It’s a retro-pop extravaganza right here right now and that’s the best place to be. Dive in! 

THE FLAT FIVE – IT’S A WORLD OF LOVE AND HOPE (BLOODSHOT RECORDS)

Harmonies galore in a pure pop vocal setting is extremely rare in 2016 and The Flat Five do a bang up job with getting the retro-pop stylings right. Basically, what you see is what you get — 12 irresistibly catchy, instantly-hummable, and sweetly twisted pop songs written by long-time Chicago fixture Chris Ligon. http://www.theflatfivechicago.com/

Buy now from iTunes. 

REAL NUMBERS – WORDLESS WONDER (SLUMBERLAND RECORDS)

Authentic indie pop is hard to find nowadays but Real Numbers have nailed the C86 sound perfectly. Wordless Wonder is chock full of jangly guitars, low mixed vocals, simple catchy tunes and DIY production values and the title track channels the Velvet Underground’s eponymous third LP and every hip and cool 80s Scottish band rather faithfully. http://therealnumbers.us/

Buy now from iTunes. 

DYR FASER – TRIO (SLIBER RECORDS)

Late 60s psychedelic rock mixed up with 70s Krautrock is the modus operandi of Dyr Faser. It’s wonderfully lo-fi with a penchant for Lou Reed-type mumblings. Arrangements are somewhat spare with production values somewhat austere but there is a sense that the music on Trio is made for its own sake. The opening “Den of Sables” is the clear highlight here. https://www.facebook.com/dyrfaser

Buy now from iTunes. 

CONOR OBERST – RUMINATIONS (NONESUCH RECORDS)

Oberst goes all Dylanesque on us. That much is obvious. Nothing new of course, as his previous album – Upside Down Mountain – was recorded in the same fashion. So it’s fundamentally Oberst backed by guitar or piano with his vocals or harmonica providing the melody. Which is incredibly brave as all you have going for you is your songwriting. Naked. No argument here – Ruminations holds up and is highly recommended. http://www.conoroberst.com/

Buy now from iTunes. 

… still there’s more …