Tag: Alternative Rock

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Homes At Night – Texaco

Texaco by Homes at Night
Texaco by Homes at Night

Artist: Homes At Night

Song: Texaco

Genres: #indierock #altrock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: April, 2023

Comment:  Homes at Night, a duo consisting of Hank Compton and Aksel Coe, have just released their latest single, “Texaco,” and it showcases the pair’s ability to craft catchy yet meaningful tracks that speak to the heart and soul. It is a perceptive single that centers on life’s transitional moments and the need to let go of toxic habits in order to grow. Hank’s personal experiences with addiction inspired the song’s lyrics.

The Homes at Night’s sound is a fusion of alternative pop/rock that is both nostalgic and modern, layered with organic instruments, synth-driven soundscapes, cinematic hooks, and a percussive pulse. The duo is currently on tour with Saint Motel, and they’ll be joining Arts Fishing Club for dates in May and June. With a growing streaming presence, they’re rapidly gaining recognition for their explosive sound, and rightfully so.

One example of that explosive sound is the chorus in “Texaco”, which is enhanced by its contrast with the song’s verses. All in all, this is a really good song that you can check out below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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A R I Z O N A – Moving On

A R I Z O N A - Moving On
A R I Z O N A - Moving On

Artist: A R I Z O N A

Song: Moving On

Genres: #indierock #altpop

Location: New Jersey, United States

Release date: February, 2023

Comment:  A R I Z O N A has returned with their latest single “Moving On,” and the electro-pop trio’s first original music release in four years is a true testament to their meteoric rise since their inception in 2015. The single is marked by infectious pop hooks and a synth-infused beat that is sure to please fans of the genre. It will be part of the band’s forthcoming self-titled album next month.

The band has amassed an impressive following, with over one billion worldwide career streams, sold-out headline tours, and well-received festival sets at major events such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits.

“Moving On” embodies the band’s message of creating a safe space where misfits and outcasts can belong, and it offers a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with life’s ups and downs. To celebrate their love for their namesake state, A R I Z O N A filmed a stunning music video in Round Rock, AZ, which you can check out below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Indie
  • Pop

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Betcha – I Wish You Would

Betcha - I Wish You Would

Artist: Betcha

Song: I Wish You Would

Genres: #indierock #altrock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: February, 2023

Comment:  Betcha is a Nashville-based alt-rock band that got its start in a college dorm room. The band consists of Ben on lead guitar, Taylor on bass/keys, Charlie on vocals/guitar, and Chase on drums. Betcha, a combinations of their initials, released their debut EP, “Falling,” to critical acclaim in 2019, receiving significant support on Spotify playlists. The band has also toured across the States alongside acts like NEEDTOBREATHE, and Judah & the Lion, building a loyal fan base along the way.

“I Wish You Would” is the band’s second to last single and is a great introduction to their music. It is a captivating and introspective track that showcases the band’s ability to blend rock, alternative, and pop elements seamlessly. The lyrics are relatable and speak to the universal struggle of feeling lost and uncertain about the future. Charlie’s vulnerability shines through in lines like “I wish you would, I wish you wouldn’t, take this pain away,” and the chorus’s catchy melody is sure to stick in listeners’ heads long after the song ends.

Last but no least, I really really loved the song’s outro. It deserves a chef’s kiss.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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Cigarettes After Sex – Heavenly

Cigarettes After Sex

Artist: Cigarettes After Sex

Song: Heavenly

Genres: #indierock

Location: El Paso, Texas, United States

Release date: August, 2019

Comment: Cigarettes After Sex has been around since 2008, but I admit I hadn’t heard of them until I listened to “Heavenly” on @indie.verses‘s excellent Spotify playlist a couple of years ago. It was love at first sight, and after hearing recently that the band is coming to London this year, I thought it was time to feature this magnetic song on a #ThrowbackThursday entry.

The band’s sound is characterized by its dreamy, ethereal quality, with slow, hypnotic melodies and soft, whispery vocals, and that’s exactly what you get here as well. What I love most about “Heavenly” is how it creates a relaxing, almost hypnotic atmosphere that transports you to another world. The track’s lush production and frontman Greg Gonzalez’s soothing vocals create a sense of intimacy that feels like a warm embrace. It’s the kind of song that you can put on repeat and just let yourself get lost in.

“Heavenly” is a timeless masterpiece that showcases Cigarettes After Sex’s signature sound at its best. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates beautiful, introspective music such as Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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Kylo – Rerun

Kylo - Rerun
Photo Credit: Nic Schoppet

Artist: Kylo

Song: Rerun

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your playlist, let me introduce you to Kylo. She’s an up-and-coming electro-pop sensation from Toronto, Ontario, known for her captivating and innovative sound. Her music blends catchy melodies with experimental elements, creating an interesting musical experience that’s catching the attention of audiences around the world.

Kylo‘s enchanting vocals, enhanced by entrancing, layered echoes, add an extra layer of intrigue to her already mesmerizing tracks. If you’re looking for fresh, innovative pop music, “Rerun” is definitely worth checking out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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All Time Low – Tell Me I’m Alive

All Time Low - Tell Me I'm Alive

Artist: All Time Low

Song: Tell Me I’m Alive

Genres: #punkrock

Location: Maryland, United States

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: All Time Low was one of the first bands featured on T.A.M., and almost three years later (time flies!), they have returned with their eponymous single: Tell Me I’m Alive. This is also the title of the band’s ninth studio album, their first release since the pandemic. The first three quarters of the track showcase a more mature sound for the band, with pop elements infused into their punk style and even the addition of a piano to back the vocals. It is not until the bridge that All Time Low switch gears up with classic punk drum lines and high energy levels. I’m not a fan of songs that rely too heavily on this drumming style, but when used sparingly as is the case here, they can be a brilliant addition.

All Time Low was formed in 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland. The band members, consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Alex Gaskarth, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, gained popularity with their pop punk sound and catchy lyrics. Throughout their career, All Time Low has toured extensively and earned a dedicated fan base, selling over 2 million records worldwide. With their continued success and loyal fan base, All Time Low has cemented themselves as one of the most prominent bands in the pop punk and rock music scene.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Punk-rock

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Lizzie Esau – Jellyfish

Lizzie Esau - Jellyfish

Artist: Lizzie Esau

Song: Jellyfish

Genres: #altrock #singersongwriter

Location: Newcastle, United Kingdom

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: Lizzie Esau is just 23 but she must have grown up listening to alt-rock records from the 90s. If you listen to any of her singles (for example, “Bleak Sublime”), you will see what I mean. That said, the Newcastle-based singer-songwriter adds her own experimental touches to her music, making her stand out in the crowded music scene. “Jellyfish” is her exciting new single and it showcases her creativity with a fuzzy guitar riff and spoken-word vocals that lead into a soaring chorus. That chorus is everything! and along with the tempo variations and clever lyrics, they make “Jellyfish” truly a must-listen track.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Still Talk – Headcheck

Still Talk - Headcheck

Artist: Still Talk

Song: Headcheck

Genres: #alternativerock #punkrock

Influences: Avril Lavigne, Smash Mouth, The Hotelier

Location: Cologne, Germany

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: If you’re into alternative rock with a pop-punk twist and catchy hooks, you’ve got to check out Still Talk‘s single “Headcheck”, which will be part of the band’s upcoming debut album, appropriately called “St. Banger”. I love that this 5-piece band, fronted by Tanja Kührer, manages to balance different styles while keeping things fresh and energetic. “Headcheck” is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the friendships within the band. The track is great from the get-go, but that stripped-down ending with the jangling guitar deserves a chef’s kiss.

If you’re in Germany, be sure to catch their live shows this year – I bet they’ll be a blast!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk Rock

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Dottie Andersson – Heavy Objects

Dottie Andersson - Heavy Objects
Photo Credit: Nic Schoppet

Artist: Dottie Andersson

Song: Heavy Objects

Genres: #indiepop

Influences: Bon Iver, Caroline Polachek, Phoebe Bridgers

Location: Småland, Sweden

Release date: February, 2023

Comment: Dottie Andersson is a unique artist from Sweden with a sound that is both authentic and refreshing. “Heavy Objects”, her promising debut single, skillfully blends electronic and indie elements to create a sound that is both atmospheric and catchy. The cherry on top are Dottie’s vocals, which are just perfect for this type of music.

The song’s lyrics speak to the theme of letting go of emotions and situations that weigh us down, and the accompanying video, filmed as a spontaneous one-take by photographer Nic Schoppet, perfectly captures this sentiment. Without a doubt, Dottie Andersson is an artist to watch in the coming months and years.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Wesson – Made Me Happy

Made Me Happy

Artist: WESSON

Song: Made Me Happy

Genres: #alternativerock #punkrock

Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: British alt/rock band WESSON, led by #singersongwriter Chris Wesson, is formed by four musicians coming from different backgrounds, resulting in a delightful blend of pop, punk rock and indie rock. “Made Me Happy” is just their fifth single, but given how fun and catchy it is, I think it’s safe to say that this band is going places.

The lyrics express the emotions of a person who was hurt by someone’s actions in the past. The song reveals that the person has come to the realization that they might have acted similarly if they were in the same situation, and is finally finding peace in understanding their own and others’ behaviors. Between how relatable the lyrics are and the extremely catchy chorus, “Made Me Happy” is the type of tune that gets stuck in your head. Listen to it at your own peril.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock