Antinode – The Beacon Beckons

Artist: antinode

Song: The Beacon Beckons

Genres: #ambient #relaxing

Location:  Houten, Netherlands

Influences: Vangelis, Enigma, Deep Forest

Release date: February, 2022

Comment: With the sad news of the passing of legendary and Oscar-winning composer Vangelis (R.I.P.) earlier this week, I thought it would be fitting to feature today a song that will certainly remind you of him: the alliteratively titled: The Beacon Beckons. Actually, South Africa born composes Jarp du Plessis, aka antinode, didn’t use to make synth-based music but he decided to step away from his usual melodic piano tunes when he started to work on his symphonized EP. The result was nothing short of mesmerizing.

Enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Skinny Dippers – Wedding Ring

Artist: Skinny Dippers

Song: Wedding Ring

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Brooklyn, United States

Release date: February, 2022

Comment: When most people hear the words: indie music, they think of songs similar to Wedding Ring, such as New Slang by The Shins (which was also part of the famous Garden State Soundtrack discussed recently here), so when you hear the second single off NY-based indie project Skinny Dippers‘ upcoming debut album, that’s what you’re going to get: a perfectly fine example of #indiemusic. From the warm guitars to frontman Ryan Gross‘ gentle vocals, this clever song about realising a little too late that the person you have an affair with is wearing a wedding ring, will certainly leave you looking forward to The Town & The City, their debut album.

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Cassidy Mann – Since I Met You

Artist: Cassidy Mann

Song: Since I Met You

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: March, 2022

Comment:  I’ve mentioned before that a certain song would have fit well in Garden State‘s award-winning soundtrack, but in Since I Met You’s case, that was absolutely what the songwriter intended. Talented artist Cassidy Mann wrote it after rewatching that movie and getting inspired to make something as magical as that soundtrack. She managed to do it, by the way, as this track is a beautiful indie song with a delicate electronic background that complements the acoustic brushes really well. Also, is it just me or does Cassidy sound a bit like Phoebe Bridgers‘?

Since I Met You is one of six songs tyou can find in If It’s Not Forever, Cassidy Mann’s debut EP. The sky’s the limit for her.

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The Auxiliary – Overture

Photo credit: Paul Storey

Artist: The Auxiliary

Song: Overture

Genres: #chillout #dreampop

Location: North Carolina, United States

Release date: January, 2022.

Comment: Russell Howard, the talented musician behind The Auxiliary, has been making music professionally most of his life, mainly as an acoustic singer-songwriter supporting acts such as The Lumineers and Sister Hazel, but it wasn’t until he decided to leave behind the boundaries of that genre and embrace what really inspired him, that he found what he didn’t know he’d been looking for. Overture is his debut single as The Auxiliary, and this one turned out to be a gorgeous electronic soundscape with ethereal vocals and reverberated synths. It feels like the soundtrack of a dream. Don’t miss it.

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Love You Later – Keepintouch

Artist: Love You Later

Song: Keepintouch

Genres: #indiepop #indierock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: March, 2022.

CommentLove You Later is the #altpop solo project of Lexi Aviles, a 23-year-old artist who has opened for the likes of OneRepublic and has won the attention of multiple tastemakers in the US. After listening to her effervescent new single, Keepintouch, it’s easy to understand why. The infectious earworm, inspired by Love You Later‘s discomfort with being alone, is one of those lighthearted songs sometimes you just can’t get enough of.

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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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Cade Hoppe – Hurts

Artist: Cade Hoppe

Song: Hurts

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  New York, United States

Influences: Jack Antonoff, Coldplay, The National

Release date: January, 2022

CommentHarper James –one half of the band Eighty Ninety, which was featured here last year– produced the new EP from New York-based singer: Cade Hoppe, Tell Me How It’s Worth It,’ and you can definitely feel a similar vibe. Originally from Sacramento, this talented musician sets himself apart from other #altpop musicians with his baritone vocals. Just listen to his new single, Hurts, which he wrote after breaking up with a loved one. The catchy melody and Cade’s tone of voice make it sound really fresh. Give it a try!

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Lane 8 – Survive feat. Channy Leaneagh

Lane 8

Artist: Lane 8

Song: Survive

Genres: #electronicmusic

Location: San Francisco, United States

Release date: January, 2022.

Comment: Daniel Goldstein, aka Lane 8, is pretty well known as far as electronic artists go as a member of the popular Anjunadeep label. He’s obviously really talented and a proof of that is that he’s released four studio albums already, with the latest one, Reviver, dropping this year. Survive, featuring Channy Leaneagh of Poliça, is one of its lead singles and an instant #musicalcruh. Good luck getting that chorus out of your head today.

JOBIE – Scorpio

Photo credits: Elaine Tantra

Artist: JOBIE

Song: Scorpio

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Boston, United States

Influences: Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Tom Petty

Release date: November, 2021

CommentJosie Arthur, aka JOBIE, is a young and talented indie folk singer-songwriter used to playing at house shows and bars in Boston. She has released three singles so far, and even though Scorpio is the latest one, it was actually the first song JOBIE ever recorded. Written about the universal experience of being infatuated with someone you don’t know at all, which happened to her when she started college, this honest and raw tune features just a guitar and Josie’s sweet vocals. Check it out!

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June Rosewell – Apologies to an Empty Room

Photo credits: Khaki Bedford, Bre Lesch

Artist: June Rosewell

Song: Apologies to an Empty Room

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Nashville, United States

Influences: Julia Jacklin, Faye Webster, Lucy Dacus

Release date: October, 2021

CommentJune Kolentus is a Vanderbilt University student with a passion for music. June Rosewell is her solo project and Apologies to an Empty Room is just the second single she’s released under that moniker. Inspired by the self-doubt she experienced. after a sad breakup, this sweet and soft song is a folksy track hypnotizes you with June’s heartfelt vocals, guitar strums and a lovely cello part (played by Doc. Henry). This tune would fit perfectly in the soundtrack of an indie movie. Don’t you think?

Featured on the following mixtapes: