Tag: Music

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Rise Against – Nowhere Generation

Formed in 1999, Rise Against has been one of the most revered and influential #punkrock bands of the last 20 or so years, often singing about political injustice, animal rights, environmentalism and other social issues. That being said, I got to admit that I’ve never been a big fan of their music. It is usually too hardcore for me. This is why the fact that I liked their latest single –and first since 2017–, Nowhere Generation, so much actually means something. I guess longtime fans of the band will consider it too mellow or ‘mainstream’ for their liking, but one person’s loss is another person’s gain.

Don’t get me wrong though, Nowhere Generation got plenty of oomph. From the moment frontman’s Tim McIlrath starts singing the overture to the moment the full band starts playing, the song’s energy level is never too low. The track is a tribute to the current generation, which despite technological prowess , does not have the same opportunities previous generations had for achieving the ‘American dream’. The combination of the song’s message with the catchy melody results in a powerful track well worth a listen. Perhaps even on repeat mode.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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Wolf Alice – Bros

Two days ago, on my post about Moon Museum, I compared their single to Bros from Wolf Alice, so, naturally, it makes sense to feature that track as this week’s #ThrowbackThursday entry. Bros was released initially as a demo in 2013 but the British band included a reworked version in their debut album, My Love Is Cool, in 2015, and re-released Bros as its second single. A tribute to childhood friendships –as evidenced by its music video, which you can watch below–, it was the only song from that album to enter the main UK Singles chart. With its soft guitar riffs and lead singer’s Ellie Rowsell‘s sweet vocals, Bros is, without a doubt, a great indie track.

Formed originally as an acoustic duo in 2010, Wolf Alice quickly became a fully-fledged alternative rock band. They have released two studio albums since then and are about to drop their third one in June. Three of the new songs are available already and they sound really nice. While we wait for the rest of the new album to drop, let’s enjoy Bros again.

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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YumeMike – Dream Out Loud

YumeMike

Yume means ‘dream’ in Japanese and that is the reason why YumeMike chose that moniker, even though he’s actually Italian. He grew up playing bass in multiple #punkrock bands but, as a solo artist, he traded the bass for synths, creating an interesting variant of #indiepop with a strong #poppunk flavour. He cites The Naked And Famous and The Killers as influences, but if you want to have an idea of what he sounds like, think Owl City meets Angels & Airwaves. YumeMike’s ‘dream’ is to inspire and elicit warm feelings through his music. If you like positive messages, this is the artist for you.

Dream Out Loud is part of YumeMike‘s debut album, Light In The Mirror, released in February but that he started working on back in 2019. The track is perfectly on-brand with the artist’s style of uplifting synthpop music but I have to say that the overall production/musical arrangement is really impressive considering he worked on it alone. In fact, YumeMike just released an instrumental version of his debut album that is just as good too. This Italian artist is seriously talented and deserves to be on our radars. Check him out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Jackfruit – stuck in ohio

Jackfruit is the moniker of Jack Braun, a 19 year old musician from NYC. He plays mostly piano and writes all of his music, getting help from Zach Benson on the mixing and production fronts. Jack’s musical style is basically bedroom pop –literally recorded in his childhood bedroom–, which may or may not be your cup of tea, but you’ll surely find his lyrics very interesting. Jack started making music during the start of the pandemic and released his debut EP earlier this year: when they find your body, which consists of four tracks, out of which the most popular one is gas leak with 4 times as many streams as the one in second place. That being said, the song that really stood out for me was stuck in ohio.

The thing that really attracted me to stuck in ohio was how vulnerable Jack’s delivery is on it. A song about an unrequited love, it feels like Jack really means every word coming out of his mouth. This is not a track to dance to or for karaoke night. It is a song to be felt and that’s the beauty in this piece from Jackfruit. I don’t know what the future holds for this talented artist, but it will be fascinating to find out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Paris Youth Foundation – Tired Of Loving You

Unfortunately, I was unable to post anything in the past two days but I hope to make it up to you by featuring the latest single from one of the best indie bands out there today: Paris Youth Foundation. Despite what the band’s name might lead you to think, they are actually from Liverpool, UK, and if you are not familiar with their music, you’ve been missing out. Frontman Kevin Potter chose their name just before the release of their debut single in 2016 after a graffiti he saw in the French capital when he was a child. They have never released a full-length album but they have quite a few singles and I’m yet to find one I dislike. They know how to write a good hook and a catchy chorus.

Tired Of Loving You is no exception. A perfect indie rock song that is anthemic and nostalgic at the same time. Potter explains that the tune is about being in a relationship that lasts longer than it should just because people are too scared to admit that it might be over. As is to be expected from a Paris Youth Foundation song, Tired Of Loving You got a really captivating chorus that gets stuck in your head. Do check it out below and enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie
  • Pop

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Police Car Collective – Mine

Police Car Collective

If you like The 1975 or Neon Trees, you will love Mine then because it got the same vibes. And if that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps knowing that it was inspired by The Perks of Being a Wallflower (the book, but if you only know the movie, that’s close enough) will do the trick. It is just Police Car Collective‘s second single, which clearly indicates the potential this young band has, and will be part of the band’s upcoming debut EP.

Police Car Collective was formed in Liverpool a little over a year ago by two friends: Tyler Plazio and Simon Quigley. However, Tyler, the lead singer, is originally from Washington and moved across the pond after graduating high school while trying to figure out his next step. It was during that point in time that he wrote Mine, reflecting on the life he was leaving behind and the one he was just starting. Fortunately, that decision to move to the UK led to meting Simon and form this band, because I’m sure we will keep getting more great tunes from Police Car Collective. Bring them on!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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The Camel City Blackouts – Another Night

Ryan Sizemore and Derek Gilreath are both from Winston-Salem, North Carolina –also known as “The Camel City”–with a shared love for punk rock and having a good time. This prompted them to form their own band in 2015, The Camel City Blackouts, with their debut album being published in late 2019. This year, they released an EP titled 13 that consists of 2 tracks: Angels and Another Night, plus an acoustic version of the latter. All in all, this EP showcases what The Camel City Blackouts are about.

Another Night is a fun and energetic punk song about being addicted to something (alcohol, in particular) and not being able to keep it under control. The Camel City Blackouts grab your attention from the start with this track and never let it go. What I really like about Another Night is that the band found the right balance between a vibrant rhythm and noise (which is something many punk songs don’t achieve), and the result is quite an enjoyable rock song delivered flawlessly. In addition to that, as you can perceive in their self-made music video below, it is evident that they have lots of fun playing music and that has a positive impact over what they do. Also, is it just me or there is a hint of The Strokes in this song? Anyway, don’t sleep on this fun band.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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The Aquaerials – Insomniac’s Respite

The Aquaerials - Insomniac's Respite

For most people, buying a house is an important achievement that requires plenty of sacrifices. For Michigan-based artist Mark Swanson, that meant selling all of his instruments (he had been playing music for years). Well, all but his keyboard, which he tried to sell as well but could not find a decent offer for it. A few years later, when Mark felt the itch to play music again, he had to use the only instrument he still had: the keyboard, which not only explains how The Aquaerials started but also his sound. Influenced by artists who should be familiar to regular readers such as Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter, and Sigur Rós; Mark creates minimalist neoclassical compositions that are simple yet beautiful.

Insomniac’s Respite, the latest single from The Aquaerials, is an instrumental piano piece that was inspired by sleeplessness and a general feeling of anxiety. However, being an instrumental piece, each listener can interpret it in a different way. Composed, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mark himself in his home studio, Insomniac’s Respite is a delicate track that is as serene as a lullaby. If you want to relax, this is the perfect track for you. Enjoy.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Relax

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Flawes – What’s A Boy To Do

British #altpop band Flawes have been around since 2016 but they didn’t release their debut album until early last year. Then the pandemic hit the world and changed everything. Rather than complaining about their tough luck, they embraced lockdown and went back to work, which resulted in a six-track EP called Reverie, which includes What’s A Boy To Do. Quite simply, this single is a stunning piece of uplifting indie pop.

After a brief acoustic intro, Flawes keeps things relatively quiet during the first verse before erupting into one of the catchiest choruses you will find in an alt-pop song this year. It could become a huge hit with proper airplay. What’s A Boy To Do is that good. Don’t miss it!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie
  • Pop

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Sum 41 – With Me

To me, there are two sides to Sum 41: a lighter, punk-rock embracing one and a darker, guitar-heavy, metal-flirting side. They used to oscillate from one side to another with each album but after switching to the darker side on the album that followed 2009’s excellent Underclass Hero, they seem to have decided to stay there. This coincides with the return of lead guitarist and founding member Dave Baksh to the band in 2013, after a 9-year break. They have released a handful of songs that I like during this time, but the above mentioned Underclass Hero was their last album I truly loved. What can I say? I don’t enjoy metal that much.

That record includes several standout tracks but I’ve decided to feature today one that I didn’t love right away. I don’t know why though, because With Me is truly a great song. As with a few other tracks from Underclass Hero, it’s likely based on frontman’s Deryck Whibley failing relationship with Avril Lavigne, his wife at the time. Besides Deryck’s ability to transmit his raw emotions, what sets this song apart is the great drum part from former band member Steve Jocz. It’s really hard to get those drums out of your head.

Anyway, here’s this week’s #ThrowbackThursday entry: With Me by Sum 41.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock