UKNY for July 24
Pale Blue Eyes (photo by Sophie Jouvenaar, PR)
Back in 2020, I happily discovered Pale Blue Eyes' debut single "Motionless" (backed with "Chelsea"), and was instantly enamored with the group's hazy sweetness and mesmerizing motorik groove. Since the start of 2022, the Totnes-and-Sheffield bred trio have released a series of deliciously catchy singles — "TV Flicker," "Globe," "Dr. Pong" — on the road to releasing their debut album, Souvenirs, which finally drops on September 2 via the Full Time Hobby label.
The group —married couple Matt Board (guitars/vocals) and Lucy Board (drums/vocals) and bassist Aubrey Simpson — smoothly connect the dots between the atmospheric dream-pop of influences and forebears like Cocteau Twins, The Cure, Neu!, Echo and the Bunnymen, and even Sigur Rós, with crisp Krautrocking propulsion. Pale Blue Eyes heavily invested in their own studio (attached to Matt's family home), working myriad day jobs (including assistant tree surgeon) to make their dream a reality. On "UKNY" tonight at 11 p.m., another track from Pale Blue Eyes' fast-approaching and first-rate Souvenirs. (And Pale Blue Eyes will also tour the UK with another "UKNY" favorite, Public Service Broadcasting, in October.)
In addition, the return of The Big Moon, nominated for the Mercury Prize for their 2017 debut, Love in the Fourth Dimension. The quartet's stunning new song, "Wide Eyes," come from their third album, Here is Everything, released on October 14.
Just an hour, but plenty to get to from FKA twigs, Gwenno, Lil Silva, Laufey, Rachel Chinouriri, Band Spectra featuring The Anchoress, Gabe Gurnsey, and more.
That's "UKNY," Sundays 11 p.m.-midnight, on 90.7FM, streaming online and found in the Weekend Archives after broadcast.
Songs played:
1. beabadoobee, “10:36,” Beatopia
2. Pale Blue Eyes, “Star Vehicle,” Souvenirs
3. The Big Moon, “Wide Eyes,” Here is Everything
4. Jeshi feat. Obongjayar, “Protein,” Universal Credit
5. (Lille, FR) Myd, “Domino,” single
6. Gwenno, “N.Y.C.A.W.,” Tresor
7. Gabe Gurnsey, “Push,” Diablo
8. (Dublin, IE) The Murder Capital, “Only Good Things,” single
9. Band Spectra feat. The Anchoress, “Human Reciprocator,” single
10. FKA twigs, “Killer,” single
11. Lil Silva feat. BADBADNOTGOOD, “To the Floor,” Yesterday is Heavy
12. (Sydney-Melbourne, AU) Julia Jacklin, “Love, Try Not to Let Go,” Pre Pleasure
13. (Reykjavík, IS) Laufey, “Dear Soulmate,” Everything I Know About Love
14. Rachel Chinouriri, “Thank You for Nothing,” single
