Tag Archives: The Neighbourhood

WEEKLY GEMS 178

Britt Lari – Wild

Britt Lari

Peruvian-born Los Angeles-based Britt Lari self-releases her new single ‘Wild’.

The track, co-produced with Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic, is more than a contemporary electro-pop track, it’s a colourful listen infused with a relentlessly funky, upbeat tempo and Britt’s dazzling vocal instrument.

Sounds like: CAPPA, VÉRITÉ, Big Gigantic

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chasing luma – motions

chasing luma

Luke MacDonald is new artist chasing luma.

Urging us to seek our own truth, the Canadian introspectively channels the energy of modern electronic music with the wistful nostalgia of contemporary indie music, evoking emotion in equal parts through both story-telling and sonic excellence.

Sounds like: Gaspar Narby

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ToyQueens – ChemicalBlood

ToyQueens

ToyQueens describes his music as “alternative indie-emo with glittery pop and a melancholy dream-core aesthetic” and that’s just the beginning.

His new track ‘ChemicalBlood’ is certainly all of those things but with an indefinable quality that’s purely addictive. An anthem at its core, futuristic electronic sounds meet emo-era toplines that you simply won’t be able to get enough of.

Sounds like: Bleachers, the neighbourhood, badflower

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Moise – Cellphone Receiver

Moise

Moise shares his downtempo indie soul record ‘Cellphone Receiver’. With echoes of rock, the lo-fi single blesses us with his distinct, rich and smooth vocal tone, as he explores a difficult past relationship.

Son of two Rwandan immigrants that came to America soon before the genocide to chase their dream, Moise finds inspiration writing about family, relationship and personal feelings through a rock-infused R&B and soul music from his city of Minneapolis.

Sounds like: Leon Bridges, Daniel Caesar, Steve Lacy, Dijon

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Ines Rae – Burner Phone

Ines Rae

Ines Rae is a seriously promising new face on the indie pop scene with a string of singles that have put her on the map.

Her latest track ‘Burner Phone’ is one of her strongest yet as Ines navigates being ghosted and likens the experience to being on the other end of a burner phone.

Sounds like: Holly Humberstone, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker

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Joe Ramsey – Stride

Joe Ramsey

Joe Ramsey’s keen ear for instant classics and mature songwriting will have you hooked on his new EP ‘Making Notes’.

The music industry is no stranger to songs of self-discovery during the pandemic but Joe approaches things from a different angle – exploring his experiences as a period of learning and appreciation and aptly, “making notes”.

Listen to ‘Stride’ from the EP below.

Sounds like: Sam Fender, Jake Bugg, Oasis

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Max Leone – First Grade

Max Leone - First Grade

20-year-old songwriter/producer/instrumentalist Max Leone is The Darkroom‘s newest addition.

He shares his new single ‘First Grade’, which deals with disappointment. It’s a stunning debut, defined by his acoustic-driven songwriting combined with electronic-tinged, urban-pop production.

After attending Berklee College Of Music for one year, Leone headed to the bright lights of Los Angeles to pursue his dream of music full time, and it’s clearly paying off.

Sounds like: The Neighbourhood, LANY, Bring Me The Horizon, Billie Eilish, SHY Martin, Khalid

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Weekly SubmitHub Gems 1

We receive a huge amount of submissions via SubmitHub, and unfortunately cannot review all of the tracks, so we have decided to compile those tracks into a weekly segment of gems we’ve particularly enjoyed.

Dream Lake – Midnight Sun

Dream Lake

Swedish electro-pop duo Dream Lake share the dreamy ‘Midnight Sun’.

This song perfectly encapsulates the airy, long days of light during the summer in Sweden, with dreamy vocals and romantic keys.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Beach House, M83

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Vanguards – Rosie & The Blackheart

Vanguards

Vanguards are a indie pop focused four-piece from Brighton.

‘Rosie & The Blackheart’ is a bittersweet love song that echoes 80’s guitar legends. The track was recorded live and produced by Steve Harris (Kodaline, Dave Matthews, Kaiser Chiefs).

Sounds like: INXS, Kings Of Leon, The 1975, Kodaline

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Tigers and Thieves – Change Your Mind

Tigers and Thieves

US-based Tigers and Thieves share ‘Change Your Mind’, an indie rock track that has all the markings of a hit, despite being recorded in their garage studio. It’s been mixed by Brian McTear (The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Local Natives).

Sounds like: Local Natives, Foster the People, The Neighbourhood, alt-J, Surfer Blood, The Temper Trap, Nick Mulvey

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Gold Fir – Night Walk

Gold Fir - Night Walk

Despite what the name suggests, London duo Gold Fir (aka James and Mabel) play funky tracks for our immediate pleasure, day or night.

Their music is full of sass n soul, and is definitely bold.

Sounds like: Madonna, Little Dragon, Goldfrapp

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Someone – Say Something

Someone

Songstress, Someone is shaking off her cutesy appeal with a more earthy sound on ‘Say Something’.

Jangling beats sway nicely alongside upbeat guitar riffs and catchy vocal leads.

Sounds like: Few Bits, Bryde

SoundCloud

ALKE – Without You

ALKE

Los Angeles-based pop duo ALKE release ‘Without You’.

There is no denying the obvious chemistry shown between Jameson Flood (production, guitar, keys) and AK Karrasch (vocals) on the track as it explores love versus independence.

Sounds like: Monogem, Phantogram, Shura

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Vox Eagle – Sweet Temptations

Vox Eagle

Australian/US duo Vox Eagle share the glistening ‘Sweet Temptations’.

It’s a song about late nights out on the town and those sweet temptations that you may (or may not) encounter.

Expect their EP to arrive next week.

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Joe Goddard, Roosevelt, Goldroom, Tame Impala, LCD Soundsystem

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DVWEZ – Giving Into Us

DVWEZ

DVWEZ (pronounced “Dames”) is making a stand for independence, all the while giving into strong desires.

Lush R&B melodies breathe over unique alt-electro soundscapes in ‘Giving Into Us’.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Salt Ashes, Aaliyah

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Saro – Eyelids

Saro

Newcomer Saro continues to produce dark pop music.

His new track ‘Eyelids’ is delicately produced with its brooding falsetto vocals and a soft touch of melancholy.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Jack Garratt, Draper, Clean Bandit, Years & Years

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Lanes – All Things Aren’t Forgiven

Lanes

Lanes

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

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BLAJK – Lethal

BLAJK by Jeffrey Ayres

BLAJK by Jeffrey Ayres

Toronto band BLAJK, return with ‘Lethal’, another well put together offering from the four piece.

Of the track, the band say,

“Lethal is a song about a tarnished yet lustful relationship that has kept you going back and forth over time. Constantly yearning for the person while fully aware that reconnecting only leads to trouble and unhappiness. It’s about indulging in the guilty pleasure that is this person and living with the consequences.”

Sounds like: The Neighbourhood, Phantogram, The 1975, MOTHXR, LANY, Young Empires, Banners, KAPTAN

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BLAJK – Good Liars

BLAJK

BLAJK

Toronto indie pop five-piece BLAJK make a tidy return to Indietronica with their latest release, ‘Good Liars’.

The track sees lead vocalist Jordan Radics telling the story of contrived, synthetic lives and personalities broadcast through screens and filters.

“Good Liars was built off another song we had written about a year ago. We had always liked its energy but didn’t really know where to go with it. So when it came time to piece together all the demos we had for the EP, that song quickly evolved and became one of our favourites. The original demo sounded much different and it took a couple nights of writing to really bring it to life. But when Jordan sang over it we knew it was strong and it proves to be whenever we play it live.”

It’s another polished and compelling offering from BLAJK. Listen below:

Tour Dates
May 4 / The Velvet Underground / Toronto, ON (w/ Baio, ROMES, Only Yours and TMPL)
May 6 / Royal Ontario Museum / Toronto, ON
May 8 / Adelaide Hall / Toronto, ON (w/ Big Black Delta, Rolemodel and Wilde)
May 18 / Sugar Nightclub / Victoria, BC (w/ Young Empires)
May 19 / Fortune Sound Club / Vancouver, BC (w/ Young Empires)
May 20 / Habitat / Kelowna, BC (w/ Young Empires)
May 21 / Commonwealth / Calgary, AB (w/ Young Empires)
May 22 / Starlite Room / Edmonton, AB (w/ Young Empires)
May 24 / Amigos / Saskatoon, SK (w/ Young Empires)
May 25 / Park Theatre / Winnipeg, MB (w/ Young Empires)
Jun 12 / Bestival / Toronto, ON

Purchase on iTunes.

Sounds like: The Neighbourhood, Phantogram, The 1975, MOTHXR, LANY, Young Empires, Banners

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Premiere: BLAJK – French Class

BLAJK

BLAJK

Toronto five-piece, BLAJK are a well-tailored and well-talented bunch.

That’s all we really know about them, but it’s enough. No gimmicks, just straight-forward, inviting, indie pop.

Their latest single, ‘French Class’, has been co-produced with SONNER, and is about discovering the joys of escapism when you fall in love.

Sounds like: The Neighbourhood, Phantogram, The 1975, MOTHXR

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