New Music

Justus West – “Normal”

February 23, 2023

Hot off the presses is this new single from Justus West, a talented seven-time Grammy nominee hailing from Kansas City. “Normal” would seem to suggest an embrace of the “same shit, different day” mentality but is quite the opposite; about the song, Justus explains: “[Normal] is my letter to the new year, a reminder to not settle for the status quo and chase refreshing experiences.” Melodic vocals mixed with strong guitar throughout help keep this track hopeful and not turn into a checkbox of self-help platitudes. It’s a unique blend of indie-pop and hip hop influences that we think you’ll love – check it out on Spotify or Apple Music, and get acquainted with Justus himself via his new YouTube series below.

Chris Cubeta – “Architect”

February 23, 2023

Brooklyn-based artist Chris Cubeta has released the powerful and rhythmic indie-rock song “Architect,” the latest single from his forthcoming new album APOE, which is due out April 7th, 2023. The upcoming album’s creation springs from a personal reckoning brought on by Cubeta’s mother’s recent tragic Alzheimer’s diagnosis at the age of 57. Cubeta harnesses his tragedy and employs a form of songwriting he finds most fulfilling by creating rhythms with drum, synth and guitar and then reacting viscerally to his own sonic creations while layering more sounds on top. “Architect” has a soundscape that builds beat by beat until kaleidoscopic layers of sounds are filling your ears while Cubeta’s anthemic vocals carry you to emotional heights.  Fans of Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, or John Frusciante will finds lots to love on this track. Listen to new song “Architect” from Chris Cubeta now on Spotify. Find more[...]

The High Water Marks – “Trouble From The East”

February 23, 2023

New song “Trouble From The East” from Norway-based The High Water Marks has just been released and you should give the sunny and infectious indie-rock track a listen (find our previous feature on them here). The new single is the first from the upcoming album, Your Next Wolf, which is due out June 9, 2023 and “…is basically about chilling the fuck out,” says Hilarie Sidney. Sidney, co-founder of Elephant 6 Recording Co. and The Apples in Stereo, said this about the song; “We aren’t a political band, but politics affects us all. 2022 was an insane year over here in Europe with the Ukraine war. In Norway, we border Russia (our trouble from the north and east) and especially in the beginning, there were a few times we thought there was a nuclear threat. “People are angry and scared. We just want to see everyone calm down and enjoy[...]

Bees In A Bottle – “Jealous Mistress”

February 22, 2023

Portland based duo Bees In A Bottle have a new album set to release April 14, 2023 and their new single “Jealous Mistress” is your first taste of the upcoming project. The new album will be a collection of songs that each explore the stories of women who’ve lost a man they loved in the music industry to suicide or drug addiction. “Jealous Mistress” is a satisfying yet gut-punching continuation of the married couple’s work, they are employing their cathartic and moody songwriting to tell the tale of a woman whose husband’s recently achieved fame as a rock star sees him abandon his family and eventually take his own life. Christine McAllister sings poignantly asking “Was it the push of the crowd? Or the pull of death?” asking as our widowed wife, pleading to understand how it all could have happened. Fans of Mountain Goats, The Decemberists, or Against Me![...]

Jen Cloher – “My Witch”

February 21, 2023

Melbourne’s figurehead of their famous DIY scene, Jen Cloher has exciting new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me upcoming and their newest single “My Witch” has just been released in anticipation of the LP.  The catchy indie rock cut plays with more of a pop sound, using a homophonic sound with vocals, bass, synth, guitar, and drum all pushing the same rhythm and melody while Cloher builds out the tracks sound using that rhythm as a center in a blues-like fashion. The veteran singer/songwriter’s vocals are such a joy through the whole track, espousing evocative lyrics in sultry, calm and confident tone and is boosted even further by some lush background singing throughout. Fans of Haim, Neko Case, and St. Vincent will find lots to love in this new track. Listen to “My Witch” now on Spotify or YouTube. Find more from Jen Cloher on their website.

1 REBEL NATION – “television”

February 21, 2023

“television” is a nicely-layered, wispy single off of 1 REBEL NATION‘s 2022 album, PORCELAIN. The Los Angeles-based act takes a lot of cues from Melon Collie era Smashing Pumpkins as well as the more contemporary Beach House flavors. “television” feels like a non-stop screensaver that twists and turns in the best ways, with dreamy instrumentals, a bumping rhythm, and some strong hooks to boot [editor’s note: a screensaver was used on old computers in the olden days, google it.]. Don’t be fooled though, this is only a tip of the iceberg; the rest of the album delves into MORE directions and is most definitely worth a full listen. Check out “television” and the rest of PORCELAIN via 1 REBEL NATION’s Spotify.

Beano Naboo & The Real Keepers – “Strange Life”

February 21, 2023

“Strange Life” starts off as a rambling, quirky, bass-driven tune, but quickly turns contemplative and morose; a perfect encapsulation of the past three years. [editor’s note: Chris is okay, just dealing with some stuff and he’s okay.] Sean O’Brien’s (aka Beano Naboo) crooning vocals evokes some early aughts vibes as he ends commenting on (big surprise) what a strange life this is. A warped and warbly backing track full of piano and guitars, presumably performed by The Real Keepers, gives the song a nostalgic but of-the-moment sound. Definitely worth a listen. Check out “Strange Life” on Spotify and/or Apple Music.

Bliss Abyss – “Bill & Holly”

February 21, 2023

There is a couple named William and Holly somewhere who are presumably happy with having a song named after them. For the rest of us, Oakland California based Bliss Abyss put forth a subdued, albeit catchy, dream pop earworm. The song details the love story of two punks who ruled the street of Santa Cruz back in the day – it’s set off by gauzy synths and blippy drum elements that give it a romantic, bedroom-pop twist, even if the song is about two grimy punk kids. Give it a listen and check them out at their Spotify (or if you’re ever out on the west coast).

Seriously – “With Delight”

February 21, 2023

Surely this can’t be Seriously? Yes, it is (and don’t call me Shirley). “With Delight” is the first single off their upcoming album Built Environment on the label Earth Libraries out of Birmingham, AL. Crooning Morrissey-esque vocals combined with Proper Synth Usage (TM) give a nice callback to the 80’s in a similar vein of MGMT’s Little Dark Age LP. If the rest of their album (out June 16th) follows suit, this should be a solid listen for anyone who enjoys a tip of the cap to The Smiths with a nice contemporary spin.

freddyboy – “This Time”

February 19, 2023

freddyboy’s new single, “This Time,” off his latest EP, Hobby showcases a captivating blend of soft acoustic sounds and electric tones on this tight indie-pop cut. The hazy rhythm of the acoustic guitar is inviting and discreet, wrapping you in warmth, as the relaxed vocals bring in deeper into the song’s charm. The dreamy vocals draws the listeners in with a breathy delivery that seems to have each lyric evaporate away as it leaves the singers lips. A swirling and hypnotic guitar lead soaked in chorus-tones drives the whole composition home. Fans of Mac DeMarco, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Chromatics will appreciate the unique sound and style of “This Time”. Listen to “This Time” by freddyboy on Spotify and YouTube now. Find more from freddyboy on their linktree.

Kimball Frank – “Don’t Call Me”

February 19, 2023

Kimball Frank is here with the first single from his first album, the mesmerizing and ethereal “Don’t Call Me.” The indie rock jam has a fuzzy, earnest energy that is created with raw but harmonious textures and a driving rhythm. The texture of the melody is made with layered, reedy vocals that sound like they are pouring out from the bottom of a chasm, blending with lush guitar lines whose notes are left open bleeding into the sonic wash, both of which are reminiscent of John Frusciante’s solo work. Kimball pushes his song beyond that by combining psychedelic pop textures and quirky songwriting that are evocative of the The Elephant 6 Collective with rhythm driven pop genius of Phil Collins’ ilk and the chest-filling power of Band of Horses. Overall, “Don’t Call Me” is a captivating and complex piece of music that showcases Kimball Frank’s skill as a songwriter and[...]

Fritz Hager – “Caroline”

February 13, 2023

Fritz Hager is here with a brand new single and the first since an impressive top 5 finish at American Idol. “Caroline” is an energetic and catchy pop jam that pushes into new bold sounds for the singer songwriter. “Caroline” brings the vibrant energy of pop punk and irresistible anthemic hooks of alt rock into Hager’s sound, which the song wields masterfully, propelling you with pop exuberance into a chorus that you’ll feel compelled to sing along with. The song seamlessly weaves together these diverse range of sounds with slick transitions that use irresistible drop in rhythms from Francisco Martin on drums (who also co-wrote the track with Drew Pearson). Fans of The Killers, Motion City Soundtrack, and Ed Sheeran will find lots to love about this new single. Listen to the new song “Caroline” from on Spotify. Find more from Fritz Hager at their Instagram.

Shuko x Chuck Inglish x KESMAR – “Overload”

February 10, 2023

Shuko, Chuck Inglish & KESMAR have come together to create the groovin new song “Overload,” the seventh single from Shuko’s newly released album Dreaming HIlls. The smooth bassline and hushed rhythms of the bongos creates a effortlessly danceable environment for the lush pop groove to unfold. “Overload’s” warm synths and pop production glitz are paired with interjecting funk guitar licks that will dazzle as the sweet melodic vocals lead you bouncing to ear worm of a hook. Fans of Toro y Moi, Blood Orange, and Tame Impala will definitely love this one. Listen to the new song “Overload” on Spotify. Find more from Shuko on their Instagram here, and find more from KESMAR on their Instagram here.

HIDDEN STATES – “fix to fix”

February 10, 2023

Brighton-based artist Adam Day has re-emerged with a new name, Hidden States, and some fresh new music. Day’s first big break came in 2019 when his music, released as County Line Runner, garnered attention from Stephen Street and Alex da Kid, who signed him to his label, KIDinaKORNER. However, the deal’s short nature and the now familiar destruction of the pandemic made Adam change it up and he is now signed with Berlin’s Humming Records where he feels more at home. His new EP, RECONCILE, features the same intimate and affecting songwriting that Day is known for, with assistance from Sam Doyle, Phil Murphy, and Bill Ryder-Jones. “Fix To Fix” is a haunting ballad with a slow, brooding beat. The song starts with a catchy guitar riff and builds up with a steady drum beat before launching into an upbeat verse that showcases the singer’s powerful and soulful vocals. The[...]

Kalulu – “When Everything Falls”

February 8, 2023

Kalulu, the moniker for artist Marinka Stam, is here with the new release of single “When Everything Falls” from their newly released EP titled featuring. “When Everything Falls” is a lush and unendingly interesting electro indie pop track that excels at bringing the sound of the track alive and treating the listener with unique and addictive tones that seem to have a mind of their own. The use of chopped up and edited pop vocals to create the melodic notes is pure pop deliciousness while it also creates an air of intimacy that enwraps the listener. The muted break beat of the drums adds a current of movement to the song that will sweep you up, while the pliable warping synths shoot up your brain stem as they bounce by. The song also features a bridge of washed out cavernous textures that cleanses the mental palette, creating a effecting contrast,[...]