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Paul Cherry (featuring Kate Bollinger)- “OBO”

June 9, 2023

Los Angeles, California native Paul Cherry brings an uplifting vibe on his latest single release “OBO” with a feature from fellow California native Kate Bollinger. The opening of this track gets your attention immediately by a couple of quick drums followed by Kate’s beautiful vocals. The instruments used in the beat makes you picture yourself on a beach surrounded by palm trees sipping on your favorite drink. One of my favorite elements of the track is the storytelling within; as soon as Paul starts singing, his first lyrics are, “Hey, thanks for your reply, let’s meet tonight.” The storytelling is executed perfectly, as you feel like you are eavesdropping on their conversation, but in reality, that’s exactly what they want the fans to think. The delivery of the track is done extremely well as it’s not only a lovey conversation, but also an uplifting buoyant vibe.  “OBO” is an enchanting[...]

Quiet Sonia – “Sparks”

April 9, 2023

As per their Instagram: “Quiet Sonia is a Copenhagen-based seven-piece experimental chamber-rock group”. In my wildest dreams I don’t think I could come up with such a combination of words to describe a musical act like them, yet here we are! “Sparks” is the first single off of their upcoming debut album and was, in true chamber-rock group fashion, recorded live in (and I am not making this up) a candle-lit studio over a weekend at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. I have friends in bands who would give their teeth to record something this beautiful in live takes, not to mention over a weekend! Anyone who has an ear for high production folk-tinged post punk fused with an orchestral arrangement will find this tantalizing. Vitamin String Quartet mashed together with Arcade Fire is the most accurate description I can think of, but still doesn’t do justice to what[...]

Koala Harbor – “Can’t Fall Asleep”

March 18, 2023

The first thirty seconds of Koala Harbor‘s debut single off upcoming album Those Who Are Lost Must Wander IMMEDIATELY evokes the more creative MIDI tones of my favorite video game system, THE Sega Genesis (specifically the more dreamlike tracks of Sonic 2 and 3). Make no mistake though, Mr. Harbor (Mr. Koala?) has crafted a gorgeous track that cannot be ignored. They could easily be mentioned in the same breadth as such greats as Toro y Moi and Dayglow. Smooth lyrics and a hearty synthetic layering of their digital tracks leave the listener riding the waves as relaxed as a koala on a eucalyptus farm. Please be sure to check out this sterling example of electronica indie-pop as well as Koala Harbor’s 2023 album, Lost Demos, which includes several delectable remixes of “Can’t Fall Asleep”. These and more can be found on Spotify as well as Apple Music. Please let us[...]

Joe McGuire – “Build A House”

November 2, 2022

There’s something down-home and familiar about the newest single from Joe McGuire… Now that we think of it, “Build A House” is surprisingly twangy considering the musician proudly calls Chicago his home. You can expect a chiming acoustic guitar; a deliciously warbly guitar lead; and Joe’s endearing and heartwarming vocals upon your first listen, but as you listen more and more, you’ll start to envision the simplicities of small-town life. You can also find “Build A House” on Spotify. How Do You Want to Be Held? (Mono + Stereo Versions) by Joe McGuire

Eliza Edens – “Westlawn Cemetery”

September 17, 2022

It takes a lot (an admitted weak spot) for us to latch onto a slow burner, but Eliza Edens‘ latest single, “Westlawn Cemetery” is just that good. Using a unique tuning she borrowed from a Nick Drake song, Edens ponders the intricacies of mortality overtop a perfectly twangy guitar and a barebones drum accompaniment. It’s a gently-plucked, indie-folk masterpiece that is sure to make you feel something, no matter where you’re at in life. We usually try to put these things into our own words, but Edens’ description of the song’s origins is just too powerful not to share – here it is below: “During the depths of the pandemic, I was hunkering down at my childhood home with my parents in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I went for walks every day, usually just up the street to a small, bucolic cemetery where I formed many early memories –[...]

Bo Milli – “How It Is”

August 12, 2022

Bergen, Norway-based indie rocker Bo Milli caught our ears with this not-so-lighthearted jam. The upbeat instrumentals belie the ennui that powers the song lyrically – see the line about those ever-pervasive Strokes hits that seem to have powered the rest of indie rock composition since 2001… Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to you to decide. Further confirming our hypothesis, about the song, Bo says: “Originally the chorus was this tiny bit where I say “you know how it is” — a sort of anti-chorus undermining the idea of a thesis statement. This song is mainly made up of lines gesturing towards a vague dissatisfaction everyone seems to relate to, without really saying much outright.” You can also find “How It Is” on Bandcamp (below) and Spotify. How it is by Bo Milli

Blue Cove – “Soothe”

July 26, 2022

We’re loving the energy coming out of Blue Cove, especially on latest single, “Soothe.” The Chicago-based duo offer a modern take on 2000s emo/pop-punk – with plenty of spring-loaded guitar riffs and catchy, impassioned vocals, this would fit comfortably on any playlist anchored by Soccer Mommy, Charly Bliss, and The Beths. About “Soothe,” Blue Cove say: “A toxic lover can drain you. When you give so much of yourself to a partner, you can ultimately end up with very little energy left for yourself and your own goals” You can also find “Soothe” on Spotify. Blue Cove · Soothe

GZ Grant – “Bonds of Love”

May 16, 2022

The nearly minute long intro on “Bonds of Love” by GZ Grant has the perfect level of anticipation leading into the first verse. I was also relieved GZ Grant used the same chord progression on the guitar’s hook; for it was way too cool to act solely as an intro to this lo-fi rock banger. The musician/singer/songwriter decided that he wanted to be a director as well on the “Bonds of Love” music video and this guy is a perfectionist. The video seems to depict the age-old question of what would happen if psychedelics & rock n’ roll existed in medieval times? Find Out with GZ Grant. Stream it on Apple Music and Spotify  Watch “Bonds of Love” on YouTube

The fin. – “Outer Ego”

December 13, 2021

The fin. is a Japanese duo hailing from the port city of Kobe who are making lots of waves lately (get it?) with their chillwave-inspired indietronica. “Outer Ego” is the title-track of their latest LP which dropped in late-November – it’s a driven, but airy number that features gently plunking arpeggiation; soothing, whispery vocals; and an unmistakable bedroom feel that helps keep it approachable, but sincere. They filmed an accompanying music video that helps show the duality of the band – some filming occurred in the Japanese countryside and other filming occurred in the studio, showing the theme of inner/outer duality that’s woven throughout the album. Check out the music video for “Outer Ego” below – you can find it on Apple Music and Spotify too.

Kindsight – “Don’t You Grow Up”

November 22, 2021

Kindsight seem to have mastered the art of jangly indie rock, case-in-point, their latest offering “Don’t You Grow Up.” This isn’t the first time we’ve featured their warm, fun take on the genre – we singled out their tune “Terminal Daze” last year too for similar reasons… Expect Alvvays-esque vocals with a warm guitar presence that would make both Ben Gibbard and Jeff Tweedy blush. Fun fact: this is actually the first song that this Copenhagen-based crew ever wrote together – as they describe it: “a coming-of-age indie gem.” You can find “Don’t You Grow Up” on Bandcamp (below), but it’s also available on Apple Music and Spotify. Don’t You Grow Up by Kindsight

Spritely – “Imma Buy A House”

September 1, 2021

Digging this pop-grunge tune from bedroom-popper Spritely – “Imma Buy A House” is a “cheeky declaration of independence” from a long-distance partner who was expressing some iffy-ness about Spritely moving across the country to be together… She tells them off with this dark-pop jam; it’s shined-up with pop production while never losing the emo/grunge, guitar-driven sensibilities of someone who has been hurt. Fans of Jay Som or Kississippi will love this one. Check out “Imma Buy A House” via YouTube below – you can also find it on Spotify if you prefer streaming.

Dead Emerson – “Eleventh Hour”

September 1, 2021

Last time we checked in with Dead Emerson, we were jazzed on their latest single, “Sucker Punch.” The one-man-show is back again with another indie-pop banger called “Eleventh Hour.” Emerson recently dealt with some pesky bouts of disassociation, where he felt out-of-body for days at a time… He channeled his ennui into this big-energy song, full of sparkly guitar riffs, punchy drums, and impassioned vocals. Check out “Eleventh Hour” on Bandcamp below – if streaming is more your thing, you can listen on Spotify as well. Eleventh Hour by Dead Emerson

Babe Club – “Need a Girl (remix by whimsy)”

June 15, 2021

Synthpop duo Babe Club and producer whimsy (Jaani österman from Tampere, Finland) teamed up to create this excellent remix of BC’s “Need a Girl.” The duo’s patented blend of Blondie-meets-Cardigans vibes is perfect easy-listening… With whimsy’s touch, the song gets a perfect pop-chop treatment while still honing in on singer Jenna Desmond’s heartfelt lyrics about being the only girl in a band. This one has been in our heads all week… Check it out below, on Soundcloud, or on Spotify. Babe Club · Need a Girl (whimsy Remix)

Glom – “Again”

April 2, 2021

Last time we checked in with NYC sextet Glom, we were waxing poetic about their starry-eyed, hook-laden single “Fungus.” They’re back with a new song, this time with the jammy, mid-tempo simmer of “Again.” This one never quite bubbles over the top – it has us grooving along without ever getting our blood boiling. In that way, it’s a refreshing demonstration of how to write a tastefully subdued song… Just make sure you stick around for the fuzzed-out solo. Check out again below – it can also be found on Spotify.

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February 10, 2021

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