Matinée Recordings

09/26/2025

We have so many excellent new releases in the pipeline that inevitably two of them had to be scheduled for the same release date, but I suspect absolutely nobody will be complaining about this one.

English favorites The Popguns have been recording a bunch of new tunes recently at the famous Brighton Electric Studio in their hometown. Not in the mood to make you wait, they are unleashing two standouts from the session into the digital ether as the ‘Gasoline’ EP.

‘Oh Harry’ is a slow paced charmer with a big chorus that England Football fans could possibly borrow when Harry Kane scores at the 2026 World Cup.

On the figurative flip side is ‘I’m Happy How My Life Turned Out’ which is a very solid pop-chugger about someone who doesn’t want to be told by some pathetic ex that she could have had a different life if she’d followed him around way back when.

Rumor has it that we may have a new Popguns album next year too! In the meantime, the ‘Gasoline’ EP is available in the Matinée shop and all streaming services: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

English favorites The Popguns have been recording a bunch of new tunes recently at the famous Brighton Electric Studio in their hometown. Not in the mood to make you wait, they are unleashing two standouts from the session into the digital ether as the 'Gasoline' EP. ‘Oh Harry’ is a slow paced c...

09/26/2025

We have two new releases out today and here are details on the first! Scottish noise-pop outfit Strawberry Whiplash are back with another fantastic single from their brilliant and varied third album, ‘People Like Us.’

Lead track ‘The Vampire Life’ is a discordant blend of early Mary Chain and late 80s Sonic Youth meets goth Beach Boys, with a killer shoegaze intro and outro plus searing guitars throughout. It is perhaps the closest the band has come to the noisy brilliance of their debut ‘Who’s In Your Dreams’ single back in 2008 and is a song that will certainly be filling dance floors at the coolest discos by year-end.

The first of two exclusive b-sides, ‘Remember Tomorrow’ is a brand new track written after the album was completed. The song is classic Whiplash pop that uses a glitched and stranded self-driving taxi as a metaphor for a stalled (broken down) relationship, and features a big pop chorus with deliberately muted distortion for extra crunch. Final track ‘Celestial’ is an acoustic version of an early Strawberry Whiplash song recently discovered on an old hard drive with pared back production that showcases Sandra’s heavenly voice.

The 12-track ‘People Like Us’ album is out next month, and we’ll begin preorders for the album (and two others) very soon. ‘The Vampire Life’ EP is available now from the usual streaming services and the Matinée shop: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

Scottish noise-pop outfit Strawberry Whiplash are back with another fantastic single from their brilliant and varied third album, ‘People Like Us.’ Lead track ‘The Vampire Life’ is a discordant blend of early Mary Chain and late 80s Sonic Youth meets goth Beach Boys, with a killer shoegaze i...

08/29/2025

The classic ’90s releases from Stockholm indie pop quartet Red Sleeping Beauty have long been out of print and unavailable on streaming services. That’s about to change (finally, shout pop connoisseurs around the world).

In October, the band will release Pop Songs—a 50-track double-CD retrospective: disc one includes early releases on international pop labels Marsh Marigold, Motorway, Somersault, Sunday, and Quince Records, while disc two features rare tracks contributed to various vinyl records, CDs, and compilation cassettes, plus 15 previously unreleased songs.

As a teaser, the 'You Are The Kind' EP is out now — and it’s a tasty one. It features the band’s very first released song, ‘You Are The Kind’ (originally from the International Pop 7”), ‘Pop Song’ from the debut album Bedroom, ‘Hey!’ from the celebrated Japanese compilation Wheels Go Round, and ‘Strife’, a previously unreleased track from the band’s early bedroom-pop duo days.

More pop songs, for everyone!

The EP is available now from the Matinée shop and the usual streaming services.
Matinée shop: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new/products/red-sleeping-beauty-you-are-the-kind-ep

08/08/2025

Fantastic first single from the forthcoming Bubblegum Lemonade surf and shoegaze inspired album ‘To Surf With Love’—the album the band was born to make.

The album is full of fun percussion touches, as illustrated in the title track intro which uses stereo panning sampled scissors, percussive shaker, and muted guitar hits to create the unique rhythm. Combining jangling electric and 12-string acoustic guitars, the song features lead singer Laz and Strawberry Whiplash singer Sandra trading vocal lines, with Sandra’s sassy replies adding a nice dash of wit to the recording.

The first of two exclusive b-sides, ‘And Tomorrow Never Came’ is a fresh hit from the Bubblegum Factory with a deliberately extended intro designed to give each musical part a chance to shine before a successive part begins. In just 55 seconds, the intro takes you on a musical journey from The Byrds through The Cure and finally to a riff worthy of The Strokes.

Final track ‘In The Back of Her Memory’ is perhaps the first of nearly 200 Bubblegum Lemonade recordings that starts straight into the chorus—deliberately going for the pop jugular. Written after the album was finished, this slower and more reflective song features Sandra on multi-tracked backing vocals, while Laz plays the six string Rickenbacker guitar, the bass, and the drums all locking tightly together.

The 12-track album ‘To Surf With Love’ is on track for release later this year! Matinée shop: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

Fantastic first single from Bubblegum Lemonade’s forthcoming surf and shoegaze inspired album ‘To Surf With Love’—the album the band was born to make. The album is full of fun percussion touches, as illustrated in the title track intro which uses stereo panning sampled scissors, percussive s...

08/01/2025

‘Preston Street’ is the wonderful third single from the new album ‘Just Beyond The Lights’ by English duo The Perfect English Weather.

The album title is taken from a lyric in the song, which is from the point of view of somebody who drives the van for a band and always picks them up “just beyond the (traffic) lights”.

The single includes a special bonus track, a hauntingly effective alternate mix of the song with a prominent piano melody and an extra dose of atmosphere.

‘Preston Street’ is available now from the usual streaming services and the Matinée shop:
https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

'Preston Street' is the wonderful third single from the new album 'Just Beyond The Lights' by English duo The Perfect English Weather. The album title is taken from a lyric in the song, which is from the point of view of somebody who drives the van for a band and always picks them up “just beyond ...

07/02/2025

As we finalize a brilliant batch of forthcoming Matinée releases, it’s time to clear space with a good old-fashioned summer garage sale! Take up to 50 percent off all vinyl, cd, and digital releases in the Matinée shop now through July 12.

Just enter the applicable promo code in the shopping cart at checkout: GARAGE25 for 25 percent off orders $50+ or GARAGE50 for 50 percent off orders $100+

We are shipping orders daily so treat yourself to new releases and back catalog classics with same day shipping … or buy digital downloads for immediate gratification. There are several releases close to selling out now so please grab a copy while you can. Thank you for continuing to support independent record labels and stay tuned for more new release news coming soon!

shop! https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

07/01/2025

New release alert: Swedish favorites Red Sleeping Beauty are back in the hit parade with the ‘Late Nights, Vol. 4’ EP, the fourth volume in their ‘Late Nights’ series.

The EP features slightly darker versions of 1995 single ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ from the ‘Smile’ EP on Sunday Records, plus two tracks— ‘In The Darkest Hour’ and ‘Tell Me More’—from the 2016 ‘Kristina’ album on Shelflife Records.

The single is available now from the Matinée shop and the usual streaming services.
https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

The fourth volume of the 'Late Nights' series from Swedish legends Red Sleeping Beauty features slightly darker versions of 1995 single 'Don't Say You Love Me' from the 'Smile' EP on Sunday Records, plus two tracks— 'In The Darkest Hour' and 'Tell Me More'—from the 2016 'Kristina' album on Shelf...

06/21/2025

Scottish duo Strawberry Whiplash celebrate the start of summer with an absolutely ace new single 'Baby (You're A Dancer)' out now!

The title track, taken from the forthcoming 'People Like Us' album, is a smash hit designed to soundtrack your next pool party or beach soirée, and man, Strawberry Whiplash are exactly the sort of people that you want to hang out with! The song is the closest the band has come to dance music, and you will find yourself hilariously grooving to this into the late night hours. Consistent with some of the best parties being family affairs, Laz' son James plays rhythm guitar on the song.

The EP includes two additional tracks exclusive to this release: ‘In Along With You’—originally written in the 1990s for a pre-Strawberry Whiplash band called The Stepping Stones—channels an early New Order influence and mines that magical feeling that comes with falling in love or having a new friend. Finally, this waltz version of 'First Light Of Dawn’ is a 6/8 rhythm demo of a track that originally appeared on the debut album 'Hits In The Car' and has a gentle and slightly melancholic feel demonstrating some keen Mazzy Star influence.

The 12-track 'People Like Us' album is coming to a record store near you this summer!

Scottish duo Strawberry Whiplash celebrate the start of summer with an absolutely ace new single 'Baby (You're A Dancer)' out now! The title track, taken from the forthcoming 'People Like Us' album, is a smash hit designed to soundtrack your next pool party or beach soirée, and man, Strawberry Whip...

06/16/2025

Scottish favorites Bubblegum Lemonade released their sixth album 'Lawrence of Suburbia' in 2024. Combining jangly and psychedelic songs, the album is a great listen from start to finish and was well received by long-time fans and the music press. The album spawned four hit singles: 'Never Have I Ever' in 2022, 'Out There On The Radio' in 2023, 'Love's Young Nightmare' in 2024, and 'Someone Made You Sad' in 2025. 'Suburban Singles Club' collects these four singles, along with eight exclusive b-sides that have proven equally popular to songs on the album itself. The resulting collection is as an essential companion to 'Lawrence of Suburbia' and further testament to the never-ending stream of quality music coming from the Bubblegum hit factory.
Matinée shop: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

Scottish favorites Bubblegum Lemonade released their sixth album 'Lawrence of Suburbia' in 2024. Combining jangly and psychedelic songs, the album is a great listen from start to finish and was well received by long-time fans and the music press. The album spawned four hit singles: 'Never Have I Eve...

05/30/2025

‘Just Beyond The Lights’ is the new album by The Perfect English Weather who are Wendy and Simon, a husband and wife duo from the East Sussex coast of England. Their “beautiful, slightly melancholic pop” has often drawn comparisons to artists like The Sundays and 10,000 Maniacs.

The album title is taken from a lyric in the song ‘Preston Street’, which is sung from the point of view of somebody who drives the van for a band and always picks them up “just beyond the (traffic) lights”. The title also reflects on Wendy and Simon’s move away from the big, bad city of Brighton to the edge of the Sussex Cuckmere Valley; and perhaps is a small nod to their commercial appeal being just a little outside the mainstream.

A recurring theme on the record is an enduring relationship with place. Opening track ‘Pilgrimage’ was inspired by the melancholy feeling of visiting a location that is associated with an icon and then wondering how they might have felt about the tourist industry that has sprung up around that place. It could be the John Lennon peace memorial in Central Park, Alan Turing’s office at Hut 8, Bletchley Park, or a walk across the Yorkshire moors after reading a Bronte novel. Meanwhile, ‘Paperback Reader’ takes place on a favourite park bench, where the protagonist escapes during the working day for a little longer than they really should.

There is also a trio of songs set in Wendy and Simon’s old hometown of Brighton, including singles ‘Caroline of Brunswick Square’ and ‘London-by-the-Sea’ plus the aforementioned ‘Preston Street’. Bletchley Park also finds a place in the song ‘Margaret’, whose story is based on the women who worked in the code breaking teams in WW2.

The album is officially released May 30, and is available right now in the Matinée shop, good record shops, and the usual digital platforms. The band also has copies available via their Bandcamp so if you are in the UK you may want to go there to save on postage.

The duo’s wonderful ‘Isobar Blues’ and ‘Don’t You Wanna Feel The Rain?’ albums, plus the ‘English Winter’ EP are all absolutely essential listening and still available.

Matinée shop: https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

‘Just Beyond The Lights’ is the new album by The Perfect English Weather who are Wendy and Simon, a husband and wife duo from the East Sussex coast of England. Their “beautiful, slightly melancholic pop” has often drawn comparisons to artists like The Sundays and 10,000 Maniacs. The album ti...

05/09/2025

Swedish legends Red Sleeping Beauty are back atop the new release page today with the ‘Late Nights, Vol. 3’ EP, the third volume in their ‘Late Nights’ series.

This volume features slightly darker versions of the 2024 single 'Canciones de Verano' plus 'This Heart's Now Yours' from the 2024 'Diary' album and 'Cheryl, Cheryl, Bye' from the 2016 'Kristina' album on Shelflife Records.

The single is available now from the Matinée shop and the usual streaming services.
https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

The third volume of the 'Late Nights' series from Swedish legends Red Sleeping Beauty features slightly darker versions of 2024 single 'Canciones de Verano' plus 'This Heart's Now Yours' from the 2024 'Diary' album and 'Cheryl, Cheryl, Bye' from the 2016 'Kristina' album.

05/02/2025

Scottish favorites Strawberry Whiplash return to the new release rack today with the brand new four song ‘At The End Of The Day’ EP.

The title track—the second single lifted from a forthcoming new album ‘People Like Us’—is an instantly loveable smash with a stop/start chorus and beautiful interaction between the vocals and 12 string guitars.

The EP includes three additional tracks that are exclusive to this release: ‘Escher Sunday’ is a relaxed gem that repeats a seemingly always descending chord sequence not unlike the optical illusions of the artist, while ‘Beautiful Losers' is an infectious indie disco stomp and ‘Picture Perfect’ is an acoustic version of one of Strawberry Whiplash’s most popular tracks recently discovered on an old hard drive.

The single is available right now from the Matinée shop, the usual digital merchants, and our Soundcloud. The 12-track 'People Like Us' album is coming along nicely and on track for release later this year!
https://shop.matineerecordings.com/collections/new

Scottish favorites Strawberry Whiplash return to the new release rack with the brand new four song ‘At The End Of The Day’ EP. The title track—the second single lifted from a forthcoming new album ‘People Like Us’—is an instantly lovable smash with a stop/start chorus and beautiful inter...