Tag Archives: CILVR

Weekly Gems 96

Epic Empire – Go On

Epic Empire - Go On

French composer and “perfectionist machinist” Epic Empire brings joy to our ears with the new song, ‘Go On’.

Asking for us to search deep inside ourselves, the emotive track echoes both the old school touches of Moby as well as more modern producers, Model Man.

Sounds like: Model Man, Joe Goddard, Moby

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Hundreds – Body of Water

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Introducing electro-pop band Hundreds.

The serene new single ‘Body Of Water’ is, according to lead singer Eva Milner, “an ode to the spirits of the water and its power”.

With a focus on nature, especially the sea, Hundreds reminds us of being care-free creators in nature with great poignancy.

Sounds like: Róisín Murphy, Austra, St. Vincent, La Roux, The Knife

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Sløtface – Tap the Pack

Sløtface

Norweigan band Sløtface shares ‘Tap the Pack’ – a raw and catchy self-pep talk about keeping fear by your side to drive you and not letting it bring you down.

Their album ‘Sorry For The Late Reply’ is out at the end of the month via Nettwerk/Propellor Recordings.

Sounds like: Wolf Alice

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KYTES – GO OUT

KYTES

Wow, the German music scene is really blossoming at the moment. Munich-based band KYTES is bringing some positive energy in the new video for the indie-pop banger, ‘GO OUT’.

Reminiscing to a time when life seemed easier, ‘GO OUT’ is a throw-back tune through and through and celebration of teenage years.

Sounds like: Phoenix, Blossoms, High Tyde, Travis, Them Swoops, Native People, Strange Talk, Two Door Cinema Club, Parcels

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Dan Croll – Yesterday

Dan Croll

Dan Croll returns with the release of double A-side single ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’ through Communion Records.

Following a transition to California from Liverpool two years ago, Croll’s writing has taken a more sunny demeanor, although there still remains a contemplative undercurrent with a gentle nod to his home town.

Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, Elton John, Bombay Bicycle Club

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Bad Progress – Bad Progress

Bad Progress

Started by London-based Zygmunt Day, Joe Hyam and Nathan Kerntiff in 2019, Bad Progress is an experimental and refreshingly practical project that focuses on “the blend of musical styles playing in pubs and out of car windows in London” in a timeless and often scrappy style.

Their philosophy is “just make it easy”, which can be seen in their EP, ‘Moody Bangers’, out now.

Sounds like: Fontaines D.C., Black Midi, The Clash, Black Country New Road

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Big Fox – Beast

Big Fox

Big Fox might not be a name on the lips of the UK music lovers, but she has had huge success around Europe, especially Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and France.

The fragility of her new single ‘Beast’ is moving – she interrogates the process of using violence and fear to enforce order, and frames through a plucky-pop lens.

Sounds like: Feist, Lana Del Rey

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M.I.L.K – Need A Witness

M.I.L.K

Multi-talented Scandinavian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Emil Wilk, better known as M.I.L.K releases new single ‘Need A Witness​’ via Capitol Universal.

His new, self-produced single, ‘Need A Witness’ is a feel good and laid back jam full of technicolor. Expect his forthcoming debut album ‘Always Summer Somewhere’ set for release in March.

Sounds like: Easy Life, Rex Orange County

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Savannah Sgro – Stable

Savannah Sgro

Nashville based independent singer/songwriter Savannah Sgro is another addition to the sad girl pop revolution.

Her new single ‘Stable’ comes ahead of her SXSW debut, and features heartfelt lyrics and plenty of other pop sensibilities.

Sounds like: CILVR, Chelsea Cutter

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Weekly Gems 91

Love You Later – Said You’d Be There

Love You Later by Sara Anne Waggoner

Love You Later by Sara Anne Waggoner

Love You Later is the brainchild of Nashville-born, synth-pop artist, Lexi Aviles.

She creates heartbreaker bangers with dreamy landscapes and an infectious pop vulnerability.

Her new single ‘Said You’d Be There’ is about not getting caught up with the small things that happen in life, but to let go, be free, and dance your way through the endless horizon ahead.

Sounds like: The Japanese House, MUNA, Soccer Momm, Snail Mail

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Zoe Konez & Antonio Lulic – Echo

Zoe Konez & Antonio Lulic - Echo

Singer-songwriters Zoe Konez and Antonio Lulic combine on the rousing alternative-pop anthem “Echo”. Drawing on influences from Zoe’s indie background and Antonio’s stadium-filling pop tones, it’s an epic piece of pop-fusion that details a longing for adventure at the expense of personal relationships.

Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard

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Yaeger – I Tried

Yaeger

Extreme sport fanatic and Swedish pop act Yaeger (“hunter”) shares her dynamic single, ‘I Tried’, out now on Chess Club Records.

It’s infectious pop with a solid backbone. Listen below.

Sounds like: Tove Lo, Zara Larsson

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STORME – Back To Her

STORME

Scandinavian STORME returns with her new single ‘Back To Her’.

Written in the Swedish wilderness, the track’s topic considers how beautiful the Earth is, but also how fragile it is in it’s current, dying state.

It’s out now via Humble Angel Records.

Sounds like: Rae Morris, KATE BOY, Björk, Aurora, RAINDEAR, CILVR, Bat For Lashes, The Knife, Róísín Murphy, Billie Eilish

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BOII – Footwork

BOII

British duo BOII have us quite taken aback with their ‘Footwork’. Seems like we’re not the only ones expressing our feelings through the mode of movement.

The track focuses on the time when you can truly experience the “moment” by moving away from a challenging place and escaping reality.

Sounds like: Zola Blood, Tourist, Mansionair

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Fruut – R.O.E (Running on Empty)

Fruut

Philadelphia based singer/songwriter/producer Fruut shares her lo-fi take on indie pop and RnB to create the smooth and breezy ‘R.O.E’.

The new single is her first collab with producer Fortunewest and it’s guaranteed to get those ears twitching.

Sounds like: Sorcha Richardson, Mallrat, Vera Blue, Geowulf

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Tensnake – Rules Feat. Chenai

Tensnake

After a two year hiatus, the greatly awaited single from Tensnake arrives. Titled ‘Rules’, the feel good track features vocals from Chenai in an ode to 90s house, with a modern twist.

It’s out now on Armada Electronic Elements.

Sounds like: MNEK, Le Youth, Joe Goddard, Disclosure, Fred Falke, Louis La Roche

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Ben Kidson – Money

Ben Kidson

Self-taught rock fan turned esteemed pop-writer Ben Kidson has given his hand to producing and the result is the energetic ‘Money’.

Featuring heavy sampling of 90s video game sounds hidden throughout the track, ‘Money’ calls on people who have said they can help you to “put your money where your mouth is”.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Yungblud, Twenty One Pilots

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Eli & Fur – Wall To Wall

Eli & Fur

UK-based rising stars Eli & Fur provide lush and haunting vocals in their new single ‘Wall To Wall’.

Released on Big Beat Records/SIKR (Gavin Koolmon from Disciples new label) the progressive electronic track works perfectly listening to at home as it does on the dancefloor.

Sounds like: Luttrell, Kidnap, Henri

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Benji Lewis – New Day

Benji Lewis

Benji Lewis returns with the wonderful ‘New Day’, conjuring up images of happiness and freedome.

Shot around Los Angeles by Chris Weigen, the video for ‘New Day’ features Benji singing in front of various pastel backdrops.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, The Kite String Tangle, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, James Blake, Jack Garratt

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FLØRE – Blue Tide Eyes

FLØRE

Move over Sweden, it seems Germany is knocking on the door of talented electro-pop artists.

One such artist is FLØRE. In almost a whisper, the often lonely FLØRE tells a touching story about the fragileness of growing up in the ethereal new single, ‘Blue Tide Eyes’

Sounds like: CILVR, STORME, Lykke Li, Robyn

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STORME – Queen

STORME

Swedish project STORME shares the effervescent ‘Queen’, an inspiration song for all the queens out there who need to be moving forward with their lives.

“Queen is inspired by the worst day of my life”, explains lead singer, Amanda Liedberg. “I realized I’d suffered enough, my eyes were dry and I was ready to walk away from a toxic relationship. With this song, I could let my frustration out – but also regain my power. It’s a sort of goodbye letter, with a twist.”

Sounds like: Rae Morris, KATE BOY, Björk, Aurora, RAINDEAR, CILVR, Bat For Lashes, The Knife, Róísín Murphy

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STORME – Ticket To Heaven

STORME

Introducing the wonderful Swedish project, called STORME.

Their new song ‘Ticket To Heaven’ is not your typical Scandi-pop ballad. Oh no. Expect to be fully awakened on a spiritual journey to ethereal rebirth.

Listen below.

STORME plays a London live date at The Slaughtered Lamb on 28 June and will play Latitude Festival in the UK and Virzskana Festival in Latvia later this Summer.

Sounds like: Björk, Aurora, RAINDEAR, CILVR

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Playlist: Faradays

Faradays

Faradays is the project of Dutch songwriter and physicist Karindra Perrier.

Her new EP ‘Memories’ is out now and to celebrate the release, Faradays has put together a playlist for us full of honest and vulnerable songwriters, taking inspiration from her fascination for time, the world, and life itself in both music and science.

Maggie Rogers – Alaska

This song grabbed me the first time I heard it because it has very personal vocals and distinct sounds, and yet it’s so catchy, I just wanna dance to it.

Wildhart – We Made up a Dream

The Swedish have such particular pronunciation and vocal timbre, I love it. Beautiful song.

Lorde – The Louvre

I’m a fan of the way Lorde delivers her kind of mainstream yet authentic songs. With this track particularly, I’m just obsessed with the underwater-like bridge with the lush vocals and melancholic melodies.

Flume, Kai – Never Be Like You

This track, it’s such a good hit. Way to ride those faders on the synths! And the variety in drum sounds with the carefully tailored beat, kind of genius to get your track lively like that with few elements. Plus the “never be like you” is just an undeniably good vocal hook.

St. Vincent – New York

St. Vincent has been an inspiration to me since forever. I guess I could have added almost any song by her in this list, and I almost added Cheerleader. But I chose the more recent New York, because it’s so epic and emotional.

ANIMA! – Moving Mountains

I really love that ascending melody in the chorus, and then how the groove takes off after, and back to the darker sounding verse with the lively synth bass. Contrasting parts that come together so harmoniously. Really good.

Frank Ocean – Solo

I was kind of late to discover Frank Ocean. But now I cannot go without. His songwriting is so inspiring, his lyrics, his imagery, the way his hooks work in surprising ways.

Ásgeir – Higher

I don’t listen to this song so often anymore, but when I was writing for our EP Memories I often went to this song for inspiration on a straightforward approach that leads to a magical warm vibe. The way the piano chords are elegantly dragging behind the beat makes this song doesn’t become inert or clunky.

Katie Dey – Fleas

This is so radically uncompromising. It’s strange. It’s sweet. It’s the weirdest bedroom pop, completely out there. I love it.

Klangstof – Sleaze

I’ll end with a fellow Dutchman, because I’m proud of all the beautiful music and awesome artist we have here in the Netherlands. This track of Klangstof is subdued and excited at the same time. And I highly recommend listening to more of their tracks.

Sounds like: CILVR, Bat for Lashes, The Japanese House

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Weekly Gems 58

Kae Astra – Dreams

Kae Astra

Austin-native Kae Astra shares her effervescent alt-pop debut, ‘Dreams’.

One would be forgiven to thinking this is an ode to Kate Bush and Grimes, with it’s wonderfully expressive and falsetto vocals and painstaking melodies crowned in a lush dream pop soundscape.

Sounds like: CILVR, Kate Bush, Grimes, Beach House

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Jinka – Bare to the Bone Feat. BLVTH

Jinka

Jinka is carving the way for female-led electronic pop from Germany.

Her new single, ‘Bare to the Bone’ features fellow Berlin-based artist, BLVTH and perfectly blends BLVTH’s grungy future bass and Jinka’s happy trip pop.

The singlewill be featured on Jinka’s debut EP ‘Dr. Ara’, which will be released on 8 March.

Sounds like: Kate Boy, I BREAK HORSES, Billie Eilish

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Chelsea Effect – Tinseltown

Chelsea Effect

We all know many people head to Los Angeles and only a handful make it to stardom, but it doesn’t prevent the never-ending quest by actors, artists and musicians alike.

Chelsea Effect – the music/art/fashion project of Canadian born Emerald Isabella – discusses this such topic in her new single ‘Tinseltown’.

It’s a reflective message about trying to make it in L.A, “the land of almost stars.” It’s out now.

Sounds like: Monogem, Evvy, Ellie Goulding, REMMI

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Dan Crossley – Mind Games

Dan Crossley
Dan Crossley is calling out an ex-lover in his new single ‘Mind Games’.

It’s a R&B pop anthem from the artist who has a knack of writing honest music written from personal experiences, which has rightfully landed him the BBC Introducing’s One To Watch for 2018.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Charley Stride, Cat Burns, Years & Years

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Fred Daniels – Wetlands

Fred Daniels

Swedish artist Fred Daniels shares the gorgeously addictive pop number, ‘Wetlands’ – “an anthem for oral sex”!

After learning to play drums at nine and writing his first song at 11, it’s clear a successful career in music has always been in Fred’s destiny, which has included being a member of Södra Station with Shy Martin and collaborations with Andrew Taggart from The Chainsmokers.

Sounds like: SKOTT, The Weeknd, Years & Years, Lane 8, La Bouquet

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Broken Back – Breathe Slow

Broken Back

It’s been a heavy week for us so time to breathe slow and get some bright emotion back in our lives ahead of the weekend.

Broken Back is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creator…as well as of course an advocate of tropical and uplifting sounds. His new single ‘Breathe Slow’ is “a liberating invitation to focus on the glass half full rather than on the half empty one” and is out now via Ultra Records.

Sounds like: Kygo, Kazy Lambist

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Faradays – Snow

Faradays

Dutch physicist and musician Faradays (aka Karindra Perrier) shares her effervescent new electro-pop single, ‘Snow’.

Much like the title suggests, it has glacial tendencies with an upbeat energy encouraging the listener to dance away the vulnerability.

Speaking about ‘Snow’, Faradays explains,

“All of us are here temporarily, like snow falling from the sky. So now that we are here: let’s dance before we touch the ground.”

Sounds like: CILVR, Bat for Lashes, The Japanese House

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