Deleter was released early this year but it is so good and fun that I had to find a way to squeeze it here. At the time, it was Grouplove‘s first single since 2016 and expectations were pretty high. I think it’s safe to say that Deleter didn’t disappoint the band’s fans. With hooks all over the place, you’ll find the song’s energy to be highly infectious. It is impossible to remain quiet while this great track is playing.
In case you hadn’t heard about Grouplove before, this band was formed in 2009 in California. They’ve had a number of hits since then, with the most popular one being the outstanding Tongue Tied. They don’t seem to be tormented artists trying to leave a mark in the world. Instead, they seem to be a group of friends enjoying what they do and having fun. That’s precisely what you’ll get from them. Isn’t that perfect for a Friday night?
Back in 2016, five students from the University of Virginia started this band they named The Shrugs. After supporting some local bands for a while, they recorded an eponymous debut EP in 2018 and this year they followed it up with their debut full-length album, which they titled Junk Days And Radio Zones, an acronym of their own names. The story does not different too much from that of many other bands, but what sets this eclectic quintet apart is, besides the fact that they feature three lead singers, is that all five members collaborate with each other, resulting in a varied mix of styles. If music were like ice cream, The Shrugs would have scoops of punk, garage rock, indie rock and I’d say some sprinklers of jazz as well.
Take for example Loud Lights, the lead single: it would be a typical indie rock track but the the vocals from Abbey Potter give it a jazzy vibe that draws you in and leave you wanting more. A coming-of-age song, lyrically it revolves about becoming adults while longing for the simplicity and innocence of childhood. Who couldn’t relate to that? Check this up and coming band from Charlottesville out and decide for yourself. I’m sure you will enjoy their music.
They say that the best partnerships in history are those involving people with different personalities or point of views because they challenge each other to create something better. You need people who disagree with you and can tell you right away when that amazing idea you got is not as great as you think it is. That is something that Me Nd Adam, a duo based out of Austin, Texas, have in their favor, because when Adam Walker and Vince Winik first met, they didn’t get along at all. Eventually, they learned to embrace their differences and embarked on this alternative music act with influences as diverse as Willie Nelson and Blink-182.
Me Nd Adam has released a bunch of singles already, ahead of the debut album, American Drip Part I, slated for later this year. The latest one is ‘The More I Grow Up‘, which is also my favourite so far. It has everything you might want in a great song: a catchy melody, good lyrics, really nice vocals, and a great mix of an acoustic guitar with synth lines. This was the song I was planning to recommend on Friday, but due to last minute issues at work, I was unable to do so then. Fortunately, it is a great song to listen to any day of the week.
Dylan Grantham is a singer/songwriter from Michigan who writes and performs music as Young Ritual. Having the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and The National as influences, he composes beautiful indie/folk songs highlighted by honest lyrics, his heartfelt voice and his guitar. The global pandemic in 2020 gave him an opportunity to stay creative, releasing a stripped-down EP, Spare Room, earlier this year and even more songs after that. Dylan’s Dream was the first single from that EP.
Written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Grantham from his home studio, Dylan’s Dream is a captivating song about a fever dream where people act on their worst impulses, leading to a dystopian society. Its title is a callback to an older Bob Dylan song called, Bob Dylan’s Dream. Both tracks are similar in style,but if I had to choose only one of them, I think I would prefer Young Ritual‘s one. I’m not saying you’ll agree with me, but you should at least give it a chance, which you can do on the mixtapes below.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to add a new entry yesterday, but I’ll try to make up for that today. Here, I bring this musical crush from Night Traveler, a terrific duo from Austin, Texas. I discovered this song back in August but between prioritising submissions and other plans, I had been delaying its inclusion here. It’s about time that changed because Watching You certainly deserved better than that. It’s a really great track.
The duo recently released their debut EP, Dreams You Don’t Forget, for which Watching You was its latest single. An atmospheric track of searing indie pop with traces of melancholic 80s music, this song got everything you need to put it on repeat, including the perfect vocals for this type of music. Actually, I dare you to listen to this great tune just once. I had to put it on repeat.
Manchester band Cultures, which you should know already if you’ve been paying attention ;-), are back with, in my humble opinion, an even better single than its predecessor (which was pretty good on its own). Shake is a catchier single with hooks from beginning to end that will probably still play on your mind long after the song has finished. Lyrically, it pertinently talks about how everything is better when you have good company, even being stuck in one place.
If Shake is a glimpse of where Cultures is headed now, then they’re going in the right direction. Here we are looking forward to more singles from this promising band.
As you may be aware now, the one condition I have for featuring songs here is that I have to genuinely like them. The bar is a bit higher for established musicians, but I can certainly say that I have liked every song featured so far. Sometimes, the decision isn’t easy. I’ve received songs from independent or up-and-coming artists that I don’t necessarily dislike, but do not love either; and then I have to ask for a 2nd opinion (usually my wife’s) just to make a decision. On the opposite side of that street, we have something far more unusual, which is hearing a song that I instantly like or even love. There’s something magical about those moments and it is a feeling I wish I could get every single day. Sadly, it is actually rare but the good news is that this happened to me with today’s song, Rotten Love, as it got a really enjoyable melody, a crisp production, great lyrics and sweet vocals. In short, it got the whole package.
It is scary to think that this piece is 21-year-old singer/songwriter Lucy Eaton‘s debut single. Can you imagine what she will be able to do with more experience? This talented artist was born and raised in Australia but then moved to California to study at UC Berkeley. There, she joined the songwriting club almost by chance and eventually became its vice-president, winning a few awards int he process. However, she never envisioned performing the pieces herself. That happened almost by chance but all the better for us because Lucy got a nice dulcet voice.
Musically, Rotten Love is a folksy ukulele-based tune, in the same vein as Grace VanderWaal when she won America’s Got Talent a few years back. Grace’s songs were good and catchy for somebody her age, but Rotten Love is just as catchy and got better lyrics. Even if you hate folk music and the sound of ukuleles, give this terrific song a chance. Lucy‘s talent cannot be denied.
Not all artists are able to transmit their raw emotions when they sing, but those who can make the whole listening experience a thousand times better. Jacko Hooper is one of them and Beg, Steal or Borrow, which is one of the singles he has released so far in 2020, a great example of that. You can almost feel the sense of despair Jacko would go through if anything bad happened to the person he wrote this beautiful indie folk song for.
This musician from Brighton, UK, started out in 2012 when he released his debut EP and started a Youtube channel, which today has close to 7k subscribers. After more EPs and tours, including performances with the likes of James Blunt and James Bay, Jacko got successful enough to even run one of the leading independent promotions companies and boutique record labels of Southern England, Folklore Sessions.
If you like artist like Damien Rice or Glen Hansard, please do check Jacko Hooper out. It will be right up your alley.
Indie songs produced and recorded pretty much on your own are not supposed to sound this good. There’s usually something that would give it away, but that’s not the case with Lax, the second single of singer/songwriter Lachlan, released last Friday. The song is a radio-friendly tune with nice guitar riffs and an infectious chorus. Lachlan’s voice is a perfect fit as well.
After being part of several Edinburgh-based bands such as Lost In Vancouver, Lachlan decided to try a career solo. Earlier this year he put his debut single, Too Bad, out. Now with Lax, a song about overcoming your own insecurities, he is letting us know that he’s here to stay. Give this song a listen on the mixtapes below and keep him on your radar. He absolutely deserves it.
Out of the blue and without any indication of a new album coming out soon, London Grammar simply dropped a new single yesterday, Baby It’s You, after posting a tease on Instagram on Monday. The young band from Nottingham, UK, had last released an album, their sophomore record, in 2017. Both of the band’s studio albums were massive successes in the UK and if this new track is an indication of what’s coming next, their third full-length will hit the jackpot too, and deservedly so.
As it was the case with all of London Grammar‘s previous songs, Baby It’s You is driven by the stunning and powerful vocals of Hannah Reid. In a way, it’s fitting that this entry comes right after the one about Mazzy Star, because not unlike Hope Sandoval, Hannah is an introvert who suffers from stage fright. And just like Hope. she got an angelic voice capable of leaving any audience absolutely mesmerised.
On this new track, the ethereal vocals are surrounded by the band’s trademark atmospheric sounds. What is new this time around is a certain balearic vibe: just the right amount to make things interesting without overpowering the tune. All in all, Baby It’s You is a nice new song from London Grammar and you can enjoy it in the mixtapes below.
