The Foreign Films “Magic Shadows”
Canadian Bill Majoros is back and the listener is taken away to a hazy, nostalgic world of driving basslines and vocal harmonies by the album’s opening tune, “Midnight Movies.” It’s a compelling character study set to a hook, the kind that Ray Davies perfected with The Kinks, but Bill updates the time and place to now. Following that are “Rain Clouds (Sunshine in Your Heart)” and “Perfect Future” with distinct 80’s percussion and synth lines. “Cinema Girl (Magic Shadows)” and “Time Machine” showcases the band’s ability to blend elements of late 20th-century rock to create a sound that is both timeless and fresh.
“Lost in Time” recalls Pink Floyd’s spacey atmosphere with an overlapping sax solo and “Cosmic Lover” channels both Norman Greenbaum and Marc Bolan at the same time. Overall, Magic Shadows masterfully combines innovation with nostalgia. Highly Recommended.
Juniper “She Steals Candy”
Juniper Shelley, the daughter of power pop musician Michael Shelley, has released her sophomore album She Steals Candy, and in some ways, it’s a nostalgic throwback to the early days of girl pop. “BANG!” is a simple catchy tune that evokes comparisons to artists like Lesley Gore. “James” and “Baby Doll” are both terrific songs about falling for bad boys written from her point of view, and her sweet assured vocals make her a sympathetic lead. It even goes into a retro-style taunt with “Little Miss Stuck Up.” She tries out the country tunes “Picture Of You,” and “I Cry Cause I Care” but the delivery here seems to lack emotion. Juniper is much better when playful on “Taste the Soup,” or even the carnal rock of “Alone With You” and “I’ve Gotta Boy.”
The stylistic variety of the record is a welcome change of pace, and the songwriting is excellent all throughout. Juniper’s voice is upfront, bathing in the glow of confidence that she is in control of the proceedings. Better than her understated debut, and it shows growth with the excellent “Turn To You.” With 16 tracks, this album will undoubtedly appeal to fans of girl-pop and retro vibes. Highly Recommended.