"This week in Indie Basement we've got new records by Sharp Pins ( Lifeguard's Kai Slater), Oneohtrix Point Never, Irish-by-way-of-Portugal band pôt-pot, and Chicago's Glyders, plus two rave-forward movie soundtracks: GAME from Geoff Barrow ( Portishead/Beak), and SIRĀT by Kangding Ray. We lost a true legend this week, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, and I pay tribute to his work in the Stone Roses for this week's Indie Basement Classic."
"Balloon Balloon Balloon is actually the second Sharp Pins album of 2025 - he released Radio DDR back in the spring - and his prolific nature is in line with the artist he's most likely to get compared to: Guided by Voices. Early GBV, specifically, and Slater holds up well against them. Like Robert Pollard, he has a way with home recording, playing every instrument, multitracking harmonies, and evoking his heroes without ever exactly stealing from them."
"Balloon Balloon Balloon is a nonstop hook-fest, with jangly, chiming guitars, "ooh ooh" and "ahhhhh" choruses, and "yeoowwww!" intros to solos. The album also features some clever, trippy production touches that keep things from being a total time machine. It's almost as if Kai is wearing his influences (Beatles, Big Star, Zombies, Kinks, Television Personalities, Cleaners From Venus) like armor"
Sharp Pins' Balloon Balloon Balloon is a '60s-inspired lo-fi guitar pop record by Kai Slater featuring multitracked harmonies, jangly guitars, and inventive production flourishes. The album channels early Guided by Voices and blends Beatles, Big Star, Zombies, Kinks, Television Personalities, and Cleaners From Venus influences while keeping original hooks and home-recorded charm. New releases also arrive from Oneohtrix Point Never, Irish-by-way-of-Portugal band pôt-pot, and Chicago's Glyders. Two rave-forward soundtracks appear: GAME by Geoff Barrow (Portishead/Beak) and SIRĀT by Kangding Ray. Gary 'Mani' Mounfield is honored with a Stone Roses tribute, and other notable releases and reunion news are noted.
Read at BrooklynVegan
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