Category: Pop

Posted on

Shy Martin – Are You Happy?

Sara Hjellström, aka Shy Martin, is a young artist who looks even younger. That could mislead you into thinking she’s new to the music industry when, in fact, she’s an established songwriter. She’s written or co-written successful tracks for the likes of Kygo (featuring Ellie Goulding), Bebe Rexha and Jess Glynne. And if all that wasn’t enough, she can sing too. This Swedish singer/songwriter even signed a record deal with EMI when she was 17 but ultimately decided to go the independent route, which eventually brought her here, to the release of her sophomore EP, Sad Songs, which consists of five very nice indie pop tracks, including today’s entry to The Alternative Mixtapes.

Are You Happy? is a delicate but catchy song with a melancholic theme: appreciating failed past relationships. The gorgeous melody goes hand in hand with Shy’s vocals, resulting in this nice tune that got all the elements to get a lot of airplay and streams. Pairing it with a lovely music video, which you can watch below, helps too. Could this song become your next musical crush?

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

Evaride – What’s It All For?

I feel like I should have known about American band Evaride for a while now. Formed by the former guitar player on Glee and one of the stars in Billy Joe Armstrong’s Broadway musical “American Idiot”, their debut single got over 4 million streams on Spotify and then the band got songs featured in video games and some tv shows. Their debut EP Vol. 1 got several heavyweight producers and sound-mixers involved such as Chris Lord-Alge. I mean, there was certainly some buzz about them. That being said, I only know about Evaride because they liked one of my posts on Instagram and it caught my attention because they had the verified badge.

What’s It All For? was the first song from Evaride that I played and it blew me away how well it sounded. The top-notch production made sense once I saw who had been involved, but besides that, it was a high-energy, catchy and fun pop-rock song like those from yesteryear that are not common anymore. Even better, the lyrics had a deeper meaning than what you would expect from such a fun song (and music video, see below), basically talking about all those little stupid things we tend to do or give importance to that are essentially meaningless, like people doing whatever it takes to get more likes on social media. What could be better than songs with great melodies and good lyrics?

It will be interesting to see how far Evaride will go in the next few years.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Pop

Posted on

The Mynabirds – Shake Your Head Yes

I’m almost cheating with this week’s Throwback Thursday. Yes, this song is certainly not new (2015), but I just discovered it (well, my lovely wife did) this year. What matters, anyway, is that it is a really good song and deserves to be on the mixtapes.

The Mynabirds, is the moniker under which American singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn has been working since 2010, who had also been part of different indie bands in the past. Her music as The Mynabirds can be catalogued as indie pop or altpop and Shake Your Head Yes is no exception to that. This earworm is a simple song consisting basically of a drums machine, a synth and Laura’s hypnotic vocals, but that’s enough to make you listen it on repeat for a good while, as the musical crush this tune is. You can find it in the Pop Mixtape below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

Picture This – Unconditional

Picture This - Unconditional

I discovered Picture This over a year ago on Youtube, where their video for the highly recommended track, “Modern Love” appeared in my feed. Since then, I have closely followed this Irish band known for their catchy alternative pop-rock songs. They have been incredibly prolific, releasing 1 EP, 2 studio albums, and over 20 singles since their debut in 2015. Recently, Picture This unveiled their latest single, “Unconditional,” a romantic altpop song filled with infectious hooks and heartfelt lyrics that strike the perfect balance.

If you like radio-friendly songs, then you will surely enjoy this potential hit from Picture This.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Pop

Posted on

Neon Trees – Used To Like

Neon Trees

Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to write anything today, so this entry will be an easy and short one. Neon Trees released a new album last week, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, and even though its lead single debuted much earlier this year, I still think it’s the best track in the album. The band had a few hits in the early 2010s, like Animal, but hadn’t released any new material in 5 years. They came back with their trademark alt-pop sound but with a bigger 80s influence. Used to Like is a perfect example of that. Enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

KidEyes – Ready To Go

KidEyes

I can’t recall how I discovered KidEyes, an indie/altpop duo based out of Los Angeles. It was about a month ago, possibly through Instagram, but the specifics elude me. Regardless, I’m grateful for finding them because their music is incredibly enjoyable, and today’s featured song is a perfect example.

“Ready To Go” is the band’s latest single, released in June following their self-titled debut EP from 2019. Despite addressing feelings of being lost and disoriented, it’s a captivating indie pop track that could serve as the soundtrack to our peculiar year. Give it a listen here:

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Indie
  • Pop

Posted on

Dysplay – Too Cool

Dysplay - Too Cool

“Too Cool” is a delightful song that got to me thanks to this music blog (I love it!). Dysplay, a band from the US active since 2017, effortlessly combines 80s pop influences with a modern sound. This track is no exception, instantly capturing my attention with its captivating guitar. The accompanying music video, available below, is impressive, showcasing that creativity can still generate great content despite current limitations and budget constraints.

Take a listen to this radio-friendly tune below and be sure to keep Dysplay on your radar. If they continue to produce songs like “Too Cool” in the future, they will undoubtedly become a staple on The Alternative Mixtapes.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Indie
  • Pop

Posted on

Frida Sundemo – Gazelles

Frida Sundemo - Gazelles

Last month, I had recommended a song from Lights & Motion‘s latest album called I See You. That song was a collaboration with Swedish singer (and actress) Frida Sundemo, who has an angelic and delicate voice. However, Frida’s individual work is equally deserving of attention. Since 2010, she has been releasing her own music, and in May, she unveiled her latest EP, Sounds In My Head, which includes the mesmerizing track “Gazelles.”

While “Gazelles” had already been released as a single last year, it remains a captivating ballad that truly showcases Frida’s remarkable vocal prowess. The accompanying video below is even more impressive, capturing Frida’s flawless live performance as she gracefully sings and plays the piano. It’s a truly unforgettable experience. Simply sit back and enjoy the magic!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

“Carhartts & Converse” by Super Whatevr

"Carhartts & Converse" by Super Whatevr

I must admit, the Californian “emo-punk” band Super Whatevr hadn’t even registered on my radar until they unleashed their latest track, “Carhartts & Converse,” featuring the iconic pop-punk figure Mark Hoppus. Surprisingly, the band has been around since 2016 and dropped their second full-length album in February. However, this particular song is a fresh addition that didn’t appear on the album.

“Carhartts & Converse” blends elements of indie pop and punk-rock, creating a captivating hybrid. The song’s optimistic lyrics, centered around self-worth and resilience against others’ negativity, harmonize perfectly with its cheerful rhythm. In these suffocating times, it serves as a refreshing breath of air. Give it a listen below and let it brighten up your weekend.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop
  • Punk-Rock

Posted on

Linney – Cool

Linney - Cool

Caitlin Linney is an American singer and songwriter who is known simply as Linney. After starting her career in 2011 on Kickstarter, she has consistently written and released multiple songs, collaborated artist such as Gareth Emery, and even won some songwriting awards. Her style revolves mostly around electronic music, but it could go from indie pop all the way to trance music. While I don’t think she has had her big break yet, she’s certainly on the brink of it. She got more than 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Cool is basically an earworm she released earlier this year that I simply haven’t been able to get out of my mind since I heard it for the first time a few days ago. There is something between the soft electronic background and the ethereal way in which Linney sings this song that keeps me coming back for more. Listen to this magnetic song below at your own risk.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop