Tag: music review

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“Stardust” by Cary Brothers

"Stardust" by Cary Brothers

Artist: Cary Brothers

Song: Stardust

Genres: #indie

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: I recently watched the movie A Good Person, written and directed by Zach Braff, who also wrote and directed Garden State, whose award-winning soundtrack has been referred to on multiple occasions here. There is a pivotal scene in the movie in which the main character, played by the scene-stealing Florence Pugh, attends a concert and the song being played when she arrives really grabbed my attention. It turned out to be “Stardust” by Cary Brothers, a singer-songwriter -Brothers is his surname- who was also featured on the soundtrack of, you guessed it, Garden State.

Stardust is a moody indie track that is simply stunning. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“Primary Colors” by Baseball Game

"Primary Colors" by Baseball Game

Artist: Baseball Game

Song: Primary Colors

Genres: #indierock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: “Primary Colors” by Baseball Game is a catchy, upbeat anthem about finding hope in the midst of uncertainty. The song begins with a simple guitar riff that quickly builds into a driving beat. The vocals are clear and powerful, and the lyrics are inspiring and hopeful. The song is a perfect example of Baseball Game‘s unique sound, which blends elements of indie rock, pop, and electronic music.

The band started in 2019 and consists of Adam (vocals, guitar), Jason (guitar, production), and Ben (bass). The name “Baseball Game” came from a story from Adam’s childhood. When he was in T-ball, he played in the championship game. His team lost, and afterward he went to the wrong dugout. The other team sprayed him with red Kool-Aid and told him to get out because he didn’t belong there. Adam and Jason felt like this story was a metaphor for their band. They felt like their songs were very individual and didn’t necessarily fit together or belong.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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“Hey My Love” by Evermore

"Hey My Love" by Evermore

Artist: Evermore

Song: Hey My Love

Genres: #indierock

Location: Feilding, New Zealand

Release date: October, 2012

Comment: Today is #ThrowbackThursday, and we’re featuring Evermore’s song “Hey My Love.” For those who may not be familiar, Evermore was a New Zealand band that was relatively popular in their home country and Australia but not as well-known in Europe or America. They released their last album, Follow the Sun, in 2012. It was full of excellent tracks, including “Hey My Love,” a beautiful ballad that showcases the band’s ability to create emotional and heartfelt music. The song’s lyrics tell the story of longing and love, and the melody is both haunting and captivating. If you haven’t heard of Evermore before, “Hey My Love” is a great introduction to their music. It’s how I was introduced to their catalog. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Evermore consisted of three brothers: Jon, Peter, and Dann Hume. All three of them pursued their own careers after breaking up the band in 2014, mainly as songwriters and music producers. For example, Jon co-wrote the award-winning song “Hurtless,” performed by Dean Lewis. Evermore was a truly talented band.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Sylvan Weekends – Every Day

“Every Day” by Sylvan Weekends

Artist: Sylvan Weekends

Song: Outliers

Genres: #indie

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: May, 2023

Comment: Sylvan Weekends’ “Every Day” is a beautiful track that explores the scope of tiny details that it takes to truly get to know someone. The song is about the doubts and pessimism that come with getting to know someone. The lyrics are certainly thought-provoking and the song features beautiful harmonies and a catchy melody that draws the listener in.


The track is part of Sylvan Weekends’ debut EP “Outliers” which was released this month. The EP is a whistle-stop tour through the human condition – exploring the human psyche through every track and lyric. Nobody fits perfectly into one box and neither does their music. The EP features four other tracks: “Symmetry”, “Young & Freewheeling”, “Outliers” and “185”, with each one of them exploring different aspects of life and the human condition.

All in all, this is a stunning debut. I feel that if you enjoy bands like The Strumbellas, you will love Sylvan Weekends.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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M83 – Amnesia

"Amnesia" by M83

Artist: M83

Song: Silent Type

Genres: #indie

Location: Antibes, France

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: M83‘s latest album ‘Fantasy’ is a beautifully crafted, dreamlike soundscape that takes inspiration from ’80s shoegaze and film soundtracks. The album is a huge, fizzing world of sound that’s designed to feel as awe-inspiring as possible. Anthony Gonzalez’s haunting voice invites the listener to embrace the darkness and sadness in the lyrics.

One standout single from the album is “Amnesia,” a nostalgic and upbeat journey that features reverb-laden guitar riffs, soft synths, and the haunting vocals mentioned above. The track is a perfect representation of the album’s overall sound, with its sugary, dreamlike feel that’s entirely welcoming. The dreamy instrumentation creates a captivating and immersive listening experience.

All in all, “Amnesia” is a must-listen for fans of M83’s previous work and those looking for a new, dreamy sound to get lost in. While Anthony Gonzalez may have intentionally turned away from commercialism with this album (after the massive success he had with “Midnight City”), the songs remain as sugary and immersive as ever, drawing inspiration from the music he grew up on and the soundscapes of film and video game music.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Fastball – Fire Escape

"Fire Escape" by Fastball

Artist: Fastball

Song: Fire Escape

Genres: #alternativerock

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Release date: March, 1998

Comment: Without a doubt, “The Way” is the song Fastball are known for. It is certainly a great rock song and it was a huge megahit in 1998. However, as a #ThrowbackThursday entry, I wanted to put the spotlight on “Fire Escape”, a slightly lesser known single from the same masterful album: “All The Pain Money Can Buy”.

From the very first note, “Fire Escape” draws you in with its infectious energy and driving rhythm. The guitar riffs are crisp and clean, and the drums provide a steady beat that keeps you moving along. The song’s lyrics are insightful and introspective, touching on the challenges of finding one’s true identity and the struggle to be true to oneself in a world that often expects conformity. The music video, which you can watch below, is also hilarious.

Overall, “Fire Escape” is a standout track that showcases Fastball‘s unique style and talent. Let’s keep playing this gem of a song.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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18 by Jonah Kagen

18 by Jonah Kagen
18 by Jonah Kagen

Artist: Jonah Kagen

Song: 18

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Release date: April, 2023

Comment: 18 by Jonah Kagen is a heartfelt and emotional exploration of the ups and downs of young love. With his acoustic-driven sound and honest lyrics, Kagen captures the essence of falling in love as a kid and the rollercoaster of emotions that often come with it.

As a talented singer and songwriter, Kagen brings a level of depth and authenticity to his music that is truly captivating. His passion for the acoustic guitar and finger-style technique is evident in his music, and it’s clear that he is dedicated to creating something special for his listeners.

Following his debut EP, ‘georgia got colder,‘ Kagen has already made a name for himself in the music industry, with over 130+ million global streams, a US tour supporting Maisie Peters, and nearly 2 million Spotify monthly listeners. He was even included on Shazam‘s 2023 predictions list, cementing his status as an artist on the rise.

Don’t miss this heartfelt and sweet single.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie