Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
Cherry Angel - “Caffeinated”
LA-based artist, Cherry Angel, makes her debut with single, “Caffeinated.” A transcendent dream pop uptempo cruise. Her vocals blend with the guitar effects creating a sunny drive cloaked in reverb. Beachbound guitar is foregrounded against a tight rhythm section and twinkling keys. Angel’s singing is both sweet and thoughtful; gives the feeling of lazy days in your room drinking too much coffee. For a debut, the song sounds fully formed with a clear identity for its narrator and imagery.
A fitting debut as Angel describes it as a song of “firsts,” meant for reflection of new ground and uncertainty in life.
Mirrorball - “Tinsel for a Tear”
“Tinsel for a Tear” recalls 70s soft rock of Carol King and Fleetwood Mac with a touch of 60s psychadelia. Alexanadra Johnstone’s vocals are dreamy yet full, a perfect emulation of Laurel Canyon rock of days gone. Johnstone’s lyrics are full of images of overwhelmed, West Coast, dissatisfaction with playful wordplay. “Tinsel for a Tear” sounds like it would play off a heavy-weight vinyl inside a conversation pit.
The track is produced by Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House Grizzly Bear) and mastered by Heba Kadry (Bjork, Big Thief, Mars Volta). This is their second single collaboration with an EP on the way.
Ricky Gourmet - “Robes”
“Robes” opens with melodic guitars and a hype man shout out. Gourmet’s falsetto vocals are destined to be paired with a disco ball. 90s RnB drums frame the smooth arrangement with lyrics covering classic genre grounds of spending nights together in hotel rooms. It lands somewhere along toned-down RNB and indie. A late night vibe; the break in the evenings from typical pulsating music from the club, this is the moment where you dance close to the one you’re eying up.
“Robes” is the third single from Gourmet’s upcoming debut EP, Eau de Parfum, which drops on January 20, 2023.
Maybe Sasha - “Licorice Stick”
Maybe Sasha’s “Licorice Stick” is a laid-back tune that reminds us of driving with the windows down and feeling the breeze. The sunny instrumentals provide a sense of warmth throughout the track, excellently paired with Sasha’s cool vocals. This song is reminiscent of a sunset in its bright disposition, but still remains grounded through the inquisitive and poignant lyricism.
Finn Johansson - “You Look Down At Me”
Finn Johansson’s “You Look Down At Me” blends the best parts of lo-fi and hi-fi indie sound into a single track. Johansson’s vocals are very pleasant on their own, but paired with the gorgeous backing instrumentals in this song they are taken to a completely new level. Even with the topic of the lyrics being described as “the deeply un-mundane things we feel, while we’re doing deeply mundane things,” we can assure you that “You Look Down At Me” is truly anything but mundane. Johansson’s emotional connection to his work shines through in this track.
Padma - “Bro”
“Bro” is a track dedicated to everyone who’s experienced the trials and tribulations of unrequited love - the despair in wondering what exactly all these mixed signals can mean and how to clear them up. This new track from Padma is not only relatable, but incredibly catchy. The head-bopping rhythm paired with Padma’s silky smooth vocals ensures that you’ll want to have this song on repeat all day long. The airy delicateness of “Bro”’s lo-fi styling paired with the crushingly relavant theme is something that we can’t get enough of.
Hope Whitelock - “Kafkaesque”
Introspective and inspired, Hope Whitelock’s newest release, “Kafkaesque” is driven by powerful lyricism and equally resonant vocal styling. Described by Whitelock as a “song about getting to know yourself and not really liking what you find,” this track brings lighter backing instrumentals into the foreground to pair with the chilling but all-the-well known subject matter. The name is inspired by novelist Franz Kafka, who Whitelock remembers seeing plastered around Tumblr in her youth as everyone reposted his most dramatic quotes online. This phenomenon is exactly what the ever-poignant “Kafkaesque” embodies.
Pepper Lewis - “Fabio”
The vibrancy of Pepper’s “Fabio” is something that is unable to be missed. As clever in her lyrics as she is mesmerizing in her vocals, Pepper takes satire to the world of her music with the story of “Fabio”. The music video (led by an all-women team!) is an absurdist confrontation of shallow men who only look to use women for their bodies and looks. Pepper does an excellent job using her bright personality and outstanding talent for both performance and video production to create a track that tackles an important issue through a unique, modern lens.
Low Lying Sun - “Heaven Knows”
Merging a rough, euphoric soundscape with deeply introspective exploration, Low Lying Sun’s spin on the indie-rock genre is both novel and nostalgic. Through their lyrics the band embraces time spent submerged in the throes of love and loss amidst warm, comforting instrumentals. Following the glowing success of their debut ep Hymn To Say Goodbye, the essex-based band return with their latest single “Heaven Knows”. Gritty and atmospheric, the track explores love’s blindness, and its influence on our decision to stay or to go. Composed of Michael Hemmings, Ross Connell, Matt Chan, Noah Booth, the band is as lively in melody as they are on the UK music scene; from supporting The Natives in their UK tour, to headlining the Communion New Music Club, and performing at Live at Leeds.
Work Wife - “Too Young To Understand”
The solo project of NYC-based musician Meredith Lampe, Work Wife incorporates dark humour into music exploring mental illness and dying romances. Her latest single “Too Young To Understand” dances between gentle and melodic verses, and a dramatic chorus defined by its overwhelming guitars and rough vocals. The instrumentals appear almost symbolic of the narrative within the track, which depicts the volatile relationship between mother and daughter, as Lampe dives into their journey of self-discovery alongside and through one another.
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weekly tunes playlist has been updated! new tracks from @furtradeband, @pecqband, @garryfool & more! check it out! https://t.co/ToFU0R6YGo -
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RT @oliviaborch: new @LunaCollective out todayyy shot by @alltookev ✨ @P1H_official editorial design by me ! https://t.co/cvSCKsWB5D
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RT @rlyblonde: @AnnieDirusso for @LunaCollective shot by me #35mm #portra800 https://t.co/0UUJSCBGcH
