“Slow Dance” is the latest single from Inara George‘s (The Bird and the Bee) solo project… The song is a nostalgic, (albeit bittersweet) look back at her youth, highlighting George’s trademark ethereal vocals, with gentle, folk-tinged instrumentation. Some definite retro vibes pepper this track; it’s full of tremolo guitar swells, electric piano tones, light-handed drums, and acoustic strumming. Inara is on Spotify too – give “Slow Dance” some love.
Future-pop artist ADAL specializes in “what the 80s thought the future would sound like.” This is a pretty apt description, made evident by the pure-pop nature of his latest single, “Synthesize.” The electro-pop instrumentals are surely set off by the buoyant, light vocal stylings of Alexanderson… If you’re in the mood for some no-funny-business pop jams, look no further. If you’re digging it, add “Synthesize” to your Spotify playlist.
Provo, Utah’s New Shack surprised us with the deeply groovy synth-pop of their latest single “Ways and Means.” Singer Cat Leavy expertly weaves her breathy vocals through the pulsing synth work and stuttering electro drums. “Ways and Means” is out now on Little Assembly, who hint at big things to come from the duo in 2018… Till then, be sure to get well-acquainted with “Ways and Means” via Soundcloud, Spotify, or otherwise. New Shack also filmed a music video for “Ways and Means” – check that out here.
San Fran indie-poppers Faux Canada sent over the peppy “Projector” and we’ve been hooked ever since. We’re not sure what to love more, the spacey, squiggly keyboards that squiggle their way through the song, or the delightfully spastic guitar riffs that propel “Projector” forth. Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s impossible to listen to this song without a big smile on your face. Check it out below. Add “Projector” to your Spotify playlist.
Nothing better than some punky, fuzzy goodness to start off your day. “Take What’s Mine” is the latest offering from Dallas act Caved Mountains. For fans of fuzzy noise, there is plenty of velcro fuzz in this song to melt your face… After a frantic opener, the song cascades into a crescendo of balls-to-the-wall jamming. With songs like these, it’s best just to listen for yourself – give it a play via the widget below. “Take What’s Mine” is available on Bandcamp for a very reasonable “name your price” rate.
Fiona Grey is a bad, bad girl. Based out of LA, the self-described “dirty pop” artist releases a fun and dance-y new single off her upcoming EP, Cult Classic. Fiona commands this dance club track with her beautiful and confident voice that feels more like a devil on your shoulder. In addition to Fiona’s peer pressure vocals, airy synths and a passionate saxophone solo provide the perfect soundtrack for a night of sneaking out of your parents house and making bad decisions.
Max García Conover, a folk songwriter and one-man band based out of Maine, describes this track as a “memory – the beautiful, tragic capacity we have for carrying around little remnants of ourselves.” After lulling listeners into an atmospheric dreamscape, Max’s warm sing-talk vocals reflect on the past, vividly painting impressions of fleeting imagery, glimpses of heartbreak and the scenery of a car crash.Check out Conover’s latest below.
Hailing from Hamilton, ON in the Great White North comes Post Romance with a remastered track featuring their signature “happy sad power pop” sound. Melodic guitar riffs and sing-along vocals provide an escape from this subzero winter that will have you feeling like you’re cruising down a night’s road with the beach in the air and a summer breeze through your hair. Post Romance is currently in the studio working on a new EP to be released this summer.
After finding international success with their debut single, “Do Do Do,” Tokyo-based indie pop band, DANSU, is back with their follow-up and they do not disappoint. This upbeat, energetic power-pop track features catchy vocals, jangly guitar riffs and lighthearted harmonies making for a perfect listen when you need a pick-me-up from the daily grind. The sky is the limit for this promising trio but one thing is for sure, DANSU will get your body moving and if they don’t, check your pulse.
Swedish wunderkind, Kasbo, graces us with this single off his upcoming March 23rd debut LP Place We Don’t Know. Guest vocals from TENDER echo off Kasbo’s atmospheric, electronic-popcorn beat and crescendos into an infectious, feel-good chipmunk dance party chorus. Armed with this track and an upcoming headline US tour, Kasbo looks poised to takeover the airwaves with his most intricate and cohesive work to date. Look out World, you don’t know what’s coming.
Indie-pop band Wanderwild are fresh out of the gates with a new album, the nine-song In Due Time. We’re here to draw attention to the title-track, an explosive blast of dream-pop that blends reverby guitar work with cathartic lyrics that touch on themes of loss, love, and life’s meaning and purpose. Fans of Young The Giant, Bleachers, or Cold War Kids will dig the accessible indie rock vibes from this one. Learn more about Wanderwild here.
“For best results, listen in 1987 at night…” Pizzagirl nailed it on the self-reflection when referring to his latest single, “Favourite Song.” Beyond the warm bedroom-pop vibes, “Favourite Song” has an instantly recognizable chorus utilizing plenty of “do-do-dos.” Not to mention the irresistibly retro vibes that propel the song. Fans of 80s synthpop or emotional lo-fi jams should surely give it a listen below. If “Favourite Song” is your new favorite song, peep some listening options here.
Austin TX act Wild Child recently caught our ears with the gentle musings of “Sinking Ship.” The sparse, stripped-down track features a beautiful performance from singer Kelsey Wilson, who says the song was inspired by a Shel Silverstein book about love and loss. A gently strummed acoustic guitar is her main accompaniment, peppered with moments of piano and a heartbeat-esque drum beat that really sets the song off. Wild Child’s next album, Expectations, will be out February 9th on Dualtone Records.
Western Scene wastes no time getting things going on their self-produced new track “Strange but True.” It’s a hit right on the mark from this Los Angeles-based quintet, a true gem packed with immediacy and power. This exertion of energy is contained well enough during the verses and then bursts out like a rush of water cascading from a failed dam. Check it out below:
Emerging from Athens, Greece, rock band Afformance cook up a tune for the ages with “Perspectivism,” an instrumental put out this past fall in accordance with the release of their record Pop Nihilism. “Perspectivism” is a display of sensational rhythm and chemistry among gifted performers. The beginning of the track possesses all the suspense of a Hitchcock film, as it sets in slowly but surely with the guidance of pounding drums and an atmospheric backdrop. Around a minute into the track, a lively melody encased in beautiful tones picks up. The music video below emphasizes how layered and coordinated the track is. The band separately unveiled the album Music For Imaginary Film #1 at the same time as Pop Nihilism.