Tag: indie pop

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CR and the Nones – Judgement Day

Tom Gallo, the guy behind the Look At My Records! podcast and music blog, and his pal Nick Lafalce (who plays in the band Atlas Engine), have launched a new record label called Favorite Friend Records. Their first ever release is this lovely tune from Jersey City-based project, CR and the Nones, which is led by songwriter Chris Gennone, whose previous band, CR Ant The Degenerates, became popular around New Jersey.

Judgement Day will be part of CR and the Nones forthcoming album, Living In Fear. It is a sweet blend of folk and rock that results in a great melody that suits Chris’ vocals really well. The song talks about the experience of going through hardships and persevering in order to overcome them. If this song is a sign of what’s coming in the album, we should keep it in the radar because it is going to be a refreshing blast. This is a great start for both the band and Favorite Friend Records and we look forward to more music from them. Please check them out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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in earnest – Put Me Under

in earnest has the peculiarity of having not one but two lead singers: front-couple Sarah and Thomas, who are also the songwriters. As such, they aim for getting the listeners to connect with them through their honest and raw lyrics, in which they talk about their battles with mental illnesses, loneliness and other difficult subjects. This indie band from Southend-on-Sea, UK, is about to release its debut self-titled EP next month, but three of the tracks are available already, including the song we’re featuring today.

Put Me Under was written by Sarah, who also sings her heart out on this track. Talking about her struggles with anxiety and depression, her ethereal vocals are complemented outstandingly well by ambient soundscapes and acoustic guitars. With this song, in earnest managed to create a mesmerizing track that offers us just a glimpse of what they are capable of. Keep them on your radar and listen to their EP when it’s out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Lucy Eaton – Rotten Love

Lucy Eaton

As you may be aware now, the one condition I have for featuring songs here is that I have to genuinely like them. The bar is a bit higher for established musicians, but I can certainly say that I have liked every song featured so far. Sometimes, the decision isn’t easy. I’ve received songs from independent or up-and-coming artists that I don’t necessarily dislike, but do not love either; and then I have to ask for a 2nd opinion (usually my wife’s) just to make a decision. On the opposite side of that street, we have something far more unusual, which is hearing a song that I instantly like or even love. There’s something magical about those moments and it is a feeling I wish I could get every single day. Sadly, it is actually rare but the good news is that this happened to me with today’s song, Rotten Love, as it got a really enjoyable melody, a crisp production, great lyrics and sweet vocals. In short, it got the whole package.

It is scary to think that this piece is 21-year-old singer/songwriter Lucy Eaton‘s debut single. Can you imagine what she will be able to do with more experience? This talented artist was born and raised in Australia but then moved to California to study at UC Berkeley. There, she joined the songwriting club almost by chance and eventually became its vice-president, winning a few awards int he process. However, she never envisioned performing the pieces herself. That happened almost by chance but all the better for us because Lucy got a nice dulcet voice.

Musically, Rotten Love is a folksy ukulele-based tune, in the same vein as Grace VanderWaal when she won America’s Got Talent a few years back. Grace’s songs were good and catchy for somebody her age, but Rotten Love is just as catchy and got better lyrics. Even if you hate folk music and the sound of ukuleles, give this terrific song a chance. Lucy‘s talent cannot be denied.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Chloe Lilac – Douchebag

A metaphor is a great figure of speech, but sometimes, a direct approach can be just as good. Brooklyn-native Chloe Lilac didn’t have room for subtlety when she wrote “Douchebag,” her latest single and the title track from her sophomore EP. It’s not hard to guess what the track is about, but I bet Chloe felt cathartic relief when she wrote it. Melodically, it is a fun alt-pop track with a catchy chorus and a nice melody. If I had to summarize this tune in a few words, I’d simply say that it is a pop song with an attitude.

At just 18 years old, Chloe is barely getting started, yet it is obvious that she has a knack for writing hook-ridden songs. After growing up listening to the likes of Bowie and Joan Jett, she has the right influences for creating interesting music. If you like radio-friendly songs, then you’re in for a treat. Enjoy “Douchebag” below and have fun this weekend!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Funeral Lakes – Earth Falls

It is a commendable approach when musicians use their art to promote social change, instead of going through the beaten and commercially safe path of writing generic songs about having a good time or moving your body. Canadian indie-folk duo, Funeral Lakes, are an example of such artists, in their case focusing on our planet and environmental issues. Consisting of Sam Mishos and Chris Hemer, this quirky act has released just last week a follow-up EP, Golden Season, to their eponymous debut album from last year. You can read a good review of this EP here.

My favorite track in Golden Season is Earth Falls, which, as its name hints at, talks about the destruction of our planet, and with everything going on at the moment with California’s wildfires (and earlier this year with Australia’s), it cannot be more relevant. Musically, the contrast between Sam and Chris’ voices during their interplay is a nice touch that draws you in, and it gets complemented very well with a pleasant melody and a neat chorus. Earth Falls is an enjoyable track, no doubt about it, but the fact that it is also meaningful makes it even better. Check it out below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Sigur Rós – Hoppípolla

Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla

Continuing with yesterday’s topic of Icelandic artists, for this week’s #throwbackthursday entry we have this classic song from Sigur Rós: Hoppípolla. You’ve probably heard it hundreds of times even unknowingly, as its piano-based melody has been used multiple times in TV ads and music festivals. It was even used on BBC‘s Planet Earth documentary. However, it is so good that it is well deserving of its ubiquity. It certainly has a relaxing and soothing vibe that makes it almost impossible to get tired of it.

Many, if not all, of the songs from this band led by Jónsi have lyrics on Vonlenska, also known as Hopelandic, which is a “language” invented by Sigur Rós that resembles Icelandic but has no semantic meaning at all. The idea is that the listeners give the songs whatever meaning they want to give them. Hoppípolla is no exception to this and I think that makes it even better, as it cannot get more universal than that.

The band, who appeared on an episode of Games Of Thrones singing The Rains Of Castamere (Sansa and Joffrey‘s wedding), is currently on a hiatus. They have had some legal issues recently and Jónsi has just released his second solo album after 10 years. Hopefully, they will make new music as a band pretty soon.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy once more this classic tune.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Ólafur Arnalds feat. JFDR – Back To The Sky

Icelandic artist Ólafur Arnalds is one of my favorite composers still active. His last album, re:member (2018), was outstanding, for which he even invented a ground-breaking musical system called Stratus. If you have seen the British TV show, Broadchurch, then you are familiar with Ólafur’s work because he composed its gorgeous soundtrack. He started to get noticed when he supported Sigur Rós during one of their tours in 2008. All in all, I think it is safe to say that he is a brilliant multi-instrumentalist.

Ólafur is preparing a new album for November but he has already delighted us with a couple of new tracks. Back To The Sky is one of them but the peculiar thing about it is that it is closer to an indie song than to anything else. To begin with, it is a collaboration with Icelandic singer, JFDR, so it got lyrics and beautiful vocals. Listening to this song is similar to floating in the air. From the flawless instrumentation to JFDR‘s hypnotic voice, everything in it feels like part of a dream. Please don’t wake me up.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Bea Bitter – Serpent

Bea Bitter is the stage name of Brenna Kassis as a solo artist, given that she’s also part of indie-rock band, Ill Spector. This prolific singer/songwriter hails from Nashville, TN; is preparing her debut EP, which will be titled The Lull Before The End Of The World; and has released two singles so far this year. Serpent, the most recent one, dropped just two weeks ago.

Brenna got a sweet voice that is perfect for indie folk songs just like Serpent. With a playful melody driven by a solid bass line, this single talks about wanting that person you are infatuated with to have the same feelings about you, something we can all relate to. Overall, Bea Bitter got the talent to write and perform entrancing songs that can crawl through your mind like a real snake. This gorgeous tune is just exhibit A. You’ll see.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Maro – Carsick

Today’s song lies in the gray area between alternative/bedroom pop and groovy, mainstream music, the kind you can find in any popular radio station. In this case, that is not a bad thing. Carsick is so catchy and Maro‘s vocals are so good, that you simply won’t be able to help enjoy this tune. The impressive thing is that this talented Lebanese artist is just 19 years old.

As is commonplace nowadays, Maro started with a Youtube channel, uploading covers of popular tracks. Before long, he started to get noticed to the point that last year alone, he got over 28 million views. Carsick is his first original track and I wouldn’t be even remotely surprised if it became a big hit. It depends on a bit of luck as well, but I like his chances.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Jacko Hooper – Beg, Steal or Borrow

Jacko Hooper

Not all artists are able to transmit their raw emotions when they sing, but those who can make the whole listening experience a thousand times better. Jacko Hooper is one of them and Beg, Steal or Borrow, which is one of the singles he has released so far in 2020, a great example of that. You can almost feel the sense of despair Jacko would go through if anything bad happened to the person he wrote this beautiful indie folk song for.

This musician from Brighton, UK, started out in 2012 when he released his debut EP and started a Youtube channel, which today has close to 7k subscribers. After more EPs and tours, including performances with the likes of James Blunt and James Bay, Jacko got successful enough to even run one of the leading independent promotions companies and boutique record labels of Southern England, Folklore Sessions.

If you like artist like Damien Rice or Glen Hansard, please do check Jacko Hooper out. It will be right up your alley.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie