It’s not long until the end of the year, and what better way to see 2017 through with a playlist from Chelsea Lankes. This one goes out to all the ladies, and is probably one of the best playlists we’ve ever had! Lucky you!
“Here are some favorites over the last couple months including songs from favorite albums this year: SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, YOUTH, Lorde and Wolf Alice. Also I put a few singles from female pop artists I love and respect! To be enjoyed while driving at night, at low key parties, showering or anywhere you might sing really loud alone. 🙂”
…And whilst we have you, give Chelsea’s new track a spin too.
Sounds like: MUNA, Wet, Evvy, Ghost Beach, Kyla La Grange, Ji Nilsson, Tove Styrke, Carousel, Kitten, Nina, Mikky Ekko, Remmi, Cappa
Having recently signed to Different Recordings (Anna Of The North, Kllo, Claptone), LIMITS manages to perfectly blend slices of ethereal, tech-house with melodic pop-inspired vocals.
The track is out now.
Sounds like: Shy Luv, Claptone, Tube & Berger, Rüfüs, The Magician, The Aston Shuffle
German-based Satin Jackets teams up with British singer, David Harks on ‘Northern Lights’.
As with all of Satin Jackets’ music, ‘Northern Lights’ has a distinct cosmic vibe, which is to be expected with the title of the song. Add to the mix, nostalgic vocal tones and reflective melodies, to create a breathtaking listening experience.
It’s out today on Eskimo Recordings.
Sounds like: Empire Of The Sun, Goldroom, RAC, Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Du Tonc, Future Islands, Phoenix
San Diego native, singer-songwriter and visual artist Alice Gray shares her debut single ‘Pink Cadillac’.
Describing her music as “sad songs you want to dance to”, Alice’s sound has a bittersweet edge to it thanks to beautifully planned pop hooks and wistful lyrics.
Love songs don’t have to be all about the doom and gloom of a relationship, they can be about the music you adore. Brooklyn locals, Secret Weapons do just this with uplifting new single, ‘Comeback Season’.
The twosome deliver a positive message about overcoming the odds (specifically the struggles they encountered whilst writing their album), which is further highlighted by the delightful addition of a gospel choir!
It’s out now via Epic.
Sounds like: Youngr, The 1975, Lionel Richie, The Levity, The Island Club, Ghost Beach, Backstreet Boys, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The Knocks
Talking of love songs…Atlantic artist/producer Seersha has written a gorgeous track called ‘Typical’ for her husband to listen to on his summertime drives.
Seersha’s ethereal vocals immediately make you feel free, as if you are screaming with joy at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.
Sounds like: MS MR, CHVRCHES, Tears For Fears, Lights, Paramore, Phil Collins
Los Angeles producer, AWAY, shares the stunning new video for ‘Sleepwalker’, featuring London Thor.
Paving the way for the next generation of sound, AWAY likes to expose mixed feelings in his music, often touching on confusion, sadness, apathy, and anger.
‘Someone’ is the lead single taken from Anna Of The North‘s debut album, ‘Lovers’.
From the get go, ‘Someone’ is a spellbinding explosion of 80’s inspired synths, and is set to be the soundtrack to your summer.
Speaking about ‘Someone’, the band say,
“We think almost everyone has woken up after a big night, instantly regretting something that happened. It’s about how easy it is to break your promises when you’ve had a couple of drinks. Going deeper, the song is about accepting that you’re only human and to learn how to forgive yourself for your own mistakes and accepting that sometimes we need someone to save us from repeating any old habits.”
‘Lovers’ is due for release on 8 Sept via Different Recordings / Honeymoon / +1 Records.
Anna’s vocals also feature on Tyler, The Creator’s new single ‘911’, alongside Frank Ocean, out last Friday.
Sounds like: Shura, Grimes, Ballet School, Claire, MØ, Lykke Li, The Chain Gang of 1974, Chvrches, I Am Karate
Meet AvanteBlack, a musical project led by Ottilia Zimmerman Kjulsten, a 22-year-old Swedish native living in London.
She’s put together a playlist, to get us hyped up for the weekend.
Frank Ocean – Ivy I took time listening to Frank Ocean’s new album driving down the coast from Cape Point to Cape Town. This song fits perfectly into the scenery and I think I had it on repeat for almost an hour.
The Internet – Get Away Sydney Bennett’s vocals and melodies are just truly magical. Listening to this track makes you just wanna take long drags on cigarettes in slow motion whilst watching the sun go down.
Sälen – Coppar Kiss I’ve known these guys for a while know. Paul is even the first person I got to know when I moved to London. The people combination is perfect, this song is so pretty and brutal I wanna marry it.
Flamingods – Rhama There is nothing you can’t love about this. A trippy beat, Middle-Eastern riffs and hitting vocals. Was sold within the first seconds and it keeps growing.
Acid Arab – Stil My friend showed me this track on a recent trip to Berlin. I’m just getting into dance music and this was a really good introduction. Right up my alley.
A Band Called Flash – Phantom Another track I was shown that really showed me a new way of writing. Close to perfection, this track will take you everywhere and back.
Valdemar – Soë Chlevigny Ben used to play the keys in Avante, but is now based in Sweden. He was always the one knowing everything about everything. We do miss his music knowledge! This is his own project and it sounds incredible!! We’re so proud!
BadBadNotGood – Lavender I first encountered this band whilst flicking through Tyler, The Creator videos on YouTube. Since then I’ve been glued to their sound.
Lil Silva – De Ja I found this track stalking Ben’s (Valdemar) playlists on Spotify. As I said he always knows what’s good and fresh out there. It’s a brilliant pop track, so simple and clever. I find myself singing this all the time.
Flume – Say It Feat Tove Lo I’m a massive fan of Tove Lo and Flume. I love the feel and the lyrics. Always lose my shit when she sings “let me fuck you right back oh oh oh oh”
Miss Li – Bonfire Since I picked up a guitar for the first time I was practising to her songs and really excited about this sound she’s bringing! Can’t wait for spring listening to this in the car! (with someone else driving ’til I get my license)
Otzeki – Already Dead If you haven’t witnessed these guys live you HAVE to. It’s a truly magical experience. Mike and Joel will take you places. Even tho the song is called ‘Already Dead’ I’d say it’s immortal.
Soft Hair – Lying Has To Stop Brilliant combination, magical people. True Love.
Whitney – Golden Days I was probably a year later than my friends to start listening to this band, I’m happy I did! It’s the song you listen to on a double decker with your head against the window, gazing out, not really knowing what you’re thinking about.
The Parrots – No Me Gustas, Te quiero I met The Parrots through Hinds, first time a saw them was at The Garage in Highbury & Islington – the vibe was insane. There is always a special place in my heart for this music. It makes me feel 14 again.
Avante Black has signed to Different Recordings (Anna Of The North, Claptone, Kllo), and expect a very cool remix coming out next week. In the meantime, check out the ever so dynamic track, ‘Drug Money’.
Sounds like: Anna Of The North, Anteros, Lilly Allen
Australian-born and London-based, Amanda Merdzan, has been gearing up to release her ‘Commands’ EP, which is finally out today.
We had a chat with Amanda about its release and her music, in general.
For those of you who don’t know you, tell us a bit more about yourself and how you got into music.
I started playing guitar when I was really young, and spent a lot of my younger years at all ages gigs after discovering the world of grunge and pop-punk music! I formed a few bands back then and would always be jamming with them in my parents garage or at one of the other kids houses. One thing lead to another, a punk rock EP, a few folk records later and here I am! It’s been an interesting progression.
Describe your sound in three words.
Dark Electro Pop.
Your EP, ‘Commands’, is coming out on the 25th July. Tell us more about the meaning behind it.
Leading up to writing the EP there were a lot of significant changes taking place in my life, which became the focal point of the songs. The title ‘Commands’ comes from the feeling of having very little control in the situations I was experiencing.
A close friendship of mine was on it’s way out the door, and I was learning that people can change very quickly when being guided by the will of others. I’d also just revealed the relationship with my girlfriend that I had been hiding from everyone for a long time, and I was trying to navigate my way through all the challenges that came with that.
Where do you cite your musical influences from?
I’ve always had a large folk influence, but when I was writing this EP I was listening to a lot of Broods, Grimes and Fever Ray.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
Bat For Lashes, Haux, Anna Of The North and Amanda Bergman.
Clean-cut Oslo duo Philco Fiction shouldn’t be running anywhere, especially when it comes to new single ‘Runimals’; a self-described ‘gospel pop’ jam, adorned by a steady horn section and potent backing vocals.
We are expecting good things from this duo in 2016.
Listen below.
The track is Philco Fiction’s forthcoming sophomore LP ‘Talk/Brag’, out on 29 January via KillingMoonRecords.
Sounds like: Lykke Li, Wet, Anna of The North, Santigold
