“Stateline” by Nathan Ball

October 16, 2024October 17, 2024

“Stateline” by Nathan Ball

Artist: Nathan Ball

Song: Stateline

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom

Release date: July, 2024

Comment: Nathan Ball is a singer-songwriter whose music strikes a balance between classic songwriting and experimental sounds. Based in Cornwall, his connection to nature deeply influences his work, including within the house genre, as he’s worked with the British electronica act Faithless and is touring with them as their vocalist. He’s also about to release an EP as a solo artist, Lost Track of Time, and if all its tracks are like “Stateline“, we’re in for a treat.

“Stateline” is a beautiful track Nathan wrote while touring in Australia. You can really feel the essence of life on the road in it – the dusty roads and new faces. Nathan’s lyrics draw on the story of Icarus, and the song has this nostalgic, coming-of-age vibe that’s both uplifting and grounding. The music itself is considerably warm with jangly guitars and solid percussion that wraps you up in its atmosphere. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie

September 23, 2024September 23, 2024

“It goes” by The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara

Artist: The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara

Song: It goes

Genres: #alternativerock

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: September, 2024

Comment: I’m coming back from holidays with a new gem from old friends of T.A.M., The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara (if you’re not familiar with their work, I’ve written about them before here and here), which consists of Daphne Ang (Singapore) and Andrea Papi (Italy). The last time they appeared here was 3 years ago, but they hadn’t gone anywhere. They have been releasing new music consistently at an impressive rate, but it was usually a tad heavy for this blog. That changed with “It goes”, which relies on a mesmerizing blend of classical guitar, cellos and the evocative vocals of Andrea (Daphne usually delivers the vocals for their tracks).

The lyrics delve into themes of existentialism and the human condition. As Daphne and Andrea shared, “This song is about working all your life for something that is never going to be yours.” “It goes” comes accompanied by a striking music video, produced by the duo’s visual and video production entity: TCOMAS Studio, that contains AI-generated lifelike scenes of cinematic quality.

“It goes” is the fourth single off ORIGINS, TCOMAS forthcoming new album, the third in four years, which will be dropping in November. If you’re a fan of creative art, particularly if you enjoy heavy guitars as well, you should definitely pre-save it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Alternative

September 4, 2024September 4, 2024

“Morning Light” by Jakob Longfield

Artist: Jakob Longfield, Finn, Prince of Whales

Song: Morning Light

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Tübingen, Germany

Release date: August, 2024

Comment: Jakob Longfield, a promising artist from the south of Germany, crossed the Alps in the summer of 2023. The magical experience, which he describes as one of the happiest and most intense times of his life, inspired him to write and record “Morning Light,” featured on his latest EP, “Of Daydreams And Letting Go.” In this track, the talented singer-songwriter conveys the essence of a day of hiking and the tranquility and inner peace transmitted by nature. He used recordings made during his trip, such as the sound of birds, footsteps, rain and waterfalls. Combined with Jakob’s hypnotic vocals, these elements result in a beautiful and entrancing song.

“Morning Light” was co-written by Finn, Prince of Whales, who gets extra points for the clever moniker and also appears on the track. Together, Jakob and Finn recorded and produced the entire EP, and you can tell the care and dedication they put into it. From using real instruments rather than digital tools to writing genuine and heartfelt lyrics about Jakob’s experiences and dreams, the craftsmanship is unparalleled. If there were such a thing as artisanal music, this would be its definition. Listen to this track here:

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024

“Mosaic” by Manatee Commune

Artist: Manatee Commune

Song: Mosaic

Genres: #electronic #House

Location: Seattle, United States

Influences: Caribou, Four Tet, John Hopkins

Release date: June, 2024.

Comment: Manatee Commune is the brainchild of Grant Eadie, a versatile musician from the Pacific Northwest. He has been releasing music under this moniker since 2012. After some initial success, which included a feature on NPR, the pressure to continue growing his audience, a focus on his professional career, and the impact of Covid meant that his output in recent years hasn’t been as frequent as he would have liked. Fortunately for us, last year, Grant’s creative spark became too strong to ignore, leading to the release of ‘Simultaneity,’ his brand new album, just last month.

Eadie’s music is shaped by his love for field recordings, classical music training, and an interest in the entrancing nature of dance. This blend of influences allows him to create a sound that spans ambient, downtempo, house, and bass genres. His serene yet intricate style offers a unique mix of relaxation and creativity, and a great example of this is “Mosaic,” the second single from “Simultaneity,” a track I could listen to on a loop for weeks..

The song opens with a soft, dreamlike atmosphere that slowly builds into a more upbeat, bass-driven section, offering a varied and immersive listening journey. The contrast between the calm and more vibrant sections makes the listening experience all the more captivating. Check it out below!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Electronic

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

“right where you left me” by eaJ (ft. Hindia)

Artist: eaJ

Song: right where you left me

Genres: #altpop

Location: California, United States

Release date: July, 2024

Comment: Korean-American singer-songwriter eaJ, also known as Jae Park, has been making waves with his solo project. Born in Buenos Aires and raised in Cerritos, California, Jae initially gained industry attention as a YouTube musician. However, he’s best known as the former vocalist and lead guitarist of the chart-topping South Korean rock band Day6.

Celebrated Indonesian artist Hindia joins forces with eaJ on their latest single, “right where you left me.” Hindia’s production expertise and vocals blend seamlessly with Jae’s signature catchy pop melodies. The collaboration was initiated when Jae, a longtime admirer of Hindia’s work, reached out via direct message. The result? A stunning and upbeat rock-pop track whose upbeat and rocky sound contrasts with its poignant lyrics. Written from a flipped perspective, the track portrays someone waiting for a loved one to return from an emotional journey of self-discovery, reassuring the other that they’ll be right where they left them if they choose to come back.

Listen to this move-inducing song below!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Pop

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

“All I Want” by The Heroic Enthusiasts

Artist: The Heroic Enthusiasts

Song: All I Want

Genres: #synthpop

Influences: Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure.

Location: Rochester, New York, United States

Release date: June, 2024

Comment: When I first listened to the initial 20 seconds or so of “All I Want” by The Heroic Enthusiasts, my first reaction was that this was a 1980s-influenced musical act that was unlikely to move the needle for me. And then the pre-chorus came on. That started to get my attention. And by the time the chorus exploded, I was already all in. The track is heavily influenced by likes of Pet Shop Boys and Erasure, but you don’t have to be a massive fan of those legendary bands to enjoy it (which was my case). However, I suppose that those who are will go crazy about “All I Want”.

The Heroic Enthusiasts, comprised of James Tabbi and Thomas Ferrara, was initially born from a shared love of Brit-pop, New Wave, and Post-Punk. After achieving hundreds of thousands of streams across a few small releases, the New York-based duo is getting ready to release their first LP album, ‘Illuminate’, on Meridian (ECR Music Group), for which “All I Want” is the first single. The new album was helmed by legendary producer Stephen Hague, who has worked with Pet Shop Boys on several tracks and albums. He even co-wrote 5 of the 10 tracks that will be in the new record.

Colour me intrigued. I’m sure the new album will be full of gems, and I’m looking forward to it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Pop

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

“Sia” by The 93

Artist: The 93

Song: Sia

Genres: #dreamrock #alternativerock

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Release date: July, 2024

Comment: I got COVID about a month ago, and it left me with a lingering cough that has been really, really annoying. It has barely let me do anything other than rest due to the headache coughing so often gives me, but I had to come and write about the new single from one of my favorite post-rock/dream-rock acts: The 93. First of all, it had been two years since I last wrote about them (time flies!), and secondly, this track shows how the duo’s sound has evolved without losing the characteristics that define them.

“Sia” does not sound like anything the brothers Mazur have released before, but it still sounds like them. It has the enchanting instrumentation and atmospheric guitar lines we have come to expect from The 93, but with stronger, less ethereal vocals and some traces of a Phil Collins/Genesis influence. They started working on this song in 2018, but they hadn’t been able to finish it until this year. I’m glad they did.

The 93 are planning to release one more song this year, and I, for one, can’t wait to listen to it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Alternative

July 2, 2024July 2, 2024

“Maya” by Rushkeys

Artist: Rushkeys

Song: Maya

Genres: #chillout #downtempo

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Release date: June, 2024.

Comment: Lithuanian downtempo artist Rushkeys first appeared here last December. On that occasion, he was featured for a remix he did of another artist’s track. This time, he’s here with a completely original song that is just as good, if not better. “Maya” is a reflection of Rushkeys evolution as a musician, drawing from influences such as Bonobo and incorporating his passion for nature and organic soundscapes.

“Maya” is a word with multiple meanings depending on the language and the context. In Sanskrit, it can mean magic or illusion, and that is the meaning Rushkeys had in mind when he named this enchanting track, as that’s the experience he wants listeners to have. With its stunning fusion of ambient layers, global music influences, rhythmic beats, and natural textures; it’s easy to see why.

Rushkeys, real name Domas Ruškys, is talented enough to become the next Parra for Cuva or Bonobo, making “Maya” a must-listen for any downtempo enthusiast.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Chill Out

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024

“Some things never change is inevitable” by Former Lives

Artist: Former Lives

Song: Some things never change is inevitable

Genres: #indierock #shoegaze

Location: Burlington, Vermont, United States

Release date: June, 2024

Comment: Shoegaze pop/rock isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you, then you’re going to love today’s featured song. “Some things never change is inevitable” is a melancholic indie gem for introspective listeners. It delves into themes of loneliness and perseverance, using a childhood asthma experience in Colorado as a powerful metaphor. Its long title might make you think it is a new track from Fall Out Boy, but it is actually the newest single from Vermont-based act, Former Lives.

Former Lives was started by Sean Joseph Klassen and his dog, Bruce Beagle, as a way to cope with a life-altering brain injury. The act itself is a “love letter to overdriven guitars, analog synthesizers, and arcane pop music,” and that’s exactly what you get on their new track. Between the distorted guitars and Klassen’s introspective vocals, listening to “Some things never change is inevitable” feels like floating through a dreamscape of bittersweet memories. It’s a really enjoyable track.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Alternative
Folk/Indie

June 18, 2024June 18, 2024

“MA!N CHARACTER” by BOYR!OT

Artist: BOYR!OT

Song: MA!N CHARACTER

Genres: #altpop

Location: Los Angeles, United States

Release date: May, 2024

Comment: BOYR!OT is a duo from Los Angeles blending 2000s pop-punk with contemporary sounds in a fun and energetic way. If you liked acts like 3OH!3, BOYR!OT will be right up your alley. The self-proclaimed “edgy chaotic queerdos,” Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile, make music that connects with those who feel different, advocating for self-worth and defying social pressures.

This is more than evident in “MA!N CHARACTER”, their debut single, which comes accompanied by a vibrant music video (watch it below) that features drummer Jess Goodwin and Constance Antoinette, the touring guitarist for Demi Lovato. I think it showcases the duo’s attitude and effervescent style.

On talent alone, BOYR!OT has what it takes to make it in show business and top some music charts. Hopefully, they’ll also have the luck they need. In the meantime, the bar has been set very high for their follow-up releases. They’ve already proven they know how to write outstanding hooks.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Pop