Tag Archives: Steely Dan

Weekly Gems 32

NASAYA – Orange Feat. Cehryl

NASAYA - Orange Feat. Cehryl

French musician and producer NASAYA releases new single ‘Orange’ featuring LA based singer-songwriter Cehryl.

Opposing in directions, ‘Orange’ is both dreamy but danceable with psychedelic vocals and futuristic funk moves full of bass. Listen below.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Le Youth, Autograf, Pat Lok, Kaytranada, Shay Lia

NASAYA
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Cehryl
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Hanne Leland – Carry On

Hanne Leland by Maddie Cordoba

Meet Norwegian born, London based electro-pop singer and songwriter, Hanne Leland.

Like many good pop artists out at the moment, Hanne has also experienced a stint of working in Nashville before focusing more on electro-pop sounds that country-pop.

Sounds like: All Saints, Nelly Furtado

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The Hails – Younger

The Hails - Younger

The Hails is a fresh young four-piece from Florida.

They make music that has a generous nod to 70’s groove-oriented pop but maintains a modern perspective on rock and electronic.

Sounds like: Fleet Foxes, Fleetwood Mac

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KIDDO – TROUBLE

KIDDO - TROUBLE

Stockholm-based KIDDO is following in the cool Scandi footsteps of Dagny and Sigrid.

Her brazen new single is a song about escaping relating, as KIDDO reminisces “about a time when I knew I had lost everything but it was too painful to face it so I tried to ignore the truth for a little longer in every possible way.”

It’s out now via Stockholm-based independent label BLNK Music.

Sounds like: Kesha, Billie Eilish, Sigrid, Dagny, Soleima, Icona Pop

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Knox White – You’ve Been My Girl

Knox White

Time to get funky and sexy with Knox White‘s new single ‘You’ve Been My Girl’.

Following some unexpected advice from music kings, Lionel Ritchie and Paul McCartney, the Los Angeles-based Knox decided to hit up New Orleans to gain some creative perspective. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Knox started collaborating and touring with producer Josh Legg aka Goldroom, and the result is an exciting throwback style of chill wave pop.

Sounds like: Prince, Blood Orange, Harts

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Phil Good – Better

Phil Good - Better

Los Angeles-based Phil Good shares a positive new tune called ‘Better’.

As his cover shot suggests, some days Phil wakes up and just can’t face life, but remember you just need to ride it out and things always get better.

Sounds like: Draper, Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’

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Stage Republic – Rise and Fall

Stage Republic - Rise and Fall

Stage Republic is a two-person music project based in The Netherlands.

Citing a strong influence from the 80’s, the duo’s new single ‘Rise and Fall’ started as a one minute piece of improvisation to test a new synthesiser and the end result now showcases a brilliant way to bridge the gap between indie and pop.

Sounds like: CHAPPO, Steely Dan, Maroon 5

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Year of the Brother – Slow One

Year Of The Brother

Portland-based indie-pop trio Year of the Brother share the video for ‘Slow One’.

Directed by independent filmmaker Derek Mari, the video follows the boys on promo night! Groovy!

Their ‘Filling Empty Pools’ EP is out now.

Sounds like: Kyko, Will Joseph Cook, Owl City

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Weekly Gems 18

FOXTRAX – Everything’s Changing

FOXTRAX

Born in New York, now residing in Los Angeles, FOXTRAX are an alternative rock trio with an electronic edge.

A third release in their “moving to L.A.” trilogy, ‘Everything’s Changing’ is about taking time to appreciate when good things happen.

Their EP – expected for release in early 2018 – is produced by British production duo Alexander Wolfe and Ben Roulston (Wolf Alice, Florence + the Machine) plus Jim Kaufman (Atlas Genius, Night Riots).

Sounds like: Cage The Elephant, Atlas Genius

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Nightshifts – Karma

Nightshifts

Nighshifts is the cosmic pop project of Toronto-based Andrew Oliver.

His new single ‘Karma’ is about not overthinking the future and sitting back to enjoy the ride, as expressed in the track’s nonchalant off-kilter vocal melody and breezy beats.

Sounds like: Chappo, Steely Dan, Young Empires

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Shenna – Magenta

Shenna - Magnenta

Wow Shenna‘s new single ‘Magenta’ is a sassy pop number, one that will straight-up encourage you to declare your desires to your number one crush.

Full of crimson synths and retro vibes beaming throughout, turn this one up loud!

Her next show is 18 November in New York as part of The National Sawdust’s ‘The Revolution’ series. Tickets can be purchased here.

Sounds like: Le Youth, ALMA, CAPPA

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Argonaut & Wasp – Prove It To You

Argonaut & Wasp

We are big fans of Argonaut & Wasp‘s indie-dance tunes, so we are psyched they have a new single called ‘Prove It To You’.

Once again testifying their ability to produce something catchy, we just can’t get enough of the track’s slurry vocals and groovy sensibilities.

Sounds like: The Strokes, Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Phoenix

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Glassio – Daydream featuring NAKAYA

Glassio

Electronic duo Glassio are going from strength to strength with each release.

The latest addition to their catalogue, ‘Daydream’, is an ode to their love of early 2000s LA-based Hip/Hop & R&B, and features the delicate vocals of NAKAYA.

The guys says they “were imagining Dre and AIR making a record together”, although we think the vocal loops are more reminiscent of Gorillz‘ ‘Stylo’.

Sounds like: Gorillz, Hot Chip, Metronomy, Foals, Jagwar Ma, Rüfüs, Flume, Odesza, Bob Moses, Glass Animals, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

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Henry Green – Stay Here

Henry Green

Bristol-based rising star Henry Green shares his dark but ethereal new single ‘Stay Here’.

A lot of greatness comes from dark places, much like this single, which Henry wrote at the site of Berlin’s 1950’s broadcast facility, Köpenicker Chaussee, during a moment of frustration and loss of direction.

It’s out now via Akira Records.

Sounds like: Jon Hopkins, Erased Tapes, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm

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Iris Lune – Lost In Chatter

Iris Lune

Brooklyn-based art pop quartet Iris Lune share ‘Lost In Chatter’.

Clever percussion throughout depicts chatter overlaid by synth-led harmonies and more of a dance-inspired melody, lyrically inspired by the final chapter of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’.

Sounds like: Little Dragon, Deerhoof, Björk, Σtella

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Au/Ra – Outsiders

Au/Ra

Growing up in the middle of nowhere has been the source of songwriting influence for Au/Ra‘s new single, ‘Outsiders’, not only because of her location growing up in Antigua, but also because of her introverted nature.

But this song is a call to arms for all misfits, giving them a chance to escape to a fantasy world.

She plays The Waiting Room in London on 13 November.

Sounds like: Florence + The Machine, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, The Magnettes

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Julian Jasper – 2AM, Chinatown

Julian Jasper

Los Angeles-based Julian Jasper has just shared his springtime track, ‘2AM, Chinatown’.

Funky, but at the same time a little bit wonky, we love Julian Jasper’s take on pop.

His debut EP ‘2AM, Chinatown/I Don’t Mind’ (Expanded Edition) is out on 5 May via Misra Records.

Sounds like: Day Wave, Steely Dan, Ariel Pink

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BF/C – Upstate

BF/C

BF/C

How did BF/C get here? That’s the exact question we find ourselves asking!

We know very little about the band, other than they produce chic and catchy tunes, embodying earlier musical originality, similar to that of French band, Phoenix.

The track has been produced by Californiaman, and expect an album by the end of the year too.

Sounds like: Phoenix, Arcade Fire, Steely Dan

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Playlist: Someday River

Someday River

Someday River

Someday River are a psych folk band from Florida, who have been together for just one year.

Greyson Charnock, the band’s primary songwriter and frontman, says that their new EP, ‘Sleeping Sideways’ is about “finding good in the face of an insane world” and notes “accepting mistakes and carrying on” as another key theme on the release.

The boys put together a playlist for us. Listen below.

TOPS – Way You Want To Be Loved
This song is an instant go-to for gatherings with friends. A real mood setter… sexy track! I recommend the song “Sleeptalker” from TOPS as well, among others.

Levek – Black Mold Grow
Another song chock full of vibezzz – show this song to someone and they will trust your musical judgment for eternity~~ also see “Look on the Bright Side”

Jude Shuma – Wandering
Up and comers from Chicago, this group just put out a three song EP in December and it is repeat-worthy to say the least. Lo-Fi basement grooves for days.

Local Natives – Past Lives
Most recent single from Local Natives has a massive-bassy presence making it a pure feel-good necessity.

SWIMM – All the Time
Atmospheric ethereality, this song paints a feeling.. it’s the one you’re looking for. Florida-born boys making waves in the Psych/folk/indie world.

Goldensuns – I Feel This Place
Salt Lake City/ LA Transplants, the new Goldensuns EP really holds water, and luckily so. It’s enough to get us through the heat of the summer.

The Shouting Matches – Gallup, NM
Nostalgia in a pure form, this song takes you back wherever you want to go. Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon flexing his artistic range with this band, auto-tune not included.

Pinegrove – Old Friends
Found this song on YouTube, immediately hooked.. Pinegrove has several really incredible arrangements. I also suggest “Aphasia” and “Cadmium” among others. Check out some acoustic renditions from this NJ group on-the-rise.

Chad VanGaalen – Peace on the Rise
This tune rolls slow and steady through an apathetic dreamworld.. There is so much subtlety and intentionality behind the arrangement, I think that’s what keeps me coming back.

Sego – Wicket Youth
Contemporary, Pop Sensible, Avant – Sego always delivers on the art-music.. Here’s one of their most catchy tunes. Their songs rise to a new level when you see the videos that accompany them, aaaand go!

Robert Cray – Do That For Me
After hearing this song nearly 15 years ago at a soup kitchen in Atlanta… It was stuck in my head until I more recently discovered who/what it was by Googling the lyrics. Thank goodness I found my way back to this song. The arrangement and musicianship are a ripe source of inspiration for me.

Van Morrison – I’m Not Feeling It Anymore
Van at his finest here. No introduction or explanation needed… an absolute classic, Sunday morning pick me up.

Vulfpeck – Wait for the Moment
Sometimes you want the funk, sometimes you want the soul. Take both from Vulfpeck.. This band has some serious chops, and they do it all while having a damn good time. Positive vibrations are unavoidable on any track of theirs.

Fat Night – Someday
Orlando/Chicago boys really showing range with this track. Soul/Funk with pop sensibilities and a touch of Calypso combine for this unique song. Their live performance can border on Acid-Jazz. Look out for these guys; they are on the rise in a real way.

Julien Baker – Something
I am so enamoured with Julien Baker; her multiplicity of live recordings on you tube go to show that she is the real deal, voice and guitar work that you can rely on 100% every time. All of her songs are moving in their theory as well as delivery.

Nick Mulvey – Fever To The Form
A well know artist from England, Nick Mulvey doing what he does best with this song; potentially a perfect formula of restraint and production. Delivery and Control; this song has one hell of a progressive build for a folk tune.

Dustin Tebbutt – The Breach
Heard this song on some random indie playlist a couple years back. Dustin Tebbutt has his focus and his ideas in order. Beautiful and simple, this arrangement does it for me.

Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner
This is the original version of the song. Released in 1987, it was at the top of the pop charts as an A CAPPELLA SONG!! That blows my mind. Unconcerned with rhyming lyrics, its all about meter and imagery with this song.

Milo – Going No Place (feat. Elucid)
Milo is an intellectual rapper to rival all others… follow up this song by checking out some others of his. Along with some serious collabs, his lyricism is sharp witted and rich in symbolism as well as contemporary culture reference. Hip Hop at its finest.

Steely Dan – Reelin’ In The Years
Rounding out this playlist, arguably one of the best songs ever written.. Steely Dan was an obsessive band in the studio, and thank god, because we can enjoy this recording forever.

Sounds like: Day Wave, Summer Heart, Washed Out, The Drums, ROOSEVELT, Yellerkin, Night Drive, Carousel

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