Chas Leman first hit the radar with the evocative and poignant yet anthemic single The Last Boys To Be Picked at Football. The artist introduced a great sense of melodic-riff building, energy, and topical nostalgia that was quick to appeal.
Now we get to hear the true versatility of that approach, this old-school Brit Pop and Rock aura that’s rooted in stories and a broad range of influences.
Inspiring ideas and motivational threads of self-belief appear to provide the beating heart of much of the Boston Aires collection. The band deliver a refreshingly modest and moving set of songs, and you’d be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t connect or provide a pleasant listening experience.
Sometimes it feels like modern music is in a rush to connect – like it has to be, because attention spans won’t stand for anything else. Real art isn’t made that way though, music neither. It emerges from a creative space of contemplation and expression, a desire to understand either oneself or the world at large.
A joyful anthem on the one hand, from a distance – an altogether-now ode to the beauty of musical unity. But on the other, a unique take on missing someone, on the feeling of having cared for someone who could ‘read the stars’, but was never able to ‘see the starlight in me’.
Lifelong creative and indie favourite Rasmus Fynbo, standing tall on the back of over 25 years of experience as a musician, releases this season a stunning collection of original tracks – in collaboration with the wonderful vocals of Argentinian singer Camila Castellani.
It’s a the all-too familiar story of keeping up appearances, carrying on and putting on a brave face in order to maintain the respect of those around us; rather than letting the weight fall away by sharing it with a friend or someone who actually cares.
Canadian songwriter and artist Lola Balter masters the acoustic pop space at just seventeen years old. I wish you knew me is a vocally sublime and rhythmically uplifting single, with a quirky groove and long-form lyrics that feel decidedly mature in their storytelling and personal revelations combined.
Bright and hopeful folk pop with an impressively genuine and uncommon story to its optimistic shine. Singer and songwriter Jake Diehl builds an organic and joyous single, with the ukulele rhythm to full-band warmth of Yes.
It’s an inspiring concept, to not let the struggles of the past weigh us down as we attempt to move forward in life, and it’s one that effectively connects on simply a human level – unconfined by genre or age or background. That sense of possibility shines well in the natural optimism and glow of both the music and performance.
New music from Canadian songwriter Alex Runions brings the soulful intimacy of acoustic folk-pop and a boldly poetic story that instantly captivates. On An Island intertwines the deeply personal with the broadly accessible and imagery-loaded, for a sense of rising passion and power that consistently tightens its grip.
The defiantly distinct sound and thoughtful style of Amo Jr. excels with prowess and subtle power, as the debut single from his brand new album hits the scene to effectively carve out its own unique creative lane.
Italian solo acoustic guitarist Jack Marton reimagines a timeless single, with the launch of his heartfelt rendition of the Mason Jennings original song Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor.
