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.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

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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The 93 – Welcome

ArtistThe 93

Song: Welcome

Genres: #dreamrock #alternativerock

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Release date: December, 2021

Comment: It’s been a while –fourteen months, to be precise– since the last time incredibly talented band The 93 released new music, so I’m happy to report that they are back with a superb new track that certainly ticks all the boxes. Their sound is evolving without changing too much either. They still have their dreamy guitar lines and distinctive soundscapes we enjoy so much, but Welcome got full lyrics now delivered via muffled vocals that make you feel as if you were listening to the song in the middle of a dream. A dream about space travel.

Enjoy this Christmas present we got from brothers Mazur: The 93.

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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.

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Angara feat. Diana Goldberg – Escape

Artist: Angara

Song: Escape

Genres: #chillout #electronic

Location: Paris, France

Release date: May, 2021.

Comment: Mesmerizing house track from French duo Angara featuring German singer Diana Goldberg. Escape tells the story of young woman realizing that she’s not coping well with certain elements of her life. The electronic artist have released a few tracks this year and they are all worth your time. I highly recommend adding them to your music radar.

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The Trusted – Vellichor

Photo credit: Sweet Sugar Brown

Artist: The Trusted

Song: Vellichor

Genres: #indierock #altrock

Location:  Southend on Sea, United Kingdom

Release date: October, 2021

Comment: British band The Trusted are back with a new single, Vellichor, that is just as stunning as their previous one, Criminal. Vellichor is a word invented by John Koenig on The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows to define “the strange wistfulness of used bookstores“. That being said, the meaning the band gives to that word on this song is closer to the meaning of nostalgia. The guitar-led track showcases The Trusted‘s ability to write great rock songs and you can find it on the mixtapes below.

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