After much brain-wracking I've given up thinking of a non-charity split single released on a major label. The split single is the reserve of the indie, and in this case UK-based Dufflecoat Records who have set out to source the finest indiepop from around the world. Taking the first half of this single are Dream Carousel who hail from the Philippines, although they might as well hail from 1986. This will be unavoidable, so let's get it out of the way now: twee. Dream Carousel are more twee than a lisp convention in a forest. They sing flimsy pop songs about being happy with a few added brass parps for some extra '60s soul, 'Merry-Go-Round' especially. 'No Matter What' could be a lost Lulu B-side from 1966, and that's a compliment.
Diabetics may need some insulin after that much sugar and sweetness, and this is supplied (kind of) by Pagi Mentari who take care of the second half of this single. Again we're in the far east, but this time it's Indonesia where we find indiepop alive and well. '300 Miles' is a little more robust, making the drummer work a little harder and throwing some extra guitar around. It's still a flashback, but a welcome one, and along with their other contribution, 'Hello Tomorrow', they complete a decent four-track package that showcases like-minded souls who are far away from our shores. The only warning should be that if you're on a detox from fey music, this is unlikely to help matters.
Dream Carousel's website
Pagi Mentari's website
Stream the single in full
Buy the EP
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