Sit back and enjoy the music
Artist: MONOWHALES
Song: New Threads
Genres: #indierock #altpop
Location: Canada
Release date: April, 2022
Comment: MONOWHALES 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.
Featured on the following mixtapes:
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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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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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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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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Artist: The New Twentys
Song: Heart’s In The Right Place
Genres: #indierock #alternativerock
Location: London, UK
Release date: January, 2022.
Influences: The Cure, Talking Heads, The Strokes.
Comment: Less than a year after the catchy I Can’t Afford Her, London-based trio The New Twentys, are back with a new single that’s not that far behind in terms of energy and likability. Heart’s In The Right Place, the band explains, “serves as as a middle finger to all the people who try to trample on your passions, the types that act like they’ve got life figured out, and want you to share their same small view of the world. ‘They say my heart’s in the right place as though the rest of me ain’t'”.
What could I add to that? When you mix meaningful lyrics with a good melody, you end up with bangers just like this song. Check it out!.
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Artist: Feeder
Song: The Healing
Genres: #indierock #alternativerock
Location: Newport, United Kingdom
Release date: January, 2022
Comment: British rockers Feeder are about to release a brand new album, Torpedo, next week and for the past few months, they have been dropping new songs here and there. I got nothing against the other ones, but The Healing, the fourth cut from Torpedo, is by far the best new track I’ve heard from this band in a long long time. It sounds as good as vintage Feeder with a modern feel (that intro is flawless). With everything going on in the world at the moment, particularly with Ukraine, a song about how we can heal as a society fits like a glove. Enjoy!
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Artist: The Namesakes
Song: Leopard Skin
Genres: #collegerock #alternativerock
Location: South Launceston, Australia
Release date: December, 2021
Comment: Tasmanian four-piece act The Namesakes are a rock ‘n’ roll band flirting with college rock, 60s pop, British and Australian indie music and classic punk. Case in point, their latest EP, Super Computer, got a little bit of everything across its six tracks. Leopard Skin, which is the second track, sounds like what would have happened if Oasis, Nada Surf, and Said The Whale had made a song together. It’s the quintessential indie rock song with an outstanding chorus that leaves you thirsty for more.
Listening to The Namesakes, you realize that this is not a band trying to become the next world-famous mega band, but a group of friends making music that they enjoy. If you’re here, chances are that you will enjoy it too. Check them out!
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Artist: Angela Sclafani
Song: Bell Jar
Genres: #indie #indiefolk
Location: New York City, United States
Influences: Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones
Release date: February, 2022.
Comment: Angela Sclafani is an independent #singersongwriter from New York City who has released three EPs so far and won numerous accolades as a songwriter. Her new single, Bell Jar, was inspired by Sylvia Plath‘s 1963 novel and is full of evocative lyrics that encourage listeners to challenge those social conventions that keep them down. Melodically, the track reminds me not only of the artists listed as Angela’s influences but also Lisa Loeb and even Sarah McLachlan. If you like sweet melodies with great lyrics, you’re in for a treat.
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Artist: Fan Theories
Song: Kids In Heatwaves
Genres: #alternativerock #indierock
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Release date: January, 2022
Comment: Perhaps you remember Fan Theories‘ debut single, Next Great Holiday, which was featured here almost 2 years ago. If you do, then you’ll be happy to hear that they’re back with a new single, their third one so far. The Finnish band drew inspiration from the world’s “miserable state of affairs” to write Kids In Heatwaves, an infectious song with a refreshing sound that is quickly becoming their defining attribute.
Featured on the following mixtapes: