Mating Ritual caught our attention with the raucous electronica of “Future Now.” Featuring a hazy music video full of synths, cowboy hats, and shell pink basses – “Future Now” is full of sing/scream hooks and upbeat energy. This is a good one to crank if you want to get your blood pumping. Check it out via the YouTube widget below.
Dutch act Eckhardt and the House caught our ears with the upbeat indie-pop of “Lonely.” Fans of Metronomy, Two Door Cinema Club, and MGMT will enjoy this song – it’s full of funky wah-bass and airy, yet catchy vocal melodies. This one in particular is set off by some lovely female harmonies from Bella Hay, check it out below.
Icelandic pop songstress Hildur caught us off guard with her poppy ode to relationship salvaging, “Work.” This song is a lovely pop ditty and Hildur’s effervescent delivery is particularly strong in the staccato chorus – “I just want to make us work, work, work; ain’t no logic to us taking a vacation.” It’s an ear wormy shout-out to all the good couples out there putting in time to lift each other up. Check it out via the widget below.
Move over Chevy – this ain’t no car commercial jingle. “Like a Rock” by Dave Lepage is a peppy indie pop number that brings to mind summery afro-poppers Vampire Weekend. Pairing a blistering tempo with a sunny disposition and riffs for days, we think Lepage is up to something good. “Like a Rock” is the lead single from Lepage’s latest release, Wave Deux – check it out here.
This latest banger from Swedish act Niva has us bobbing our heads. “Sudden Changes” is a hush-hush take on electronica chillwave – pairing ethereal synth work with mysterious vocals and plenty of bleeps and bloops to keep your ears entertained. Put this one on a long evening drive and bliss out to these fine Swedish soundscapes.
Aussie-born, LA-based duo, Death Bells, flex their post-punk muscles in the video for their new single, “Around the Bend.” The song reflects on feelings of stagnation founding band members William Canning and Remy Veselis had when they decided to pack it up and move to Los Angeles for new opportunities. The track is packed with a driving drumbeat, thoughtful chords and a chorus that will echo in your ears for days. If you need a change in your life, watch the visuals below and let “Around the Bend” be your sonic catalyst.
Electro-pop trio, Cannons, release the iridescent new video for their single, “Talk Talk.” This sultry number is lead by dreamy vocalist, Michelle Joy, over a catchy and fizzy beat courtesy of guitarist, Ryan Clapman, and drummer-keyboardist-bassist, Paul Davis, that will tickle your ears. It’s a fantastic mix of 70’s grooves and 80’s electro-funk unique to this LA-based act. Check it out and boogie down below. For more Cannons, check out their SoundCloud here and be on the lookout for their new LP, Shadows, out July 12th.
Get ready for some melodic alt-rock goodness with “I Belong Beside You,” the new single from Columbus, Ohio singer-songwriter, Rees Finley. This track will hold you from start to finish with a sunny melody intertwined with killer riffs, dancy drums and Finley’s electric vocals. It’s the first single off the promising crooner’s new album, A Tale Told by an Idiot, and boy is it a good one. Hear it for yourself below. For more Rees Finley and to stream A Tale Told by an Idiot, visit his official site and Spotify here.
Swedish indie-pop duo, They Owe Us, schools us in the visuals for their hypnotic new dance single, “Don’t Think About Me.” Off their debut album, Broken English & Sad Serenades, duel singers, Rane and Kris, borrow from their own experiences as grade school outcasts to set the visual backdrop. They surround their scintillating vocals with bassy percussions and featherweight flutes for a track you’ve got to hear. Watch the video below. Broken English & Sad Serenades is out now. Check it out on the group’s official site here or Spotify here.
Marella is a self-taught guitarist, pianist, and drummer whose been trying his hand at indie pop. We were charmed by his latest single, “YOWIE” – a lighthearted indie pop jam about happy summer vibes. This one is pop centric but with classic, lo-fi vibes. Marella has an uncanny way of adding interesting elements to an otherwise straightforward song – check it out below.
There is nothing better than some infectious, Swedish pop to get your day going. We’re absolutely glued to “Say Ooh La La” by mysterious artist LD Donovan. The juxtaposition of an inescapable “Ooh La La” motif with ear worm instrumentals makes for pure electropop enjoyment – check it out via the widget below and see what we’re talking about.
Faux Canada is a SF-based indie pop band whose “Stockton” grabbed our attention. The group is heavily inspired by the early 00s (and also 90s shoegaze and grunge) and that all comes out on this peppy single. Full of upbeat riffage, bouncing basslines, and relatable lyrics, “Stockton” is a good time all the way through for any indie rocker – turns out we’re all just “shitty kids from shitty cities” after all!
Lately, we’ve been digging the ethereal indie rock from Austin singer/songwriter Tiny Dolphin. We recommend starting with “Come Apart,” a piano and synth driven banger that brings to mind other reverb-soaked crooners like Coldplay, Copeland, or Tame Impala. Fans of pop, rock, electronica, or acoustic music will all find something to like in Tiny Dolphin’s offerings – check it out via the widget below.
Washington, DC act Mystery Friends are a dancy indie pop band whose “See Right Through” caught our ears. Their latest offering, “See Right Through,” pairs powerful vocals with buzzy synth tones and plunky guitars and bass. This one is sure to get your head bobbing – fans of Alvvays, Charly Bliss, or CHVRCHES will dig Mystery Friends’ vibes. Past & Future Self by Mystery Friends
New Zealand punk rockers, Miss June, go hard in the visuals for their wildly melodic party anthem, “Best Girl.” Fronted by singer/guitarist, Annabel Liddel, the Kiwi Courtney Love commands the track with an irresistible and fun chorus that will make you want to do a keg stand. If you need a dynamite track that explodes like a party favor (and who doesn’t?), watch the video below. For more Miss June, visit their Bandcamp here.