Joanna Gruesome - Do You Really Wanna Know Why Yr Still in Love With Me?

It's not everyday you get a vinyl promo to review (in fact, it's fair to say that nearly all promos are MP3s). Yet the mighty fine people at HHBTM (it stands for, Happy Happy Birthday to Me) have sent us the actual 7in single to review. That immediately gives you an indication of the kind of label HHBTM are: An indie label still very much in love with the whole process of releasing new music and getting the details just right.

The cover artwork resembles something out of cult comic/film Ghost World, and the leaflet inside thanks anyone who, "Has let us stay at their place, play their party or given a shit". Said house crashers are Cardiff indie-pop types, Joanna Gruesome. Lan, Owen, Max, Greenberg, Nicholls and Al (Al's instrument is listed as 'team spirit') make a gloriously life-affirming indie-pop racket.

'Do You Really Wanna Know Why Yr Still in Love With Me?' evokes all those names that old school indie fans get bleary eyed about. Think along the lines of The Shop Assistants and The Pastels. In fact, it's all very C86. That phrase alone will either have you running for the hills or making a beeline for your local record store. B-side 'Lemonade Grrrl' gives you a hint to the bands other influences, yet Lan's vocals are far too sweet, the melodies too pop-driven to draw comparisons to the likes of L7 and Huggey Bear.

'Do You Really Wanna Know Why Yr Still in Love With Me?' is a rather brilliant single and proof that there's plenty of bands (and labels) keeping the dream alive for indie-pop fans.