Nostalgic storytelling and conversations that walk you through the comforts of the past, through the lessons learned along the way, and through old-school family-driven hopes for the future.
Rebecca Cullen
The music is divinely delicate, but also quietly commandeering, and this strength is piercingly notable throughout the likes of highlights Plaza and Misterioso. There’s also a profoundly all-consuming depth of sound to the healing frequency and power of Cavern – an intoxicating closing track, confirming the essential power of music in temporarily freeing us from the jagged edges of modern life.
Metaphors and moments musically intertwined – a folk-pop softness that transcends the walls of expectation – Swiss songwriter Andrea Schmider offers unique song structuring, mighty choruses, and a striking balance between delicacy and power, for the Potpourri EP.
Jag, Griffin, Luke and Parker make up Chelekis, a four-piece with a shared passion for the process, and that inherent connection that shines brilliantly through the rhythmic unity and celebratory scorn of Problematic.
Retro electro-pop and synth-wave join forces, for a smooth and gamer-esque array of tones, melodies and vocoder-style effects. Odd Cadet blends the robotic and heartfelt, with This Is Goodbye.
Blending the nostalgic indie rock sway of easy guitars, riffs, bass and live drums, with a softly striking vocal, and a conceptual weight and sadness that’s almost unbearable, the mighty MYQO returns this season, with the broken and beautiful before me.
UK band The Hanging Bandits – a great name and a worthy level of intrigue for the inventive music that follows. Their single, Shipwrecks & Forgetful Skies, is a sensational lyrical and melodic outpouring.
Already an impressive and consistently likable band, this latest offering injects a twist of something like soul and ska modestly woven into the band’s classic tapestry. The songwriting is catchy, the vocals sublime, and the faultless unity between musicians lets this spacious and genuine arrangement create a completely intoxicating groove.
Beautifully intricate sound-design and uplifting world-music rhythms and warmth – Boris Metraux captures a supremely authentic original style, with the rising euphoria of Nena.
From the intense and multi-layered EP AMERICXN, FIVE4FIVE introduces the bold trap sound and spiralling vocal crescendos of AMERICANXTCY in a fiercely devoted way.
Where Do We Go? is an absolute earworm of an indie rock single – a huge hook, harmonised voices united, a familiar existential crisis at the forefront, and catchy verses that feel familiar but fresh enough in this distorted, high-energy setting. The juxtaposition of confronting lyrical depth and joyful pop-rock escapism is mighty, and that makes this an easy favourite.
Feel-good electro-pop music, the timeless bounce of a cleanly mixed soundscape and vocal, with heartfelt appreciation in the lyrics. Gieo Music blends contemporary production traits with nostalgic pop optimism, for upbeat and inspiring singles like Believe.