Tag Archives: cln

Playlist: LOVER

LOVER

Rising Australian artist LOVER has just released his genre-bending EP, ‘It’s A Wild World’.

A body of work he’s been working on since late 2019, it reflects the time in LOVER’s life, as well as in the world around us.

To coincide with the release, LOVER has kindly put together a “Headrush” themed playlist for us. Listen below.

“Headrush” – Like a rush of blood

Dijon – CRYBABY :*(
Damn. I really wish I wrote this song. The video is beautiful too – one of my favourite songs of ALL TIME.

Jean Dawson – BRUISEBOY
My parents had me when they were young, so I remember my Dad mainly listening to early 90’s music – The Smashing Pumpkins, Third Eye Blind etc. This has the perfect combo of the influence of this generation of music w a modern twist.

Porches – PFB
I love short songs. Looking around, it is all “Pretty Fucking Bad” too. Thank you Porches and thank you Golden Vessel for showing me this song.

daste. – Telephone (What’s Your Name?)
These guys are my mates from Australia, who I met from being a fan of their music and now we’re indie label mates! They have a lot of versatility and all three of them are great songwriters. I’m a big fan of this track from their latest EP ‘Same As It Ever Was’.

Ryan Beatty – Evergreen
Dreaming Of David, the second album by Ryan Beatty at the start of this year is the most slept on record. I cannot believe that after his HIT ‘Sugar’ with Brockhampton it doesn’t have as many streams as his older work. The songwriting is strong, his voice is something else and the production on this album, and particularly Evergreen, is fresh and inventive. Ryan, if you’re out there, I’m sorry they’re sleeping on this !!!

Phoebe Bridgers – Garden Song
Phoebe Bridgers is a phenomenon. Her lyricism across her catalogue is inspiring. Love the production on this track particular track, definitely was a big influence for the ending of my own track ‘Last Puzzle Piece’. I’ve read that down-tuned sounding voice in the chorus is actually her tour managers real voice haha.

Jon Brion – Phone Call – Score
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is one of my favourite movies. The soundtrack is immaculate too, and once I learned more about Jon Brion I realised he scored multiple of my favourite 90’s / early 00’s movies as well as the latest Mac Miller records (RIP). This track is a short lofi dream, about 20 years ahead of its time!

Oneohtrix Point Never, (Sandy) Alex G – Babylon
This song is what happens when you get a versatile producer in the room with a legendary songwriter. It transcends your usual soft acoustic track with the electronic elements, strings and the vocal layering. I really want to see (Sandy) Alex G live with a band someday and cry quietly in the back corner.

Kllo – Insomnia
Really tight, lush production paired with the singer Chloe’s glass vocals. I love them and they’re from Melbourne – basically my backyard! (if my backyard was a 10 and a half-hour drive away).

18YOMAN – Fireflies
Another Aussie. When I first heard this song on Triple J Unearthed I was like, fuck, ok, do I still release my EP? lol. It’s sooo good and the songwriting / production (which I believe he did himself) raised the bar for all Australian acts releasing in 2020 .. in my opinion!

Dijon – Rock n Roll
Had to put two Dijon songs in, I’m sorry! He’s too good. This is from his new project, the breakdown at the end takes me somewhere else.

Roland Faunte – Happy Life
One of the only songs I legit cry to. Roland Faunte’s story over the whole ‘Sewing Kit’ project is cohesive, honest, raw, poetic. It has a classic sound that I think is above ageing All the lyrics are perfect but I lose it at:

“Give me heartache if that means a reason
That I would continue; Please, I need them
Because you mattered, when nothing mattered
If I need something let me have her”

Radiohead – True Love Waits
I tried to keep this playlist as new as I could, but I couldn’t resist putting a Radiohead song in there. They’re probably my favourite band and different eras of their music has been in consistent rotation since day dot. This track was actually written in the mid-90’s, and from the live versions from that time that I’ve watched it was originally kind of uptempo and pop leaning like “High and Dry”. It didn’t get released until 2016, in a very different form. Imagine sitting and reworking a song for TWENTY years lmao. It’s that good.

‘It’s A Wild World’ is available everywhere now via Mammal Sounds Records.

Sounds like: Golden Vessel, daste., Emerson Leif, Akurei, JVLY, CLN, George Gretton, Luna Pines

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Weekly Gems 109

Joshua Worden – Easy to Say Feat. Casey Harper

Joshua Worden

Joshua Worden recently hit a deeply introspective period and his new selection of releases shows this.

With an educational background in Jazz Guitar and English Literature, his music is stripped back and takes a slower pace these days, dabbling in R&B, pop, trip-hop, and chillwave. Listen to ‘Easy To Say’ featuring Casey Harper.

Sounds like: Kllo, Kudu Blue, Rhye, Blood Orange, Moses Sumney, The Internet

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Logan Prescott – How We Wanted

Logan Prescott

Dallas-based Indie Pop artist Logan Prescott shares the uber dreamy pop single ‘How We Wanted’.

Tender guitars, dreamy synths and an all encompassing 80’s boyband vibe. Perfect for fans of LANY and joan.

Sounds lik: LANY, The 1975, COIN, joan

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Junípero – New Beginnings

Junípero

The Mexican dream-pop scene is bubbling away like a reactive volcano.

Junípero is the project of Joán Melendrez and Janelle Saucedo, who enjoy experimenting with transcendent thunderous and melodic sounds. Listen to their debut single ‘New Beginnings’ below.

Sounds like: Beach House, Explosions In the Sky, Mogwai

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DiRTY RADiO x Jafunk – The Baddest

DiRTY RADiO x Jafunk

From dreampop to nu-disco tinged funk, DiRTY RADiO team up with Jafunk on ultra smooth new track, ‘The Baddest’.

Despite never meeting, the two worlds have somehow collided into a kaleidoscope of sounds. With summer written all over it, click play right now.

Sounds like: Pat Lok, Jean Tonique, Keljet, Gigamesh, Moon Boots, Tobtok, Moullinex, Pomo, Anderson Paak, Mac Miller

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Blu DeTiger – Figure It Out

Blu DeTiger

Meet Blu DeTiger, touring bassist for Caroline Polachek, The Knocks, and Fletcher, and a credible artist in her own right.

Her art-pop single ‘Figure It Out’ is so bright and colourful that you need to put on those sunnies sharpsih.

Sounds like: Kitten, Sofi Tukker, The Knocks

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Far West – Can’t Let Go

Far West - Can't Let Go

Far West is, as you’ve guessed it, from the West Coast of the US, in California.

They have a unique take on bellowing indie/synthpop, reminiscent of the early ’00s. The new single ‘Can’t Let Go’ has big synth leads with a poppy vibe, and is written about trying to let go of something that isn’t good for you.

Sounds like: Passion Pit, Bombay Bicycle Club

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Night Tales – Feel Nothing

Night Tales

Australian electronic duo Night Tales – aka amaliza (Australian-born Kamaliza Salamba, formerly of Olympic Ayres) and Third Floor (UK-born/Aussie-based Aaron Bannie) drop their 3rd single of 2020 titled ‘Feel Nothing.’

It’s a positively-led dance number with a tender touch, written about a relationship that is emotionally spent.

Sounds like: Duke Dumont, Just Kiddin, The Magician, The Aston Shuffle, Hayden James

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Makk Mikkael – fear

Makk Mikkael

Montreal based artist Makk Mikkael (MacKenzie Michael) has been writing music from a young age. Since then, she has explored different cities in her home country of Canada, to finally settle in Montréal.

The heartbeat of her new single is a minimalistic down-tempo electro track with ethereal vocals and driving rhythm, which soon goes off-kilter as the ‘fear’ takes over.

Sounds like: BABii, Men I Trust

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Bronze Whale – Hold. Wait. Fall. Feat Poles

Bronze Whale - Hold. Wait. Fall. Feat Poles

First Bronze Whale are walking, next they are stopping.

Stripped right back, the minimal electronic track features fellow label mate and longtime friend, Poles. It’s about being dragged back into a relationship even when you know it’s toxic. Needing to see it through regardless of what it takes from you.

Sounds like: James Blake, Chet Faker, Flume, Droeloe, Weeknd, OTR, CLN

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Nao Yoshioka – Up and Away feat. PHER

Nao Yoshioka

Rising Japanese star Nao Yoshioka is showcasing her modern R&B and soul.

Born in Japan, now living in the US, Nao has been perfecting her craft and working alongside legendary musicians in the scene to create an authentic & powerful new album ‘Undeniable’, out now. Listen to her slow and sensual single, ‘Up And Away’ featuring PHER.

Sounds like: Aaliyah, Solange, H.E.R, Marie Dahlstrom, Oscar Jerome, Ella Mai, Alicia Keys

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Madnap – Silhouettes Feat. Little Shadows

Madnap

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2017, producer/songwriter/remixer Madnap – aka Kyle Fitzgibbons – shares ‘Silhouettes’ featuring Little Shadows.

The emo-tinged, trap-pop track is his favourite to date, and perfectly captures the Madnap sound in 2020.

Sounds like: yetep, Rome In Silver, Manila Killa, LIONE, juuku

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SamYell – Lose Yourself

SAMYELL

California native Samyell has a creative superpower that he is meant to share with the world.

Produced by Osinachi Nwaneri (T.I., Ciara, Black Eyed Peas), ‘Lose Yourself’ will make you do just that.

An infectious nighttime, jazz infused R&B anthem, it urges you to “get lost through temptations of money drugs and false promises.”

Sounds like: The Weeknd, Babyface, Timbaland, Ginuwine, Pharrell

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Mona Vale – All This Time

Mona Vale

Songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Hoddle – aka Mona Vale – has created an altogether chilled track called ‘All This Time’.

Starting in the pop realms and soon developing into an indie form of ambient electronica, the song is about the early stages of a relationship, setting nostalgic emotions on fire.

Sounds like: XY&O, Nightly, Great Good Fine Ok, Maribou State

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Melyz – Bad Together

Melyz

Swiss artist Melyz shares her provactive new single ‘Bad Together’.

with a hint of R&B club vibes, the song takes a darker approach than previous releases, as it considers how toxic and destructive a relationship can become when it gets too passionate.

Sounds like: Banks

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Weekly Gems 101

fakelife – Drugs All Night

fakelife by Dillon Couchois

Matt Couchois of atmospheric indie-pop project, fakelife, releases invigorating new single, ‘Drugs All Night’.

You can almost sense the energetic tension as Matt sings about a tumultuously toxic romantic relationship – what more could you want from a nightclub pop anthem?

Sounds like: The Knocks, Great Good Fine Ok, RAC, La Poré

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BLOODHYPE – Violent Heart

BLOODHYPE - Violent Heart

Born from a simple plan – make music friends in a flatshare in former East Berlin, BLOODHYPE is a Berlin-based, independent gang of four that demand to be noticed.

Masterminded by frontman Weyland and UK producer John “P Nut” Harrison (Amy Winehouse, Alice Merton), their new single ‘Violent Heart’ caught us from the get-go. It’s an addictive slice of modern indie pop full of 80’s inspired self-pity.

Sounds like: Ten Fé, Larkins, Dancing On Tables

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Limón Limón – Normal Now

Limón Limón - Normal Now

Los Angeles duo Limón Limón offer a zesty take on the past and the future with their captivating nostalgic soundscape sound.

The new single, ‘Normal Now’ is about being yourself in a world that is always trying to turn you into someone else.

Sounds like: Midnight Pool Party, La Felix, All The Rest, argonaut & wasp, Goldroom, Pastel, 90’s Kids

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Tina Boonstra – Out of my depth

Tina Boonstra

Churchgoer-turned-open mic singer Tina Boonstra has shared her interesting new track, ‘Out of my depth’.

With a sharp emotional intensity, you can feel the angst bubbling underneath as the track progresses into a crushingly honest rage against the universe, God and insomnia.

Sounds like: Regina Spektor

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SUMif – Collide

SUMif - Collide

SUMif shares her sensual new single, ‘Collide’.

Written after an enlightening, whirlwind romance, it’s a heady mixture of naivete, recklessness, seduction, and soulful connection.

Sounds like: REMMI, Cappa, Monogem, Evvy, Noosa, Sizzy Rocket

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NoMBe – HEELS

NoMBe - HEELS

German-born, Los Angeles-based indie artist NoMBe shares ‘HEELS’, a catchy AF funk-laden jam.

Oozing sass upon sass, it’s taken from his upcoming concept album, ‘CHROMATOPIA’ which is built upon the spectrum of colour and the spectrum of sexuality.

Sounds like: The Knocks, Jungle

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Foreign Fields – Rose Colored

Foreign Fields

Foreign Fields is US-based Eric Hillman and Brian Holl, who create a bewitching melting pot of acoustic sounds.

As with all promising folk contenders, the duo wrote and recorded their upcoming album, ‘The Beauty of Survival’ in the winter in a back-to-basics cabin with no heating built by a two-man father-and-son team in Western Wisconsin.

Listen to ‘Rose Colored’ below.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Billie Eilish

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Bronze Whale – Let’s Go Walk

Bronze Whale - Let's Go Walk

Bronze Whale like to walk a lot. During this time, they talk about things they want to accomplish, music stuff and dinner.

This where the lyrical inspiration came for ‘Let’s Go Walk’, a resonating and atmospheric electronic piece about love, loss and learning. It’s out now on their own label, Magic Magic.

Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-j, OTR, CLN, Golden Vessel, Autograf

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The Policy Feat. CUT_ – NLYU

Dutch-based The Policy teams up with CUT_ to create the looping, synth-based, and nostalgic ‘NLYU’.

Looping lyrics reflect a DIY attitude, after all it’s only you who can make it come true.

Sounds like: Joe Goddard, Todd Terje, Jessie Ware, Disclosure, Kylie Minogue

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Zoë Phillips – Love Is Gone

Zoë Phillips - Love Is Gone

Multi-instrumentalist Zoë Phillips combines country with beautiful folktronica. Think Dolly Parton meets Bombay Bicycle Club.

Set for the same level of fandom, Phillips has already seen plenty of support from the BBC, and her new single ‘Love Is Gone’ is going to propel her closer.

Sounds like: Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Bombay Bicycle Club, Lucy Rose, Maggie Rogers, Birdy

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HUMANS – Beggin

HUMANS

Looking like they are having the best time, the video footage was taken from many of their past videos plus some extra shots from 2010 to 2019.

HUMANS is a Canadian indie-electronic duo made up of musicians Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq. Focusing on performance and production styles of both the past and present, HUMANS have consistently impressed upon audiophiles with their technical and compositional skills.

Sounds like: Madcon, Digitalism, Rudimental

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Fí – all i have

Fí - all i have

Dublin-based self-taught musician, drops ‘all i have’.

Written and intended as a diary entry, the electro-pop number holds a collection of emotions following a break up. Listen below.

Sounds like: Halsey, Låpsley, VERITE

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Mannequin Online – I Do

Mannequin Online - I Do

Introducing Zach DeGaetano and Bridget Boltz – aka Mannequin Online.

Pushing sonic and ideational barriers with gritty, yet refreshing off-kilter pop, may their sound forever remain bright, gritty, and unapologetic. Listen to ‘I Do’ and check out the glorious Gorgeous guitar solo.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Poolside, VHS Collection, The Knocks, Miami Horror

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Weekly Gems 89

REYKO – Don’t Mention My Name

REYKO

Rising London-based electro-pop duo REYKO share the effervescent and delicate new single ‘Don’t Mention My Name’.

Simple in its format, yet atmospheric in its delivery, the track captures the feeling of modern-day paranoia.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Saint Etienne, CAPPA

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Esmé Patterson – Light In Your Window

Esme Patterson

Alt-folk singer, Esmé Patterson returns with her expansive and dream-filled ballad, ‘Light In Your Window’.

We’ve all been there, glancing up to a light in our ex’s house, longing and hoping that we might catch a glimpse of them. Patterson perfectly captures that moment – the desire for a person, a feeling, a space in time that no longer exists, and the desire to move on.

The song marks her first for BMG and was recorded with fellow Coloradans Tennis in their garage in Denver.

Sounds like: First Aid Kit, Paper Bird, Courtney Barnett, HAIM

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LIA – Feed Me

LIA

LIA shares ‘Feed Me’, taken from her ‘Vasilia’ EP, which was co-produced with Montreal’s Lust and Thomas White.

Inspired by Baba Yaga from a computer game, the tracks in the EP depict Lia’s journey of finding resilience in the mind, resilience as a woman and resilience in her relationships.

Listen to ‘Feed Me’ below:

Sounds like: Banks, Stalgia

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NOVAA – I Am In Love

NOVAA

There an great deal of exciting pop sounds coming from Germany at the moment. One such contender is Berlin based experimental pop artist Novaa.

Her intriguing visuals for ‘AI Am In Love’ explore the theme of love, specifically falling in love with artificial intelligence, and continues through to her unique and exciting upcoming album, ‘The Futurist’.

Sounds like: Mothica, IDER, Mavi Phoenix, ÄTNA

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ZIMBRU – Terejo

ZIMBRU

This is the first time we have supported Romanian music on the site, and it’s a corker from Zimbru.

A disco-punk band comprised of Teodora Retegan, Paul Bucovesan, Andrei Bobiș and Oana Pop, this band will make you want to dance and drench yourself in romanticism and nostalgia.

Sounds like: The Eurythmics, Goldfrapp, London Grammar

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MOLI – On The Weekend

MOLI

It’s Monday, and we’re guessing Berlin-based MOLI has been hitting it hard, if her new single ‘On The Weekend’ is anything to go by.

Laid back melodies and a luxurious nu-disco-inspired beat throughout, turn this one up!

Sounds like: Charli XCX, Goldroom, Chela

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Bronze Whale – Growing Up

Bronze Whale

US-based dup Bronze Whale shares the highly listenable ‘Growing Up.

Written during an impromtu jamming session, the track gives a warming sense of freedom throughout with a glimmer of sparkle. Listen below.

Sounds like: OTR, CLN, Golden Vessel, Autograf

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Saint Blonde – Americana

Saint Blonde

Four piece Saint Blonde shares their new single, ‘Americana’.

It’s a light and breezy satiryical depictation of the modern world where “Everything is fake and painted over with a nice fine glossy filter”.

Sounds like: Steve Tyler, Sea Girls, FUN

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Weekly Gems 68

Apollo LTD – Misfits

Apollo LTD

Meet indie pop duo Apollo LTD.

It’s the first time we’ve heard of the band, but what we can say is their ability to combine retro-smooth production, with electronic synths and falsetto makes a highly addictive, mesmerizing sound.

Listen to their new single ‘Misfits’ below.

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Sounds like: LIONLION, Phoenix, Foster The People

cln – Fade to Grey

cln

Australian artist cln makes a melancholic declaration with his new single ‘Fade To Grey’.

The groovy and downtempo song was born following cln’s experimentation with new sounds and textures, and may not fit his usual “sound”, but that’s the way he likes it.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Bon Iver

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Torn Palk – Juliana

Torn Palk

Torn Palk‘s new single, ‘Juliana,’ is pure, sun-soaked bliss.

The musician, who remains anonmyous, drifts his music between lazy guitar riffs and seaside soundbites.
He describes the single, “Juliana’ is about a situation in which you feel fully connected to your surroundings. This can be a place, a person or memories of both. It’s a simple love song.”

It’s out now on Absent Mind.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Washed Out

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Akurei – Stockholm

Akurei

Exciting new talent, Akurei shares his new single ‘Stockholm’.

Conjured up during his solo trip across Europe, ‘Stockholm’ was actually written on his phone in a hostel in Berlin, and covers the topic of loneliness and the longing for a connection to encounter while travelling alone.

Co-produced with Golden Vessel, the track effortlessly switches between hip-hop and pop worlds. Golden Vessel also filmed the stylist DIY video which can be viewed here.

Sounds like: LANY, The 1975

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