Latest Posts

Marti West – “Feels Like Home”

November 13, 2017

Folk singer-songwriter Marti West binds together nature, emotion, and ethereal melodies in his latest track “Feels Like Home.” The English troubadour relaid his roots in Göteborg, Sweden, where his rustically layered ballads began to take shape. “Feels Like Home” conjures comparisons to the songs of Elliot Smith or Sufjan Stevens, as whispery vocal harmonies and nimble acoustic guitar lines stand at the forefront, while the aural ambience wraps the listener in. As the second of his recent gossamer singles, West provides the quintessential arrangement for a night in, snug and safe from the wintery cold. Keep warm with “Feels Like Home” below.

NightPulse – “Delirious”

November 12, 2017

NightPulse draws the femme fatale archetype into the modern nightlife scene in the video for her track “Delirious.” A sultry slice of electropop, Lena Zawaidah as NightPulse sheds her inhibitions on the dance floor, set to brassy synths and a sizzling beat. As her debut single, “Delirious” brings the heat while being nonchalant about it, like dancing her cares away has become routine at this point. For a brand new project, NightPulse seems up to the challenge of conquering the dancey pop hit, and “Delirious” is a big step in the right direction. Check out the track below and give in to the groove if you know what’s good for you.

Dutch Party – “Now And Later”

November 12, 2017

L.A. alt pop band Dutch Party blend a soft spot for analog with enduring, beachy melodies in their single “Now And Later.” Bubbly guitar lines and a running bass breathe life into the track, while frontman Ken Franklin’s gravelly vocals smooth over all edges. Citing inspiration from David Bowie and The Beatles, Dutch Party set their sights high with influences anywhere from Motown, to Brit-rock, to subtle notes of 80’s synthpop. Their zinging pop ambition, mixed with a love of lo-fi and true DIY spirit led to the coining of the band’s signature “high flying lo-fi” sound. “Now And Later” comes straight from the band’s upcoming sophomore EP, Combat Pop, to be released this fall. Check out the music video for the track below.

Kisnue – “Different”

November 12, 2017

Sweeping electropop duo Kisnue are currently riding the high of their recent EP release, with their track “Different” popping up at the forefront. Taking cues from vibing 80’s synthpop, the track funnels in airy vocal pairings, animating guitar lines, and dreamy layers of synths to form a peaceful yet electrifying dance track. At the crossroads of cutting edge dream pop and retrowave, Kisnue’s sound has a universal appeal. With burgeoning notoriety in their native Korea, the duo are now setting their sights overseas. Help them on their way by jamming to “Different” below, along with the rest of their debut EP Overpaint.

Exmag – “Going Down Slow”

November 12, 2017

East Coast-based three-piece Extraordinary Magnitude(Exmag) released their 9-track ‘Part I’ EP on November 3 via Majestic Casual Records. The single “Going Down Slow” mixes touches of hip-hop, funk, soul, electronica and RnB. The danceable elements of the song come from the disco and funk influences. The use of synths and effect-heavy guitar give the song a dreamy effect. The deep solo from the guitar really sets the stage at the beginning of the song. Check out “Going Down Slow” via SoundCloud.

Linn Koch-Emmery – “Bby Nevermind”

November 12, 2017

Linn Koch-Emmery released the single “Bby Nevermind”  off of her new EP Boys. Koch-Emmery originally self-released her first single “Come Back” before she got signed to Welfare. Singles from the EP have been reported on by The Line Of Best Fit, DIY Magazine, Nordic By Nature, Passport Approved and Ja Ja Ja Music. The single captures the sound of lo-fi indie pop with a Swedish twist. There is a sharpness to the guitar that adds another dimension to the track. the softness of the vocals bodes well for a balance with the rougher elements of the song. Check out “Bby Nevermind” below via SoundCloud.

Alex Riddle – “Snow White”

November 10, 2017

Bolstered by chiming guitar and a thrumming undercurrent of bass and drums, Alex Riddle’s “Snow White” is rooted in a message of desperate persistence and letdowns, evidenced by lines like “I want to be somebody new” and “she’s the life of a party that I’m not invited to.” At one point, the song sounds a bit like “The Way” by Fastball, but that’s neither here nor there, as “Snow White” maintains a unique approach to alternative rock. Little touches like a hard rock-type guitar solo and the parading of a falsetto—and a masterful falsetto at that—help in staking that claim. “Snow White” is due to be released on a two-sided, 7-inch single this December.

Goodfight – “Lucy”

November 10, 2017

“Lucy” by the five-piece Floridian group Goodfight is carried right from the start until the song’s closing by energetic yet melodic guitar work slightly reminiscent of Real Estate and genuinely catchy harmonies. The female vocal part is innocent and baby doll-like for the duration of the verses before turning more angelic during the choruses. The male voice follows suit, matching its counterpart with a soothing-turned-weightless delivery, only at a slightly lower register. Goodfight’s upcoming album ‘Florida Room’ is slated for release on November 17th via Baby Blue.

Vacances – “Don’t Go”

November 10, 2017

Formed by singer Danny Lannon upon the expiry of his preceding project The Frail, Vacances has found traction on Spotify as of late, owing to a style of vibrancy as well as the boost from the production and songwriting handlings of Alex Fitts of The Kickdrums, a team partly responsible for concocting hits put out by John Legend, 50 Cent, Lana Del Ray and Kid Cudi. The latest single from “Don’t Go” has ‘hit’ written all over it, exemplified by synth-pop stylings, an anthemic chorus and gentle-to-the-ear vocals all encased in a radio-friendly run time.

Glassio – “Daydream”

November 10, 2017

At the start of “Daydream,” something exhilarating lurks, awaiting an invitation to burst out at the seams, as it does in full by song’s end. This something is a tantalizing breed of house and pop music ornamented with sonic, multi-layered brilliance. This new release from New York City-based indie-pop partnership Glassio finds its footing on jabs of keyboard, an insatiable bassline and ear-catching harmonies hoisted up by on-the-rise vocalist NAKAYA. Penned as both a sign of the times and a hybrid of Dr. Dre’s production methods and French electronic duo Air’s atmospheric touch, “Daydream” should induce momentary reflection, hand clapping and a willingness to treat the track with repeated listens all in one flurry.

Company Ink – “Eat Your Ropes”

November 10, 2017

Irish-Norwegian duo Company Ink starts off their new single “Eat Your Ropes” with a disciplined keyboard line, which breaks into a stop-and-start rhythm of bass, drums and vocals. The casually delivered line “just taking sips of the fountain of life that is shit and piss” is at once explicit, humorous and thought-provoking. These words lead into the song’s chorus and the kinetic burst of instrumentation that pleasingly accommodates it. The second verse adds a layer of shimmery guitar to the picture, which gets its spotlight just beyond the midpoint of the song. Even while pulling in ancestral elements, namely the attitude of post-punk bands and the regimented style adhered to in electronic music, “Eat Your Ropes” maintains a singular, fresh sound.

JR JR – “Control”

November 10, 2017

Detroit-based indie pop group JR JR crafts bouncy infectious vibes on their new single “Control.” Coming off the release of their album JR JR in 2015, the band has released multiple singles in 2017. The song first came to band member Joshua Epstein while driving around in the group’s van in November. “Control was written on November 10th at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI,” said Epstein. “I woke up late and was driving in our van–which has no radio anymore. Suddenly the melody and the lyric was in my head, ‘careful of who you let control the people that you know oh-oh-oh’.” There is a sense of the care-free nature of the song. The use of analog elements gives the song a light floating effect. The vocals go from Dylan-esque with a faster-paced vocal to a smooth but powerful belt in the chorus. The twist between different pieces of[...]

Nicky William – “Hurricane”

November 10, 2017

Swedish artist Nicky William brings a small-town flair to his music with the release of his single “Hurricane.” The single is a part of his newest project Set Your Loved Ones Free We Have You Surrounded out on Hi-hat Music on November 17th. The single has a crisp sound through the mix of vocals and guitars. William’s baritone is soothing as it rolls along with the jingle of the guitar. The riff is simplistic, but pairs really well with the baritone singing from William. The song lies within the realm of folk, but production values link it to pop music as well. Check out “Hurricane” below via SoundCloud.

Pale Grey – “Seasons”

November 9, 2017

Belgium’s Pale Grey throw another piece of dreamy indie pop our way with their latest single, “Seasons.” The trio seamlessly capture the wistfulness of nostalgia, reflecting on the past as if casually flipping through the pages of a photo album. The track ties in muted guitar melodies, buzzing synths, and silky smooth vocals to create a sound that’s all in all comforting, while recollecting through a warm, rosy glow. It has an irresistible, soothing quality that provides both a sentimental journey and a soft place to land. Check out “Seasons” below, and get your full fix of Pale Grey here.

Kingdom of Birds – “Tired”

November 8, 2017

At first listen, Kingdom of Birds have the sound of a delicately refined band that’s been playing together for several years. The Toronto trio have a way of drawing in intrinsic guitar lines, rolling drum tracks, wispy vocals, and an ever-building song structure that musicians three times their age have yet to master. The band’s single “Tired” garners a moodiness associated with growing pains, where youthful restlessness butts heads with despondency. Vocalist/guitarist Ása manages to channel some of this angst into her vocal delivery, giving the song’s luminous melodies a slightly darker tint for emphasis. This track is the premiere single off the band’s upcoming album Pretty, where Kingdom of Birds will have you wishing you got a move on your music career a decade or two sooner.