The West’s favourite holiday resounds with musical cheer, and always we crave a slightly original take on the classics – something a little fresh, but not straying too far from the warmth and familiarity we’re used to.
Rebecca Cullen
To counter the influx of intimate, mellow Christmas ballads this year, iconic indie punk outfit King Of Cups take a contrary stance as ever, introducing a high-octane Christmas rock song that’s both lyrically and musically at odds with the vast majority.
You Keep Me is a gem of an album, a true ode to the album as a timeless artform, and a strong introduction to a band who consistently deliver on the promise of realism, melody, groove, and pure musical connection.
Letting the music guide, through a series of deeply personal reflections on adulthood and uncertainty about progression in life. Ziggy Lebon captures the enchanting mood of indie rock and shoegaze’s past, with the three-track EP FOOA (Fear Of Old Age).
Acoustic guitar and colourful keys, a simple folk-pop set-up, with softly expressive vocals at the forefront – Australian artist Freya Winter leads with a clear love for the process of writing songs, for the release of the melodically catchy and dedicative single Heartbeat of Mine.
Getaway Stranger “Music was there for me when nothing else was, I owe it to music to keep creating.”
Promising an eclectic array of fearlessly honesty, heartfelt contemporary tracks, Getaway Stanger has built up an impressive following on streaming platforms, and continues to explore the depths of the human experience with his original music.
Songwriter and creative entrepreneur JACK TITUS has travelled to over fifty countries in recent years, noting that experiencing the depth and variety of different cultures has inspired him to write music that connects in a powerful and genuine way.
Nineties-inspired indie guitar music, led by honest reflections and stories on daily life – Mexican creative Estrogeno blends the softness of singer-songwriter contemplation, with the raw energy of rock, for a series of original tracks.
Christmas with a twist – heartfelt songwriting and organic musicianship, soulful vocals, and a depth of a backstory that inspires and warms at this time of year. Jordan Waring joins forces with Tony Hightower, for the evocative yet uplifting good vibes of Christmas at Rockerfeller Center.
Creative composer, musician and philosopher Lauri Järvilehto highlights a broadly appealing scope of sound quite instantly, with the engaging rhythms and evocative yet retro synth choices of his album Songs About Sadness. The project is quick to redirect expectations, with the heavy tones and somewhat cinematic, sci-fi mystique of Alive With You, then quick again … Continued
Conceptually exploring the concept of time and how some people appear able to slow down its effects, this album by Vger delves into the possibility of freeing oneself from the constraints of time – offering soundscapes designed to mystify but also remind us to embrace the past as much so as the future.
Performatively noting influence from jazz and soul-pop legends, the music of Imaginary Problems, and in particular, the lyrical depth and openness, all shines light on a whole different set of inspirations from Indira May.