Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
Pet Owner - “Helping Hand”
Helping Hand is the second single from Pet Owner’s upcoming album Natural Behaviour. It almost casually negotiates basic questions of a love relationship (such as socks lying around). With Pet Owner's clear vocals, the pleasantly crunching guitar, and many cutesy noises, the song reaches an elegant balancing act between dreamy catchiness and emotional depth.
Lea Mathis, the mastermind behind Pet Owner, the songwriter from Lucerne, describes with a velvety voice the world that surrounds her. She programs drum machines from the 80s and adds folky guitar riffs that mix incredibly well with the other instruments adding that warmth tone while encapsulating quirky noises, and elapsed synths. And what emerges is a contemporary mélange of folktronica and bubblegum pop. In addition to the music's colorful essence, so are the artwork and music videos for the LP created by Pet Owner. Her debut album Natural Behaviour will be released on the Swiss label Red Brick Chapel
Leanna Oki - “I Taught You How To Dream”
Leanna Oki tells another story of heartbreak and healing in her upcoming release, "I taught you how to dream". The moody and empowering track fuses elements of pop and R&B, using ricocheting drums and abundant vocal stacks to convey her signature bold sound. Inspired by a past relationship, the track is about an ex who never had dreams at night until their relationship began. This is Leanna's way of embracing her light after being left in the dark for far too long.
The indie artist blends elements of electro-pop and soulful R&B to create her unique sound that captures her profound and inexplicable feelings. Leanna has been featured across Canada by Toronto Guardian, Canadian Beats, Aesthetic Magazine, Ottawa Life, The Permanent Rain Press, The Wire Magazine, and Cashbox Canada, and was aired by CBC Radio, the QUBE 88.9 FM, and KOOP 91.7 FM. Leanna also appeared on CTV Ottawa Morning Live for their Morning Jam.
The Brazen Youth x Alix Page - “If These Wild Winds Are Yours”
The Brazen Youth are proud to announce their new album Eagle, Idaho, due September 16th. The fourteen-track full-length LP continues upon the path the Lyme, CT trio set for themselves with this past October’s Changing EP. The record was born out of the shared experience as three friends confronted a beloved parent’s sudden passing, and navigated the early years of adulthood stilted by the warped reality of the pandemic. With the album’s announcement, the band shares the new single “If These Wild Winds Are Yours” featuring the artist Alix Page.
Nicholas Lussier and Charles Dahlke formed the Brazen Youth within the otherworldly vacuum of the 300-year-old Ashlawn Farm, located in Lyme, Connecticut. Timeless and freeing, Ashlawn served as a perfect birthplace of the Brazen Youth, whose releases to date have painted a world with endless nooks in which you can lose yourself, containing meticulous threads of layered tracks and arrangements that amplify the emotionally riveting nature of the band’s lyric-driven songs. Upon adding Micah Rubin to the band's lineup, The Brazen Youth emerged with a wild-spirited presence into the East Coast scene, soon gaining an empowered and fresh fan base.
In Bloom - “Coming Up”
Coming Up is In Bloom's 2nd single release for 2022. It's an Indie Pop/ Funk feel-good track with Disco flavor that In Bloom self-recorded and produced in guitarist Joshua Morris's home studio in Cape Town. It really makes the listener groove to the beat, it hits the listener with the rhythmic tunes that it is producing It makes the listener want to get up and bop to the music. The tones and sounds from all the instruments keep it fresh to the listener. The lyrics reflect on reinvention and not dwelling on past mistakes. It makes it relatable to the listener because many people can live on those past mistakes or the idea that they had done something different. A music video will be released alongside the song showing the band being called on by a cooped-up superfan to perform at his home and the track will be premiering on a number of Radio stations in South Africa and the UK.
Kristiane and Carol Ades - “Before the Night Is Over”
An immediately iconic release from a sad-indie dream duo, “Before the Night is Over” finds Kristiane and Carol Ades wrestling with freeing themselves from their own despair. Throughout the track the duo struggles with a variety of issues such as loneliness, pressure, and mental health issues that keep them from finding joy. Kristiane and Carol Ades both utilize their stunning vocal talent to create two distinct points of view in verse before diving into blissful harmony within the chorus. “Before the Night is Over” is a dream for lovers of soft indie and is hopefully not the last collaboration between Kristiane and Carol Ades.
Stevie Flowers - “In Circles”
Realizing one’s own dreams is always a thrilling moment, and Stevie Flowers begins to realize he needs to stop running in circles and follow his goals in “In Circles”. The lyricism of “In Circles” is intensely relatable for anyone embarking on new journeys and seeking to find the new versions of their life past the comfortable familiarity of the circles we all already run in. Straddling sounds both vintage and modern that create something distinctly Stevie Flowers, this track is an energetic bedroom pop that listeners cannot help but sing along to.
Kevian Kraemer - “Sweater”
Juxtaposing sad lyricism and upbeat instrumentation, “Sweater” finds Kevian Kraemer trying to enjoy himself as he recalls a toxic relationship that was no longer serving him. Kraemer finds joy within himself in the track as he lets go of the previous pain, aware of how his misery will not last forever once he starts to prioritize himself again. “Sweater” is a calm explosion of energy, allowing listeners to rage out their feelings while also finding comfort in the relatable lyricism and affirmations.
GUYY - “Insane”
Electro-indie collective GUYY (pronounced as "[giː]") released their new single, “Insane,” along with its accompanying video starring actor Rory Nolan. Sonically, the song’s underlying beat is reminiscent of early 2000s Justin Timberlake, while the overlapping synth lines feel like a modern take on the 80s dance. Regardless of which era you want to place it in, however, the song carries a certain allure and charisma with it that makes it a fun listen.
Blonde George - “Feels Like This”
If you’re a fan of the psychedelic pop/rock of The Beatles or the indie/alt-pop style of the 90s, “Feels Like This” by Blonde George should easily find its way into your rotation. The song was written, recorded, produced and mixed by George, who set out to not only pay homage to his influences, but also to make “you want to hang out in the sun with your friends.” Its lax tempo, layered background vocals and occasional ad libs give the song a carefree, playful feel that fits the summer season well.
Niko - “Pick Me Up”
Niko starts their upcoming album’s rollout strong with their new single “Pick Me Up.” The song hooks you in right away with clever contrast between its soft, danceable instrumental and thought-provoking opening lyrics:
“psychological problems,
are a good enough reason,
to go around jobless,
Whatever you want,
Whatever you need —”
The band’s sound draws from multiple eras, simultaneously bearing similarity to popular indie pop artists like Gus Daperton and legendary rock bands like Fleetwood Mac. As a whole, the song speaks on wanting to be saved from disconnecting to society. Whether you’re there for the song’s lyrics or the beat, “Pick Me Up” lives up to its name, picking you up no matter what state you’re in.
Ruby Joyce - “Growing On You”
Sometimes, spotting the right song name in the wild can result in something beautiful and Ruby Joyce is here to prove it with her new single “Growing On You.” According to Joyce, the title came about through a friend who saw a t-shirt slogan and pointed out how great of a song name it would be. The song’s lyrics, however, are a bit more personal, coming from the singer-songwriter's own experiences with unrequited love. Treading the line between specificity and relatability is an art, and Joyce does it well with “Growing on You.” Joyce’s influences include Holly Humberstone, The Smiths and The Cranberries, all of which are apparent in her songwriting on this strong alternative pop/rock track.
Ronnie Rage - “ONYX”
The Chicago rap scene has birthed many promising acts in recent years and Ronnie Rage is no exception. Ronnie’s sophomore album [anti.vers] is full of clever lyricism and catchy melodies including on his standout track “ONYX.” Stylistically, the rapper’s brand of melodic rap is similar to Playboi Carti and early Travis Scott. If you’re looking for new hip-hop to listen to, Ronnie Rage’s new project is certainly one to spin.
Listen
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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
