Sit back and enjoy the music
Artist: Sigrid
Song: It Gets Dark
Genres: #indiepop #altpop
Location: Norway
Release date: March, 2022
Comment: Norwegian singer Sigrid got an international pop hit with Sucker Punch, from her eponymous debut album. That song was catchy and I did like it, but the young artist still managed to surprise me when I listened to It Gets Dark, a lead single off her brand new sophomore album: How To Let Go. This song is next level good. Check it out.
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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: Sasha Alex Sloan
Song: WTF
Genres: #indiepop #altpop
Location: Los Angeles, United States
Release date: March, 2022
Comment: WTF got some rather depressing lyrics but I fell in love with it anyway. As soon as Alexandra Artourovna Yatchenko, aka Sasha Alex Sloan (and formerly: Sasha Sloan), started singing: “Same shit, different year”, I was spellbound. One of the lead singles off Sasha’s sophomore album, I Blame The World (which is going to be released next week!), this honest track is definitely a #musicalcrush. Hopefully, there will be a few of those in the new album.
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Artist: Sacropolis
Song: Venice
Genres: #alternativerock #indierock
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Release date: March, 2022
Comment: A little over a year after they were first featured here with their delightful single The Sinner, French and German four-piece indie band Sacropolis are back with another banger in Venice, after experimenting with synths, amongst other sounds. Emotionally, the band describe this song as “happy melancholy”, as they wrote it after meeting someone during a trip to Venice and realizing later that it had been just a summer fling. The track got killer bass riffs and an a great chorus that is hard not to enjoy. If you liked The Sinner, you won’t be disappointed with Venice!
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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: Cydeways
Song: Down
Genres: #poppunk #punkrock
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Release date: February, 2022
Comment: Down got the peculiarity of being a cool pop-punk song made by what until now had been an alt-reggae band. Cydeways got a wide range of influences and they just follow whatever inspires them regardless of the genre. Lyrically, Down is a light tune about being into an ex’s best friend, and melodically, it reminds me of the best tracks from bands such as Mest and New Found Glory. The production from Kyle Black (Paramore, State Champs, The Story So Far) is really top-notch. All in all, Down is an outstanding track that we can definitely enjoy.
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Artist: Stumble Steady
Song: Transducer
Genres: #indiepop #alternativerock
Location: Florida, United States
Influences: Cage The Elephant, The 1975, Dayglow
Release date: March, 2022.
Comment: Talented musician Garrett Kealer has been featured on T.A.M. as Stumble Steady a couple of times before (here and here), and a lot has changed since the last time that happened (almost exactly one year ago). For starters, Stumble Steady is no longer a solo act, as you can see in the video below. Co-vocalist Cara Harpest debuts in the bands’ new single, Transducer, which is certainly their catchiest track so far. As usual, the song’s lyrics were inspired by Garrent’s experience with OCD, with the idea behind it being taking all the negative energy coming from dealing with that illness and transforming it into something positive. Well, that’s exactly what they achieved because there’s no room for negative emotions when yo listen to such an effervescent tune. Enjoy!
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Artist: The Break Plans
Song: Fashionably Late
Genres: #altpop #indiepop
Location: New Jersey, United States
Release date: March, 2022
Comment: Colton (vocals), Mikey (guitar), Dan (drums) and Chris (Bass), aka The Break Plans, are four talented musicians who definitely enjoy what they do. Just watch the music video for their brand new single, Fashionably Late, and you’ll definitely agree with me here. The track, which they wrote about the importance of being comfortable on your own skin, no matter how long it takes you to get there, sounds just as fun, with a very contagious melody and the right amounts of 1980s music influence. Well worth a listen.
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Artist: Love You Later
Song: Keepintouch
Genres: #indiepop #indierock
Location: Nashville, United States
Release date: March, 2022.
Comment: Love 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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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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