Tag Archives: Bastille

WEEKLY GEMS 171

Slouch Online – This Is All Just Part of the Show

Slouch Online makes delectable R&B/hip-hop sounds from Los Angeles. Playing with new sounds, Slouch Online was inspired by new samples and the drive to make an upbeat song. He even says that during the songwriting process, “sometimes I don’t even remember how it all came together”. 

Sounds like: Kid Cudi

Facebook | Instagram

Shaefri – Joanne

This song is a direct response to Shaefri seeing Leanard Cohen live. Speaking of the experience, Shaefri says, “The way he portrays Suzanne as a torturous siren inspired me to want to almost write a “little sister” for her, ‘Joanne’, and take the character further, displaying her as a gritty, tough woman in unimaginable circumstances, and explore how she has to walk a line between siren and self-preservation. I wanted to paint a more realistic picture of how certain actions and consent can be misinterpreted or ignored and how abuse can so easily take place, especially in sex work.’

Sounds like: Sasa Zola

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

VÉRITÉ – Teenage Dream

VÉRITÉ looks back at her adolescent years with rose-tinted glasses in her whimsical cover of the Katy Perry classic. She wanted to reframe the song with her fresh, youthful perspective and altered lyrical content, “Put your hands on me in my skintight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight”.

Sounds like: Birdy

Website | Instagram | Facebook

UNDREAM – Monster (ft. IOVA)

UNDREAM is a talented Swedish producer with a dark, ambient soundscape. The ‘Monster’ single is intentionally uncomfortable and eery. Based on the silent horrors of lying in bed awake and alone, there’s a childlike feeling of being chased within the music.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish

Instagram | Facebook

Desmond Myers – Shadows

Desmond Myers describes new single, ‘Playing With Fire’, as an epic voyage of self-discovery. He started writing the track in a time of uncertainty and new parenthood, interspersed with ideas and realisations around like in the music industry.

Sounds like: Victor Solf

Instagram | Facebook

Jonah Kagen – Catching A Dream

Single artwork for JP Saxe, “If The World Was Ending (Other Remix)”

Jonah Kagen has released pop-infused single, ‘Catching A Dream’. Of the single, he says,“Catching A Dream” is about the place you go to in your mind when you just want to escape your reality. I really wanted to try to bring out that feeling of escapism and paint a picture of this magical place where nothing weighing you down in the real world could ever follow you. I hope you all love it and that it allows you to escape for a minute.”  

Sounds like: Bastille

Instagram| Tikok

Kat Frankie – Shiny Things

Kat Frankie by Elina Kechicheva

Kat Frankie by Elina Kechicheva

Sydney-born multi-instrumentalist Kat Frankie shares the folktronica-esq single ‘Shiny Things’. Filmed with romanticism and grandeur in mind, the story tells of the inextricable relationship between beauty and decay.

Sounds like: First Aid Kit, HAIM, Feist, Fiona Apple

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Flawes – Don’t Count Me Out (Lowlights Version)

Flawes

Setting the mood with their live four-track EP, British alt-pop trio Flawes share ‘Lowlights’, out now via Red Bull Records.

With echoes of classical pianist Ludovico Einaudi and even the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, the stripped-back ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ gives the listener an opportunity to get to know the band on a much deeper level, as the band remove their invisible rockstar barrier.

Undeterred by lockdown, the band has also been recording and releasing a series of isolation sessions, with each member performing remotely from their own home.

Watch one below.

Sounds like: Larkins, Twin Atlantic, Biffy Clyro, Bastille

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

State Lights – Don’t Make Plays on My Heart

State Lights

State lights are an Irish band destined for big things.

Their latest single ‘Don’t Make Plays on My Heart’ grabs our attention from the outset, hitting hard with some solid drums, before laying down a luscious and quite frankly filthy bassline, reminiscent of the early works of Walk the Moon.

The song continues to impress throughout its 3:36 timestamp, with catchy vocal hooks and a gorgeous guitar solo like riff through the chorus. If you need some indie-pop with a rock edge, then this is for you.

Sounds like: Kodaline, Coldplay, Kygo, Bastille

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud |Instagram

Weekly Gems 98

Franky – Follow My Lead

Franky - Follow My Lead

Yorkshire isn’t particularly known for his pop heritage. That is until now. Meet singer/songwriter Franky.

Her influences range from funk, disco and R&B, and her new single ‘Follow My Lead’ will urge you to do just that, with its fizzy attitude and feisty pop sensibilities.

Sounds like: Icona Pop, Harlee, Charli XCX

Soundcloud

Estereomance – Crimson Queen

Estereomance

Estereomance is a trio from El Paso/Juarez comprised of Manu, Paulina and Adria.

The three artists may come from different experiences and backgrounds but they share one common goal – artistic fearlessness that invokes sensitivities of emotional fibres reachable through consciousness.

In a gentle nod to 70’s French dream pop, the single ‘Crimson Queen’ explores the themes of vanity, obsession, insecurity, gender and beauty through surreal and metaphoric music.

Sounds like: Men I Trust

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

CHERITON – Parallel

CHERITON

Kent-born, London-based indie-pop newcomer CHERITON (aka Nick Harrison) shares his catchy new single ‘Parallel’, out now So Good So Good.

The infectious single, full of guitar-pop and vibrant melodies, is produced by Andy Hall (Bastille, Fickle Friends, James Gillespie) and reflects on social media and the damaging effects it can have on mental health.

Sounds like: Vampire Weekend, HAIM, Blossoms

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Overcoats – Fire & Fury

Overcoats

Overcoats is made up of critically acclaimed Brooklyn duo, Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell.

Channeling punk emergy with vulnerable vitality, their champion new single ‘Fire & Fury’ is equal parts dark and brooding as well as hopeful and anthemic – a dichotomy which is mirrored in the its soaring chorus “there’s a fire, there’s a fury, the sky is falling, but we’ll get through it.”

Watch the her Productions-directed video below.

Sounds like: The Magnettes, HAIM, First Aid Kit, Cold War Kids, The Violent Femmes

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Jesse Merineau – Honey

Jesse Merineau

Jesse Merineau shares his energetic new single ‘Honey’.

A sweet rendition of a simple track that hits you in all the right places. New, but not unfamiliar. Like a warm hug on a cold evening.

Sounds like: Viola Beach, King No-One, High Tyde

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Marina Kaye – The Whole 9

Marina Kaye

21 year old multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Marina Kaye continues to heal wounds with her music.

Her twisted piece of alt-pop single ‘The Whole 9’ is a sultry rebirth with a superb vocal range and lush key changes throughout.

Sounds like: Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Reva Devito – Bet You Stay

Reva Devito - Bet You Stay

We are super excited about Reva Devito‘s fresh hustle on soul and R&B.

The Portland native has already featured on some of the most recognizable tracks of KAYTRANADA, Young Franco, Chuck Inglish, and B.Bravo, as well and as the live vocalist for Australian indie-pop rising musicians Miami Horror.

Produced by longtime collaborator B.Bravo, ‘Bet You Stay’ is a nostalgic, slower jam. Smother this over your ears right now.

Sounds like: Janet Jackson, Aaliyah

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

LeyeT – Here For You (Labit + LeyeT)

LeyeT

LeyeT (pronounced “light”) channels emotional vulnerability into alternative-pop songs with a solid heartbeat.

She’s teamed up her friend Labit on new single, ‘Here For You’ – a song about friendship, being there for each other through the highs and lows of life, and sticking together through it all. The song was written with the Make Sure Your Friends Are Okay initiative in mind, a community that encourages you to have meaningful discussions with people you care about – answering truthfully the question of ‘how are you?’.

Sounds like: Halsey, Imogen Heap

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

dekleyn – See Right Through Me

dekleyn

The Sydney duo dekleyn shares new single ‘See Right Through Me’.

Writing infectious heartbreakers, their songs have meaningful influences throughout. Speaking about the new one – a lesson about love and forgiveness – they explain,

“The song is about giving so much to a person and becoming so close with them that they know everything about you, even more than you know about yourself. As the relationship begins to break down, it begins to become obvious that the two could never be without each other, “I don’t plan on leaving this feeling at all, this is all I have.”

Sounds like: LANY, joan, LAUV

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Ruben Dawnson – FYALMA

Ruben Dawnson

Phew! This is what we’ve been waiting for. A big “Fuck You!” to anxiety anthem!

Cue Norweigan artist/producer Ruben Dawnson and his emotionally expressive tuneage, namely ‘FYALMA’. Speaking about the track some more, he explains,

“It’s a big fuck you anthem to anxiety! Like many others I’ve been struggling with it for a long time… hopefully this can lift people’s spirit and I hope people will connect with it and scream out the lyrics!! I really want it to reach as many as possible and help create a big “fuck you” wave towards anxiety!!”

Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Summer Heart

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Small Talk – Alarm

Small Talk

Connecting at a music school in the Netherlands, the now duo Small Talk is making music to the standard of industry veterans, as it’s clear the understand what it takes to put together a hit, and have achieved that with ‘Alarm’.

Running the length between upbeat indie-pop and melancholic EDM, the pair masterfully play with different shades and moods. Expect much more from the youthful duo in 2020.

Sounds like: The Him, Bastille, The Chainsmokers, Imagine Dragons

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Flawes – Highlights

Flawes

Fast-rising British alt-pop band Flawes is comprised of JC, Huss and Freddie. They’ve just released their debut 12 track album, ‘Highlights’.

The lead single – co-written with Nick Atkinson and Ed Holloway (Lewis Capaldi, Gabrielle Aplin) – explores the band’s relationship with social media and its negative impact on the world.

Live

5 Feb – Jumbo Records (instore), Leeds
31 Mar – London, Omeara
1 Apr – Manchester, The Castle
2 Apr – Poetry Club, Glasgow

Listen to ‘Highlights’ in full below.

Sounds like: Larkins, Twin Atlantic, Biffy Clyro, Bastille

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Weekly Gems 67

YAKUL – Blossoming

Yakul

At the forefront of the neo-jazz revolution is Brighton-based fourpiece Yakul.

Echoes of Stevie Wonder courtesy of frontman James’ indulgent vocals, the unexpectedly cohesive new single ‘Blossoming’ offers playful percussion and razor-sharp fills to create a complex yet vibrant song.

Sounds like: Stevie Wonder, Easy Life, Nico Cara

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Lila Drew – take it back

Lila Drew

Lila Drew‘s vocal capacity will instantly melt your heart and that’s why she’s on our ones to watch 2019 list.

The dreamy urban pop single ‘take it back’ is featured on her EP, ‘locket (side one)’ – a musical scrapbook of her life to date.

Sounds like: Ariana Grande, Caswell, Billie Eilish

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

ORIION – Ayodele

ORIION

We are intrigued by ORIION‘s genre-bending take on “nostalgic pop”. The musical nomad has lived off a diet of pop icons which has fuelled his cutting edge sound.

His new single ‘Ayodele’ straddles the retro past and the euphoria future. Listen below.

Sounds like: Zayn

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Will & The People – Gigantic

Will & The People

Brighton-based band Will & The People is comprised of Will Rendle, brother Jamie, Jim Ralphs and Charlie Harman.

The new single ‘Gigantic’ is an alt-pop number offering a raw seaside vibe. The video – which you can watch below – showcases their creative side, and features both their hometown and friends and family of the band.

Sounds like: Alt-J

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud |Instagram

State Lights – Open Your Arms

State Lights

One of Ireland’s best new acts, State Lights, is destined for big arenas across international gazes.

The catchy indie pop single ‘Open Your Arms’ makes a statement about empowerment and ends this week’s gems on a hugely positive note.

Sounds like: Kodaline, Coldplay, Kygo, Bastille

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud |Instagram

Weekly Gems 45

Anthony Lazaro – Neon Soul

Anthony Lazaro - Neon Soul

Italian singer-songwriter Anthony Lazaro is a new kid on the block of chilled, retro-modernist, electronic music.

His new single ‘Neon Soul’ channels some sweet and dreamy Jungle and Chic vibes, livening up those boring sepia colors from the autumn days

Sounds like: Jungle, Roosevelt, Chic

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Dady – Failing

Dady by Chad Griffith

NYC-based Dady is comprised of singer/songwriter Rachel Dady and songwriter/producer Jesse O’Connor.

Born from enemies, these two have somehow put their differences apart and now create delicate dream pop for the masses. ‘Failing’ effortlessly switches between tender moments and an anthemic hook.

Sounds like: Carly Rae Jepsen, Paperwhite, Taylor Swift, Haim

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Hanne Leland – Underdogs

Hanne Leland

Ever feel like an outsider? If so, then Norwegian artist Hanna Leland has your back with her new single ‘Underdogs’.

Fluid, Scandi electro-pop at its finest, ‘Underdogs’ is a call to arms for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

Listen below.

Sounds like: The Magnettes, Robyn

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Born Stranger – Last Night on Earth

Born Stranger

With it’s deceiving upbeat melody, Born Stranger‘s new single ‘Last Night on Earth’ is surprisingly about the sad topic of suicide.

An ode to those who have left our planet too soon, this track urges you to celebrate, live in the moment and be compassionate with each other.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Prinze George, Sia, The Wombats, Bastille, Major Lazer, Years & Years, M83, Foals, KAPTAN, The Brocks, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Myzica

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Sleep Thieves – Sea of Shadows

Sleep Thieves

Dublin disco-noir trio Sleep Thieves shares new single ‘Sea of Shadows’.

With the song’s minimal lyrical attitude and looping darkly ethereal synths full of nostalgia that completely immerse your mind, it’s hard to believe the threesome met on Twitter.

Sounds like: Vök, Kate Boy, Poliça

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Whethan – Superlove Feat. OH Wonder

Whethan

Following his awesome collab with Broods and still buzzing from a second Coachella appearance, Whethan shares news single ‘Superlove’ featuring London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder.

It is essentially an extremely happy love song with delicate tropical rhythms. Expect no sullen vocals and sultry tones here!

It’s out now on Big Beat Records.

Sounds like: Fickle Friends, Bastille, Kid Astray, Banks, Paperwhite, Years & Years, Bipolar Sunshine, Broods, Draper

Whethan
Facebook | TwitterSoundCloud | YouTube

OH Wonder
Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

Weekly Gems 20

Mafalda – Goodbyes

Mafalda

We are loving the husky vocal tones of London-native Mafalda and brisk piano keys in her current single ‘Goodbyes’.

The beautifully constructed ballad is easily something you’d hear in the charts, possibly as a result of Mafalda’s recent work with UK and US based producers.

Sounds like: FOXES, Birdy, Emma McGrath

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Alexx Mack -Your Car Feat. EXES

Alexx Mack - Your Car

After a brief hiatus, Alexx Mack returns to our stereos with her latest release ‘Your Car’, featuring EXES.

Alexx took the year long break to rediscover herself and her music, and the break has done her good. The reformed sound is ruminating and lustrous, everything a modern, dark synth-pop song should be.

Sounds like: Julia Michaels, Halsey, Kate Boy, The 1975, The Magnettes

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Wooshay – Alone Feat. Deanna

Wooshay

It will feel like summer is still here if you take a listen to Wooshay‘s new single ‘Alone’.

A stripped-back and easy house melody bounces throughout the song, as the Californian duo blend Middle Eastern production with the warm and commercial vocals of Deanna.

Sounds like: The Him, Shift K3y, Karen Harding, Le Youth

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Matt Wills – Lights Out

Matt Wills

Matt Wills has backing from all walks of musical life, so who are we to disagree?

Although Matt seeks collaborations from those in electronic music and grime scenes, ‘Lights Out’ is right up Indietronica’s street.

The video has been directed by Chris Parton and firmly showcases Matt’s knack for putting together an incredibly hook with romantic vocals and on point production.

Sounds like: Ed Sheeran, Aquilo, Bastille, The Kooks

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Low Island – The Lines

Low Island

Oxford quartet Low Island share the cleverly choreographed and colourful video for ‘The Lines’, which has a distinct 90’s vibe to it.

It features young dancer Olly Bell and focuses “on the current states of anger, protectionism, division and paranoia that have become so prevalent in today’s society.”

Sounds like: Four Tet, Alt-J, Glass Animals, Shy Luv, Hot Chip, Caribou, Aquilo

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Florda Well – High Love

Florda Well

Meet Canada-based psych-pop band Florda Well.

Despite the deliciously boozy bass-lines and woozy vocals in ‘High’ that conjure up feelings of warm stoner summers, the song was written and recorded during the coldest and darkest part of the year, which is only a testament to Florda Well for their positive outlook.

Sounds like: Tame Impala, MGMT, Goldroom

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Billie Eilish – bitches broken hearts

Billie Eilish

Good ol’ Billie Eilish really does love her fans, so to say thank you, she has uploaded a surprise new track called ‘bitches broken hearts’.

It’s a stripped back, minimalist number that lets Billie’s delicate vocals shine.

Sounds like: Dua Lipa, Astronomyy, Ella Vos, Tempers, Charlotte Cardin

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

IDA – 1111

IDA

We are expecting great things from Sydney-based artist IDA based on the sound of her latest single ‘1111’.

Also the vocalist in Little Deed, IDA is well practised in recording and performing. ‘1111’ offers a great second solo single – delicate synths slow-burning beats and yearning vocals.

Expect her debut EP, ‘i’ to be out before the end of the year.

Sounds like: Kaleida, Kllo, Kudu Blue

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

The New Coast – Sleeptalk

The New Coast

Tunbridge Wells (UK) locals The New Coast share ‘Sleeptalk’.

The addictive indie pop number swirls with heavy synths and echoey riffs, adding to The New Coast’s collection of distinct Southern sounds.

Speaking about the track the guys say,

“Writing ‘Sleeptalk’ felt massively cathartic for us and allowed us to explore a really personal moment in a cinematic, 3 minute pop song. Lyrically, for me, it pin points a delicate moment between two people, people who are just starting to get to know each other, but also notice these colourful and intense emotions in a very short period of time.

Even though the song is reliving a specific moment from last summer, I love the way that someone can take whatever personal vision and meaning they like from the lyrics. It almost feels necessary. I don’t think anyone is going to have the exact same sentiment sonically and lyrically, but thats the best part, its so expressive to create your own idealistic story from thewords. However, we like to make everything in our music feel cinematic and infectious, so we want to set the scene in peoples minds and hopefully it’ll take you to that place. Like you’re watching a cool movie with a soundtrack that sounds like your life.”

Sounds like: Bastille, To Kill A King, Imagine Dragons, Kodaline, KYKO, Draper

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube