New Music

Oh Maddie – “Youth”

Oh Maddie has already been drawing comparisons to The Killers and The War on Drugs, perfectly evident on their latest single, “Youth.” Somehow, the song juxtaposes stark lyrics about trauma and shortcomings with a danceable, indie-rock backbone. Having been adopted as a baby from Romania in the years following the Soviet Union’s collapse, singer Ben Rowntree certainly has a unique perspective – check it out below. Like what you hear? Keep up to date by following Oh Maddie on IG.

Niko Rose – “On the Wall”

Budding singer/songwriter Niko Rose’s strength seems to lie in the details, especially in his track “On the Wall.” What starts off as another rolling lo-fi-driven number quickly becomes a song to sit with for hours, just to fully take it all in. Aside from the syrupy vocals and pulsing drum kit, this song’s piece de resistance lies in its playful guitar melismas and layered cloudy interjections. Together, it brings on an instant calm that you’ll be reluctant to let go of. This track finds its place among the rest of Niko Rose’s debut full length album, The Puppy Project, promising further hazy croons to get you through the day. Get the full effect with his glitchy VHS-inspired video for “On the Wall” below.

Fiancé – “wing”

Dreamy Delaware outfit Fiancé head up the release of their EP with their spacey single, “wing.” Strung together by reverb-laden vocal lines, the track weaves its way in and out of fuzzy guitar distortion and smooth ambient haze. It’s the kind of seeping shoegaze that pulls you in gradually until you’ve lost all sense of time and space. The band’s tertiary release sheds their initial bedroom pop lifeblood for a more refined, smoggy rock sound. Whatever they’re doing, it’s working for us. See for yourself below, and keep an eye out for Fiancé’s upcoming EP Feverdream.

Join The Riot – “Fantasies”

Join The Riot is turning the clock back with their latest pop-rock single, “Fantasies.” Your ears are the perfect conductor for this grandly euphoric, synth heavy track that will have electricity coursing through your system. Join the Riot’s exciting mix of arena-pop and throwback rock continues to gain international acclaim and promises bigger and better things for this Swedish five-piece. Give “Fantasies” a listen below. Join The Riot’s new EP, Echo, is out now and be sure to check out their SoundCloud here.

Sego – “Cigarette Kids”

Sego, the Los Angeles art-rock duo, drops their latest single, “Cigarette Kids,” a fuzzy and robust pop track that will melt away the world around you. What truly stands out about this track is it’s catchy, experimental and ever-changing beat. It’s overcast with droopy, Charlie Brown-like tones that break into a bright, sunshine chorus. Sego isn’t afraid to let the melody veer off into wondrous, new directions either, anchoring it with lackadaisical vocals that add a dreamy, psychedelic flare. This track will make you feel all warm and tingly so give it a listen below. After a busy 2017, including a tour with OK Go, Sego will be back on the road next month starting March 10th. Check out their official website here for dates and tickets and head over to their SoundCloud here for more tracks.

Chase McBride – “The Color Blue (ft. Sean Hayes)”

West Coast singer-songwriter, Chase McBride, comes to us with this new summertime folk-pop song off his just released full-length, Green Shade. Featuring guest vocals from Sean Hayes, McBride mixes breezy melodies with weightless, lulling vocals like lemonade for an intoxicatingly cool track. Perfect to sway along in a hammock to, escape the cold and get swept away in this ray of sunshine below. Green Shade is out now and available on Spotify and Apple Music. Check out more Chase McBride on SoundCloud here.

Hanne Mjøen – “Vanilla”

Chocolate? Strawberry? Eat your heart out Neapolitan… Hanne Mjøen knows where its at, case in point, her latest banger “Vanilla.” The Oslo native sings about the classic flavor, metaphorically of course. She says, “Vanilla is in many ways a synonym for something ordinary and boring… The song is really about wishing for more of what’s good and exciting.” Let’s just say, we think her synth-pop is VERY flavorful. Enough ice cream puns – get down to business and give “Vanilla” a listen below.

Riah – “Prom”

LA is surely full of talent, but we’ve been especially drawn to the latest single from indie-pop singer-songwriter Riah. “Prom” is a pulsing, mid-tempo gem, boasting an incredibly catchy chorus and smooth, swelling synth work. Riah’s on a hot streak lately, having recently racked up 700k Spotify followers, four million streams, and some pretty cool placements on TV… Have a listen below and hear what all the hype is about. “Prom” is out across a number of different platforms – check them all out here.

Keenan O’Meara – “God’s Song”

Keenan O’Meara has a thing for “God’s Song,” originally by legendary songwriter Randy Newman. Though not a religious person himself, Keenan was drawn to the haunting vibes of the original, and how the positivity of a higher power might bring someone’s psyche a little comfort. O’Meara’s haunting vocals and Bon-Iver-esque instrumentals certainly paint a yearning and ghostly picture of the Newman original… Check it out below. Learn more about Keenan here.

Common Holly – “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You”

Common Holly, a.k.a. Montreal singer-songwriter Brigitte Naggar, recently contributed her own take on Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” to a Valentines Day themed Amazon Music playlist… The song is sparse on percussion, driven strongly by Naggar’s ethereal vocals. Otherwise, the song features blippy electronic elements, vocal samples, and Postal-Service-esque keyboard riffs. We think Naggar’s wispy take on Frank Ocean does the original justice… Have a listen below and judge for yourself.

Your Receipt – “Visions”

Indie rock trio Your Receipt are currently riding the high of their recent EP release, with their single “Visions” coming in at the forefront. The track is off to a subdued start with a soothing guitar and bass pairing, gradually building in intensity until the bridge where rampant percussion and melodic bass lines take hold. Despite the song’s buoyant sound, the lyrics mull over an internal struggle between mind, body, and the bystanders caught in the crossfire. As the first track ever written as a band, they’ve drawn up a solid foundation to build off of. Check out Your Receipt’s musical debut below, and get ahold of the rest of the Sleepless EP here.

Pure Mids – “The Leader”

Los Angeles 3-piece, Pure Mids, release the latest single off their debut full length, Optimistic-ism, a trippy pop-rock journey through a multihued bubblegum dreamscape. Let tranquil, celestial vocals be your disembodied guide as romping drums set an energetic pace through a surreally scenic backdrop pulsating with spacey, regal keys. Entrancing and upbeat, expand your mind and treat your ears to this fun, psychedelic track below. Optimistic-ism is available now on Spotify and be sure to check out more of Pure Mids on SoundCloud here.

JACK Drops Single, Readies Album

JACK’s “A Kick A Knife” advances with palpable emotional intensity. With a benevolent vocal assurance and seemingly effortless flaunting of compositional prowess comparable perhaps to the greatness of either Joanna Newsom or Big Thief, Buffalo-hailing and Brooklyn-based artist Brittany Costa shines here in her solo spotlight. The first-rate instrumental backing is majestic at times, overpowering at others, and transformative throughout. The song nears 6 minutes, which walks the tightrope of what some in this often impatient and distraction-filled world would be willing to give undivided attention, but music lovers should know how much better off they’d be with a top-drawer tune like this in their listening arsenal. Costa’s auspicious debut LP Alchemical Rounds is due out next month.

Computer Magic – “Ordinary Life (Message From An A.I. Girlfriend)”

Computer Magic pulls the plug with this introspective technopop break-up track, the latest single off her upcoming record, DANZ. Wallow in a gloomy robotic dance beat that cascades into a hopeful, shimmering chorus as warm, gentle vocals assure: “it’s not you, it’s me.” Right, like we haven’t heard that one before? Whether you’re the dumper or the dumpee, this is a perfect, cathartic listen for Valentine’s Day as you loaf on the couch with a pint of ice cream wondering what the hell happened. DANZ is out 2/23 and check out Computer Magic’s SoundCloud for more tracks here.

Great Health – “Stitches”

Lynchburg, Virginia trio Great Health dip their toes into the alt-rock scene with their blazing debut track “Stitches.” The band may just be getting started, but they seem to have cracked the code for the archetypal energizing track to get the blood pumping and the head bobbing. Their expert mix of weighty guitar lines, dominating vocals, and intricate drum fills contradict the group’s relative adolescence, and pave the way for a night spent on repeat. If this is any indication of what’s to come from Great Health, we’re eager to see what they get up to next. Until then, sink your teeth into “Stitches” below.