The Shop Window – Blues

Maidstone outfit The Shop Window will release their latest single, ‘Blues,’ on March 29th via their imprint Jangleshop Records.

Artwork & image courtesy of the band.

The Shop Window, a band that has long been on the radar, is bidding farewell to their cult indie status by releasing their bluesy jingle-jangle ballad,' Blues.' This unique sound marks their transition from a niche indie band to one poised to captivate the masses.

Sarah’s Records' beauty effortlessly blends with Carl Mann’s Andy Bell circa ‘Vapour Trail’ vocal, and the stoned melodic joy of ’10 Story Love Songs’ is evident in their latest single,' Blues.' This bluesy shoegaze track cuts through the world's chaos with a purity that offers hope for change, making it a fitting sonic ode to avoiding conflict and restoring love.

The Maidstone outfit is on the brink of unveiling their third album, and if this single is any indication, it's shaping up to be a strong contender for record of the year.

The Shop Window – It’s A High

In November of last year, The Shop Window released their sophomore album album ‘A 4 Letter Word’ to critical acclaim. Distinct discerning updates on the C86, baggy, and Sarah Records scenes made it one of the albums of the year.

Images courtesy of the band.

Not resting on their laurels, they are set to release the new single ‘It’s A High’ on August 18th via their label Jangle Shop Records. With singer/guitarist Carl Mann behind the producing and mixing, can they recapture the form of 2022?

The dual vocals, acoustic and jangling guitars bring their Medway peers Theatre Royal to the fore. The ecstatic rumble of ‘Caught Me At The Wrong Line’ and ‘The Story Of My Life’ combined with the playfulness of the early days of REM. On a tale of being hopelessly in love, this combo, plus flourishes of Byrds era John Squire and Pale Fountains’s brass meander to great effect.

Form recaptured? A resounding yes!

Their third album ‘Daysdream’ can be pre-ordered from August 18th.

The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word

Maidstone outfit The Shop Window released their second album ‘A 4 Letter Word’ at the end of November via the impeccable Spinout Nuggets imprint. It was recorded Raffer Studios in Kent, produced by Callum Rafferty, and features Sarah Records icon Beth Arzy (currently of Jetstream Pony & Luxembourg Signal) on backing vocals on four tracks.

‘A 4 Letter Word’ is avail;ble to buy on their Bandcamp page.

At several points ‘A 4 Letter Word’ finds a way to reimagine their love of indie’s angelic past for the modern day. Former single ‘Lighthouse’ s guitars imbue the angelic sheen of The Mock Turtles and through Carl Mann and Simon Oxlee’s vocals, the glorious rumble of Teenage Fanclubs comes alive. Whereas opener ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ finds the Medway’s beat traditions caress the hushed beauty of The Railway Children. Its laid-back stomp builds to a sumptuous wah-wah solo on this tale of wonder and exploration of the soul.

‘On That Feeling’ and ‘Maid of Stone’, they take their Medway indie for an away day to Manchester. The former finds them in Stone Roses territory but, one where the icons had adopted a folksy sonic to their Byrdsian rock ‘n’ roll. As Mann decree “When I Get That Feeling I'm alive / Hold on to the moment now it’s right” the agitation of the Roses’ lack of new music subsides. The Shop Window have found a way to make that explosion of colour from 1989 sound sage and meaningful in middle age. On ‘Maid of Stone’, they rekindle their youth in Maidstone where dreams were made and lost. Like ‘On That Feeling’, it has a wisdom to it, a sense that they have come full circle, have come home. In doing so, the heavenly paisley guitars of early John Squire and more pertinently Andrew Innes circa ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ flood the senses in much the same way their peers The Shed Project have done so adeptly.

Manchester’s heritage surfaces once more ‘Circles Go Round’ and ‘Lay of the Land’. ‘Circles Go Round’ is undeterred by their youth passing. The spirit of ‘Teenage Kicks’ has soared to the surface on this great homage to The Smiths. ‘Lay of the Land’ find is the most interesting piece on the album. Vocally, Mann adopts Damon Albarn’s smoky drawl as the band adopts Blur’s brief involvement with the baggy scene. As the chorus climbs to a euphoric state, the guitars take on the warped world of The Cure, occasionally offering a DMA’s lightness before the deranged glitch re-emerges to signify that, although their souls remain free from that era, life has changed and taken its toll. A truly remarkable sonic take on life’s responsibilities taking grip.

Former Aberdeen singer Beth Arzy appears on four tracks and shines brightest on ‘Dancing Light’. The hallmarks of Deacon Blue and REM’s great alt-pop flirt with Buck and Marr’s guitars whilst Mann and Arzy create the nearest thing to vocal beauty since The Cocteau Twins.

The Kent outfit have lit up a bleak year with this gentle yet defiant indie-pop record. Everywhere you turn there are nods to the 80s and 90s but, with astute sonic updates. Lyrically, they accept nostalgia less as a noose and more as a bridge to their untamed teenage selves and thus, provide endless tales for their souls to relive in the modern age.  

The Shop Window – Lighthouse

This Image courtesy of Beth Arzy & the band.

Fresh from 2021’s acclaimed debut album ‘The State of Being Human’, Maidstone’s The Shop Window are back their new single ‘Lighthouse’. It will be digitally self-released on 4th February.

They haven’t missed a beat since their last trip to the studio. Rays of light shoot across horizons in homage to Teenage Fanclub and The Mock Turtles. Spritely licks and effortless jangles bring the warmth of C86 to 2022 on this romantic meander.

The elegant and breezy sonic is the perfect companion to songwriter Carl Mann’s discourse; his wife. This passionate ode highlights her calming and nourishing effect on his soul.

Despite the topics’ protagonist, it is Mann’s vocals (backed by Simon ‘Syd’ Oxlee) that shine brightest. He takes the ethereal beauty of Mark Gardener and the forlorn ache of Massage’s Andrew Romano to conjure something truly spellbinding.

Released a week before Valentine’s Day, Mann has made us all up our efforts for present buying now! Check back on the 4th Feb to watch

*Banner image courtesy of Darren Stokes & the band.

Live Dates
19th March - 33 Oldham St, Manchester - with Arcade State & Jay Tennant