SONG REVIEW ON EAR TO THE GROUND BLOG..

Featured Single: Power pop in the vein of the Beatles 

by The Junipers – “You’re My Sugar and Spice”

-Instead of looking at the clock to see the time, you might be looking at the calendar to see what year it is with this great throwback sound from the Junipers. Everything from the chord selection to the delicate harmonies all put me in mind of the Fab Four. The overall sound is easy to enjoy, befitting the early Beatles sound from the era of hits like “I wanna hold your hand.” The guitars have an easy going style and the vocals are quality. This is more than a Beatles tribute, though, it’s original songwriting and deserves recognition for being a delightful new song.

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ALBUM REVIEW ON POWER POPAHOLIC BLOG..

 The Junipers “Imaginary Friends”

The Junipers, a band from Leicester, combine psychedelic pop, mid-1960s bubblegum music, and a touch of folk on their most recent album, Imaginary Friends. Starting with “The Swarthy Smith,” a piano-driven melody that veers into bouncy wordless guitar chorus full of “oohs” and “ahhs,” as the sweet “You’re My Sugar and Spice” echoes the Toytown era of pop. “She Looked Up At The Stars” is another gem led by the ever-present mellotron.

The short “Annie Almond” is beautiful example of psych-pop, similar to the singles on Euphonious Trolley EP and “Mary in the Rain” has a McCartney-styled bass line that will stick in your head. The folk-inspired mellow feel of “Red Song” sets it apart, while the groovy, carnival whimsy of “Monkey On My Back” has organ sounds recalling “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” While not as immediate as I expected, after repeat plays you notice those subtle sonic details that are hidden just below the surface. Highly Recommended.

Read the Full Review on Power Popaholic Here!

NEW ALBUM REVIEW IN POPGRUPPEN...

The Junipers are back

That’s right – the Junipers are back – and that is cause for celebration!

Even though it has been 8 years since their previous album, Imaginary Friends feels like a direct continuation. This makes a lot of sense as their music exists in a time slip wedged between reality and imagination, where songs like ‘Flight From Ashiya’ by Kaleidoscope and ‘Some Other Someday’ by the West Coast Consortium are forever playing on an old portable radio. The Junipers nailed the formula already from the get go with 2008 album Cut Your Key and have stuck to it ever since: sun-drenched, softly introspective psychedelic pop of the highest order, built on great melodies and tasteful arrangements.

And it seems we have that debut to thank for this new album, as members Joe Wiltshire and Robyn Gibson set out to re-record it in 2023, since they did not have ownership of the original and couldn’t reissue it. However, it seems a deal with the original record label was struck, a remixed digital deluxe edition was released and attention was instead turned to new material.

And judging from the sheer quality of every track on this album, a lot of material seems to have been piling up over the inactive years. So far three digital singles have been issued, but in all honesty, every track here is a winner.

While not (yet) a single, the album starts with the slightly dreamy yet catchy ‘Swarthy Smith’ that ends with a backwards organ organically leading into upbeat love song ‘You’re My Sugar and Spice’. Starting with the lyric “You’re my sugar and spice / you’re looking very nice / I will sing a song of love” it has a summery feel that just spreads warmth all over. At this point, one might fear that they have front loaded the album, but that is when the single cuts kick in. ‘She Looked Up At the Stars’ is built around a repeating organ figure firmly rooted in the late 60s and ends on a psychedelic swirl. It is followed by another irresistible single cut, ‘Annie Almond’ about a girl who “breaks hearts every time”. Sweet but never sugary.

In the years since previous album Red Bouquet Fair, Robyn Gibson has released a series of albums with covers of favourite tracks as Bob of the Pops, and some of that experience certainly has rubbed off here. There is an incredible attention to every little detail, the songs never overstay their welcome. And while there are some psychedelic effects and playful overdubs, they are used sparingly – such as the backwards voice leads on ‘While You Preside’, which, by the way, is the first track with guitar to the fore. A piano then drives the melody on ‘Mary in the Rain’, highlighting a sequencing that thoughtfully provides sonic variation. On the introspective ‘Monkey On My Back’ we get beautifully multitracked vocals and understated mellotron, whereas ‘I’ve Been In Your Shoes’ even edges towards doo wop but without a hint of pastiche.

With title track and single cut ‘My Imaginary Friend’ we are back on firm pop ground and ‘Red Song’ adds an autumnal touch before the album ends with the perfectly formed pop ditty ‘Hollow Sky’.

I have never before referenced every single track in a review of an album, which says something about the quality control here. For over half a century, bands have taken inspiration from the late 60s, but only few manage something more substantial than a homage. Now here is an album that is fully transparent with its many influences, yet manages to stand proudly with them.

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