Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
rousset - “Rest Stop”
“Rest Stop” is a track that opens the door into an atmosphere of sweetness and glow all over. Describing it as a, “pulse of a surf space spectacular that urges you on through the long slog of existence.” We couldn’t agree more.
The track is full of multiple instruments that seem to mesh so well together that it feels like a beautiful breeze passing through you. As the vocals come in, you’re introduced to the sweetness that is added to the song. The instrumentals are really something but the vocals are what tie the song together and make you come back to the track often.
Rousset’s musical atmosphere is one that’s perfect for the sun coming out behind the clouds and the grass getting greener. “Rest Stop” will define your warmer seasons with comfort.
Findlay - “The End Of The World”
Findlay’s latest single, “The End of the World” is delightful, dark, piano-driven music, an apocalypse bop. “The End of the World,” recalls a mix of classic and contemporary influences: you can hear Harry Nilsson, music hall homage Beatles (think “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”), along with artists like Lily Allen and Fiona Apple in Findlay’s sound. The jaunty keys highlight biting lyrics like, “drunk on all the time we thought we had/ What a height to fall/ Now you know you had it all.”
“The End of the World” is accompanied by a video (directed by Findlay), shot in 4:3 aspect ratio that invokes 16mm film. Findlay occupies various outfits and vintage rooms, her prop selection is from another time: a black and white cat clock and hand mirror (which is used in one of the video’s best shots). She eats a table full of dessert and finds the word “death” in a bowl of Alphabets.
Findlay’s “The End of the World” reminds us that if everything you know and love is in turmoil the only thing you can do is relinquish control and laugh. Her new album, The Last of the 20th Century Girls is out on May 13.
Will Joseph Cook - “Little Miss”(lo-fi)
British alternative/Indie artist Will Joseph Cook released “Little Miss” a Lo-fi rendition of his original track that was released back in 2021. The original was Inspired by those excited, warm feelings you get when missing a S/O. The track was met with a sense of lightheartedness with a warm, feel-good undertone that encases the song. This rendition of the track offers a smooth head-nodding beat that will trap you in a neverending daydream of bliss and a sweet, soft melody that stays true to the lighthearted nature of the track! The single is followed by the original track, along with an instrumental version of “Little Miss.” Cook is currently on a UK tour and is streaming every show live via twitch With an upcoming album titled Every single thing set to release May 20th, Cook is an artist that should be on everyone’s mind, especially if you're making a Spring/Summer 2022 playlist! Cook describes his upcoming album as “songs from the heart.” and how he “Loved every second of making this record, it all came from a very real place.” You can pre-order “Every single thing” on his website.
Les Gold - “Cold Hawaii”
Les Gold has been cultivating their own genre, “Bummer Fun” and “Cold Hawaii” is a precise entry points to the heart of it. The opening guitar riff sounds like it's coming out of a radio on the beach before the singer, Travis Ezell, comes in with moody, 50s-style crooning.
“Cold Hawaii” frequently contrasts the bleakness of a situation happening in a beautiful setting. The words “it’s hard to be nice when there’s trouble in paradise” segues into a guitar solo, perfect music for a fast drive. There’s a streak of doo-wop in the track: the narrator is the same kind of lonely wanderer that Dion would characterize in days gone.
The Portland-based band is currently working on their sophomore LP; hopefully, it will involve more fun, melancholic, trips to a rainy shoreline.
HELMUT - “Enough”
We can’t get enough of “Enough.”
Vibrating with a calm energetic sound and good vibes, “Enough” brings a wonderful synthetic sound just in time for spring. The baby of Berlin-Neukölln based songwriter/producer Helmut, also known as Adrian Schull, the song details being in love with someone who treats you poorly but being attracted to them because they provide something you don’t have already in your life.
Visually, the music video is stunning with Helmut walking through a forest with striped birch trees. The setting invokes the sense of fall and seeing the geese flying at the end of the video gives you the feeling change is coming. There’s also a certain humor that comes with him being dressed parading around in hunting gear.
Helmut’s third full length album, My Interstellar Love Life, is recorded with a full band and promises to be a self reflective and filled with soul. So far, Helmut has released two studio albums, Polymono (2014, Haldern Pop Records/Rough Trade) and Our Walls (2017, recordjet). He has toured with VJ accompanied by his loop pedal and in support of Joan As Policewoman, Villagers and Beirut.
Bollo Bollo - “Liquid Heaven”
Lead by a fun, upbeat guitar and rum combo, “Liquid Heaven” is a catchy tune sure to put Bollo Bollo on your radar. The Buckinghamshire based indie dream-pop group gives us insight into their upcoming debut EP I’ve Got a Good Feeling About This with their latest charming track. Paired with an equally upbeat and entertaining music video featuring oranges (yes you read that right), “Liquid Heaven” finds a sweet balance between the powerful vocals and smooth instrumentals. Despite the fun nature of the track, “Liquid Heaven” touches on alcohol addiction and the sad routine like cycle that it can become.
As the band gets closer to their debut EP, listeners can get a clear vision of what the indie dream pop fourpiece will explore in their soundscape.
Sentir - “Hide Away”
With warmer days ahead ( for any part of the world that is finally transitioning into springtime after a cold winter) get ready to add this track to your playlist. “Hide away” is a short but meaningful track that we all can relate to, Hiding away and daydreaming in your mind during stressful times. This track contains overdriven hypnotic guitars alongside hazy vocals and loud drums that play in the background. This song is sure to help you escape from those stressful times. The song also carries that feel of a 1990’s indie song that has a bit of a nostalgia factor to it and plays into the haziness. Setir who is also known as Bailey Smith is an artist born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and is currently residing in France. Sentir likes to focus on “hypnotic guitar in collaboration with other artists who bring a tinge of electronic synth into play.”
Wil Owen - “Control Freak”
“Drawing inspiration from wild landscapes and the issues we face in the 21st century, Wil’s music is forever shifting to reflect his mood.”
Wil’s fourth single “Control Freak” centers around the feeling of being invisible. Wil says he wrote it at a time where he felt like his life had stalled and couldn’t bring himself to see others because of his self embarrassment at his disposition. In some ways, he felt like a passenger in his own life and tried to control everything he could. The song is an attempt to explain his feelings to himself and acknowledge his negative self talk. According to Wil, this is the song he’s most nervous about sharing because of how vulnerable the material is. I think the song is wonderful and deals with a subject we all struggle with now.
Wil Owens is a Bristol based singer/songwriter who has a deep connection with his Welsh heritage. He’s inspired by Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Neil Young and Paul Simon. It’s clear to me that with Wil’s exploration of vulnerability, there’s going to be much more creative projects to come. A nice self reflective song.
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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
