Tag Archives: Kid Astray

Weekly Gems 116

XY&O – Left Alone

XY&O - Left Alone

What a way to kick off the gems this week! Welcome back XY&O.

Teasing a debut album (finally!) comes ‘Left Alone’ – another slice of hazy pop with simple and effective melodic structures, and of course, Skip Curtis’ luscious vocal mix.

Sounds like: Kid Astray, Sir Sly, Lost Boy Crow, Nonaphoenix

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Limón Limón – Barcelona

Limón Limón

Future indie duo Limón Limón is taking us back to sweeter times in ‘Barcelona’.

Conjuring up dreams of warm summer nights sitting on the beach drinking wine, as the salt air drifts over our warm bodies. Perfect!

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

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Jamws – Toronto

Jamws - Toronto

When you are in flow, you are completely engrossed in the task in hand. Hours can pass without even noticing. This appears to have happened to South London multi-instrumentalist, performer and bedroom producer Jamws whilst working on his debut EP ‘Toronto’.

The five heartfelt tracks describe various stages of heartbreak, starting with a separation, following his partner of ten years moving to Toronto.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, The 1975

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Max Alexander – Stay Where You Are

Max Alexander - Stay Where You Are

Max Alexander is a new alt-pop singer/songwriter from London.

Originally an acoustic artist by heart, he’s decided to go straight in with the electric guitar, to create an all together fist-to-chest sound in ‘Stay Where You Are’.

Sounds like: WEIRDO

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Victor Perry – What I Observe

Victor Perry

It’s always worthwhile to take a step back sometimes, and reflect.

NYC-based singer-songwriter/vocalist Victor Perry does exactly that in his lyrically mature new song ‘What I Observe’. As he croons in a poetic form of self-expression, we witness a subtle electro-pop space in which the track really starts to breathe.

Sounds like: Rhye, Rationale, Jacob Banks, James Blake, The Weeknd, Labrose

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dekleyn – Who We Are

dekleyn - Who We Are

Australian duo dekleyn fuses electro-pop with pop-leaning dance in the catchy single, ‘Who We Are’.

It touches on the topical subject of mental health and the sense of vulnerability that comes with almost every relationship.

Sounds like: LANY, joan, LAUV

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PELA – South Of

PELA

South London duo PELA share ‘South Of’, the first song they wrote together.

Amalgamating differing musical influences, it’s another stellar example of the duo’s sonic trajectory into a moody, melodic melodious song.

Sounds like: Kudu Blue, James Blake, KAYTRANADA

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Amy Milner – Wildside

Amy Milner

Singer/songwriter Amy Milner shares her new single, ‘Wildside’.

Written about catching yourself before you lose control, facing those demons and welcoming the dark side of your mind, it’s energetic commercial alt-pop at its finest.

Sounds like: Birdy, Emma McGrath, Florence + The Machine

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Jens – Nocturnal

Jens by Sigurd Fandango

Jens by Sigurd Fandango

Bergen-born Jens could be the next big Scandi-pop superstar.

His off-kilter single ‘Nocturnal’ has all the makings of a pop banger – upbeat, catchy vocal hooks with a carefree bass line.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, Myylo, Charlie Puth

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Weekly Gems 80

OH Wonder – Hallelujah

OH Wonder by Olga De La Iglesia

OH Wonder by Olga De La Iglesia

OH Wonder returns with the glorious new single, ‘Hallelujah’! Praise be!

The visuals, shot in one take, feature Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht in a field amongst a selection of multi-coloured church gowns. As colourful and catchy as ever.

Sounds like: IYES, Kid Astray, Banks, Fickle Friends, Monogem, Paperwhite, PROM, Blood Orange, Years & Years, Bipolar Sunshine, Broods, ASTR

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Islandis – Slow Down

Islandis by Cormac Power

Islandis by Cormac Power

Australian duo Islandis – aka producer/instrumentalist James Chave-Dubois & Ben McInerney – share their bright new single, ‘Slow Down’.

Sharing one song a year, this radiant upbeat jam breathes nostalgia and contagious pop hooks

Sounds like: New Navy, Phoenix, Foster The People, Goldroom, Strange Talk

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Daniella Mason – Woman Lover Powerful

Daniella Mason

Damn right, Nashville-based Daniella Mason knows the power she has a woman.

A modern feminist anthem through and through, it spells out the world from many womens’ eyes. Her forthcoming EP, ‘Physical State’ is due out this fall.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, The Japanese House, Robyn, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, George Gretton, Luna Pines

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Tony Njoku – CONFIDENT

Tony Njoku

Nigerian-British avant-pop auteur and artist Tony Njoku shares the brilliant new Max Jedwab-directed video for ‘CONFIDENT’.

The intense single adopts a confessional, diary-like intimacy underpinned by whirring synths, which dissolve into effervescent chaos.

It is taken from his new album, ‘Your Psyche’s Rainbow Panorama’, released on 4 October via Silent Kid Records, in which he has taken inspiration from a work of Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson’s glass walkway, entitled ‘Your Rainbow Panorama’.

Sounds like: Sacred Animals, Ben Khan, Flying Lotus, Ghostpoet, Gaika, Lightfoot

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Zanski – Younger You Feat. Emilia Ali

Zanski

Zanski digs deeper with his creative new single, ‘Younger You’.

A laid-back RnB affair, Zanski has teamed up with vocalist Emilia Ali to deliver unparalleled vocal lines, rich harmonies, and sweet grooves that perfectly showcase his ability for some serious tuneage, with as much intrigue and substance as James Blake or Jai Paul.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, James Blake, Honne, Banks, Jai Paul

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Slow Shudder – Just As You Are

Slow Shudder

Pop music is always in a state of flux, and there are always artists doing interesting things with it if you know where to look. This week it’s Seattle-based producer-singer-songwriter Slow Shudder.

Reminiscent of the likes of Robokid and PC Music artists, ‘Just As You Are’ walks a fine line of forward-thinking contemporary production and early 00’s sugary pop, for a delightfully charming ballad.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Robokid

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Broken Back – One By One Feat. Alle Farben

It’s coming to the end of summer, which is why you need to listen to the almost-tropical ‘One By One’ by Broken Back and featuring Alle Farben.

The combination of Broken Back’s upbeat and quirky energies with his whimsical vocal styling, combine effortlessly alongside Alle Farben’s diverse, colorful, and boundless spirit.

It’s out now via Sony Music/Ultra Records.

Sounds like: Klingande, Möwe

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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
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OH Wonder
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Weekly Gems 16

Magnus Bechmann – Bruises

Magnus Bechmann

We all have those moments at the traffic lights when the amber light strikes. Do we slam the breaks on or speed on through the looming red light? Luckily for us, 21 year old Norwegian native, Magnus Bechmann is willing to take the risk and “go all in” with his music.

The result is the playful indietronica track, ‘Bruises’.

Sounds like: Kid Astray, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club

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VOKES – Screens

VOKES

Los Angeles-based band VOKES question society with their new single, ‘Screens’.

It’s a feel-good number about not such a feel-good subject of addiction to technology, which we are all guilty off, so how about we put down our phones and take a listen?

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MRCH – My Mistake

MRCH

MRCH are seriously doing it for us at the moment.

The video for the Phoenix duo’s new single ‘My Mistake’ takes us on an intergalactic journey exploring NASA found footage and cimenatic-like visions of vocalist, Mickey Pangburn.

Sounds like: Goldfrapp, Wolf Alice, Lilies On Mars, CHVRCHES, Garbage

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Two Islands – Still Life

Two Islands

Liverpool-based Two Islands remain mysterious, but nonetheless we enjoy their indie anthems.

Their new single, ‘Still Life’, is another ambitious release and a bid to “reclaim the romance of falling in love with an artist solely through their songs.”

Their positive attitude and knack of creating groovy bangers definitely sets them apart.

Sounds like: Island Club, Tuska

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Fever High – Good Advice Feat. Jeff Goldblum

Fever High

Time to get nostalgic with ‘Good Advice’ by NYC-based duo Fever High (aka guitarist/singer Anna Nordeen and singer/songwriter Reni Lane).

Apart from bohemian vocals and interludes of joyous guitars and tambourines, the song features anecdotes about bad advice from none other than Jeff Goldblum!

Sounds like: Icona Pop, The Bangles

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MagnusTheMagnus – Calling Feat. KIDDO

Magnus The Magnus - Calling Feat. KIDDO

We finish this week’s gems with Swedish producer MagnusTheMagnus‘ new single, ‘Calling’ featuring KIDDO.

The off-kilter pirate radio station beat throughout the track reminds us a bit of Jamie xx in its innovation. Add KIDDO’s enticing vocals and you have a unique and highly danceable track.

Sounds like: Santigold, Tove Styrke, MØ, Jamie xx, Major Lazer

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XY&O – One More Night (Lemonade)

XY&O

Causing us as much of a crush as ‘Lights On‘, Welsh band, XY&O return with the sensual video for ‘One More Night (Lemonade)’.

Amidst a sensual haze, lead singer Alex serenades a tattoo’d lady with this summery pop number, exploring “the motives of those who seek out carnal pleasures and the expectations people have.”

Sounds like: Kid Astray, Sir Sly, Lost Boy Crow, Nonaphoenix

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Everywhere – Man Up

Everywhere

UK based band Everywhere share their bright new number, ‘Man Up’, which features vocals by Swedish singer/songwriter Rebecca Nohr.

The band’s name is inspired by the quote “Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere” by former Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown. Having already played the NME Awards alongside Django Django and Palma Violets, and supporting the Kaiser Chiefs, we suspect Everywhere fit into the latter part of category.

Hardly casual, the track considers what it’s like to be a man in the modern world, delving into themes about unfulfilled expectations.

Expect an album later this year.

Sounds like: ISLAND, Sam Feldt, Gryffin, Fickle Friends, Of Monsters And Men, Kid Astray, Oh Wonder

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Kid Astray – Fall To My Knees

Kid Astray

We are super excited that Kid Astray are back, and their defiant new track does not disappoint.

An collective of musical instruments and instantly memorable vocal hooks, ‘Fall To My Knees’ is about why Kid Astray are sharing their music;

“Fall to My Knees” is about a gig we played in Berlin in the spring of 2015. We were having a really tough time, battling some undue negativity in the media and in the people around us. We just wanted to quit, go to sleep, and not play this showcase at a club. But that show just blew up and made us remember why in the world we’re so determined to keep on doing this. It’s pretty big for a couple of 20 year olds to able to play a sold-out show in the hipster capitol of Europe. And this song is a reminder of that.”

It’s out now via Sony Music.

Sounds like: Smallpools, Passion Pit, Pistol Shrimp, M83, Holy Ghost!, Two Door Cinema Club, Young Kato, Ballet School

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GIRL FRIEND – Call Me If You’re Lonely

GIRL FRIEND

GIRL FRIEND

Hurray GIRL FRIEND are back with another killer floor filler!

‘Call Me If You’re Lonely’ is taken from their box of tales of nights out, chance romantic adventures and walking the hazy line between wasted-chic glamour and spectacular chaos.

Sounds like: Kid Astray, Fickle Friends, Pistol Shrimp, Swiss Lips, Passion Pit, Bastille, Phoenix

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Premiere: Native People – To Lose What

Native People

Native People

We thoroughly enjoy listening to ambitious youth, and Folkstone’s finest, Native People, are no exception.

Slowly tailoring their sound over the years, Indietronica is premiering their new single, ‘To Lose What’.

It’s a modern indie dance gem with a superb dream-like interlude that immediately transports you to a more magical time.

Listen below.

The ‘To Lose What’ EP is out on 5 August via Wham Head Records. Pre-order on iTunes here.

Sounds like: Foals, Kid Astray, Friendly Fires, Two Door Cinema Club, Young Kato, Shields

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Late Night Revival – Irony

Late Night Revival

Late Night Revival

It’s summer, so line up the upbeat pop tracks to help you enjoy the sunshine even more!

‘Irony’ is a debut from a California-based indie pop band who go by the name of Late Night Revival.

It’s a modern feeling number with a throwback twist, perfect for any midnight pick up.

‘Irony’ is taken off their upcoming self-titled album.

Sounds like: Great Good Fine Ok, Fickle Friends, Kid Astray, Pistol Shrimp, The 1975

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