Gracie Abrams – Amelie

Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams

Artist: Gracie Abrams

Song: Amelie

Genres: #indie #acoustic

Location: Los Angeles, United States

Release date: February, 2023

Comment: Gracie is the daughter of successful movie director J.J. Abrams, and she’s currently supporting Taylor Swift on her ERAS tour; so she’s not the kind of artist who would need any help promoting her music. However, she’s so genuinely talented and got such a beautiful voice, that I had to feature Gracie on this humble website. If you like folksy indie music, you are going to love “Amelie”, which is part of Gracie’s debut LP “Good Riddance”.

The track is stripped down to its bare essentials, featuring only an acoustic guitar and an occasional piano melody playing delicately in the background. However, what sets it apart is Gracie’s vulnerable vocals, which convey the emotional depth of the lyrics. “Amelie” centers around the familiar subject of falling for someone you’ve just met, and Gracie’s delivery captures the intensity of that experience. The gorgeous track, which was co-written and produced by Aaron Dessner from The National, is a true gem that should not be missed.

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:

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:

Daniel Etherton – Mona Lisa

Daniel Etherton - Mona Lisa

Artist: Daniel Etherton

Song: Mona Lisa

Genres: #indiepop #singersongwriter

Influences:  Daughter, Lorde, The xx

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: February, 2023

Comment: Almost two years ago, I wrote about the debut single of talented London-based artist Daniel Etherton, “Foundations”, where I mentioned that the sky was the limit for him after such an outstanding debut. I think Daniel’s new single, “Mona Lisa”, proves that I was right about him. It’s just as good as “Foundations”, but quite different in style, which shows his range as a songwriter.

“Mona Lisa” is a delightful, upbeat song with a catchy melody and engaging lyrics. The metaphorical references to the iconic painting and its enigmatic subject create a lyrical narrative that is both poetic and playful. The song’s instrumentation is simple yet effective, featuring a bright acoustic guitar and infectious drums that give the track a sense of energy and movement. It’s a track that’s sure to leave listeners humming its melody long after it’s ended.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Phoebe Go – Birthday

Phoebe Go

Artist: Phoebe Go

Song: Birthday

Genres: #indierock #singersongwriter

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Release date: November, 2022

Comment:  “Birthday” is the last track on Phoebe Go‘s debut EP, “Player,” and even though this is her first solo project, Phoebe has experience as a member of a couple of bands, making her a seasoned performer in the Australian indie scene.

Birthday is my favorite song on the EP, in no small part because of how vulnerable the Australian artist sounds here. The lyrics, paired with the soft instrumentation and sweet melody, create a touching and intimate atmosphere that is both captivating and heartwarming. If you’re a fan of indie music and artists who pour their heart into their work, this track is a must-listen.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Young Ritual – Ages

Young Ritual - Ages

Artist: Young Ritual

Song: Ages

Genres: #indierock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: November, 2022

Comment: Indie/alternative artist Dylan Grantham, aka Young Ritual, is back after having been featured on T.A.M. a while ago with a new track called Ages, which is a noteworthy departure from the artist’s previous style of soft, folk rock tracks. This song was the product of the artist’s attempt at writing rock music and it starts off strong with a powerful guitar riff that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the track. Overall, “Ages” is a strong showing of Dylan’s versatility and a promising glimpse into the future of Young Ritual‘s musical journey.

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Featured on the following mixtapes:

Gabriel Paris – I Cried

Gabriel Paris - I Cried

Artist: Gabriel Paris

Song: I Cried

Genres: #indie

Location: Sydney, Australia

Influences: Coldplay, Vance Joy

Release date: October, 2022

Comment: Australia-based artist Gabriel Paris is no stranger to T.A.M., having been featured here in November 2020. This time, he’s back with a terrific song that is meant to feel “like a warm hug on a rainy day”. Gabriel won a competition whose prize was to work with a fame production company in Australia, who helped him write and record “I Cried”. Highly recommended!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

corook -your mom

Artist: corook

Song: your mom

Genres: #indierock #singersongwriter

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: October, 2022

Comment:  I do not recall how I came across this song, but I’m glad I did because it is truly special. corook is the stage name of Corinne Savage, a talented artist from Pittsburgh who now lives in the Music City. As depicted in the excellent music video below, your mom is a song about being with someone who is not ready to let their closed ones know about you. Corinne’s delivery is flawless and the she makes it very easy for the audience to connect with what she’s feeling. This is a musical gem.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Frankie Bird – Campfire

Artist: Frankie Bird

Song: Campfire

Genres: #altrock #singersongwriter

Location: London, United Kingdom

Influences: Oasis, The Beatles

Release date: August, 2022

Comment: “Campfire” sounds like a hit song Alanis or Hole could have released in the 90s, but it was actually written by a talented 22-year-old indie/pop artist from Reading, UK. Not only that, it is just the second single ever released by Frankie Bird. To say that she has a promising future would be a massive understatement.

It is no wonder then that when Frankie moved to London in late 2021 and became a regular on the open mic circuit, she proved to be a success all around the city. “Campfire”, in particular, is a little hidden gem that deserves to be found.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Basset – At My Feet

Artist: Basset

Song: At My Feet

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Toronto, Canada

Influences: Hozier, Bon Iver, The Milk Carlton Kids

Release date: September, 2022

CommentAt My Feet is a raw but profoundly beautiful song that touches on the way depression can alter the way we see things. With strong vocals from Sam Clark and, particularly, Yasmine Shelton –who make up the Toronto-based indie folk duo Basset, this poignant track is impossible to ignore. It was the last song they wrote for the newest EP, In The Clay, and they almost didn’t make it on time, but I’m really glad they did. Honestly,

Featured on the following mixtapes: