Lo-fi production with upbeat, tribal to tropical rhythms – all subtle, all smooth. DJ Bruno Costa and Friza lead with mellow, deep vocal fragments, and enchanting drum-work, for Mina de Responsa. An industrla groove and contrastingly dreamy, etheral synths rise and fall, as this melodically freesyle then catchy voice meandesr through an exotic story and … Continued
Rebecca Cullen
Quirky nostalgic dance-pop with threads of both the familiar and the characterful – UK songwriter and artist Tor James Faulkner blends colourful performance with catchy confrontation, for No Way, No Way.
Organic, live, psychedelic indie-rock sets a strong groove, while gentle vocals and complex, captivating original lyrics paint stories impressively original and genuine. New York rockers The Grasping Straws hold authenticity in high regard, with the dreamy riffs, fresh melodies, thoughtful musings and brilliantly framed ideas of Shapes.
Award-winning songwriter and musician Sean Martin fronts the brilliantly unique genre-fusing indie rock act The Quarantined, delivering this summer an incredibly original story and set-up, for the passionate and powerful Skeleton Chair.
Cinematic soundscapes and funky nostalgic basslines and beats – an eighties vibe with soundbites galore, alongside a late-night RnB vocal grit and fluidity that’s akin to The Weeknd. An intentionally elusive Beaux Deity kicks off an engaging and colourful EP, with the catch and quirky Y’all Saw.
The song reflects upon the idea of falling in love with something unreal – a figment of your own imagination. It’s a complex and provocative topic, the emotional depths of the mind proving limitless and poignant in this setting. What appears as a simple love song, actually runs far more deeply, and prompts consideration of the true wonder of the self, and the power of the mind in conjuring up a whole other seemingly sentient being to fall in love with.
Long-time favourite Snapdibz continues his steady climb as a respectable and creative independent artist. This summer sees the songwriter and producer release an inspiring new EP, designed to engage and motivate listeners, whilst showcasing a fine ear for enchanting production and catchy, snappy hooks.
This song impresses all the more so with each revisit. Think of those unusual pop songs that just work brilliantly, yet feel a little left of the expected – Drinking in LA, Somebody That I Used to Know. The kind of indie pop song you wish you’d written, and in this case, it’s perfectly captured and produced. An easy must for the summer playlists.
Music that means something, softly gathering an intimate groove, with lush, breathy harmonies, quietly whispering long-form, nostalgic melodies, and concepts that feel poignantly relatable. Dovetail unite smart poetic references with deep personal uncertainty, for the blissful escapism of raining here, too.
Fellow Mancunians The Alicias carve out a refreshingly organic and energised lane, as their brand new EP What In Me Is Dark? intertwines conceptual depth with nostalgic alt-rock passion and power.
Inspired by the likes of Alanis and Adele as much so as AWOLNATION, Victoria Tyler’s music is unequivocally driven by a sense of purpose and artistic contemplation. The sound fuses genres with subtle freedom, and the emotional depth and unique melodies of these two singles underlines that beautifully well.
Midwest Americana icon Eric Hagan is renowned for his gospel-like depth of sound and story. His recent EP of originals, the five-track collection Americana Lonesome, is a fine example of the prowess, talent, focus and heartfelt escapism of his approach. And from that project, the mighty Accuse Me is a divinely soulful ode to both melancholic disconnection and self-reflective empowerment.