As we shift into the conceptual mystique of (Cactus), and the subsequent tribal dance flavours and vocal warping of BoysBoysBoys, the playful nature and limitless artistic expression of the project becomes all the more clear.
Indie Pop
Ukrainian artist and multi-instrumentalist Kondo wa Kondo, having relocated to America, found creative inspiration in the depths of nostalgia and missing something like home. In searching for the right word to explain these feelings, this struggle to adapt and accept such new surroundings, appeared to fit well under the Welsh word ‘Hiraeth’. The idea is a deep sense of longing for a place that no longer exists or can no longer be reached.
Largely optimistic but also mildly evocative during those resolving sentiments of no longer being together, there’s a roller-coaster effect to the progression of Blue Lagoon, dashes of grit and joy carefully alternating throughout a colourful and ultimately quite anthemic mix.
Southern California duo The New Ritual is a psychedelic to ambient indie-pop outfit with a uniquely distinct approach to modern music. Formed by brothers David and Salomon Gomez, the project seems like a judgement-free creative space for expressing inner dreams and desires, underpinned by an often mellow but colourful array of sounds.
Colourful by both design and lyric – Robert Sawyer celebrates the joy of admiration, with the metaphorical layers and nostalgic stylings of Sunshine & Rainbows.
The music is finely-produced so as to wholly embrace the listener in this repeating energy and pattern, but then the voice emerges like an old-school phone call or message left on a retro device. The lyrics feel relentless and fast-paced though gentle, almost like a stream of consciousness, uninhibited and unable to find a sense of calm or connection throughout the wires.
Promising a dreamy to euphoric depth of guitar sound, as per the master himself and the artwork implications, Jameel Farruk delivers the songs and sentiments to match the evocative playing and melodies of his style, throughout the beautifully enjoyable album Middle Names.
Building up beautifully as it gathers momentum, dropping in for an infectious hook that’s fully loaded and wholly contrasts the intimacy of the verses, Want Me Dead is both familiar and unorthodox in its blending of the standard pop-rock set-up and this fearlessly gritty conceptual journey.
Colourful indie pop with a clean vocal and a quirky balancing between RnB and Pop songwriting, even with a twist of something rap-like on occasion – Kibs unites the relatable and unorthodox, with the catchy fluidity and relationship longing of Find A Way Back.
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.
Essentially addressing the topic of loving the idea or illusion of someone (or something), Vine Song is a complex lyrical venture that’s melodically alluring and somehow feels like it was written purely for the listener.