Tag: Recommendation

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Five Days North – Champagne Shots

I didn’t check but I think Five Days North are becoming the first artist or band to be featured here three times. They totally deserve it as they have done nothing but consistently release pretty good tracks every three months or so, which is often enough to stay relevant without saturating us. Champagne Shots is their latest song and perhaps my favorite of them so far. It does sound like a Five Days North song with their distinctive synth lines and overall vibe, but the song’s melody stands out on its own. Just listen to the captivating chorus and you’ll see what I mean.

Lyrically, the song talks about those small bits of luxury we do enjoy from time to time and used to take for granted. After a year and a half of a pandemic, I think we all can relate to that theme now that even going to a restaurant or a live concert seems sumptuous. Champagne Shots is the perfect song to play the next time we do something we once considered normal.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie
  • Pop

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Casual Vice – Instead

Casual Vice - Instead

Artist: Casual Vice

Song: Instead

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: California, USA

Release date: January, 2021.

Comment: Southern California-based duo Casual Vice is formed by two musicians who cut their teeth with other bands before forming this new act last year. Instead was released as a single back in January and then included in the EP Joie De Vivre in February. It is a great indie rock track with a chorus you won’t be able to get out of your head before December. Check it out!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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The Islas – The Absence Of You

Artist: The Islas

Song: The Absence Of You

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: Norwich, UK

Release date: July, 2021.

Comment: The press release for The Absence Of You mentions that the song is The Killers-esque, and quite often, when I see something like that, I immediately assume it’s hyperbole. In this case, however, I do see the similarities to some of the work from that famous band from Las Vegas, particularly during the infectious chorus and guitar-led bridge. That’s not to say that this four-piece band from Norwich sounds exactly the same though, because they don’t. The Islas know what they’re doing and we should pay attention.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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boy blush – Hell With You

Artist: boy blush

Song: Hell With You

Genres: #indiemusic #indiepop

Location: Los Angeles, California

Release date: April, 2021.

Comment: boy blush is the stage name of Dylan Stone, someone who always dreamed to release music but didn’t dare to do so until the pandemic arrived and some friends heard this tune and gave him a little push. I’m glad they did because if you told me that Hell With You was written by a seasoned songwriter with multiple hits under her name and recorded at a famous studio with a well-known producer, I could totally believe you. I really hope Dylan keeps releasing music.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie
  • Pop

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Council – I See Sparks

Artist: Council

Song: I See Sparks

Genres: #indierock #indiepop

Location: Baldwinsville, New York

Release date: April, 2021.

Comment: This band is formed by three brothers who honed their craft at night after long days working in the family farm. They started to get noticed about 2 years ago and are planning to release an EP soon. I See Sparks is just a taster of what’s to come and it is one of those songs that get stuck in your head. A total #earworm.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Nine Days – Absolutely (Story of a Girl)

Artist: Nine Days

Song: Absolutely (Story of a Girl)

Genres: #alternativerock

Location: Long Island, New York

Release date: May, 2000.

Comment: This song is a classic from 21 years ago. Even though they were never able to replicate the success of this hit, they do have quite a few good songs. They took a long hiatus but got back together in 2016. Maybe they’ll surprise us with another hit in the future. Meanwhile, enjoy this #ThrowbackThursday!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Albert Eno – Broken Pocket Watch

Albert Eno used to sing for Italian rock band Kismet, but he’s been flying solo since 2018. This has led him to release his debut solo album, Dark’N’Stormy, back in May, receiving positive reviews so far. The key feature in the whole album are Albert’s soothing vocals, which grab your attention instantly without letting it go. The record includes a mellow rendition of Nirvana‘s Come As You Are, which plenty of people will consider a highlight of the album, but the track I kept coming back to was the hypnotic Broken Pocket Watch. Let me explain why.

Broken Pocket Watch is a quiet, unpretentious song. With a simple arrangement led by a semi-acoustic guitar, Eno’s effortless vocals are really what makes the track stand apart. He uses kind of a falsetto here but it’s soft enough to bring you calmness rather than agitation. The lyrics are profoundly nostalgic, reflecting on old memories and items from our past. All in all, it is nearly impossible to listen to this song without our minds drifting away into a state of relaxation. If you’re looking for an exciting track that keeps your heart pumping, keep looking, but if you want an enjoyable track you could listen to on a rainy afternoon, Broken Pocket Watch will be perfect for you.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Raffael Seyfried – Passage

Artist: Raffael Seyfried

Song: Passage

Genres: #Instrumental, #Neoclassical, #Piano

Location: Germany

Release date: March, 2021.

Influences: Otto Totland, Nils Frahm

Comment: Relaxing piano-based piece from German composer Raffael Seyfried. It got a gorgeous texture that makes the whole track even more enjoyable.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Relax

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Valtos – Lapwyng: Pretty Girl Remix

Artist: Valtos

Song: Lapwyng – Pretty Girl Remix

Genres: Electronic, Scottish music

Location: Scotland

Release date: April, 2021.

Influences: Odesza, Jon Hopkins

Comment: Valtos (Martyn MacDonald and Daniel Docherty) are two electronic music producers whose current project consists of remixing songs from local bands from Scotland, such as Lapwyng. The result is pretty unique and interesting.

  • Everything
  • Electronic

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Will Naisbitt – Do It Again

Birmingham-native, London-based singer-songwriter Will Naisbitt is just 19 but already knows a thing or two about writing a hook. After cutting his teeth as a busker since he was even younger, Will released his debut single in 2019 and he hasn’t stopped releasing new songs at a steady pace. He’s been gaining notoriety and support from bloggers and radio stations alike, including BBC Introducing. I hadn’t heard of him until Do It Again dropped back in April, but that song alone is enough to make you think he’s got a promising future. If you take the time to check a few other tracks as well, you’ll be certain of that. Ed Sheeran got some competition.

Do It Again starts with some really infectious guitars and inviting rhythms. Will Naisbitt‘s vocals are really perfect for #indiepop music and that’s another reason why this track works so well. It is also pretty upbeat, even though it explores the difficult dynamics of lovers who enter a long-distance relationship. I wouldn’t be surprised if Do It Again became a summer hit but, at the very least, it should expose Will to a wider audience. This is just the start.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop