These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend – and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s Marina Florance this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here.

With all that is currently going on in the world it is a privilege to be able to sit quietly and write reviews for great music, for so many in the world this task would simply be impossible at this time. I can only hope that those in anguish and distress are set free from their suffering soon.

APRIL FOUR – Eden

April Four are Lucia and Doc; Lu lives near Santiago, Chile while Doc lives near Glasgow, Scotland. They met in 2017, wrote a song together, and four years later they began writing again. Eden was released on 6th October and is from their debut album, due for release early 2024. They’re putting out a series of singles before the eventual release of said album.

Sublimely digital and analogue, the beat is intoxicating, and although I do not really like to make comparisons I will anyway — anyone else hearing Redcar (Christina and The Queens)? No? Just me then…

It’s so lovely when the beat drops out and we get to hear Lu’s voice, almost fragile, fine, delicate when alone and then positively commanding and in control when the beat comes back in. Eden has a compelling beat, maybe one for the exercise playlist if you are that way inclined.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

B-AHWE – PercentAge

Based in south London, B-ahwe is Bethany Herrington. PercentAge brings us an expertly produced track which allows you to settle in, relax, and just let that voice wash over you — and what a voice it is! Soothing, comforting, superb.

PercentAge was released on 11th October and is taken from the album 26% Mixtape, which is also available on vinyl, but only if you are quick, as there are very few remaining. Pop along to their Bandcamp page to get yours, and support independent music today.

I love the lyrics so much I’m just going to post a few here:

“Counting all these pressures, forgetting all my blessings.
Push my body to its limits endless trials and expectations,
Body was not my own.
But if age is a percentage then I’m barely even there.
Must remember if I’m breathing everything else is a gift.
But I lose myself, put their pressures over health.”

Where can you see them live, you ask?

Oct 26: Cafe Koko, London.
Nov 22: The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham.
Nov 23: Cobalt Studios, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Nov 24: Band On The Wall, Manchester.
Nov 25: Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds.
Nov 28: Crofters Rights Bristol, Bristol.
Nov 29: Peckham Audio, London.

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

DUTCH CRIMINAL RECORD – Come Closer

Dutch Criminal Record are an indie/surf four-piece from the South Coast, making their way through the indie pop labyrinth via TikTok. Although they describe themselves as a four-piece, I can only find three names, Framps, Joe and Sam.

“They write and perform their own brand of upbeat tunes featuring melodic vocals, interlinking riffs and blooming harmonies based around a background of solid bass and energetic drums…” their words not mine.

Having already caught the ears of Steve Lamacq, Jack Saunders, and John Kennedy amongst many others, they are undoubtedly destined for even more success.

Come Closer is from their latest single from the EP Apathy Mixtape, which was released on 13th October. What a gratifyingly bubbly track, that invites us to come closer, it will undoubtedly make you want to get closer to DCR sounds. Heading to the coast sometime soon? Then you add Come Closer to your ‘coastal sounds’ playlist.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

GARVIE – So High

Garvie describes themselves as “a songwriter who spent too much time playing video games during lockdown. He spent years writing for other artists and cutting his teeth on the London live scene. Then forced to immerse himself in creating a sound of his own for once. What emerged was a world that mixes the signature guitar grooves and bigger choruses of his past writing projects with the synths and cheeky 8-bit throwbacks of his new videogame existence.”

Already on the radar of our very own Tom Robinson, who said of a previous release “… an irresistible earworm” and having had airplay on previous releases from BBC Introducing, Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1) and Amazing Radio in the UK and US, I can only suggest that So High most certainly replicates the irresistible earworm comment by Tom.

Full of little sounds and nuances, multiple listens are required as you discover more and more to love about this track.

Also take a look at some of the delightfully creative videos on his website.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

HAARM – Do The Right Thing

HAARM are a Liverpool four-piece: Jennifer Davies, Oliver Gorman, Robert Whitely and Chris Macintosh. They started out as a songwriting team, but soon discovered their collective sound and what a sound it is, instantly appealing.

Do The Right Thing is the first release of a new batch of singles being released every six weeks leading to a debut album which will be released around April 2024.

Success follows HAARM around, having already provided the sound track to the Premier League on BT Sport, enjoyed multiple syncs on Sky Atlantic, BBC and Amazon Prime programmes and have gained support on Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio X.

The mix, the production, the mood all tell me that this track is set for great things, I really love this one!

You can see HAARM live on October 26th at The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool. With further dates planned in the UK and EU at the start of 2024.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

LEWIS MCLAUGHLIN – Getting Better

Lewis McLaughlin hails from Glasgow, and Getting Better was released on 29th September by Monohands Records. Having won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition, Lewis enjoyed a summer of festivals across the UK and around Scotland.

He’s been championed by BBC Radio Scotland, the Zoe Ball breakfast show, and appeared on TV as part of BBC 2’s coverage of Glastonbury 2022.

Lewis tells us “Getting Better breathes life into contradictions, an indie rock anthem in waiting that emanates an upbeat and feel-good essence. However, upon delving deeper, a hidden facet emerges. Inspired by the inner turmoil and occasional frustration that simmers beneath a seemingly serene exterior, McLaughlin’s lyrics explore the intricate bond we forge with ourselves. A song that delves inward, it navigates the complex landscapes of self-discovery, leaving us ultimately with a glimmer of hope and a resolute, positive perspective.”

Lewis shows considerable maturity through his songwriting, you only have to listen to realise why he has gained so much recognition.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

LO-FI JONES – Fan Transit Coch (Red Transit Van)

As mentioned on Fresh Faves 469 Lo-Fi Jones were forged in slate and small-town angst in the foothills of Eryri by bearded brothers, Siôn and Liam Rickard, who in their own words “Brew up a heady mix of alt-folk, tragi-comic pop, and Indi-Cymraeg, with lyrics in both English and Welsh, weaving tales of love and loss.”

Fan Transit Coch was released on 6th October and Lo-Fi Jones tell us that: “This song began life on a road trip in a red transit van, going from Belgium to Portugal. The lyrics were inspired by the story of one travel companion who joined us last minute after seeing our callout on social media. She’d recently broken up with her boyfriend and decided that a spontaneous 2320 mile adventure with total strangers was just what she needed.”

What a wonderful thing to do, pack up and go on a road trip with complete strangers, getting lost in a multi-storey car park, trying to forget a lost love makes it all the more appealing. No wait! What am I saying, I’m clearly being swayed by the music which makes such a journey sound enticing.

I hope the trip achieved its aim for the strangers, if it didn’t, then they will always have this perfect song as a reminder.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

OWNERS CLUB – Village Green

Owners Club are from Dorking. I’d like to tell you more about the band, but can only find the following in their own words:

“Owners Club are a ‘pub rock four piece’ – but they are so much more than that. There’s a through line in their taut, visceral sound going from British greats like Roxy Music and Marc Bolan, through The Buzzcocks and The Jam before taking a detour off to NYC and nodding towards The Strokes and The Walkmen.”

Village Green is from their 7-inch EP, released on black vinyl, the EP also called Owners Club is the band’s debut release on Goo Records and was recorded at Small Pond Studios in Brighton in April, produced and mixed by Matt Gleeson.

The track takes a little time to build with its catchy whistling, clever lyrics, around halfway through it reaches new heights as the lead guitar kicks in ensuring that you will want to hear this again and again, if you passed it by because of it’s opening then you are really, no really! Missing a treat, it’s splendid.

See them live:

Oct 19: The Victoria, Dalston, London.
Nov 09: The Green Door Store, Brighton.
Nov 30: The Hope and Ruin, Brighton.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

PETER PANTIN – Dakota

Who is behind the track? I don’t know, I know they are called Peter Pantin, where are they based? I don’t know, I do know they are called Peter Pantin. What can I tell you about Peter Pantin, I can tell you the name they go by, it’s Peter Pantin.

The track was released on 19th September. Dakota is dark, ominous and injects a feeling of foreboding, it’s in contrast to the other tracks in this week’s Fresh Faves, although not the only one sung in French. Did you notice the other one? A little quiz to see if you have been listening, answers in the comments below please.

Expertly recorded and mixed by Fred Lefranc at the Sound of April, mastered by Emile Daelemans, the cover art is by @Janet.ministry on Instagram and was inspired by Henriette Valium.

It’s great track in my opinion, the start of the track reminds me of The Eton Rifles by The Jam, although as I said earlier whom am I to make comparisons. Hopefully there will be more of, everything, from Peter Pantin.

Official | Instagram

THE JOJO MAN BAND – She’s So Beautiful

Nick Woodgate AKA The JoJo Man Band is from Romford. She’s So Beautiful was released 29th September and is part of the three track EP, Fuzzy, available right now on Bandcamp. Musicians on the EP also include Tim Maple and Accy Yeats.

A very well-produced track with stunning EP cover art that complements this song, the perfect closing track for this week’s Fresh Faves. I do not know who Nick is singing about, but I hope they love this track too. You will find yourself singing along and craving something / someone as beautiful comes into your life soon.

Sometimes we need songs that just sing it like it is, tell the truth, uncomplicated, “beautiful”.

The JoJo Band Man continually produces songs of such high quality they are eternally popular with our listeners.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Bandcamp

PS from TR: If you’ve submitted a track that hasn’t been picked for the Listening Post, our team has definitely listened to it and there’s no need to send it again: feel free to send us an even stronger track another week. The same goes if you were picked for the Listening Post but didn’t feature in our Fresh Faves.

But if we’ve recently featured you in our Fresh Faves – or on my BBC Introducing Mixtape – please wait three months before sending us another track, so we have space to help other deserving artists… For more info see Robinson Has A Good Old Moan.