“The 4th of July” by Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band

August 7, 2023September 19, 2023

“The 4th of July” by Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band

Artist: Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band

Song: The 4th of July

Genres: #alternativerock

Location: Boston, United States

Release date: August, 2023

Comment: If the name Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band sounds familiar, that might be because almost exactly 3 years ago, I featured his single “Razor Wide Heart” on this website. “The 4th of July” is my favorite track from the band’s new album, Lower County Outlaw, and it showcases how Kristian and his bandmates keep getting better and better at what they do. The track is a delightful blend of country and rock that narrates a heart-warming love story.

From the very beginning, Kristian Montgomery’s masterful composition and emotional vocals take listeners on a captivating ride, mirroring the excitement and anticipation of that special moment when he and his wife, April, first connected. The lyrics beautifully capture the comfort and chemistry shared between the two, as if destiny had finally brought them together in the right place and time.

The song’s peak moment comes with a gripping guitar solo and a final chorus sung with an urgent passion that’s impossible to ignore. If you listen to this track and feel nothing at all, do you even truly feel alive?

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Alternative

July 11, 2023August 14, 2023

“Find You” by New Friends

Artist: New Friends

Song: Find You

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location: London, Canada

Release date: April, 2023

Comment: Back in April, Canadian band New Friends released their debut EP Camaro; it contains the catchy “Doomed”, which I featured here last year, and three other tracks. I listened to the EP without expecting to find a song I liked as much as “Doomed” in it, but I was wrong. Even though “Find You”, the closing track, is a different kind of song, it got me hooked just the same. The chorus is really something else. It makes you want to sing along.

“Find You” showcases impressive vocal harmonies and captivating guitar riffs, enhancing the richness of its sound. The production is polished yet tasteful, allowing the song’s essence to shine through. With its universal theme of longing for understanding and happiness, this track strikes a chord. All in all, the song sounds like a radio hit, but with a distinct personal touch. New Friends is unquestionably a band to keep an eye on in the pop rock scene.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Indie
Pop

June 27, 2023July 28, 2023

“Pyrrhula” by M. Byrd

Artist: M. Byrd

Song: Pyrrhula

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Detmold, Germany

Release date: April, 2023

Comment: M. Byrd is a German-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has been making waves with his debut album The Seed, a collection of songs that blend intimate moments with wide horizons, inspired by the Laurel Canyon sound and shoegaze aesthetics. The album is meant to plant a seed and encourage listeners’ evolution.

One of the standout tracks from The Seed is “Pyrrhula”, a song that showcases M. Byrd‘s ability to create atmospheric and emotional soundscapes with his guitar, synth and bass playing. The song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar strumming and M. Byrd’s soft vocals, singing about a fire in someone’s eyes and a longing for connection. The song is named after a genus of birds, also known as bullfinches, which are known for their bright colors and monogamous relationships. M. Byrd uses this metaphor to express his desire for a lasting bond with someone who can light up his world.

“Pyrrhula” by M. Byrd is a song that will make you feel something, whether it’s joy, sadness, nostalgia or hope.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie

June 23, 2023July 28, 2023

“Stardust” by Cary Brothers

Artist: Cary Brothers

Song: Stardust

Genres: #indie

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: I recently watched the movie A Good Person, written and directed by Zach Braff, who also wrote and directed Garden State, whose award-winning soundtrack has been referred to on multiple occasions here. There is a pivotal scene in the movie in which the main character, played by the scene-stealing Florence Pugh, attends a concert and the song being played when she arrives really grabbed my attention. It turned out to be “Stardust” by Cary Brothers, a singer-songwriter -Brothers is his surname- who was also featured on the soundtrack of, you guessed it, Garden State.

Stardust is a moody indie track that is simply stunning. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie

June 14, 2023July 7, 2023

“King of Wands” by Housewife

Artist: Housewife

Song: King of Wands

Genres: #indiepop #altpop

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: June, 2023

Comment: Housewife is a Toronto-based indie rock project led by 20-year-old Brighid Fry (she/they), who has been making waves in the Canadian music scene with their catchy and clever songs. After touring with Paolo Nutini and releasing the hit single “Fuck Around Phase” earlier this year, Housewife is back with another great track: “King of Wands”.

The song is a fiery anthem of female empowerment and intuition, inspired by the tarot card of the same name. Housewife sings about resisting the patriarchal attempts to silence and undermine women’s voices and wisdom, and reclaiming their power and agency. The lyrics are sharp and witty, with lines like “I wish I was the king of wands / But really, I’m Cassandra / The girl that I’ll ignore / When she’s got all the answers”.

The music is equally energetic and explosive, blending pop melodies with rock instrumentation. The song features heavy drums, distorted guitars, and soaring vocals that create a contrast between the verses and the choruses. By the way, the vocals during the verses remind me of Amelia Meath from Sylvan Esso. The song was co-written with Gabe Simon (Lana Del Rey, Noah Kahan) and JT Foley (GAYLE, Maddy Hicks), who helped Housewife craft their mature and intentional indie-rock sound.

If you live in North America and like what you hear, you can catch Housewife live on their upcoming tour dates across Canada and the US.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Indie
Pop

June 13, 2023July 7, 2023

“Strange Adrenaline” by Nat Vazer

Artist: Nat Vazer

Song: Strange Adrenaline

Genres: #indiepop #altpop

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Release date: May, 2023

Comment: Nat Vazer is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter who has been making waves with her confessional indie-rock and dream-pop songs. After a successful US tour and SXSW appearance, she is back with a new single, “Strange Adrenaline”, which also serves as the title track of her upcoming album.

“Strange Adrenaline” is a song that captures the feeling of chasing a vision and having the courage to pursue the unknown. Inspired by a Patti Smith novel, the song combines powerful guitar riffs, drum machines, and Vazer’s striking vocals to create an engaging sound. The chorus is catchy and anthemic, while the verses are introspective and poetic.

The song showcases Vazer’s talent as a storyteller and a musician, as well as her ability to blend different genres and influences. It will appeal to fans of boygenius and/or any of its talented members (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus), and other young gifted singer-songwriters who are shaping the new generation of indie-rock.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Indie
Pop

June 7, 2023July 4, 2023

“Sees The Sun” by Velika Velika

Artist: Velika Velika

Song: Sees The Sun

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Influences: Beck, Sufjan Stevens, Guided By Voices

Release date: May, 2023

Comment: If you’re looking for a summer anthem that will make you feel good and get you moving, look no further than “Sees The Sun” by Velika Velika. This indie pop gem is the debut single from the solo project of Benjamin Davies, a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Derbyshire. He plays everything on the track, from the funky drums and bluesy acoustics to the screeching electric guitar and the recorder. His vocals are laid-back and cool, reminiscent of Beck in his mid-90s heyday, but with a British twist and a more optimistic tone.

“Sees The Sun” is inspired by a parable and tells a story of workers in the hot sun who don’t envy others but enjoy what they have. The chorus is catchy and memorable, with a hook that will stick in your head for days. The song also features some quirky touches, like the sound of a cat meowing in the outro, adding to its charm and personality. “Sees The Sun” is the first of four singles that Velika Velika plans to release this year, each one promising to be a banger. This is a project that deserves your attention and support, so don’t miss out on this sunny slice of indie pop goodness!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Pop

May 19, 2023June 14, 2023

“Primary Colors” by Baseball Game

Artist: Baseball Game

Song: Primary Colors

Genres: #indierock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: “Primary Colors” by Baseball Game is a catchy, upbeat anthem about finding hope in the midst of uncertainty. The song begins with a simple guitar riff that quickly builds into a driving beat. The vocals are clear and powerful, and the lyrics are inspiring and hopeful. The song is a perfect example of Baseball Game‘s unique sound, which blends elements of indie rock, pop, and electronic music.

The band started in 2019 and consists of Adam (vocals, guitar), Jason (guitar, production), and Ben (bass). The name “Baseball Game” came from a story from Adam’s childhood. When he was in T-ball, he played in the championship game. His team lost, and afterward he went to the wrong dugout. The other team sprayed him with red Kool-Aid and told him to get out because he didn’t belong there. Adam and Jason felt like this story was a metaphor for their band. They felt like their songs were very individual and didn’t necessarily fit together or belong.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie

May 16, 2023June 9, 2023

“NEED U HERE” by Airports

Artist: Airports

Song: NEED U HERE

Genres: #altpop

Location: Brisbane, Australia

Release date: May, 2023

Comment: “NEED U HERE” by Airports is a profoundly moving song that delves into themes of loss and grief. The lyrics, raw and honest, vividly depict the pain of losing someone dear.

As the song progresses, it steadily builds in intensity, drawing you deeper into the artist’s emotional journey. That is partially thanks to some skilful production carried out on this track . The simplicity allows his voice to shine, further emphasizing the raw emotion behind each lyric. The vocal styles are different but I think it would be fair to compare “Need You Here” with the work of artists such as YUNGBLUD.

Airports, led by Brisbane-based singer, writer, and producer Aaron Lee, has gained recognition for his unique fusion of punk, drum n bass, and EDM. Beyond his solo endeavors, Aaron has demonstrated his songwriting and production skills working with other artists and collaborating with global brands such as Coca-Cola and Fanta.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Pop

May 10, 2023May 31, 2023

Sylvan Weekends – Every Day

Artist: Sylvan Weekends

Song: Outliers

Genres: #indie

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: May, 2023

Comment: Sylvan Weekends’ “Every Day” is a beautiful track that explores the scope of tiny details that it takes to truly get to know someone. The song is about the doubts and pessimism that come with getting to know someone. The lyrics are certainly thought-provoking and the song features beautiful harmonies and a catchy melody that draws the listener in.

The track is part of Sylvan Weekends’ debut EP “Outliers” which was released this month. The EP is a whistle-stop tour through the human condition – exploring the human psyche through every track and lyric. Nobody fits perfectly into one box and neither does their music. The EP features four other tracks: “Symmetry”, “Young & Freewheeling”, “Outliers” and “185”, with each one of them exploring different aspects of life and the human condition.

All in all, this is a stunning debut. I feel that if you enjoy bands like The Strumbellas, you will love Sylvan Weekends.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Everything
Folk/Indie