MUNA feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Silk Chiffon

MUNA feat. Phoebe Bridgers

Artist: MUNA

Song: Silk Chiffon

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  California, United States

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: I’m glad Phoebe Bridgers collaborated with MUNA on this great tune because I would probably have missed it otherwise, as I wasn’t aware of that music trio until now. Silk Chiffon is a catchy indie pop song with a nice 90s rock vibe, particularly during the intro. It might not be a groundbreaking track but it is deeply enjoyable. At the end of the day, that’s really what matters.

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The Break Plans – Sad Sometimes

Artist: The Break Plans

Song: Sad Sometimes

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  New Jersey, United States

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: Last December, New Jersey band The Break Plans was featured here with their catchy single Crossroads. They’re back now with an introspective song about battling your own demons and the fact that it is absolutely OK to feel sad from time to time. It is the first track self-produced by them and even though Sad Sometimes got a slightly different vibe to their previous songs, it still manages to keep The Break Plans‘ essence intact. Writing honest and authentic songs is always the way to go, even if that means getting out of your comfort zone. I got no doubt The Break Plans are headed in the right direction.

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The Guidance – I Didn’t Mean That

Artist: The Guidance

Song: I Didn’t Mean That

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  Los Angeles, United States

Release date: October, 2021

CommentI Didn’t Mean That is a hypnotic track with a playful melody and a lush electronic background. Sadly, it is also intertwined with a heartbreaking story. Stefan Pruett, aka The Guidance, suddenly passed away shortly after completing his debut album, which his family and collaborators have decided to release next year as a tribute to both his life and work. Stefan had a congenital heart diseases and he was aware he was not going to be around for much longer, which is reflected in the lyrics of this lovely track, with themes such as a regret and fear. It is remarkable that The Guidance was able to make music until the end. In a way, he reminded us how precious every second we are alive is.

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Anna Shoemaker ft. Middle Part – It’s Depression

Anna Shoemaker ft. Middle Part

Artist: Anna Shoemaker

Song: It’s Depression

Genres:  #indierock #alternativerock

Location: New York, United States

Release date: October, 2021.

Comment: If Brooklyn-based musician Middle Part sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because he was featured here back in January. This time, though, he’s supporting fellow Brooklyn-based indie artist Anna Shoemaker with her second single, the bold and infectious It’s Depression. This ode to overthinking will be part of Anna’s forthcoming debut album, scheduled for early next year, and positions her as an alternative artist to watch. Stay tuned.

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for KING & COUNTRY – Relate

Artist: for KING & COUNTRY

Song: Relate

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: August, 2021.

Comment: Nashville-based duo for KING & COUNTRY is formed by Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. I wasn’t aware of them even though they have won 4 Grammy awards for contemporary Christian music, but I listened to their latest single, Relate, and found it quite catchy. With a theme focused on empathy and how we can all relate to each other, it’s easy to feel compelled by the lyrics too. This track will not change your life but it is a very enjoyable song nevertheless. Enjoy!

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Alice Merton – Island

Artist: Alice Merton

Song: Island

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Berlin, Germany

Release date: September, 2021

Comment: I don’t know much about this German-born Irish-Canadian #singersongwriter. She achieved notoriety around 2018 with her hit No Roots but I can’t say I liked it that much. Last month, Alice Merton dropped two songs that should be part of her forthcoming sophomore album: Hero and Island. Hero is the one that got a music video recorded but Island is the track that caught my attention. I really dig it and that’s why I wanted to share it here. Hope you enjoy it as well.

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Sylvan Esso – Funeral Singers

Sylvan Esso - Funeral Singers

Artist: Sylvan Esso

Song: Funeral Singers

Genres:  #folktronica

Location: North Carolina, United States

Release date: September, 2018.

Comment: One of my favorite tracks in Third Eye Blind’s new album, which we have discussed before, is Funeral Singers, which I thought was an original song until the band shared their influences for the new album on instagram and one of them was Sylvan Esso‘s Funeral Singers. It turns out that Sylvan Esso‘s version is also a cover, with the original being from experimental rock band Califone. Each version is different but if I had to pick just one, I think I’d choose Sylvan Esso‘s. There’s something about lead singer Amelia Meath‘s voice and the acoustic strums in the background that I find mesmerizing.

If, like me, you were not aware of Sylvan Esso before, I hope you enjoy this cover from 2018 (which features American musical ensemble Collections of Colonies of Bees) as much as I do.

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in earnest – i feel alone even if i’m not

in earnest

Artist: in earnest

Song: i feel alone even if i’m not

Genres:  #indiefolk

Location: Southend on Sea, United Kingdom

Influences: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers.

Release date: October, 2021.

Comment: Regular visitors to T.A.M. should already be familiar with indie trio in earnest, as they have been featured here a couple of times before. They are back now with their sophomore EP, reasons to stay alive, which is also their most artistically ambitious project to date. It is a six-track record with no gaps between songs that you could listen to on an infinite loop. Ideally, you would listen to the EP from beginning to end but if I had to choose just one song, then it would be I feel alone even if I’m not because of its haunting melody and emotional vocals. If you’re looking for some music to listen to during some alone time, you just found it.

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Chxrlotte – Hey?

ArtistChxrlotte

Song: Hey?

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Brighton, United Kingdom

Release date: June, 2021

Comment: Ukulele-based indie folk music is hardly a novel idea, but when it is done well and has a compelling melody, who cares? That’s exactly the case with Hey?, the latest single from British #singersongwriter Chxrlotte, a talented young artist with a bright future that you should check out.

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Far West – Make It Up

Artist: Far West

Song: Make It Up

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location: Santa Cruz, United States

Release date: June, 2021

Influences: The 1975, The Cure

CommentMake It Up feels like the soundtrack to the memories of your most cherished summer holidays. According to Ryan Settles, aka Far West, it is a song about “trying to forget the bad and relishing in the good”. He played all the instruments and produced the track in hi garage in Santa Cruz, but the track’s aesthetics are so good that you would think it was recorded at some fancy studio. Definitely check this song out. You’ll have fun!

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