Inspired by the likes of Mac DeMarco and Ariel Pink, the bedroom pop sensation is taking over 2018
If you haven’t already heard of “bedroom pop”, it’s a term used to describe home-recorded music (aka lo-fi music) by bands whose musical style lean loosely towards the dream pop label. Rising bedroom pop artists in recent years include Fazerdaze, Homeshake, Bane’s World, Mellow Fellow, Clairo and many more. As huge fans of all kinds of indie music, we’ve put together a list of the best bedroom pop albums and EPs released in 2018, enjoy.
Top bedroom pop albums and EPs released in 2018
Angel Youth by Vansire
Influenced by the likes of Mac DeMarco, Josh Augustin and Sam Winemiller from Minnesota got together and became Vansire. The two recorded their first song in a basement using an iPad with a very cracked screen, which later got picked up by Minnesota Public Radio, and that’s how the band started. Now under the label Spirit Goth Records, Vansire’s latest album Angel Youth promises wonderful synth loops and beautifully-written yet quirky lyrics. Their music video for Halcyon Age (shot by Madelynn De La Rosa) is a nostalgic one that you don’t want to miss, and it’s one of our favourite bedroom pop songs of 2018.
Flavour by Paul Cherry
Paul Cherry (real name Paul Cherewick) from Chicago released his debut EP On Top in 2014, which is pure lo-fi rock goodness. Having recently released his full-length album Flavour through Feel Trip Records, Paul Cherry offers as a whimsical, dreamy and sort of jazzy album that you can put on replay for forever. And check out his “brilliant” dance moves on Like Yesterday!
RALPH TV by RALPH TV
RALPH TV from Brighton consists of Will Osborne, Ben Brown, Isaac Vosper and Luke Vosper. Influenced by a wide range of artists, from D’Angelo and My Bloody Valentine to Homeshake, the band manages to combine futuristic R&B with a lo-fi aesthetic and delivers a soothing 5-track EP, definitely worth a listen.
Me, Again by BOYO
20-year-old singer-songwriter Robert Tilden from Los Angeles, aka BOYO, started dipping his toe in the DIY scene and fronting the band Bobby T. and the Slackers since he was just 16 years old. His second release with Danger Collective Records in 2018 – Me, Again – touches upon the issues of vulnerability, isolation, addiction and regret. Alongside the noisey lo-fi tunes, Me, Again is a perfect sentimental bedroom pop album to drift off to.
VHS by Castlebeat
Another one of our favourites from Spirit Goth Records is Castlebeat – a lo-fi dream pop project by Josh Hwang from Irvine, California (who actually runs the label himself). In 2016, his self-titled debut album delivered a variety of blissful shoegaze-influenced tracks like Dreamgaze and Falling Forward. And his latest album VHS is an intriguing mix of sadness and comfort, which is perfect for a rainy afternoon. FYI, he also makes surf pop music as Jaded Juice Riders – you definitely should check that out too.
Pastel by Katzù Oso
Striving to craft a dreamy synth-drenched sound with influences from growing up east of Los Angeles, Paul Hernandez (monikered Katzù Oso) released his first debut mixtape Pastel just a month ago through Counter Culture Records and Cosmica Records. It’s a cinematic, upbeat and romantic bedroom pop album that you’ll grow to adore on first listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVip6xSLnCo
III by Foliage
19-year-old Manuel Joseph Walker from San Bernardino, California started writing music as Foliage when he was a 16-year-old high schooler. From songwriting to vocals and engineering, Walker did it all by himself, hence the birth of the delightful and jangly III. It’s an engaging and easy-to-listen-to album, with lovely lyrics that might get stuck in your head easily.
Whenever You’re Around I Hate Everything Less by Yung Heazy
Coming from Vancouver, Yung Heazy (real name Jordan Heaney)’s Whenever You’re Around I Hate Everything Less is a mellow yet charming bedroom pop album. The lyrics are partly seductive, and partly tragic – as said by Heaney referring to the title of his debut album in an interview. It’s definitely one for all the romantic souls, teenagers and adults alike out there.
Found your favourite bedroom pop albums and want to discover more cool music? Check out local shoegaze band Thud’s new single Ado, give indie rock band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart a listen or learn more about experimental music with Sleep Party People.
