Tag Archives: Kurt Vile

Weekly Gems 114

Mathew V – Don’t Let Me Go

Mathew V

Canadian born popstar Mathew V releases his enigmatic single ‘Don’t Let Me Go’.

A bold, unabashed pop track, Mathew V is using his strong roots within the LGBTQ+ community to express himself and let the music do the talking. Listen below.

Sounds like: Shawn Mendes, Dagny

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

MΛD FVN – Skeletons

MΛD FVN

Debut act MΛD FVN has a lot to say, about a lot of things, including the light hearted topic of life, which she so nearly lost in two separate accidents.

A call to arms, this is emotional, raw and powerful.

Sounds like: Gia Woods, Broods

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

kauf – Am I Crazy Feat. Overjoy (Kauf Rework)

Rising Los Angeles vocalist kauf is offering a rework of his first original track featuring another vocalist Overjoy – one of three artists on his burgeoning label ONE / HALF.

Taking a more “pop” approach to his music, he has added a UK garage style beat and some looped vocal samples, giving it more energy and bringing it into the dance world.

Sounds like: Kllo, James Blake, Nordic Giants, Bicep, Jon Hopkins, Caribou, Talos, Bonobo

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Francis On My Mind – Never Be The Same

Francis On My Mind - Never Be The Same

Only on her second release, 16 year old Romanian electro-pop act Francis On My Mind is proving that “Euro pop” is very much a thing of the past.

Sparing synth, melodic drums and fragile but still powerful vocals, this new song comes as a breath of fresh air in a saturated industry of overproduced singles.

Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Jessie Ware, Monogem, Goldroom, Melis

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

ELBA – 700 Angels

ELBA - 700 Angels

Danish pop newcomer ELBA is 25-year-old singer and songwriter Ellen Bathum. She tells stories about the loss of control and the many nuances of love.

Her new single ‘700 Angels’ has a catchy pop hook, but it almost feels like it splits in two directions – experimental electronic music and indie that ultimately culminates into a fiery explosion.

Sounds like: Lady Gaga, Blondage, Jinka

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Cloudy June – Psycho

Cloudy June

Former death metal singer, Cloudy June, takes a proud new step into the world of pop.

Expect her new ‘Psycho’ to be an exhilarating ride of rock and pop. It proves once again how young self-made independent talent can make a real impact.

Sounds like: Ava Max, Halsey, Girl Wilde

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Lex Low – Feel More

Lex Low

London-based Lex Low shares new single ‘Feel More. Ultimately questioning moments in his early life, should he be feeling less or more?

After seeking therapy this year, Lex has used this as a catalyst to tap into emotions from the past and create music. Listen below.

Sounds like: Easy Life, The Night Café

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Mokita – Over You

Mokita

Mokita shares the stripped back ‘Over You’.

With a modern twist on an emo/pop-punk ballad, the song was initially written in the format of a love letter to an ex, and shows a more sentimental perspective to Mokita’s music.

Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Creature Comfort – Arcade Fire

Creature Comfort

Nashville bootgaze/indie-rock outfit Creature Comfort share the fuzzy ‘Arcade Fire’.

Not to be confused with the track ‘Creature’ Comfort’ by the band Arcade Fire (a cheeky nod to Arcade Fire unexpectedly releasing ‘Creature Comfort on the same day Clark and his bandmates performed at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2017), this is a psychedelic explosion with wavy electric guitar and unrelenting percussion.

Sounds like: Jagwar Ma, Pond, Liily, Future Thieves, The Weeks, Kurt Vile, Fleet Foxes

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Coast Modern – Puppy Llama

Coast Modern

After a hiatus, Los Angeles-based duo Luke Atlas and Coleman Trap – aka Coast Modern – continue to defy boundaries with their signature adventurous sound.

As the name suggests, their thrill ride of a new single, ‘Puppy Llama’ is a testament to their fuck-the-bullshit-smile-at-a-stranger ethos.

Sounds like: Vampire Weekend, The Business Intl., Bad Sounds, Kurt Vile

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Weekly Gems 48

GINEVRA – Forest

GINEVRA

We love a bit of Italian indietronica.

Born surrounded by Turin, and now residing in the city of Milan, singer/songwriter GINEVRA uses conflicting atmospheres of these two worlds to create exposing music with no obvious path.

‘Forest’ is about love and is out now via Factory Flaws.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Billie Black – After All

Billie Black

With comparisons to soul heavyweights, Jessie Ware and Jorja Smith, it’s difficult not to stop and listen to London-based Billie Black.

Taking a slightly different direction to her former releases (including those with Mura Masa), Billie’s ‘After All’ has strings and delicate vocals, perfectly showcasing vulnerability, passion and desire.

Her new EP, ‘The Last Time’ is out now.

Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Jorja Smith, Jack Garratt, Mura Masa, Banks

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Paul Cook & The Chronicles – Selfies

Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Selfies

People need to stop driving and taking selfies. Look at the road, take in the scenery and put this track by Paul Cook & The Chronicles on.

Inspired by a road trip, Cook wrote the slow-drive track, ‘Selfies’ over a 24 hour period during the heatwave in London in 2018. Expect a new full length in 2019.

Sounds like: Paul Simon, Kurt Vile

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

Loyal Lobos – Burn

Loyal Lobos

Loyal Lobos is stripping away her ego and embracing the sadness in ‘Burn’.

The Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter crafts raw, alt-folk songs that break convention, imbued with a hazy melancholy.

Sounds like: First Aid Kit, Maggie Rogers, Laurel, Lana Del Rey

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Rain on Monday – Fever Dream

Rain on Monday

Swedish solo act Rain on Monday shares ‘Fever Dream’, a song about a couple on the run from daily responsibilities.

The song has dreamy and husky vocals laced in washed out lo-fi, retro futuristic sounds. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Sounds like: Washed Out, Summer Heart, Yoke Lore, Still Parade

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Taylor Grey – Heathers

Taylor Grey

Twenty one year old Taylor Grey is getting poetic in her new single ‘Heathers’.

With pop melodies, this girl reminds us of an early VÉRITÉ, using songwriting as a form of therapy and a way to empower the younger generation with her vulnerability.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Selena Gomez, Sabrina Carpetner, Dua Lipa

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Bryony Dunn – I Can’t Look Away

Bryony Dunn

Introducing young singer songwriter Bryony Dunn.

Her new single ‘I Can’t Look Away’ addresses the positive effects of a romantic interest in a blissful manner.

Citing her main influence as being Christine and The Queens, we also sense a huge influence from Marina & The Diamonds in the tone of Dunn’s music as well.

Sounds like: Marina & The Diamonds, Kelly Clarkson, Christine and The Queens, VÉRITÉ

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Weekly Gems 42

Daniella Mason – Emotional Rollercoaster

Daniella Mason

Surprisingly, we’d not heard of Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Daniella Mason, before today, and quite frankly, we are blown away by her talent for crafting beautiful and intelligent pop music.

A journey of loss, Mason’s new record stands as one of four EPs that she’ll be releasing over the course of the next year as part of her State of Mine sound series. Each album — Emotional State, Physical State, Mental State, and Spiritual State — will explore the different parts of our humanity that we tend to suppress and have difficulty embracing.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, The Japanese House, Robyn, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube

Charlee Remitz – Forever Like This

Charlee Remitz

Charlee Remitz creates synth pop full of big dreams.

Having recently moved from Nashville to Los Angeles, the singer/songwriter’s music shines. Her new single ‘Forever Like This’ has lashings of 80’s inspired synths and breakaway vocals that tell a story of the first flashes of love.

It is the third single from her upcoming sophomore album, ‘Sad Girl Music’, out on 9 November.

Sounds like: Dominique, CAPPA

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube

CUB – Obsessed Feat. Clara Hurtado

CUB by Matt Stephens

CUB by Matt Stephens

CUB blends pop and dance sounds.

We featured his new single, ‘Obsessed’ featuring Clara Hurtado, not that long ago and he’s come back with a lively new video for it. These two don’t take themselves too seriously, which is pretty refreshing.

If you follow CUB’s Twitter you will see more videos of him and Clara goofing around.

Sounds like: Jake Alder, Diplo, Mura Masa, Zedd

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Cool Sounds – Cassandra

Cool Sounds

Australian band Cool Sounds ooze a breezy swagger, with a tad of fun awkwardness.

The video for their new single, ‘Cassandra’, is an uncomplicated, rollicking riff-driven track, with a distinctly live feel.

Watch it below.

Sounds like: Kurt Vile, Washed Out, Whitney, Mac DeMarco

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

LCMDF – Waterfalls

f-2-7-2111517_N35In8fO_LCMDF1_by_silja_minkkinen

Finnish sister duo LCMDF release ‘Waterfalls’, taken from their ‘Sad Bangers’ album, out now.

Don’t be misled by the ironically positive pop keys and resulting euphoric climax in ‘Waterfalls’, as this is an ode to Generation Y, the modern day “baby boom” generation who were born in the 1980s and 1990s…and the ones who struggle in today’s society.

Sounds like: Icona Pop, NONONO

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

YOUTH – Fire

YOUTH

Newcomer YOUTH (aka songwriter and producer Steven Mudd) is also one half of the critically acclaimed indie-pop duo, Golden Coast.

His debut single ‘Fire’ is energetic from the get go, with a steady drum beat and finger clicks throughout, perfectly blending with the anthemic feel of the song.

Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, Golden Coast

Soundcloud

Weekly SubmitHub Gems 9

Is 9 your lucky number? We’ve received some great submissions this week.

Enjoy them below!

Labrose – Disguise

Labrose

“When your lips are too thick to speak, sing”. What a great motto to live by. Meet the writers behind this line, Labrose – a UK/US producer/singer/songwriter duo who create delicate electronica.

Ironically, their new single ‘Disguise’ is left wide open with a stripped back approach, giving perspective to the complicated nature of both love’s beauty and its toxicity. Pure bliss.

It’s out now on PM Recordings.

Sounds like: Rhye, Rationale, Jacob Banks, James Blake

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

ARY – Already There

ARY - Already There

Step aside ladies, Trondheim-raised / Oslo-based Norwegian solo artist ARY has arrived.

Her new single ‘Already There’ is ARY’s first attempt of a pop song, and it completely works. Pulsating synths worthy of club status and ethereal vocals, you won’t want to stop listening to it.

It’s out now via Petroleum Records.

Sounds like: Aurora, Sigrid, Kvelertak

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Vessels – Deeper In A Sky Feat Harkin

Vessels

Leeds-based five-piece Vessels share robust new single, ‘Deeper In A Sky’ featuring Harkin (aka Sky Larkin’s Katie Harkin), taken from their upcoming new album ‘The Great Distraction’ out on Different Recordings.

Speaking of the new album, Martin says, “The music acknowledges a bleakness and tension, but I think our response is optimistic and euphoric.”

Sounds like: Kate Boy, Caribou, Jon Hopkins

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube

Child Ivory – Angie

Child Ivory

US duo Child Ivory create uplifting music with a melancholic pinch.

Spacious vocals and a catchy AF guitar riff guide the dreamy ‘Angie’ through to our ears. Lovely.

Sounds like: KYKO, Phil Collins, The New Coast, Beach House, M83, Kurt Vile

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

LOVE SICK – Bullet

LOVE SICK

We are all love sick to some degree.

Scottish girl/boy duo LOVE SICK share debut single ‘Bullet’, an ode to both heartbreak and obsession.

The couple met at a work Christmas party when Julie drunkenly let slip to Shaun (who also produced in his spare time) that she always wanted to be a singer. A few weeks later the duo coincidentally bumped into each other at a train station, and the rest is cosmic pop.

Sounds like: ASTR, Dagny, COSBY

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

CAMARANO – Ashes

CAMARANO

Another debut, this time from Perth-based artist and multi-instrumentalist, CAMARANO (aka Mat Cammarano).

Having previous been involved in performing with bands as well as producing and recording for other artists, Mat has decided to go it alone and release ‘Ashes’.

It’s a fuzzy masterpiece that would fit well in the lo-fi category, alongside the likes of Tame Impala, Big Scary or Bon Iver.

Sounds like: Tame Impala, Big Scary, Bon Iver

Facebook | SoundCloud

Playlist: The Ocean Party

The Ocean Party

Meet Australian six-piece, The Ocean Party.

They write melodic shoegaze pop with a tint of nostalgia, so we asked them to put together a playlist for us and this is what they came up with…

“When making a playlist there is no need or worth in pondering for too long. You could get a totally different bunch of songs from us if you asked us an hour earlier so it seems there is no wrong or right choices. All of these songs are perfect in their own right and their originality stands out. We threw songs around the van (we’re driving to QLD at the moment) and these ones stuck. You could say it’s our driving sound track.”

The The – This is the Day
Odd ball pop that manages to be left of centre and still catchy enough to be a top ten hit. It should have been a top ten hit!

Body Type – Breakdown
Body Type are a great new Sydney band. We did a remix of this song which is in no way usual for us. It doesn’t beat the original.

Slim Dusty – The Biggest Disappointment
An Australian Country music legend, “the Biggest Disappointment” is taken from one of Slim Dusty’s 105 albums. We really identify with the sentiment.

Lower Dens – I Get Nervous
I instantly loved this song when i first heard it. Totally Captivating.

The Go-Betweens – Apology Accepted
One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands. We’ve covered this a few times with varying degrees of success.

Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare – Invisible Tears
Curtis listens to this song in the shower every day. Curtis showers twice a day.

Songs: Ohia – Farewell Transmission
There aren’t many songs that manage to hold our attention for 7 minutes. This is one of them. It’s a beautiful song.

The Triffids – Goodbye Little Boy
Another Australian band that deserved way more attention than they received. Every Triffids song that Jill Birt sings are amazing, none more than “Goodbye Little Boy”

The Soft Boys – Queen of Eyes
Perfectly Skewed Guitar Pop

Echo and the Bunnymen – Bring On the Dancing Horses
Our Keyboard player is missing our Australian tour as he’s in Canada. This is one of his favourite Bunnymen Tracks. We miss you Jord!

Sounds like: Echo and the Bunnymen, The Church, Kurt Vile

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Thea & The Wild – City Of Gold

Thea & The Wild

We wrote about scandi-pop project Thea & The Wild back in 2014, so imagine our excitement when we spotted her new track ‘City Of Gold’ pop up in our inbox.

The bittersweet song tells of lost happiness, despite it’s 80’s inspired soundtrack of looping synths and glistening production suggesting otherwise.

Sounds like: Aurora, Susanne Sundfør, Kurt Vile

Website | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

Geowulf – Don’t Talk About You

Geowulf

Geowulf

Geowulf are an Australian born dream pop duo comprised of Star Kendrick (vocals) and Toma Banjanin (guitar/production), who now reside in London/Berlin.

Following on from their summer hit, the amorous ‘Saltwater’, is the video for ‘Don’t Talk About You’. It was shot in Berlin and watches as the couple explore the city through a hazy filtered lens.

About the track, the duo explain,

“This song went through a geographical & creative metamorphosis over almost two years… We originally wrote it in Copenhagen, demo’ed it in Stockholm and then revisited it recently when Toma & I were both in London. I guess the song speaks for itself but ultimately it falls in the good ol’ “wanting-something-that-ain’t-good-for-you” vein …”

It’s out now on 37 Adventures.

Sounds like: Hazel English, Summer Heart, Rilo Kiley, Daywave, Kurt Vile, Warpaint

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Continue reading

Premiere: Luke Rathborne – Little Moment

Luke Rathborne

Luke Rathborne

It’s almost the weekend, so before things go a little crazy, it’s time to reflect on the week passed by listening to the sweet, melancholic ‘Little Moment’ by Luke Rathborne.

Of the track, Luke explains;

“This song tells the story that relates to the theme of all or nothing because its about getting pushed up against a wall in love and feeling your mind going with it. Everyone has had that experience in love before where they have to surrender to something that might make you feel more than you initially bargained for, thats part of what makes love so rare and unique, and really, what makes it coveted.”

Luke Rathborne recorded his debut album at just 17, and his Dylan-esq musical creations have received praise from the likes of Lauren Laverne

Sounds like: Kurt Vile, R.E.M, Bob Dylan

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Tame Impala – The Less I Know The Better

Tame Impala

Tame Impala

With some new awards under their belt, Tame Impala join Spanish creative collective and directors, Canada (Justice, Phoenix, Scissor Sisters, El Guincho) to produce the video for ‘The Less I Know The Better’.

The video is an acid pop visual interpretation of ‘The Less I Know The Better’. A surrealistic explosion of colour and jealousy in the high school gym.

‘Currents’ is out now through Fiction Records.

Sounds like: MGMT, Toro Y Moi, Washed Out, Atlas Sound, Kurt Vile, Warpaint, Grizzly Bear, Neon Indian, The Flaming Lips, Mackintosh Braun, CHAPPO

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram