Slovakian label Z Tapes is becoming something of a regular fixture here at WTD. We really enjoyed the releases they put out from Ruth & Trudy, The Washboard Abs and Fox Academy, not to mention re-releases of Fog Lake and our buds’ Nice Legs great EP Lullaby Land. The label’s latest release is a self-titled album by Boston indie rockers Naomi Pop.
Opener ‘Farewell Navigator’ is lean and wiry indie pop, a song of changes and goodbyes, as is illustrated in the chorus:
“Farewell to our shining state, Halloweens and birthday cake.
Farewell to our bright red star riding our bikes all too far”
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‘I’ll Let You Down’ has a brightly acoustic start which quickly gives way to cymbal-heavy, self-deprecating lo-fi rock, complete with misleadingly carefree group vocals. ‘Cracks in the Sidewalk’ is an ode to what sounds like a cruelly cool young lady, while ‘Daydream’ is slower, with a shuffling, faux-disinterested tone that veils a song about falling in love with a daydream.
I tried to hold on to you but I’ve got shaky hands
I made you a tape in the summer it was all you favourite bands
Forgive me I forgot you were just a daydream”.
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‘Sleepyhead’ has a retro rock & roll swagger, as if it’s sitting for a black and white Chalkie Davies portrait wearing a leather jacket and a scowl. It hits a lull of near-silence in the midsection before the whole thing explodes into spiky punky pop to end. ‘Rock and Roll Radio’ has a similar vibe, with its references to the Stones and Led Zeppelin.
The vibe is something like Free Energy playing in their basement, with the glam rock bombast replaced with a simpler and more lo-fi aesthetic. You can get the album now on cassette or digital download via the Z Tapes Bandcamp page.