YUNGBLUD- The Funeral

YUNGBLUD- The Funeral

Artist: YUNGBLUD

Song: The Funeral

Genres: #altrock

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: March, 2022

Comment: I don’t know much about British artist YUNGBLUD. In fact, when I started hearing his name here and there, I thought he was just another rapper, until I heard his song mars and realized how wrong I was. I know he’s massively popular these days but that should not distract you from the fact that he’s actually good at what he does. Exhibit A is one of his latest singles, The Funeral, which is so catchy I just cannot get enough of it. Drawing heavily, in my opinion, from Billy Idol‘s Dancing With Myself, this 1980s-infused track got a really memorable chorus. The music video, which you can watch below, features fun cameos from Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne.

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beabadoobee – See You Soon

beabadoobee - See You Soon

Artistbeabadoobee

Song: See You Soon

Genres: #indierock

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: April, 2022

Comment:  When I first featured beabadoobee almost two years ago, she was still relatively unknown. Today, she’s an international alternative rock darling who is getting ready to release her sophomore studio album: Beatopia next month. For my return after a short break, I’ve decided to feature the second lead single from her new record, the enchanting See You Soon. While still being an #altrock song, it is less “grungy” than her previous singles and got more of an ethereal factor, particularly with the sticky chorus. It’s great to see her experimenting with new sounds instead of simply repeating the formula of her debut album, all this while still sounding great. That’s what sets great artists apart.

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The Royal Foundry – Little High Little Low

The Royal Foundry - Little High Little Low

Artist: The Royal Foundry

Song: Little High Little Low

Genres: #indierock #altpop

Location: Alberta, Canada

Release date: April, 2022

Comment:  If you just listened to Canadian alt-pop quartet The Royal Foundry‘s latest single, the extremely infectious Little High Little Low, you would never guess that they were once a folk duo, with real life couple Jared Salte and Bethany Schumacher at its core. The band has achieved certain recognition in their home country but this track about the importance of mental health and learning how to handle high and lows, could be the one that puts them firmly on the radar at an international level. It you like The Strumbellas (I do, a lot), you are going to love this. Enjoy!

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Keeka The Brave – The Messenger

Artist: Keeka The Brave

Song: The Messenger

Genres: #postrock #instrumental

Influences: Tycho, Lymbyc Systym, Boards of Canada

Location: Florida, United States

Release date: February, 2022

Comment: Having received classical training in percussion and after years performing as a drummer in live gigs or as a DJ/electronic music artist, it makes absolute sense that the work of Keeka The Brave –the musical project of American musician, producer, and songwriter: Elon Hiers–, sounds so cool and fresh. The Messenger, for instance, blends post-rock guitar lines with ambient synths and sophisticated beats. Inspired by the beaches near Jacksonville, this mesmerizing track will be part of Keeka The Brave‘s debut EP. Check it out!

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Sugarcult – Do It Alone

Artist: Sugarcult

Song: Do It Alone

Genres: #alternativerock

Location: California, United States

Release date: July, 2006

Comment:  I hadn’t done one of these (#ThrowbackThursday entries) in a while, mostly due to a lack of time, not a lack of songs. In fact, I wanted to feature Sugarcult last week, after they kindly liked a tweet in which I mentioned them, but alas, I ran out of time. This band from Santa Barbara, California, started in 1999 and had a pretty successful debut studio album in 2001, during the hey-day of early 2000s punk-rock –by the way, last year they re-release that album in its 20th anniversary–. However, something I liked about them was that they were not afraid to experiment and try new sounds: none of their three studio albums sound alike.

Despite still being active (after a hiatus), they have not released a new album since 2006’s Lights Out, which is the one that features today’s track: Do It Alone. This song was the first single off that album and probably ahead of its time, because it wasn’t even as successful as the second single (Los Angeles). I think part of the reason why was that it sounded closer to the music of bands that were becoming popular then, like The Killers, than what Sugarcult had released before. It was our loss, though, because the single was really outstanding and perhaps, in a parallel world in which both track and album were a massive success, we would have had many more Sugarcult albums.

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MONOWHALES – New Threads

Artist: MONOWHALES

Song: New Threads

Genres: #indierock #altpop

Location: Canada

Release date: April, 2022

CommentMONOWHALES were featured here more than one year ago and now they’re back with a new single that, while sounding different and fresh, is also very good. This time they delight us with a bedroom pop tune centered about coming of age as an adult.

New Threads is a real earworm. Check it out.

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Ian Moloney – Polaroid

Artist: Ian Moloney

Song: Polaroid

Genres: #indierock #punkrock

Location: Doonbeg, Ireland

Influences: The 1975, Nirvana, My Chemical Romance

Release date: December, 2021

Comment:  If you live in Ireland, you might have seen Ian Moloney busking on the streets, playing at a gig or participating at a music competition. He’s involved with the local Irish gig scene like that. I hope those who have seen him play could appreciate how talented he is because it would be a shame if they didn’t. Influenced by The 1975’s debut album and MCR’s The Black Parade, Ian has released the second part to his debut EP, The Insomniac’s Dream, back in December, and it got quite a few good songs in it. I chose Polaroid today simply because Ian recorded a music video for it (see below) but I could have chosen any track. The album, which was recorded by Ian and a friend at their own houses during the pandemic, is that consistent.

I believe this record is just Ian’s starting point, but listen to Polaroid below and you will see how good a starting point it is.

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Lost Like Lions – Back To Life

Photo credits: Brandi Amoia Photography

Artist: Lost Like Lions

Song: Back To Life

Genres: #alternativerock #punkrock

Location: Buffalo, NY, United States

Influences: Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie, Sugarcult

Release date: February, 2022

Comment:  Derrik Schiersing (Vocals/Guitar) started Lost Like Lions in 2014, when he even recorded a debut EP in Los Angeles that featured guest vocals from A.J. Perdomo (The Dangerous Summer). Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan back then and the band went on a break until 2018, when they decided to give it another try. After releasing an EP in 2020, Lost Like Lions are getting ready to release a brand new EP, “Fear of Letting Go”, later this year.

Back To Life, the lead single, is a track about reinventing yourself and, as you can see from the band’s brief history above, they do know a thing or two about that. I actually think The Dangerous Summer would be a good comparison here because the vibes are pretty similar. Perhaps Lost Like Lions are a bit less punk, more alt-rock, and just as enjoyable. Check them out!

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RIVIA – In The Air

Artist: RIVIA

Song: In The Air

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Release date: February, 2022

Influences: 30 Seconds to Mars, Biffy Clyro

Comment: I bet the ratio of good rock bands to inhabitants in Liverpool must be off the charts. There must be something magical around the Mersey river. Four-piece RIVIA is just the latest example of that. After gaining good momentum in 2019, the pandemic made them take a step back. They still released a couple of songs during that time and now they’re back to full steam with the forthcoming release of their new EP: Scratching the Surface. In The Air is its lead single and it is as anthemic as an alternative rock song can be. A relatable song about how certain things, good and bad, can throw your plans up in the air, you will have a hard time ignoring its powerful chorus. Check it out.

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Caroline Romano – Oddities & Prodigies

Caroline Romano - Oddities & Prodigies

Artist: Caroline Romano

Song: Oddities & Prodigies

Genres: #AlternativeRock, #Altpop

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: February, 2022.

Comment: Twenty-year-old Nashville-based artist Caroline Romano was featured here last August (at the age of 19) with her song ‘The Hypothetical,’ part of her new album, ‘Oddities & Prodigies,’ released in February. The album, highly recommended, includes great songs like the aforementioned one and ‘Grocery Store,’ among others. However, my favorite track by far is the eponymous ‘Oddities & Prodigies,’ even better than ‘The Hypothetical.’ If you enjoy catchy #poprock songs, you might find it perfect. Check it out

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