New Releases: Quivers

I was a big fan of Australian jangle-pop act Quivers' 2021 debut (not to mention their fun 202 tribute to R.E.M.'s Out Of Time), so I was excited to see a new one after a several-year wait. Oyster Cuts, much like its predecessor, melds the sounds of New Zealand indie bands like the Bats with 80s college radio jangle, highlighted by the shared vocal duties of singers Bella Quinlan and Sam Nicholson. It leans to the melancholy side, mostly mid-tempo and wistful, though there are some fizzy upbeat moments as well. 

Opener "Never Be Lonely" is a bit of a 90s dream-pop throwback, reminding me a bit of Alvvays, but they return to familiar territory on the jangly "Pink Smoke," charming pop with jagged edges. Plenty of great songs follow--understated yet still perky numbers like "More Lost" (a gentle ballad with surprising buzz-saw interludes); the upbeat, Pavement-quoting "Apparition"; the melodic Flying Nun-like garage-jangle of "Fake Flowers"; and the title track's return to the throwback dream-pop of the album opener all jumping out on first spin.

Great stuff. Check it out on Bandcamp.

Pink Smoke:

Apparition:

Never Be Lonely live: