Tag Archives: Regina Spektor

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 88

Surf Rock Is Dead – Our Time

Surf Rock is Dead by Jacqueline Harriet

Surf Rock is Dead by Jacqueline Harriet

Introducing Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD for short) – aka Kevin Pariso and Joel Witenberg from Chicago and Melbourne.

Their new wave and billowy single, ‘Our Time’ captures the moment where you are forced to face fear head-on and look within.

Expect the band’s debut LP in the spring of 2020.

Sounds like: My Bloody Valentine, DIIV, Day Wave

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Lauren Sanderson – Upset

Lauren Sanderson

Fiery LGBTQ artist Lauren Sanderson has incredible drive. That’s clear from her music and attitude (not many people can say they’ve given a TED Talk at the age of 18).

Her new single ‘Upset’ flips the issues of the despondent Generation Z on it’s head.

Sounds like: Post Malone, Rihanna, Sizzy Rocket

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Phoebe Sinclair – OMG

Phoebe Sinclair

Australian pop artist Phoebe Sinclair is a self-confessed emotional wreck, and this makes for intoxicating music.

Her new single ‘OMG’ is Sinclair taking ownership of her mistakes whilst not letting them define her.

Backed by a four-piece all girl ensemble, oozing confidence and power, and armed with a massive pop vocal, Sinclair smashes out electro pop tunes with an inescapable energy.

Sounds like: La Roux, Robyn, Vera Blue

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Tallsaint – Model Effect

Tallsaint

British artist Tallsaint releases the highly chic and addictive ‘Model Effect’.

Taking inspiration from early 2000’s tracks as well as a more modern pop culture of now – born from a visual scene in Killing Eve where Villanelle sees Eve in the bathroom for the first time and makes a comment on her hair.

Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Anna of the North, Stereo Honey, RALPH, St Vincent, Lykke Li

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Hank Compton – Judge Me

Hank Compton

Nashville native, Hank Compton, shares his head nod-inducing single, ‘Judge Me’.

Combining his love of classic rock and 80’s pop, Compton’s music and rich storytelling creates a modern sound with a nostalgic feel.

Sounds like: Sam Fender, Bruce Springsteem

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Beau Diako x Jordan Rakei – Flamingo

Beau Diako

Self-taught musician Beau Diako shares his new single called ‘Flamingo’, taken from his debut EP, ‘Flutter’.

Featuring neo-soul artist Jordan Rakei, the track is probably his most “pop” song from the EP, which is a glorious fusion of indie, jazz, folk, electronic and soul.

Sounds like: Tom Misch, Bombay Bicycle Club

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ANDRO – GYMH

ANDRO by Johnny Diaz Nicolaidis

ANDRO by Johnny Diaz Nicolaidis

ANDRO may have plenty of experience touring in Jungle‘s band, but now it’s his time to shine.

His debut single, ‘GYMH’ (Give You My Heart) kicks off a new collection of theatrical pop melodies that balance between the ethereal and emotional, perfectly encapsulated by the beautifully shot video below.

Sounds like: Kyri

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Mokita – Colorblind

Mokita

Also from Nashville is singer/songwriter/producer John Luke Carter, aka Mokita.

Known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop, Carter was classically trained in piano in his youth and first started performing in his church. Later, he taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production.

His new single ‘Colorbind’ is an attempt to try and describe depression to someone who has never experienced it.

Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND, Nick Anthony, Luna Pines

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Penniless Cove – Too Tight

Penniless Cove

Named after a harbour road that lead to the sea, unique Welsh songwriter based in London Penniless Cove, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist that writes raw, affecting music drawing from a number of different genres.

The music obsessive shares ‘Too Tight’ – a weird and wonderful array of jazz, blues and folk.

Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Björk, Ibeyi, Alev Lenz, Kate Nash

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Upsahl – Can You Hear Me Now

Upsahl

Phoenix-native Upsahl shares progressive pop number, ‘Can You Hear Me Now’.

The track is hella catchy, thanks to Upsahl’s lush harmonies and the addition of continual wooden percussions.

It’s hard to believe this teenager already has three albums under her belt, but it’s practice well spent as she clearly knows what direction she needs to be heading in,

“I like to maintain powerful and complex lyrics that are relatable to a variety of situations. I like to write about relationships, politics, cultural issues. This song is a message to someone on the other end of a failed relationship. It’s the kind of relationship that has been dysfunctional for some time. I’ve watched so many women in my life stay in a relationship that they aren’t happy in, they settle.”

Sounds like: Dagny, Dominique, Feist, Regina Spektor

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Playlist: Erin K

Erin K

Anti-folk artist, Erin K, has been keeping herself very busy. Originally born in London, but now residing in the States via Italy, she has just shared the video for ‘No Control’, filmed across Iceland, and released her album ‘Little Torch’, which you can listen to on Spotify here.

To celebrate, Erin K has put together a playlist for us.

Tennis – Night Vision
I love the immediate hood of this cool drum beat and the contrast between the closeness of the verse against the dreamy delayed vocals in the chorus. I just walked to the flight gate listening to this in my headphones. Great walking song!

Perfume Genius – Learning
The simplicity of Perfume Genius is a breath of fresh air, reminiscent of the honest lyrics encountered in Andrew and the Johnsons or (kids soundtrack guy). I especially love the lyrics “blah blah blah” at the end of this intimate song. I’m inspired by this artist! I have tickets to see him at Heaven in London in a few weeks!

Hospitality – Going Out
I don’t have much to say about this other than it’s been my song to start my day with for the past 2 weeks! Makes me feel like dancing! I’d love to see them live.

Whitney – No Woman
I LOVE this artist. It’s rare that you find a drummer that is also the lead vocalist. Check out their live sessions online, definitely one of my top favourite new discoveries at the moment.

Cass McCombs – Bum Bum Bum
A friend of my from Fort Lauderdale introduced me to this band (amongst others) recently and I think I had this song on repeat for an hour after the first listen. I love songs that push along with a constant repeated beat and sound. Check out his other songs, they are all beautiful. Something very nostalgic about this sound.

Sufjan Stevens – All of Me Wants All of You
This is one of my favourite songs at the moment. It’s so beautiful. He recently came out with a live version of this, amongst others. Personally, I prefer the live versions but worth checking out.

Leon Bridges – River
When I first heard this I assumed it was an old recording from the 60s. I love the way this song builds and Leon’s voice is flawless and emotive. Goose bumps.

U.N.P.O.C. – Here on My Own
What’s not to love about early Modest Mouse! Great build, beautiful lyrical rhythm, one to scream along to at home, or in my experience, the customs line at Heathrow Terminal 4 (in my head of course).

Shuggy Otis – Strawberry Letter 23
Yes Yes YES! I love the every part of this. If you like retro 60s jams, you’ll dance along to this.

CAN – Vitamin C
I remember the first time I heard this in some shop in London. I couldn’t wait to get home and listen to it properly. I’ve loved this song for years. The vocal, the consisting arrangement and cool organ sounds. Might not be a new find for me but I’ve included it here nonetheless.

Sounds like: Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Alev Lenz, alt-J, Pam Ayres, Susan Vega, Kim Boekbinder, Lily Allen

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AURORA – I Went Too Far

Aurora

19 year old AURORA has come so far this last year, and continues to rise as one of Norwegian’s great musical exports.

She shares her video for ‘I Went Too Far’, which has been directed by directorial duo Arni & Kinski (Florence + The Machine, Editors, Snow Patrol, Sigur Rós).

Aurora is presented as a split personality. An ambitious video, laden with metaphor, it is twinned perfectly with an emotional track that is equally open to interpretation.

Aurora says of the track:

“When I was 9 I wrote most of this song, I watched someone brave and kind not demanding the respect and love they deserved. Growing up I realized these things happen all around us, sometimes worse than others. We shouldn’t be crawling on our knees to be recognized, loved and accepted, because that is no good love. Love should only be beautiful, not horrible. The sooner we learn that, the longer we have to learn to be kind to ourselves. And then demand to be treated kindly.”

UK Tour Dates in October

3rd Glasgow, Art School
4th Manchester, O2 Ritz
6th Newcastle, University
7th Birmingham, O2 Institute 2
8th Bristol, Trinity
10th Brighton, Concorde 2
11th Oxford, O2 Academy 2
13th London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
15th Cambridge, Cambridge Junction
16th Leeds, Brudenell Social Club

Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Susanne Sundfør, Ellie Goulding, First Aid Kit, Enya, Emilie Nicolas

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