Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
By STEPH DUNLOP, SAHAR GHADIRIAN, GABBY MACOGAY, Shellsea Lomeli, ANDY TORRES-LOPEZ & JOEY POVINELLI
Bo Milli – “How it is”
Teasing the release of new music throughout the rest of 2022, Bo Milli indulges in modern day dissatisfaction and pessimism atop a nostalgic indie rock tune reminiscent of the mid-00s. Punky and punchy, the track see’s the Norway based artist float between feelings of determination and lethargy, her days submerged in tears and procrastination. “How it is” coincides with the official release of Bo Milli’s previous track “At The Wheel”, a well-loved single that was originally released on SoundCloud earlier this year.
Loco Tranquilo - “Summer Rain”
The perfect opener for a warm coming of age film, “Summer Rain” is Julián Gervasi’s first single of 2022. Mixing acoustic guitar riffs with jazzy drums the track tells the sweet tale of growing into and surrendering to love’s deep abyss. Alongside the song, Garvasi is also releasing a music video created last year by Gervasi and filmmaker Vanessa Pla. The video is shot on 35mm film, and depicts the love story embedded into the track’s lyrics.
Blue of Colors - “Strange Place”
Embarking on a new sonic era, Blue of Colors is embracing an energetic and creative spin on music. Blue of Colors’ music holds a mirror up to the stages of life, and explores the transitions between them, submerging each listener in an entirely unique atmosphere. His latest track “Strange Place” makes use of lively guitar riffs alongside rough synths, amping up the energy as it approaches the second chorus. Blue of Colours found inspiration in the band The Doors, with their song “People are Strange” sparking an odd connection between the notion of strangeness and an E-minor chord.
Tanner Carlton x Mason Carlton - “Between The Lines”
The Carlton brothers, Tanner and Mason, have collaborated to create an awesome 80s-esque dance tune, “Between The Lines.” Described as an “upbeat dance rock ballad written about dealing with anxiety,” the track is a groove-fuelled, electric venture into the all-too-familiar feeling of overthinking. The Virginia duo have fused electro-pop with alt-rock to produce a sparkly, synth single.
Whether you’re alone in your room, with friends on the dancefloor, or driving down a long stretch of the highway, tapping your fingers on the wheel, “Between The Lines” is guaranteed to be the additional friend that lifts the mood one extra notch. Despite its tough subject matter, the upbeat song is both cathartic and liberating. A must summer listen!
maxime. - “whiskey”
Montreal-based Maxime’s latest EP rubber checks features the sweet standout song “whiskey.” Creating relatable tunes from the comfort of his bedroom, the self-produced artist is the epitome of fresh indie pop. Repeated over an eclectic melody, Maxime sings, “she tastes like Tennessee whiskey… with honey.” The crystallized compliment is just one of the descriptions that he uses to describe his love. Who doesn’t like being compared to a caramel-flavored drink anyway?
If the lyrics don’t win you over, then the fuzzy instrumentation certainly will. Ranging from rocky guitars, analogue percussive beats, and reverb vocals that blend with harmonies, Maxime’s voice is smooth with an added edge that makes the song impossible to skip. “whiskey” is endearing bedroom pop, just like a summer beverage, it’s light-hearted and addictive.
Surf Curse - “Lost Honor”
Something that LA-based rock band Surf Curse has continually succeeded at is creating an enchanting visual experience for listeners with their music, and “Lost Honor” is a strong example of such. This riveting and electrifying new track fits well into the unique coming-of-age sound Surf Curse’s discography has provided fans with for years. Pairing such grim lyrics with such exciting, rich vocals and instrumentals is a practice that many artists take on, but one that Surf Curse has mastered. The standout element of this track is definitely the guitar, with riffs and melodies that makes “Lost Honor” a memorable favorite of Surf Curse’s newer works. This song gives listeners an opening into the world of Surf Curse’s upcoming album, MAGIC HOUR, which releases on Sept. 16.
Art Grad - “Speeding”
Summer’s end approaches and “Speeding” is the soundtrack. The arrangement is instantly catchy with a laid-back but funky main riff and a tight rhythm section. Less upbeat than the melody is its lyrics, which find its narrator melancholically examining previous relationships and his own proximity to death. Both dark and wholesome, “Speeding” is meant for the waning daylight hours. The accompanying art is a tunnel with the overhead lights blurred from the vehicle's speed; the ideal setting for its smooth sax outro. A guitar solo pokes through the arrangement as we get closer to the light.
Cikanek - “Technicolor”
“Technicolor” is an ideal showcase for its artist, carrying an unconventional sound with soaring vocals. it’s easy to imagine the masses at a festival simultaneously moving as the drums kick in. Cikanek (Czech for tiny dancer and also the artist’s actual last name) incorporates elements of surf and psychedelia into an R&B crooner. When he hits the upper register and the build to chorus begins, the energy is palpable. The last verse finds his voice almost dissipating into the haze in front of your ears.
Cikanek entirely self-produced, wrote, mixed, and recorded “Technicolor” and the creative consistency shows as a track this original could only come from one mind.
The Tropicanas - “Pop Snuff It”
Guitars soaked in reverb and melodic synth lines anchor a trip to the beach on The Tropicanas’ “Pop Snuff It.” Its narrator could be singing under a pier as he reflects on a “sun-kissed lover” and “idiot slacker.” The title itself is a reference to a skateboarding trick, here reappropriated to demonstrate the most hardcore wipeout in the book: heartbreak. Hard to believe The Tropicanas hail from the UK as this sounds like classic, California coast gold. After a crescendo, the arrangement strips down to just vocals over a weary guitar until only the crash of waves and a single guitar chord remain.
Express Office Portico - “Forget The Name”
English indie-pop band Express Office Portico contrasts the fear of change with living in the moment with their new single, “Forget The Name”. In addition to themed lyrics, this divide is also seen musically through the track’s pairing of the optimistic vibe of bright synths along with the pessimism of descending guitar lines. With a blend of synth-pop, indie, and alt-pop, “Forget The Name” sonically caters to fans of Blossoms, Florals, and Fickle Friends.
Express Office Portico formed at the end of 2020 in and around Nottingham, England with members including Tara Freeman, Billy Townsend, Reuben Tobolewski, Ben Phipps and Olly Walton. The dynamic group had already managed to gain support from both fans and the music industry all across the UK with just a handful of singles under their belt - each produced by Joshua Rumble (Black Country New Road, Anteros, Bastille).
Greatest Hits - “Human Zoo”
With a captivating blend of 70’s groove, sunshine pop, and neon-psych, Australian/British band Greatest Hits shares commentary on influencer culture through their new release, “Human Zoo”. The track, heavy with lyrical sarcasm, cleverly explores the phenomenon of people watching in today's technological age and the way social media broadcasting has opened a door for people to break social norms without social consequences.
The band Greatest Hits is the project of artist, Ryan Cooper, and a collective of friends from across the world, allowing Cooper a fresh platform to step forward as a writer and producer.
“In Your Room” - Susannah Joffe
Singer-songwriter Susannah Joffe is contending for a slot in your end-of-summer and coming-of-age playlists with her new single, “In Your Room.” Like a bonfire with your closest friends that turns into an impromptu dance party, the song starts off pensive, melancholy and muted and becomes an impassioned indie pop/rock groove. Joffe wrote the song as a bittersweet ode to female friendship, and brought it to life with the help of producer and drummer Josef Kuhn, who works with fellow rising artist Annie DiRusso. With lyrics about time fleeting, drunken nights, and childhood street signs, this nostalgic bop will tug at your heart strings and serve as a solid soundtrack to the rest of your late night summer drives.
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
