Tag: Recommendation

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Diarmuid J Kennedy – The Piano Tide

The Piano Tide is a beautiful composition that soothes your spirit whenever you listen to it. It got traces of Erik Satie on it and a subtle elegance that takes the piece to another level. This piano solo is as charming as it can get. Give it a chance and you’ll see what I mean.

The composer, Diarmuid J Kennedy, is a classically trained pianist from Ireland. His debut single was released just last year and back in January he performed a sold-out gig in Dublin. Diarmuid describes his style as indie classical (I like that) and he can’t wait to play live again once it’s safe to do so. If he keeps composing pieces as delightful as The Piano Tide, he’s have plenty of chances to do that.

Listen to this wonderful piece below. Isn’t it the perfect soundtrack for your lazy Sunday afternoon?

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Relax

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Paul van Dyk ft. Sue McLaren – Guiding Light

Paul van Dyk ft. Sue McLaren - Guiding Light

I didn’t know Paul van Dyk was about to release a new album when I featured him here back in June, but he did just that last week with Guiding Light. Its lead single is also the title track, a collaboration with Sue McLaren, and I have to say that it is pretty good. McLaren is an UK-based vocalist, DJ and songwriter who started as an indie rock artist but eventually and almost by chance ended up focusing on electronic music.

This track, Guiding Light, is a typical uplifting trance tune from PVD, but there is nothing wrong with that. Its enthralling melody and sweet vocals will draw you in and make you have a blast for the duration of the song. If you are looking for music that can cheer you up this weekend, this is a good start.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Electronic

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Maro – Carsick

Today’s song lies in the gray area between alternative/bedroom pop and groovy, mainstream music, the kind you can find in any popular radio station. In this case, that is not a bad thing. Carsick is so catchy and Maro‘s vocals are so good, that you simply won’t be able to help enjoy this tune. The impressive thing is that this talented Lebanese artist is just 19 years old.

As is commonplace nowadays, Maro started with a Youtube channel, uploading covers of popular tracks. Before long, he started to get noticed to the point that last year alone, he got over 28 million views. Carsick is his first original track and I wouldn’t be even remotely surprised if it became a big hit. It depends on a bit of luck as well, but I like his chances.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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The Smashing Pumpkins – 1979

The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979

In case you missed it, The Smashing Pumpkins released two new singles this week. While they may not reach the heights of their legendary hits from the MTV era, it’s time for a Throwback Thursday feature. Selecting a song was tough with their impressive back catalogue.

I recently binge-watched all 3 seasons of Netflix’s brilliant sci-fi series, Dark (loved it). The recurring phrase, ‘The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning,’ reminded me of The Smashing Pumpkins’ single, ‘The End is The Beginning Is The End,’ from the 1997 film Batman & Robin. Unfortunately, the original version isn’t available on major streaming platforms, just a lackluster remix.

That brought me back to square one, torn between featuring my all-time favorite song from Billy Corgan & Co, despite its popularity, other renowned tracks like “Disarm” or “Tonight, Tonight,” or a hidden gem like “Stand Inside Your Love” or “Untitled.” In the end, “1979” emerged as the clear winner. This remarkable track, the second single from “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” is simply exceptional and a must-have on my mixtapes. Don’t miss the fantastic music video below.”

There’s nothing more I can say about this #musicalcrush. Simply savor this nostalgic stroll down memory lane.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Jacko Hooper – Beg, Steal or Borrow

Jacko Hooper

Not all artists are able to transmit their raw emotions when they sing, but those who can make the whole listening experience a thousand times better. Jacko Hooper is one of them and Beg, Steal or Borrow, which is one of the singles he has released so far in 2020, a great example of that. You can almost feel the sense of despair Jacko would go through if anything bad happened to the person he wrote this beautiful indie folk song for.

This musician from Brighton, UK, started out in 2012 when he released his debut EP and started a Youtube channel, which today has close to 7k subscribers. After more EPs and tours, including performances with the likes of James Blunt and James Bay, Jacko got successful enough to even run one of the leading independent promotions companies and boutique record labels of Southern England, Folklore Sessions.

If you like artist like Damien Rice or Glen Hansard, please do check Jacko Hooper out. It will be right up your alley.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Coopertheband – Stuck

Some bands can’t hide how much fun they have playing music and Coopertheband is one of them. Made up of 5 self-proclaimed “music nerds”, this indie rock band from Tennessee has released two full-length albums, two EPs, and a bunch of singles already, with Stuck being the most recent one, released a couple of weeks ago.

This great song got top-notch production and a stunning bridge that elevates it to a whole new level. With a blend of indie rock and some electronic elements, the tune got the right ingredients to make you want to put it on repeat. The band wrote Stuck inspired by the current climate and it talks about that feeling we might get sometimes when we really want to do something but we get trapped by our own thoughts. Luckily for us, that wasn’t the feeling Coopertheband experienced when working on this magnetic track.

Stuck may very well be your next musical crush.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Lachlan – Lax

Indie songs produced and recorded pretty much on your own are not supposed to sound this good. There’s usually something that would give it away, but that’s not the case with Lax, the second single of singer/songwriter Lachlan, released last Friday. The song is a radio-friendly tune with nice guitar riffs and an infectious chorus. Lachlan’s voice is a perfect fit as well.

After being part of several Edinburgh-based bands such as Lost In Vancouver, Lachlan decided to try a career solo. Earlier this year he put his debut single, Too Bad, out. Now with Lax, a song about overcoming your own insecurities, he is letting us know that he’s here to stay. Give this song a listen on the mixtapes below and keep him on your radar. He absolutely deserves it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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Stan iB – The Sky Above You

The Internet and Social media may have a lot of issues, but we cannot deny the fact that that they help us connect with people from all around the world. This is specially true for musicians. How else could we have been aware of, for instance, Bulgarian pianists if you didn’t live there unless they became worldwide famous? Stan iB is a good example of that. Not the worldwide famous part –not yet– but the one about being a talented pianist and composer from Bulgaria. Influenced by both classical music and Jazz, he focuses on the latter with his project Stan iB trio, and on the former as a solo artist, having released several albums so far.

The Sky Above You is the first track from Stan’s latest album, Dedication, and it is a sublime piece that lifts your spirit on a chilled day. If you’re looking for a calming piano-based song, head over to the mixtape with relaxing melodies or just play the video below. You won’t regret it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Relax

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Monkey Safari – Safe

Monkey Safari - Safe

I must warn you, this track by German producers and DJs Monkey Safari is highly addictive. From the first beat, it became my musical crush, captivating me with its irresistible charm. The layers of sweeping sounds, pulsating beats, and the infusion of captivating spoken words create an immersive experience that words can’t fully capture. You have to listen to believe it and let the music sweep you away.

Though I’m not an expert on Monkey Safari’s extensive discography, one thing is clear: these talented brothers have been crafting remarkable hits since 2016, leaving a lasting impact on the electronic music scene. ‘Safe’ stands as their emotional masterpiece, delicately capturing the essence of a world that feels empty, yet offering solace through its rich melodies and evocative tones. Trust me when I say, they have truly outdone themselves with this one.

Don’t miss out on this sonic gem that has the power to transport you to another realm. It’s an experience that demands to be heard, felt, and cherished. So, turn up the volume, close your eyes, and let the music wash over you, taking you on an unforgettable journey.

Embrace the mesmerizing sounds of Monkey Safari and let ‘Safe’ become the soundtrack of your emotions. 🎶

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Chill Out

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Henry And The Waiter – Don’t Wanna Die Alone

This upbeat, extremely radio-friendly tune could be the perfect song for the end of summer and the start of this weekend (which is a long one in some countries). With a catchy chorus and a sticky rhythm that camouflages very well the deep lyrics the song has, Don’t Wanna Die Alone is an indie pop song that allows you to forget about everyday problems and simply have fun.

This German artist, Henrik Steigerwald, goes by the moniker of Henry And The Waiter because it represents two different sides of his personality: the waiter, who is more impulsive and gets ideas for new songs all the time, and Henry, more introspective and the one who finishes the songs by adding his voice to the mix. Henry and his alter ego have achieved considerable success in his home country with over 12 million streams on Spotify, but it is time now to reach a wider audience. With his knack for hook-ridden songs, the odds are clearly in his favour.

Listen to this enjoyable tune below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop