Tag: Music

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“Not Ready Yet” by Sean Magwire

"Not Ready Yet" by Sean Magwire
"Not Ready Yet" by Sean Magwire

Artist: Sean Magwire

Song: Not Ready Yet

Genres: #indiefolk

Influences: The Beatles, Coldplay, Simon & Garfunkel

Location: Worcester, United States

Release date: November, 2024

Comment: I always knew that making a good song people would want to listen to was hard, but having this blog and listening to countless submitted tracks has made me realize that it is even harder than I thought. You could be the best lyricist in the world and have the perfect voice for your type of music, and still make music that falls flat. And that’s especially true for singer-songwriters who play music with a guitar, because that field is so crowded that it’s quite challenging to stand out. It really requires a special song, and that, my friends, is exactly what we have here with “Not Ready Yet” by Sean Magwire.

Sean not only has a great voice for folksy songs and a knack for writing fantastic lyrics, but he can also compose compelling melodies that stick everything together like glue. That’s the first thing that grabs your attention with “Not Ready Yet.” But then you start noticing the details, like a harmonica here and there, and paying attention to the lyrics and the way Sean conveys the message of not wanting to give up despite the feeling of despair that comes from being part of a rat race chasing the American Dream. You can’t help but appreciate what a great tune it is.

Growing up in Indiana, Sean’s passion for music originated from his father, who was also a talented musician, and the music he listened to at home, like The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. However, it wasn’t until he heard Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ that Sean felt the urge to write his own music. Twenty years later, Sean has garnered attention over the last few years as more and more people have started to notice how talented he is, including winning multiple songwriting contests such as Song of the Year (Lennon Award) for Folk in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Now he’s planning to release a new solo album in early 2025, for which ‘Not Ready Yet’ is the second single.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“Stateline” by Nathan Ball

"Stateline” by Nathan Line
"Stateline” by Nathan Ball

Artist: Nathan Ball

Song: Stateline

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom

Release date: July, 2024

Comment: Nathan Ball is a singer-songwriter whose music strikes a balance between classic songwriting and experimental sounds. Based in Cornwall, his connection to nature deeply influences his work, including within the house genre, as he’s worked with the British electronica act Faithless and is touring with them as their vocalist. He’s also about to release an EP as a solo artist, Lost Track of Time, and if all its tracks are like “Stateline“, we’re in for a treat.

“Stateline” is a beautiful track Nathan wrote while touring in Australia. You can really feel the essence of life on the road in it – the dusty roads and new faces. Nathan’s lyrics draw on the story of Icarus, and the song has this nostalgic, coming-of-age vibe that’s both uplifting and grounding. The music itself is considerably warm with jangly guitars and solid percussion that wraps you up in its atmosphere. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“It goes” by The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara

"It Goes" by The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara
"It goes" by The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara

Artist: The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara

Song: It goes

Genres: #alternativerock

Location:  London, United Kingdom

Release date: September, 2024

Comment:  I’m coming back from holidays with a new gem from old friends of T.A.M., The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara (if you’re not familiar with their work, I’ve written about them before here and here), which consists of Daphne Ang (Singapore) and Andrea Papi (Italy). The last time they appeared here was 3 years ago, but they hadn’t gone anywhere. They have been releasing new music consistently at an impressive rate, but it was usually a tad heavy for this blog. That changed with “It goes”, which relies on a mesmerizing blend of classical guitar, cellos and the evocative vocals of Andrea (Daphne usually delivers the vocals for their tracks).

The lyrics delve into themes of existentialism and the human condition. As Daphne and Andrea shared, “This song is about working all your life for something that is never going to be yours.” “It goes” comes accompanied by a striking music video, produced by the duo’s visual and video production entity: TCOMAS Studio, that contains AI-generated lifelike scenes of cinematic quality.

“It goes” is the fourth single off ORIGINS, TCOMAS forthcoming new album, the third in four years, which will be dropping in November. If you’re a fan of creative art, particularly if you enjoy heavy guitars as well, you should definitely pre-save it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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“Morning Light” by Jakob Longfield

"Morning Light” by Jakob Longfield
"Morning Light” by Jakob Longfield

Artist: Jakob Longfield, Finn, Prince of Whales

Song: Morning Light

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Tübingen, Germany

Release date: August, 2024

Comment: Jakob Longfield, a promising artist from the south of Germany, crossed the Alps in the summer of 2023. The magical experience, which he describes as one of the happiest and most intense times of his life, inspired him to write and record “Morning Light,” featured on his latest EP, “Of Daydreams And Letting Go.” In this track, the talented singer-songwriter conveys the essence of a day of hiking and the tranquility and inner peace transmitted by nature. He used recordings made during his trip, such as the sound of birds, footsteps, rain and waterfalls. Combined with Jakob’s hypnotic vocals, these elements result in a beautiful and entrancing song.

“Morning Light” was co-written by Finn, Prince of Whales, who gets extra points for the clever moniker and also appears on the track. Together, Jakob and Finn recorded and produced the entire EP, and you can tell the care and dedication they put into it. From using real instruments rather than digital tools to writing genuine and heartfelt lyrics about Jakob’s experiences and dreams, the craftsmanship is unparalleled. If there were such a thing as artisanal music, this would be its definition. Listen to this track here:

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“Mosaic” by Manatee Commune

"Mosaic" by Manatee Commune
"Mosaic" by Manatee Commune

Artist: Manatee Commune

Song: Mosaic

Genres: #electronic #House

Location: Seattle, United States

Influences: Caribou, Four Tet, John Hopkins

Release date: June, 2024.

Comment: Manatee Commune is the brainchild of Grant Eadie, a versatile musician from the Pacific Northwest. He has been releasing music under this moniker since 2012. After some initial success, which included a feature on NPR, the pressure to continue growing his audience, a focus on his professional career, and the impact of Covid meant that his output in recent years hasn’t been as frequent as he would have liked. Fortunately for us, last year, Grant’s creative spark became too strong to ignore, leading to the release of ‘Simultaneity,’ his brand new album, just last month.

Eadie’s music is shaped by his love for field recordings, classical music training, and an interest in the entrancing nature of dance. This blend of influences allows him to create a sound that spans ambient, downtempo, house, and bass genres. His serene yet intricate style offers a unique mix of relaxation and creativity, and a great example of this is “Mosaic,” the second single from “Simultaneity,” a track I could listen to on a loop for weeks..

The song opens with a soft, dreamlike atmosphere that slowly builds into a more upbeat, bass-driven section, offering a varied and immersive listening journey. The contrast between the calm and more vibrant sections makes the listening experience all the more captivating. Check it out below!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Electronic

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“Sia” by The 93

"Sia" by The 93
"Sia" by The 93

Artist: The 93

Song: Sia

Genres: #dreamrock #alternativerock

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Release date: July, 2024

Comment: I got COVID about a month ago, and it left me with a lingering cough that has been really, really annoying. It has barely let me do anything other than rest due to the headache coughing so often gives me, but I had to come and write about the new single from one of my favorite post-rock/dream-rock acts: The 93. First of all, it had been two years since I last wrote about them (time flies!), and secondly, this track shows how the duo’s sound has evolved without losing the characteristics that define them.

“Sia” does not sound like anything the brothers Mazur have released before, but it still sounds like them. It has the enchanting instrumentation and atmospheric guitar lines we have come to expect from The 93, but with stronger, less ethereal vocals and some traces of a Phil Collins/Genesis influence. They started working on this song in 2018, but they hadn’t been able to finish it until this year. I’m glad they did.

The 93 are planning to release one more song this year, and I, for one, can’t wait to listen to it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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“Maya” by Rushkeys

"Maya" by Rushkeys
"Maya" by Rushkeys

Artist: Rushkeys

Song: Maya

Genres: #chillout #downtempo

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Release date: June, 2024.

Comment: Lithuanian downtempo artist Rushkeys first appeared here last December. On that occasion, he was featured for a remix he did of another artist’s track. This time, he’s here with a completely original song that is just as good, if not better. “Maya” is a reflection of Rushkeys evolution as a musician, drawing from influences such as Bonobo and incorporating his passion for nature and organic soundscapes.

“Maya” is a word with multiple meanings depending on the language and the context. In Sanskrit, it can mean magic or illusion, and that is the meaning Rushkeys had in mind when he named this enchanting track, as that’s the experience he wants listeners to have. With its stunning fusion of ambient layers, global music influences, rhythmic beats, and natural textures; it’s easy to see why.

Rushkeys, real name Domas Ruškys, is talented enough to become the next Parra for Cuva or Bonobo, making “Maya” a must-listen for any downtempo enthusiast.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Chill Out

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“Some things never change is inevitable” by Former Lives

"Some things never change is inevitable" by Former Lives

Artist: Former Lives

Song: Some things never change is inevitable

Genres: #indierock #shoegaze

Location: Burlington, Vermont, United States

Release date: June, 2024

Comment: Shoegaze pop/rock isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you, then you’re going to love today’s featured song. “Some things never change is inevitable” is a melancholic indie gem for introspective listeners. It delves into themes of loneliness and perseverance, using a childhood asthma experience in Colorado as a powerful metaphor. Its long title might make you think it is a new track from Fall Out Boy, but it is actually the newest single from Vermont-based act, Former Lives.

Former Lives was started by Sean Joseph Klassen and his dog, Bruce Beagle, as a way to cope with a life-altering brain injury. The act itself is a “love letter to overdriven guitars, analog synthesizers, and arcane pop music,” and that’s exactly what you get on their new track. Between the distorted guitars and Klassen’s introspective vocals, listening to “Some things never change is inevitable” feels like floating through a dreamscape of bittersweet memories. It’s a really enjoyable track.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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“Homebound” by SATRE

"Homebound” by SATRE

Artist: SATRE

Song: Homebound

Genres: #indiefolk

Influences: The Lumineers, Bon Iver

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: May, 2024

Comment: In 2018, Swedish musician SATRE took a leap of faith, leaving his homeland to chase his musical dreams in the bustling heart of London. He honed his skills as a street performer, belting out tunes in iconic locations like Trafalgar Square (you can even find some videos on his YouTube channel!). His dedication paid dividends, and in 2022, he started releasing his own music. This month, he dropped a gem called “Homebound,” an uplifting folk-pop track that will have you digging into his back catalogue in no time.

“Homebound” evokes the same sun-soaked vibes as Vance Joy, The Lumineers, and The Strumbellas, thanks to its jangly guitars and banjo flourishes. But SATRE’s got a distinct, husky voice and a personal touch that give him his own sound. The lyrics paint a picture-perfect road trip with loved ones, all wrapped in a catchy melody that’s impossible to resist.

If you’re a fan of feel-good folk-pop, SATRE is an artist you need on your radar. “Homebound” is a fantastic introduction, and with more music on the way, he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“Swayze” by Smallpools

"Swayze" by Smallpools

Artist: Smallpools

Song: Swayze

Genres: #indierock #indiepop

Location: L.A & Nashville, United States

Release date: April, 2024

Comment: Smallpools have been featured here twice before, both times for some exceptional covers. This time, though, they’re here with an original song, the heavily 80s-influenced (as hinted by the track’s name) “Swayze,” and it is a banger.

Using elements from 80s music in modern tracks is far from unique, but doing so to complement an infectious melody and great vocals can really bring everything to the next level, and that’s exactly what Smallpools did here. You don’t have to be a fan of 80s music to enjoy this track, but if you are, it doesn’t get any better than this.

“Swayze” is the opening track of the band’s new EP “Ghost Town Road (East),” with a full-length album expected later this year.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Indie
  • Pop