Yon Idy – In Time

Artist: Yon Idy

Song: In Time

Genres: #indierock #indiefolk

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia

Release date: January, 2022

Comment:  Yon Idy is a young musician in a country with no music industry whatsoever, according to the artist himself. He grew up listening to The Beatles and Leonard Cohen, but his latest single, In Time, sounds closer to artists such as Jason Mraz and Vance Joy. This poignant track talks about the hardships of moving on at the end of relationship you didn’t want to end. You won’t want In Time to end either but the good news is that Yon Idy is releasing his full-length debut later this year.

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renforshort – moshpit

Artist: renforshort

Song: moshpit

Genres: #indiepop #altpop

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: January, 2022

Comment: renfortshort is the moniker of 19-year-old #singersongwriter, Lauren Isenberg, who debuted independently in 2019 and has quickly made a name for herself. The talented Canadian artist entered my radar last year several months after the release of her last EP, which is why I didn’t feature her then. The good news is that renforshort is back with a new single, moshpit, that is even better than what she had released before. The song, which is about staying in a bad relationship for way longer than its due date, got a great melody with a chorus impossible to get out of your head.

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almost sex – Lucille

Artist: almost sex

Song: Lucille

Genres: #indierock

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Release date: January, 2022

Comment: I’m sorry for being away for so long but, as I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been on parental leave and, unsurprisingly, had other priorities. I’m still catching up with plenty of submissions, emails and any music released during that time, but I thought it fitting to return with the latest single from almost sex, a duo that has become a staple of T.A.M. Their consistency releasing great music is truly off the charts!

Lucille is the lead single off their forthcoming debut EP and our good friend Jeff wrote already a great review that you should absolutely check out. It’s a moody and soothing track that you are going to love if you liked any of their previous songs featured here before.

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Eleanor and the Dream – Kissing Her Goodnight

Artist: Eleanor and the Dream

Song: Kissing Her Goodnight

Genres: #indierock #singersongwriter

Location: London, United Kingdom

Influences: The Cure, Elliott Smith, Hatchie

Release date: November, 2021

Comment:  Some people are said to have older souls because they behave like much older people, with similar tastes and hobbies. I deeply believe Kissing Her Goodnight, a soothing new track from London-based artist Eleanor Neish-Melling, aka Eleanor and the Dream, is the musical representation of that concept, as it feels like an indie track from the 1990s. The Blackpool native wrote this song in an attempt to come to terms with a former lover who is now with somebody else. I don’t know if she succeeded at that, but, at the very least, she got a really good song out of that ordeal.

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WALK THE MOON – Win Anyway

Artist: WALK THE MOON

Song: Win Anyway

Genres: #electropop #indiepop

Location: Ohio, United States

Release date: December, 2021.

Comment: Cincinnati-based band WALK THE MOON dropped a new single over the Christmas break and it is pretty good. Sure, it’s not as catchy as their mega-hit Shut Up And Dance but that does not mean it’s not enjoyable. In fact, it’s a pretty good song for us to start the new year with. Enjoy!

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Delafaye – Dog Day

Artist: Delafaye

Song: Dog Day

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Indiana, United States

Release date: October, 2021

CommentDelafaye‘s music is not innovative, groundbreaking or even particularly catchy. Dog Day, in particular, is just a guy, Andrew Shockley, and his guitar singing his heart out from his home studio in Indiana. Yet, there’s something about it that keeps getting me drawn to this song over and over again. I don’t know if it is Andrew’s heartfelt vocals, the sweet melody, or the honest lyrics about a relationship coming to an end, but I can’t seem to get enough of it. I highly recommend that you check this talented artist as well.

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Grand Alpaca – Julia

Artist: Grand Alpaca

Song: Julia

Genres: #indierock #indiefolk

Location: Oslo, Norway

Release date: August, 2021

Comment: Norway is not a country you would normally associate with alpacas, but perhaps Grand Alpaca will change that by himself. Last week, he dropped his debut album, Staying Quiet Is An Easy Young Thing To Do, which includes eight solid tracks ranging from indie folk to Americana. Case in point, Julia, one of its lead singles, got a really engaging chorus that makes you feel like driving through the American midwest. It also encapsulates very well what this Norwegian singer-songwriter is all about. Give him a chance.

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Yehra – Resonate

Artist: Yehra

Song: Resonate

Genres: #indierock #neosoul

Location: Canada/Denmark

Release date: August, 2021

Comment: This is possibly first time I add the same song to both the indie and the relaxing mixtapes. That sums up Resonate very well. Yehra is an interesting duo that combines the soothing vocals of Barbadian/Canadian singer Jen Mahon with the chilled arrangements of Danish producer Rasmus Liebst. They have been working together, one way or another, for almost a decade without ever meeting in real life (at least so far). I’m glad we live in a time when that is possible. Otherwise, we would miss plenty of little gems just like Resonate.

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VHS Collection – Space Between Us

Artist: VHS Collection

Song: Space Between Us

Genres: #electropop #indiepop

Location: New York City, United States

Release date: November, 2021.

Comment: NY act VHS Collection wrote Space Between Us several years ago but were unable to come up with a production that satisfied them. After plenty of experimentation, they finally got it right by “combining electronics and a pop-goes-new-wave groove with influence from U2’s With or Without You“. Believe it or not, I actually thought of that classic song the first time I listened to Space Between Us‘ intro, and that was before I knew the U2 tune was their main inspiration. Besides having a cool band name, VHS Collection got a new album they will be releasing very soon and I, for one, won’t want to miss it. It sounds very promising.

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almost sex – Part of You

almost sex - Part of You

Artist: almost sex

Song: Part of You

Genres: #indierock

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: Alternative duo almost sex have done it again. Their latest single, Part of You, is every bit as fascinating as charmer and Blue Heaven. The track is pretty much an indie love song with a rawness that gives it authenticity while having just the right amount of production to do it justice. Producer Ken Helmlinger did a great job here keeping things simple. Between the guitar strums and Nick’s vocals, it’s easy to get lost in the 130 seconds Part of You lasts.

Featured on the following mixtapes: