but also their affinity for expanding the sound when needed (as in the droney outro to "Baseboard" or the overdriven but still subdued "Drawn To You"). This is a haunting and timeless classic designed to help anyone get through their worst times. 

Not limited. All songs written by Hoop. Available digitally soon on Bandcamp.

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Cattle - Slow Sailor EP cdep

$5.00

following up on their powerful debut from a couple years back, Tokyo's Cattle have given us another winner with their second EP, "Slow Sailor". It starts off deceptively gentle with the lovely midtempo "Sherbet", but then kicks it into high gear with a trio of instant hits, including a very spirited rendition of Ride's classic, "Twisterella", before closing off with the midtempo (but still punchy) title track. Musically, they remind me a lot of Ringo Deathstarr and the noisier side of Pia Fraus, with confident female vocals over crunchy guitars, and a whole lot of melody ringing throughout. This is seriously some of the best dreampop I've heard in a while!

Not limited. All songs written by Cattle, except track 3 by Ride. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Hush Machine - Hush Machine cd

$10.00

Hush Machine is the blissful, glassy guitar pop of Kansas-born Sam Boatright, a 21 year-old Lawrence native who has created music under this moniker for several years; however, he has only just recently started sharing his music with a grander listening audience. The songs on this self-titled debut album were all written and recorded during Boatright’s junior and senior year of high school in 2013 and echo winter nights driving around lonesome as well as muggy summer days, lounging around with friends. Musically, the sound is not unlike the first Strokes record - that is, catchy and gritty and poppy and memorable - only without a single ounce of pretense. A promising start for this young musician!

Not limited. All songs written by Hush Machine. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Cherries - Self Titled 2 cd

$10.00

this is the second album from this San Francisco quartet (with ex-members of Grandma's Boyfriend, Permanent Collection and the Broonies), and it's a 17-track, 32-minute whirlwind of exciting crash pop! Packed with an array of catchy songs and quirky song fragments that flow into one another, this album is on par with anything by Kleenex Girl Wonder and Guided By Voices (the 4-track years). Sure, the recording quality is pretty lo-fi (and that's being kind), but the songs are certainly top quality, and that's all that really matters anyways, right?

Not limited. All songs written by the Cherries, except track 5 by the Imperfections. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Secret Meadow - Same Old Fear EP cdep

$5.00

this is the debut release from Secret Meadow, a new band from Jakarta, Indonesia, and it's a good case of being able to judge a book by its cover. Much like the sleeve, the songs contained within are simple and catchy, but are also shrouded in a haze (of ambient synths). Imagine the sound and atmosphere of the Cure or Slowdive, but with melodies that rival anything the Radio Dept. have ever written, and mostly upbeat songs with driving rhythms and vocals that are soft yet confident. And the guitars! Oh, the wonderful, jangly guitars... Yes, this is the start of something really big, and we're glad to be able to introduce you to this delightful band!

Not limited. All songs written by Secret Meadow. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Heavenly Creatures - This Summer Will Kill Us All EP cdep

$5.00

We have here the debut release from Cleveland's Heavenly Creatures, and it's a lovely five-song gem! Though current, the band sounds like they were plucked from the Harriet Records '90s catalog, wedged in nicely between similarly female-led bands such as Twig, Pest 5000 and Prickly. That is, this EP is full of catchy pop songs with a bit of an edge both musically and lyrically (see the ode to so-called self-help books in "Blah Blah Blah Amen" and the response to guys' backhanded compliments to female musicians in the opening "Unsolicited Advice"). Last summer may have nearly killed the band (when their drummer moved cross-country and the band almost split up), but this year - and this EP - finds them starting again on a high note.

Not limited. All songs written by Heavenly Creatures. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Gentle Brent - Just Dandy cd

$10.00

after a couple albums under his own name and as the Pinecones, Brent Randall of Toronto is now using the moniker Gentle Brent, but he's still playing many of the instruments on his own (with help from a few friends here and there). A little less orchestral this time around, Brent is leaning more toward jangly powerpop territory - think Harry Nilsson or Paul McCartney meets the Heavy Blinkers, Flashing Lights or even Jigsaw's own Michael Knight. This album has friendly, bouncy AM-styled hits galore, and with eleven of 'em in under half an hour, you'll find lots of wonderful vocal harmonies and the catchiest songs you've heard in a while!

Not limited. All songs written by Gentle Brent. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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31Ø8 - 31Ø8 (BLU) cd

$10.00

having a band with a special character in its name is always tricky - unless you're from northern Europe (which 31Ø8 isn't - they're from London), you're gonna have a hard time typing out their name, much less saying it. It's 3-1-zero-8 in case you were wondering... Anyways, following their self-titled debut on Trouble In Mind Records from 2014, here we have their second self-titled album - differentiated by a change in ink color, hence the suffix '(BLU)'. Oh, and now's a good time to mention that this isn't even a full band, but rather the solo project of a fellow named Kyle, who used to go by 'Tyler'. Now that I've fully confused you, let's discuss the music: at its core, it's rock music with keen pop sensibilities. That is, these are basically simple pop songs, but everything - guitars, vocals, synth-bass and electronic drums - is covered in a layer of fuzz, sounding like some hybrid of Loop and mid-period Jesus And Mary Chain, while more modern-ish references include Honeyrider and Jigsaw's own American Culture & Super Paradise. Not an easy record to describe, but very easy to get into.

Not limited. All songs written by 31Ø8. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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nearr - History Repeats Itself cd

$10.00

after a few digital releases on the Beko label, we have the first "proper" album from nearr, a one-man recording project led by Eduard Tokuyev from Ukraine. And it's a beautiful example of lo-fi bedroom pop, that combines acoustic and electric guitars with keyboards and drum machines. Take the distant vocals of the Radio Dept., the stark but melodic guitar sound of "Seventeen Seconds"-era Cure and the overall feel of a Famous Boyfriend record, and you'll get an idea of what to expect here. The songs themselves have a theme of loneliness and longing, as is seemingly typical with bedroom pop of this type, but they aren't at all mopey. Eduard has dubbed this record the "closing release of his lo-fi era", so let's all look forward to what the band produces next!

Not limited. All songs written by nearr. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Ghost Thoughts - Purple Period cdep

$5.00

this is the new project from Davina Shell (of Thee Ahs) and friends, and truth be told, it's really not too different from her previous band. And that's a good thing, because I LOVED Thee Ahs and their brand of pure and simple indiepop with the sweetest vocals - as much as I loved the Fat Tulips back when Sunday Records reigned supreme. Not to insinuate that these songs are all flowers and butterflies - in fact, they're rather darker in tone. Davina wrote all of the songs, but each track on this EP has a different vocalist (including Davina and Sarah, also from Thee Ahs), but they all have a similarly sweet delivery, so it flows together quite well. An all-around beautiful little collection of songs!

Not limited. All songs written by Ghost Thoughts. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Galants - Galants EP cdep

$5.00

the best thing about EPs (when they're done right) is that it gives bands a chance to put their best songs right up front, with no filler. Don't get me wrong, I love albums as much as the next guy, but a very good EP can be just as strong - if not stronger - than a decent album. Take this one, for example, the first for these four Irish fellows: it's only got four songs, but all of them are complete winners. It's seriously hard to pick out a single favorite on this disc, as each one is a perfect example of hard-hitting shoegaze/noise-pop in the vein of Ride, Swervedriver or the Brother Kite (particularly the latter, who have also perfected the blend of shoegaze and noise-pop). Not bad for a first outing, eh?

Not limited. All songs written by Galants. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Lures - There's No Pressure cd

$10.00

I've been a fan of Lures (a local Seattle band), ever since I caught them live by chance a couple years back. Sadly, they're pretty much inactive now, but they had this album in the can and no means to release it, so I jumped at the chance! Following up on their debut lp on Fin Records from a few years ago, this is another solid batch of songs that blur the lines between the past and the present. That is, they have a classic surfy rock sound, steeped in reverb and all that, only with songs that sound modern, in a similar style as someone like Chris Cohen and Tele Novella. But in between, they'll go and do a surf instrumental or cover Del Shannon's "Runaway". A nicely varied and rich album, let's just hope that it's not really their last...

Not limited. All songs written by Lures, except track 8 by Del Shannon. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Rentiers - Bring Me The Finest World Map Shower Curtain In All The Land cd

$10.00

the Rentiers have been around for a few years now, existing as a project for Joel Tannenbaum (Plow United, Snow Fairies, Skywriters, etc.) and whoever he ropes into recording with him (and that's a pretty long cast of characters!). His musical roots are indiepop and DIY punk, but with the Rentiers, he doesn't limit himself to just one genre. No, you'll find a wide variety of styles from indiepop to electropop to reggae, though his forte (and thus, the majority of the songs on this collection) is catchy indie rock with a particular knack for descriptive storytelling, usually co-sung by himself and a female vocalist. Just listen to songs like "Jessica And Dan And A Cat Named Bolt Thrower" and "The Third Floor", for example, and you'll find real depth in there. Dive into the fun and diverse world of the Rentiers! 

Not limited. All songs written by the Rentiers. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Super Paradise - Quençebo cd

$8.00

originally from Milan, Italy but now based in London, this is the first outing for the enigmatic Super Paradise. The album starts off with the infectious "The F.C.", a great opener, if there ever was one, with its classic synth arpeggios and driving rhythm, that propels it forward for an exciting three minutes. From there, we have the one-two punch of "Ties" and "Dawn", a pair of anthemic noise-pop hits that actually remind me a lot of Jigsaw's own American Culture. After a brief interstitial piece, we're treated to a guitar-based version of LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends" (not knowing the original, I checked it out, and can safely say that Super Paradise have very much made it their own!), followed by a couple more noise-pop tunes, finally closing out with "Tonight", a slow-building mini-epic. Barely over 20 minutes in length, you'll have no problem hitting repeat on this rousing mini-album!

Not limited. All songs written by Super Paradise, except track 5 by LCD Soundsystem. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Scooterbabe - The Sorrow You've Been Toting Around cd

$10.00

last year, Jigsaw compiled Scooterbabe's two cassette EPs onto one disc, entitled "The Scooterbabe Companion"; this year, we're proud to present their first proper full length, "The Sorrow You've Been Toting Around". The band has undergone a couple line-up changes in the time leading up to this album, and their sound has matured quite a bit in that time, as well. The band they most closely resemble is the Ropers, a vintage Slumberland band that excelled in refined pop, rife with jangling guitars and solid melodies - qualities all found within these eleven songs. Add in guest vocals/violin from Jianna Justice, and you have a well-rounded and thoughtful batch of songs that together, comprise a stellar and very rewarding album. 

Not limited. All songs written by Scooterbabe. Available digitally on Bandcamp.

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Le SuperHomard - MapleKey cd

$8.00

two releases on the label from two brilliant French artists in one year? Ouh la la! Le SuperHomard is the work of a French fellow named Christophe, with help from his brother, Olivier on drums and Pandora Burgess on vocals (for the songs that actually have vocals), and this is their debut album. The music here is delightfully classy and elegant, with lots of jazzy chords, muted basslines and vintage synths, drawing obvious comparisons to Stereolab and St. Etienne (though I would also add Broadcast and Fugu to the list). A gorgeous listen from start to finish on this brief, yet rewarding glimpse into the mind of Le SuperHomard!

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As Ondas - Marés cd

$10.00

after a couple very limited cassette EPs, this is the much-anticipated debut album for As Ondas, a tri-lingual trio from London, who split their lyrics between English, Spanish and Portuguese, the latter language being where their name comes from (As Ondas means "the waves", if you're curious). Their sound is very simple: a sparse guitar/bass/drum line-up, with boy/girl vocals and very few layers of instrumentation. In fact, Moema barely even plays any chords on the guitar, generally opting more for singular note melodies, which just adds to the sparseness (which is frequently filled with Andrew's bass - the liveliest instrument on the record). Their sound is very reminiscent of some of the mid-period Unrest stuff (think Imperial FFRR-era), but the two bands they really remind me of are Yellow Fever and Orca Team, two bands who also excelled in simple yet powerful songs. This is a very interesting and intriguing album that improves on each listen.

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Blue Jeans - Songs Are Easy cd

$10.00

once known as Santa Monica Swim And Dive Club, Blue Jeans are led by Tim Sendra, who elder indiepoppers will recognize as the one of the forces behind Veronica Lake in the early 90s. Whereas that band was known for their songs being shrouded in layers of fuzz, Blue Jeans are a much cleaner affair, with relatively straightforward pop songs that occasionally border on bubblegum. In addition to the songwriting of Tim, we also have the production and general hands-on-ness of Fred Thomas from the very like-minded Saturday Looks Good To Me, giving things a perfect pop polish. These ten exciting songs may only last about half an hour, but they will likely fuel your entire summer!

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Popincourt - A New Dimension To Modern Love cd/lp

$10.00

the first ten seconds of the album's opening track, "I Found Out", were enough to convince me that I needed to release this record. A simply beautiful and pure janglepop song in the vein of Choo Choo Train or the first Posies album may start off the record, but soon afterwards you realize that this French band's sound is much more varied than that. Popincourt is not only the name of the band, but also the pseudonym of its leader, who receives assistance from Hervé Bouétard (Bertrand Burgalat's drummer) and (perhaps not coincidentally) Ken Stringfellow on bass, among others. Popincourt himself is admittedly very influenced by the Style Council (though my ears also hear a close similarity to Eggstone), with his songs exhibiting a classy sound filled with trumpets, subtle organs, female backing vocals and jazzy guitar chords. With twelve quality pop songs clocking in at nearly 35 minutes, this is a surefire hit for the much-anticipated summer!

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