Multi-instrumentalist and producer, Ben Hobbs returns with his punchy new single, ‘Own Arms’.
Mastered by the acclaimed Robin Schmidt, this is a catchy indie-rock-pop banger, full of more dynamic energy than his last single, ‘How We Care’. It explores the act of saying
farewell to the things that may be holding someone back and improving oneself to
feel free again.
Discussing the project, he says; “I wanted to capture this fast-paced punk idea, circling around on 3 chords and create something with loads of energy. It started out a lot more electronic with the production, but we decided that to really make it work everything had to be live and real.”
Apart from the brilliant name, Portsmouth-based quartet Sad Palace also writes some decent songs, all with a quirky tinge…obviously.
Like many other bands based on the British South Coast, Sad Palace’s sound has an upbeat mentality stirred with moody jangle-pop. Speaking about the lyrics, frontman Louis explains,
“The lyrics were born from the frustration of failing to communicate with people, of being overloaded with information, and a feeling that you can’t keep up with the sheer amount of things happening around you.”
Their upcoming ‘Longbaby’ EP, out on Friday, takes from tracks written across a period of two years and recorded in four days at Press Play Studio, influencers of the five-track EP include artists such as Peace, AmericanFootball, TheWarOnDrugs, Ratatat, and Late of the Pier, and follows a string of singles released by Kissability and Kitsuné.
Sounds like: Bad Sounds, Black Honey, Superfood, Arcade Hearts, The Levity, The War On Drugs, Ratatat
Austrian producer filous has also been an inquisitive soul, and a fast learner, perfecting a number of instruments at the tender age of 10. Fast forward 10 years, and filous finds himself nestled amongst the likes of Flume and ODESZA with his electronic music.
‘Already Gone’ features the delicate vocals of top songwriter Emily Warren (The Chainsmokers, FRENSHIP) and is out now via Ultra Music.
It turns out Secret Weapons have been keeping a few things from us, the unfortunate news of lead singer Gerry Lange being ill. Whilst touring with bands like Weezer and Panic! at the Disco, the band kept Gerry’s health struggles quiet and as Danny Rocco says “strangely, the album became about making the album.”
Their latest single ‘My Blue Heaven’ embodies that very struggle.
Sounds like: Future Islands, The 1975, Lionel Richie, The Levity, The Island Club, Ghost Beach, Backstreet Boys, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The Knocks, Dagny
Paris and Simo – Come As You Are Feat. Karen Harding
Canadian electronic dance duo Paris and Simo have teamed up with Karen Harding for ‘Come As You Are’.
The ultra-positive dance-tinged anthem is grounded in the belief that “everyone should have freedom of expression without being judged”, according to Paris & Simo.
Sounds like: RAC, The Him, Goldroom, Flight Facilities, Pusha T
A collaborative album sounds exciting to us, especially when it’s written and produced by rising singer/songwriter/producer NOVAA and UK bedroom producer LO.
‘Go There’ is the third single from their ‘LIGHTS’ album, and “is about empty promises and letting go of someone that doesn’t really want you. It’s the moment you realize that you’re put on hold and that it’s not a romance but a game. The bubble you lived in pops and you find yourself playing a role and being someone that you don’t want to be.”
The album is out now on 29 September via Majestic Casual.
Having recently signed to Different Recordings (Anna Of The North, Kllo, Claptone), LIMITS manages to perfectly blend slices of ethereal, tech-house with melodic pop-inspired vocals.
The track is out now.
Sounds like: Shy Luv, Claptone, Tube & Berger, Rüfüs, The Magician, The Aston Shuffle
German-based Satin Jackets teams up with British singer, David Harks on ‘Northern Lights’.
As with all of Satin Jackets’ music, ‘Northern Lights’ has a distinct cosmic vibe, which is to be expected with the title of the song. Add to the mix, nostalgic vocal tones and reflective melodies, to create a breathtaking listening experience.
It’s out today on Eskimo Recordings.
Sounds like: Empire Of The Sun, Goldroom, RAC, Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Du Tonc, Future Islands, Phoenix
San Diego native, singer-songwriter and visual artist Alice Gray shares her debut single ‘Pink Cadillac’.
Describing her music as “sad songs you want to dance to”, Alice’s sound has a bittersweet edge to it thanks to beautifully planned pop hooks and wistful lyrics.
Love songs don’t have to be all about the doom and gloom of a relationship, they can be about the music you adore. Brooklyn locals, Secret Weapons do just this with uplifting new single, ‘Comeback Season’.
The twosome deliver a positive message about overcoming the odds (specifically the struggles they encountered whilst writing their album), which is further highlighted by the delightful addition of a gospel choir!
It’s out now via Epic.
Sounds like: Youngr, The 1975, Lionel Richie, The Levity, The Island Club, Ghost Beach, Backstreet Boys, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The Knocks
Talking of love songs…Atlantic artist/producer Seersha has written a gorgeous track called ‘Typical’ for her husband to listen to on his summertime drives.
Seersha’s ethereal vocals immediately make you feel free, as if you are screaming with joy at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.
Sounds like: MS MR, CHVRCHES, Tears For Fears, Lights, Paramore, Phil Collins
Los Angeles producer, AWAY, shares the stunning new video for ‘Sleepwalker’, featuring London Thor.
Paving the way for the next generation of sound, AWAY likes to expose mixed feelings in his music, often touching on confusion, sadness, apathy, and anger.
Five-piece, Heir, share their new track, ‘I’ll Pick You Up’.
It’s modest and understated with echoes of warm and rainy 80’s nights.
Heir have pretty impressive stats, having already played sold out shows in their hometown of Leeds and supporting Honne and The Dunwells. We are looking forward to hearing some more from these guys.
Atlanta-based indie pop band, Lanes, share their glistening track, ‘All Things Aren’t Forgiven’. Think a rawer The 1975.
Bordering into emo territory, ‘All Things Aren’t Forgiven’ is melancholic in nature, but with an upbeat melody; a song “born from frustration and infatuation”.
Sounds like: The Levity, Great Good Fine Ok, Fenech-Soler, The Neighbourhood
You can instantly tell that Paul Simon has heavily influenced the music of UK-based produer, KYKO (aka Scott Verrill).
Combining catchy electronic music (money?) with inspirational South African beats (nature?), KYKO dares to make a different kind of music in this overly saturated pop market.
Listen to ‘Nature’ below.
Out tomorrow via LAB Records, ‘Nature’ is taken from KYKO’s forthcoming ‘Wildlife’ EP, due for release early 2017.
KYKO will also be supporting Eliza and the Bear on their forthcoming UK tour in Nov/Dec (tickets).
Sounds like: Paul Simon, BOA, The New Coast, Draper, The Levity
Another band with ‘violet’ in their name, but it’s no surprise, the word is alluring.
Meet High Violet.
Focusing on 80’s synth pop, the foursome, vocally led by Emily Smart and Ricky Kradolfer, share ‘All I Want’, arguably their best track to date, showing how they have grown from strength to strength over the last year.
High Violet will be supporting British India on their Australian tour.
Head over to their SoundCloud page for a download of the track.
Brooklyn based, 80’s promoters, Secret Weapons have just shared self-titled their EP. But to top that off, they have also put together a playlist of epic proportions for our lovely readers.
Pasion Pit – Take a Walk Sonically passion pit stood out from the rest. Buzz saw synths and joyful chord progressions with contradictory lyrics.
Jack Ü – To Ü (feat. Aluna George) This track ushered in an era of production and a million imitates.
Fleetwood Mac – The Chain This song is simply thrilling to us. A slow burn filled with so much dramatic tension. It does so much with so little, and builds to final climax like a masterpiece.
Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love This song redefined corky to us. It’s got such a killer groove and the most playful melodies.
Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime Pure emotion. Soul and personality spew from every singe vocal line and instrument.
Joe Cocker – With A Little Help From My Friends An incredible reimagination of this song. you could bring it around a million times and it keeps feeling better and better. the choir harmonies and live energy give us chills.
Selena Gomez – Hands To Myself Simple pop bliss, haunting guitars.
The Killers – I Can’t Stay A simple sentiment goes such a long way on this one. Also part of a larger album that we admire greatly.
Shamir – On The Regular The dopest beat and the dopest visuals. You can’t imagine any other music video for this song.
Coldplay – Lovers In Japan A beautiful love story, and some of the most heart-racing melodic beauty you can achieve.
The Strokes – You Only Live Once The crunch of these guitars has influences us heavily. a solid strokes classic from a classic strokes album.
Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – still d.r.e Hip hop classic, pure and simple.
Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real All around an incredible song.
Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer Every girl in the group is showcased beautifully here. The perfect girl group.
Queen – Another One Bites The Dust Pure classic. We admire queen greatly for stepping into so many different genres. it’s hard to pick a favorite Queen song, but my god this is certainly Danny’s. This is also Danny’s favorite song of all time.
Secret Weapons be on tour this month across the U.S with Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco, and ending the tour with a date at Lollapalooza on Saturday night.
Sounds like: The 1975, Lionel Richie, The Levity, The Island Club, Ghost Beach, Backstreet Boys, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The Knocks, Dagny
