The Singles

The Flatmates were a cornerstone of the mid-1980s C86 indie-pop scene in Bristol, England. The Singles, released in 1987 on the band’s own Lamia label, serves as a retrospective collection of their early output, gathering tracks from their initial run of 7-inch EPs. The release was intended to capture the band's driving, guitar-heavy sound that bridged the gap between 1960s pop sensibilities and the emerging DIY aesthetic of British independent labels.

The record reflects the band's focus on melodic hooks and raw, unpolished energy. Like much of the output from the label, the design leans into a minimalist, low-budget aesthetic typical of the era's fanzine-influenced culture. While not designed by a famous illustrator, the sleeve artwork became iconic among fans of the C86 movement for its amateurish, charmingly homespun look, which helped establish The Flatmates as one of the definitive acts of the jangle-pop subgenre.