Bare Pale is a relatively new band from London. Their debut release ‘If It Is,’ self-released as an online ep in 2012 and then issued as a cassette by Rok Lok Records, stands out based on how catchy it is. The six tracks of fuzzed out indie pop create a hazy, dreamy atmosphere, less shoegaze than gloomy pop. Underneath the heavy distortion and reverb, echoes of things like Lois Maffeo’s Courtney Love project can at times be heard in Bare Pale, in the songs’ bedroom pop intimacy, although The Lemondheads would be an equally sound frame of reference. The riffs are also reminiscent of a poppier Broken Water, especially true on standout track ‘Shame.’ Shame, the high point of the cassette, is one of the high points of 2013 as well. The cassette is still available from Rok Lok Records, who also put out the great Imaginary Pants 7” this year.