Tag Archives: Haim

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Weekly Gems 136

CHERITON – Say Hey Feat. Lydia Clowes

CHERITON & Lydia Clowes by Tom Greenwood

CHERITON & Lydia Clowes by Tom Greenwood

CHERITON and Lydia Clowes of Bad Honey want to ‘Say Hey’ with bright new single. Communication and reconnection is the song’s key message, as it floats between breezy and playful.

Sounds like: Vampire Weekend, HAIM, Blossoms, Metronomy, Gaspard Eden

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Seraphina Simone – Blue Devil

Seraphina Simone by Marc Sethi

Seraphina Simone by Marc Sethi

Seraphina Simone shares the rich and velvety ‘Blue Devil’, as part of a double release, also featuring a track called ‘Skin’. It’s another passionate and 80s-dipped alt-pop number from the rising artist.

Sounds like: Celeste, Lana Del Rey, Laurel, Chløe Black, VÉRITE, Blondie

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Matilda Eyre – Let Me Be

Matilda Eyre

German-born singer-songwriter and producer Matilda Eyre returns with her newest offering, the raw and emotionally vulnerable indie-pop single, ‘Let Me Be’.

Sounds like: Birdy, Emma McGrath

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YASSiN – Take My Time

YASSiN

Introducing Toronto-based singer, songwriter and producer YASSiN, who invites us to escape with his uplifting new offering ‘Take My Time’. Teaming up with Sean Terrio, the track effortlessly blends folktronica, indie-pop, soul, and classic disco.

Sounds like: First Aid Kit, Arcade Fire

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Weekly Gems 134

Caspian Pool – Insider

Caspian Pool

French synth-dance duo Caspian Pool likes to keep us on our toes with their wide-ranging selection of electronic music. Cue the colour-fuelled visuals for the foot-thumping ‘Insider’.

Sounds like: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop

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Psyence – Retrospect

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Anthemic alt-rock band Psyence returns with psychedelic sensibilities in rousing new single ‘Retrospect’, reminding us that every bitter end has a new beginning.

Sounds like: Queens of the Stone Age, Kasabian, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, The Blinders, Wolfmother

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Beharie – Me & My Lonely

Beharie

Distinctive Norwegian voice, Beharie shares his soulful, folk and ambient blend in the form of ‘Me and My Lonely’. Pastoral and beautiful, the track orbits a peaceful finger-picked acoustic riff.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Bombay Bicycle Club

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Flechettes – Chasing Youth

Flechettes

Wigan-based four-piece Flechettes share the radio-ready and uplifting ‘Chasing Youth’, with blazing indie-pop guitar riffs and catchy vocals, making for a seriously dynamic record.

Sounds like: Sea Girls, Red Rum Club, The Blinders, Stanleys, Garden Party

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Chillhum – Dancing (Alone)

Chillhum

22-year-old producer, songwriter and musician Ethan Bedell – aka Chillhum – shares ‘Dancing Alone’, a stripped back and melodic blissed-out track that celebrates the joys of being alone.

Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Couro, Flume, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki

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Bre Kennedy – Where Did Summer Go

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Songwriting heavyweight Bre Kennedy winds down for the cooler months with her acoustic track ‘Where Did Summer Go’, a nostalgic ballad that symbolises the passing and loss of time and dreams that never got to see the heat of summer.

Sounds like: Charli Adams, Taylor Swift, HAIM, First Aid Kit

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Izza – Lows

IZZA by Sam Rockman

IZZA by Sam Rockman

Dark-pop artist Izza chronicles the ups and downs of dealing with anxiety and depression in a world where people are obsessed with the perceived perfection of their online selves, in new single ‘Lows’.

Sounds like: Dua Lipa, Gracey, Call Me Loop, Mabel

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BENEE – Snail

BENEE

To say that BENEE is a rising indie-pop star is almost a disservice at this point. The breakout artist of the last 12 months has been releasing enchanting music and it looks as though the New Zealand sensation is set to continue her ascent to the very top.

Written and recorded with Josh Fountain shortly after New Zealand opened up from lockdown, BENEE was inspired to write her new single ‘Snail’ after spending weeks in isolation,

“When we were in lockdown, I was fascinated by snails. There wasn’t really a lot to be doing, so I would spend a lot of time outside looking at snails and would think about how they’re doing their own little thing and they’re all free. I just played around with the idea of being kind of like a snail and how I come out in the rain. Being stuck inside because of COVID, it’s kind of my lockdown song.”

Thick synth bass licks greet you to the unique project, almost acting as the percussion. As we continue, the tracks’ ever-expanding mix of creative elements and synths build layer upon layer of pop mastery, culminating in a busy song that you can’t help but find new ear candy with each listen.

With a chorus hook that just won’t quit, we would be impressed if this remains on your mind for anything less than the rest of your day at the very least.

Sounds like: G Flip, mallrat, Cub Sport, Vera Blue, HAIM, Remi Wolf

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Playlist: daysormay

daysormay by Jeff Bassett

daysormay by Jeff Bassett

Meet Vancouver-based three-piece daysormay comprised of twin brothers Carson and Nolan Bassett and Aidan Andrews. Their name is taken from the English phonetic of the French word “désormais,” meaning “from now on”.

They’ve put together a playlist for us, check it out below.

Charli XCX – enemy
Carson: The chords and the melody along with the production of this song really all work
together to elevate each other, one of our favourites right now. It was so mind-blowing to hear
that this whole album was made in a month.

Ricky Reed, Terrace Martin, St. Panther – Real Magic
Carson: This song just brings the mood from wherever it is to a happier place, a feel-good song.

Toro y Moi – Lissoms (Instrumental)
Nolan: Love how this song is chill but manages to still make you groove. Even though this song
is 10 years old, it still feels fresh.

Mk.gee – Isn’t It So Convenient
Nolan: The drums on this song sound SO good. It’s just full of really cool and organic sounds
and I love how straight up and honest the lyrics are.

Grady – Let’s Stay Inside
Carson: The beat switch at the end is legendary.

Post-Modern Connection – Drowning
Carson: Glad to call these guys our friends, from just outside our hometown. Great chords,
beautiful vocals and keeps you interested all the way through.

Gia Ford – Waterslide
Nolan: So funky and kind of sinister-sounding at the same time. Whoever played bass on this
song killed it.

HAIM – 3AM
Nolan: The chords are SO good and the chorus bangs. Rostam is also one of my favourite
producers at the moment so I was stoked to find out he worked on this album.

CHIKA – DESIGNER
Nolan: It drops in hard and not in a way you would expect and I love how this song just plays
with your expectations the whole time. CHIKA also has such a good voice.

The 1975 – I Like America & America Likes Me
Aidan: The 1975 helped me realize that you could be in a band and not make “band music”.
Realizing that I could make a song with whatever sounds I wanted, that it didn’t have to be
based around guitar, drums, bass, typical “band instruments”, that was a big deal for me. I love
how they used the hard autotune in this, and the production and lyrics are so good.

Baby Keem – MOSHPIT
Aidan: A legend. I’m always drawn towards artists that have a unique vocal style/delivery, and
almost every line of a Baby Keem song is quotable. So good.

Charli XCX – claws
Aidan: this song’s been in my head for weeks now. Charli is so cool, and I’ve been trying to find
the snare sample Dylan Brady used on this ever since I heard it. It’s currently my favourite
song.

Watch their energetic video for ‘Role Model’ with Tessa Violet below, which happened after she brought the band on tour and was blown away, signing them up to her label, T∆G Music.

Sounds like: Passion Pit, Sea Girls, Cold War Kids, Peach Pit, Walk Off The Earth, Chloe Lilac, Tessa Violet, Local Natives, Phoenix, Tokyo Police Club

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Red Robyn – I’ll Stay The Same

Red Robyn

The wonderful Red Robyn shares her delicate new single, ‘I’ll Stay The Same’, taken from her trilogy EP called ‘Girls Wear Pink’, out now.

A delicate rendition with pleasing vocal tones and instrumentation, her music is a mirror that reflects the current state of the world.

Radiating a strong sense of self-worth and surety, the new single is exactly what we need right now.

Sounds like: HAIM, Maggie Rogers, Chairlift, Lykke Li, King Princess, The Aces, Phoebe Bridgers, Wet, Men I Trust, LÉON, Emma McGrath, Birdy

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Alec Baker – Something About You Feat. MANX

Alec Baker

Stockholm based producer and writer Alec Baker is showing off Marcus Møller‘s dance moves in the Basliel Berhane-directed video for ‘Something About You’.

Much like the Wes Anderson-inspired visuals, the Swedish newcomer takes a minimalist approach to his pop music, combining saccharine vocals with ambient synths.

The song is co-produced with uber talent Summer Heart and features vocal melodies and lyrics from art-pop experimentalist MANX.

Alec Baker’s new EP is due to drop in the Summer.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, HAIM, The Japanese House

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Red Robyn – Got Me Feat. The World Of Birds

Red Robyn

Baby you’ve got me stuck in my head. Damn right.

Making music for dreamers, multi-instrumentalist Red Robyn releases her wonderful new single, ‘Got Me’, which quite literally has us hooked.

South-African born Red Robyn now resides in The Bluff in Cornwall, a place of tranquillity and nature.

Discovered whilst a Monday morning churn through SoundCloud, the breezy ‘Got Me’ has nods of nostalgia interlaced with delicate chimes of dream pop.

Sounds like: HAIM, Maggie Rogers, Chairlift, Lykke Li, King Princess, The Aces, Phoebe Bridgers, Wet, Men I Trust, LÉON

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Lola Scott – Take Me Back

Lola Scott - Take Me Back

Young Australian-based artist Lola Scott transports us to Scandi-pop territory with her new song ‘Take Me Back’.

Written from the perspective of being at the end of a long term relationship, it’s easy to reminisce at how easy it was to dive right into love with no fears.

This frankness in her songwriting is thanks to Scott’s hard work over the last 12 months, as well as learning piano and guitar at an early age, courtesy to her dad’s record collection of new-wave, post-punk synth-pop and alternative rock.

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Billie Eilish, Susanne Sundfør, HAIM, Clairo, Niki & The Dove, Oh Land, The Knife, Broods

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Beauty Queen – Two Of Us

Beauty Queen

Maui-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Beauty Queen – aka Katie Iannitello – crafts music on the sonic edges of dreamy lo-fi and alt-pop haziness, lost in the reveries of loneliness and unrequited love.

Inspired by 1950s pop and doo-wop, as well as more nostalgic decades and modern pop, her new single, ‘Two Of Us’, is out now and was written and produced in three days at husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of the band Tennis‘ Denver, Colorado home studio.

The visuals are a tale of two Sasquatches who are desperately in love and oblivious to the Sasquatch hunter on their tail. Watch below
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Sounds like: Chairlift, Tennis, Real Estate, The Aces, Haim, Neon Indian, Alvvays

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