Crusoe – Goodmorning

Crusoe - Goodmorning
Crusoe - Goodmorning

Artist: Crusoe

Song: Goodmorning

Genres: #electronicmusic

Location: Unknown

Release date: February, 2023

Comment: There’s an American band called Crusoe that has a song I quite like, called “Standing on Lightning”. However, I’m not referring to them today. Instead, I’m talking about an electronic music act that goes by the same name. The Apple Music algorithm recommended them to me, assuming they were the same band, but that was not the case. Unfortunately, there’s not much information about this electronic art: it has no bio on Spotify, no official website, and Google cannot help much due to a certain literary character that shares the same name.

Crusoe got an instagram account and, based on information in the video below on YouTube, the artist’s real name appears to be Laurens Boeve. However, that’s about all the information available. What I can tell you, though, is that Crusoe is a special talent. Just listen to ‘Goodmorning,’ the last track on their ‘A Revived Love For Life’ EP. Do you hear the whale vocalizations in the background? It certainly sounds like them, and I find it really cool. Just check it out and let me know.

Kylo – Rerun

Kylo - Rerun
Photo Credit: Nic Schoppet

Artist: Kylo

Song: Rerun

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your playlist, let me introduce you to Kylo. She’s an up-and-coming electro-pop sensation from Toronto, Ontario, known for her captivating and innovative sound. Her music blends catchy melodies with experimental elements, creating an interesting musical experience that’s catching the attention of audiences around the world.

Kylo‘s enchanting vocals, enhanced by entrancing, layered echoes, add an extra layer of intrigue to her already mesmerizing tracks. If you’re looking for fresh, innovative pop music, “Rerun” is definitely worth checking out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Fudge Dummy – Take Me

Fudge Dummy - Take Me

Artist: Fudge Dummy

Song: Take Me

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Australia/United Kingdom

Release date: March, 2023

Comment:  Fudge Dummy‘s new single “Take Me” is a catchy and upbeat track that combines elements of indie, disco, and rock/post-punk. The duo, who describe themselves as an “internet band,” have a unique and experimental sound that draws comparisons to legendary acts like Blondie and Kraftwerk. “Take Me” follows a familiar plea for company on the dance floor, with disco beats, a carrying synth, and an 80’s electric solo that oozes nostalgia.

The duo wrote and recorded “Take Me” over a weekend in Northern England, locking themselves away in a sleepy town surrounded by rolling fields and stone walls. The result is a track that’s both infectious and charming, with a lively energy that’s sure to get people moving. Fudge Dummy’s success began with their hit track “Rocky Hill,” which received airplay on BBC Radio 1 and landed them a spot on BBC Introducing’s “Best of the Year” list in 2022. With an upcoming EP on the horizon and a sync deal with Stone Rolla Songs, Fudge Dummy’s “Take Me” is just the latest in a string of impressive singles from this exciting and innovative band.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Circa Waves – Carry You Home

Circa Waves - Carry You Home

Artist: Circa Waves

Song: Carry You Home

Genres: #indierock

Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Release date: November, 2022

Comment: Circa Waves is a British indie rock band formed in Liverpool in 2013. The band consists of Kieran Shudall (vocals, guitar), Joe Falconer (guitar), Sam Rourke (bass), and Colin Jones (drums). They burst onto the scene with their debut single “Get Away” in 2014 and have since released several albums and gained a loyal following.

On that note, their latest single “Carry You Home” showcases their ability to deliver catchy indie rock tunes with meaningful lyrics. With dreamy guitars, smooth melodies, and offbeat vocal emphasis, the track is a charming indie track that explores themes of masculinity and fatherhood with lyrics such as “And I’m supposed to be Superman, But I just cried in my hands”.

“Carry You Home” may not break new ground, but it’s still a solid addition to Circa Waves‘ discography and a must-listen for fans of indie rock.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Lizzie Esau – Jellyfish

Lizzie Esau - Jellyfish

Artist: Lizzie Esau

Song: Jellyfish

Genres: #altrock #singersongwriter

Location: Newcastle, United Kingdom

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: Lizzie Esau is just 23 but she must have grown up listening to alt-rock records from the 90s. If you listen to any of her singles (for example, “Bleak Sublime”), you will see what I mean. That said, the Newcastle-based singer-songwriter adds her own experimental touches to her music, making her stand out in the crowded music scene. “Jellyfish” is her exciting new single and it showcases her creativity with a fuzzy guitar riff and spoken-word vocals that lead into a soaring chorus. That chorus is everything! and along with the tempo variations and clever lyrics, they make “Jellyfish” truly a must-listen track.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Still Talk – Headcheck

Still Talk - Headcheck

Artist: Still Talk

Song: Headcheck

Genres: #alternativerock #punkrock

Influences: Avril Lavigne, Smash Mouth, The Hotelier

Location: Cologne, Germany

Release date: March, 2023

Comment: If you’re into alternative rock with a pop-punk twist and catchy hooks, you’ve got to check out Still Talk‘s single “Headcheck”, which will be part of the band’s upcoming debut album, appropriately called “St. Banger”. I love that this 5-piece band, fronted by Tanja Kührer, manages to balance different styles while keeping things fresh and energetic. “Headcheck” is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the friendships within the band. The track is great from the get-go, but that stripped-down ending with the jangling guitar deserves a chef’s kiss.

If you’re in Germany, be sure to catch their live shows this year – I bet they’ll be a blast!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Dottie Andersson – Heavy Objects

Dottie Andersson - Heavy Objects
Photo Credit: Nic Schoppet

Artist: Dottie Andersson

Song: Heavy Objects

Genres: #indiepop

Influences: Bon Iver, Caroline Polachek, Phoebe Bridgers

Location: Småland, Sweden

Release date: February, 2023

CommentDottie Andersson is a unique artist from Sweden with a sound that is both authentic and refreshing. “Heavy Objects”, her promising debut single, skillfully blends electronic and indie elements to create a sound that is both atmospheric and catchy. The cherry on top are Dottie’s vocals, which are just perfect for this type of music.

The song’s lyrics speak to the theme of letting go of emotions and situations that weigh us down, and the accompanying video, filmed as a spontaneous one-take by photographer Nic Schoppet, perfectly captures this sentiment. Without a doubt, Dottie Andersson is an artist to watch in the coming months and years.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Wesson – Made Me Happy

Made Me Happy

Artist: WESSON

Song: Made Me Happy

Genres: #alternativerock #punkrock

Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: British alt/rock band WESSON, led by #singersongwriter Chris Wesson, is formed by four musicians coming from different backgrounds, resulting in a delightful blend of pop, punk rock and indie rock. “Made Me Happy” is just their fifth single, but given how fun and catchy it is, I think it’s safe to say that this band is going places.

The lyrics express the emotions of a person who was hurt by someone’s actions in the past. The song reveals that the person has come to the realization that they might have acted similarly if they were in the same situation, and is finally finding peace in understanding their own and others’ behaviors. Between how relatable the lyrics are and the extremely catchy chorus, “Made Me Happy” is the type of tune that gets stuck in your head. Listen to it at your own peril.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Benjamin Brett – In My Head

Benjamin Brett - In My Head

Artist: Benjamin Brett

Song: In My Head

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Brighton, United Kingdom

Influences: Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, Fleetwood Mac

Release date: January, 2023

Comment: Some singers are lucky enough to have a vocal style that is nuanced and distinctive enough to be easily recognizable whenever you hear it. I think that could be the case with Brighton-based artist, Benjamin Brett, who has just released a hauntingly beautiful debut track called “In My Head”. This song reminded me a bit of David Gray‘s 1998 hit: “This Year’s Love”, probably because both tracks got gorgeous melodies and unmistakable vocals.

The emotive and raw vocals perfectly capture the vulnerability and honesty of the song’s subject matter, which delves into mental health struggles and the fear of losing touch with one’s real self. With delicate guitar work and touching harmonies, “In My Head” will stay with the listener long after it has ended, and that, my friends, is the best kind of music. Certified #musicalcrush.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Verra Cruz – The World Is Crashing In

Verra Cruz - The World Is Crashing In

Artist: Verra Cruz

Song: The World Is Crashing In

Genres: #alternativerock

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, Nirvana

Location: St. Albans, United Kingdom

Release date: November, 2022

Comment: Verra Cruz, a British alt-rock infused trio, has recently released their newest single, “The World Is Crashing In”, a powerful, emotional track that speaks to love, loss, and the rawness of emotion. I particularly like that lovely guitar line in the intro and the anthemic chorus.

Verra Cruz got formed in 2003 and currently consists of Marc James (guitar/lap steel/vocals), Henry Cross (bass) & Jimmy Cooke (drums). However, after being featured by Kerrang! as an ‘Incoming Band’ in 2008 and supporting acts such as Biffy Clyro and Switchfoot across the world stage since then, the band’s career has not taken off yet in the way you could have expected. More people should be aware of Verra Cruz and perhaps “The World Is Crashing In” is the song that will give them the final push to accomplish that.


Featured on the following mixtapes: