Hi all, I’d like to draw on the Massive’s deep and profound knowledge once again please.
Recently I’ve taken a bit of a musical meander back to the comfort zone familiarity of the music I spent a fair bit of the 80s listening to. I’m talking about Bunnymen, Lloyd Cole, Prefabs, La’s, Housemartins, Bible, XTC, Waterboys, etc.
I guess there is a little bit of variation there, but they’re all predominantly guitar type bands with intriguing lyrics and tunes, there is no thrash and not a lot of unnecessary histrionics in this area. I realise that quite a lot of these artists are still active in some way but the familiarity of their 80s output becomes a problem quite quickly.
What I’d like to know is, are there any modern bands I might not have heard of who are ploughing similar furrows? They don’t have to be well known, fashionable, young or old, just making music in a similar usually quite accessible but thoughtful style.
I’d really like to hear some recommendations, so please fire away. Many thanks in advance!
Recommendations…
Villagers
Danny and The Champions
The Bathers
Ian Prowse
Not sure if any of those are the sort of thing you are looking for
Spoon.
The War On Drugs
Beirut
Dean Owens
The Nadas
Listening to the latest Haim album and it’s sunny 80s pop all the way.
The Clientele
Geese, Cameron Winter and Souled American(Anthology, best place to start)
I’ve had a hand (plugging things in, making the tea) in all of these, all available on Bandcamp. I think you’ll enjoy most, if not all, of them.
I saw the Paul Goodwin band play the sweaty back room of a Cambridge pub on Tuesday night. I first encountered Paul doing a set as an undergraduate at the Folk Club and I was convinced he was the next Boo Hewerdine. Sadly, the Music Biz didn’t share my enthusiasm. Anyhow, try Scars.
Model Village play the kind of jangly folk-pop you’ll enjoy. Try You Chose These Woes.
The Dawn Chorus. They’re currently active, in that they’re about to play a one-off reunion gig. Try The Big Adventure.
The Pony Collaboration. Like Tindersticks played by Belle & Seb. Try If These Are The Good Times.
Ember Rev are a bit more proggy. Try From The Country To The City To The Sea.
Tape Runs Out play some kind of weird folk-prog hybrid held down by hammered dulcimer. They’re on Bandcamp but they’re by far best live. Try these Youtube Mill sessions:
I’ll doubtless think of more shortly.
Been listening to The Dawn Chorus this afternoon @fentonsteve The Big Adventure in particular. What a shame they’re called it a day. Bouncy tunes and heartfelt big choruses. I might well have popped down for their Portsmouth gig if I wasn’t already away.
Paul’s trumpet lifted them well above the Landfill Indie crowd. A shame the public didn’t agree.
You could try Tahiti 80. French pop outfit. Start with ‘Wallpaper For The Soul’, their best album IMO
That’s a brilliant album – seconded.
Thirded!
France seems to be an mini-epicentre of melodic guitar pop; see also Le SuperHomard, Benjamin Biolay, Liminanas, and Phoenix of course…
Wow, woken up to some terrific sounding recommendations, many thanks all. Looking forward to checking them out!
Howsabout Altered Images aka Wet Legs?
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/g-s1-75782/wet-leg-tiny-desk-concert?jwsource=cl
Good shout…I’m kind of on it with Wet Leg already but I suspect I might not like the new album as much as the first. Not sure why, although I did really like the genuine odd but appealing buttoned up folksiness of the early presentation.
A couple you may like (if not already aware) based on the bands mentioned in your post
Magic Shoppe
Car Seat Headrest
Floodlights
House Of All
Hamish Hawk
Hamish Hawk … I commend this recommendation to the house
I’ve been meaning to try Hamish Hawk for a while so will get cracking. Thanks.
Lanterns on the Lake might tick some boxes: jangly and thoughtful (plus shoegaze-y)
Blueburst.
Josh Rouse … saw him in Stroud last night and he was excellent I recommend his album Nashville
His 80s pastiching Love in the Modern Age is both very relevant to this thread and a pretty decent album too.
Several years before David Gray got dropped by Hut/EMI and retreated to lick his wounds and recorded White Ladder, a couple of my fave acts did the same.
Martyn Joseph, after two albums for Epic, recorded Full Colour Black & White in his loft.
Nick Kelly, after The Fat Lady Sings split, recorded Between Trapezes, with a little help from my tall chum. Members of the Fatties mailing list paid for mastering and pressing.
They’re both my favourite albums by each.
You don’t mention Teenage Fanclub in your list, yet they seem an obvious addition. Whilst not all have taken to their post Gerry Love output, I find the 2 recent records of huge charm. They are Endless Arcade (2021) and Nothing Lasts Forever (2023)
Another old act still thriving is Del Ross, sorry Del Amitri, with, again, their last “2” releases offering much joy, Fatal Mistakes and the B-Sides and Outtakes of/from the same album.
Definitely Teenage Fanclub. Although they were more of a 90s thing, in my head anyway. Unfortunately, for me, they do seem to have lost a little of their sparkle since Gerry’s departure, although I think this is also partly due to the somewhat one dimensional (to these ears anyway) production on the more recent albums.
The Hanging Stars. Anyone else rate them? Touring with Edwyn Collins this autumn
Yes, yes, yes, altho’ the loss of their steel player, Joe Harvey-Whyte, is a blow. Having said, their hook-up with Morning Dew hitmaker, Bonnie Dobson, is a triumph. Called Dreams, it is out tomorrow.
https://atthebarrier.com/2025/07/09/bonnie-dobson-the-hanging-stars-dreams-album-review/
I see that Richard Olsen is in the Hanging Stars, and he was in The 18th Day Of May, who I loved…so on that basis alone I’ll check them out!
Country-rock rather than folk-rock. Ben Phillipson also guests on the Bonnie Dobson album but that idiot reviewer was unaware at the time.
One of the best live acts I’ve seen in years is Sunday Driver. Try Sun God which, admittedly, isn’t as good as they are live.
Never took a test?
Field Music? I’d start with (Measure) which is the most XTC-like.
Their albums are themed and can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss. They’re fab live, and really need a Best Of.
I’d suggest jangly, pensive sounds of now defunct Blue House. Sort of XTC crossed with Mazzy Star
How about The Davenports. They’re not exactly cutting edge but their 2025 album is excellent. My favourite new band with a definite 80’s feel is Bodega and I’m very disappointed that I’ll be away when they play just down the road from me in a few weeks time.