Tag Archives: US

Weekly Gems 57

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Jackie Charles – Time Travel

Jackie Charles by Knut Åserud

Jackie Charles – the love-child, band and alter ego of Kaja Bremnes – looks at the topic of ‘Time Travel’, because after all isn’t the past sometimes better than the future?

The new single is Scandi-pop blended with anarchic tendencies – inspired the times spent between the rooftop bars of Berlin and a Norwegian fishing boat.

Sounds like: The Cure, Alvvays, Ariel Pink

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Daise – Glass Mind

Daise

Los Angeles-based dream-pop quintet Daise shares the ethereal and emotional ‘Glass Mind’.

It’s an intensely reflective song that almost borders in emo territory with its transfixing guitars and pensive melodies.

Sounds like: The Smiths

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Tallsaint – Warm Skin

Tallsaint

British electro-pop artist Tallsaint shares music that touches critical themes of obsession, romance, anxiety and womanhood.

‘Warm Skin’ is the first track taken from her debut EP ‘Hard Love’ on indie label Dance to The Radio, out now and takes a more vulnerable approach.

Sounds like: Stereo Honey, RALPH, St Vincent, Lykke Li

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Molina – Venus

Molina

The 26-year old Copenhagen-based producer & musician Molina (aka Rebecca Maria Molina) is channeling series 80’s synth vibes in her new single ‘Venus’.

Tinkering with experimental alt-pop sounds featuring heavy Japanese music

Sounds like: Wolf Alice, Tears for Fears, Kate Bush, Röyksopp, Georgia

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Uffie – No Regrets

Uffie

The first time listening to Uffie‘s ‘Pop The Klock’ was nine years ago and it simply blew our minds. We couldn’t get enough of the French-American’s experimental and nonconformist pop sound. The original modern pop star.

Fast forward nine years and Uffie has definitely not lost her sparkle. Listen to her straight-up pop single, ‘No Regrets’ below.

Sounds like: Mallrat, Alice Jemima, Grimes, Yung Lean, Charli XCX, Yelle

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Wild Moccasins – Doe-Eyed Dancer

Wild Moccasins

One of our ones to watch for 2019 is Wild Moccasins, a beautifully crafted band fronted by the magnificent Zahira Gutierrez with her notable soaring pop melodies.

Their new single ‘Doe-Eyed Dancer’ is taken from the ‘Look Together’ album, which is a resilient and volatile break-up record co-written by Gutierrez and guitarist Cody Swann after their decade-long romantic relationship dissolved.

Listen now and be prepared to click ‘repeat’ over and over again.

Sounds like: Tennis, Oh Land, Wild Ones, Tame Impala, Anteros

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KIDDO Feat. Decco – Drunk And I Miss You (Arturs Lapins Remix)

KIDDO

We don’t usually support remixes on the site, but it’s been a tough week and this track has got has raring to go for the weekend. It’s Arturs Lapins‘ remix of ‘Drunk And I Miss You’, by feisty Stockholm-based artist KIDDO

Sliced and diced into a more chill-hop vibe, check it out below.

Sounds like: MØ, Odesza, Billie Eilish, Jinka, ALMA, Rihanna

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Weekly Gems 56

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STRUAN – Awake

STRUAN

We’ve been desperately searching for some sweet, nostalgic heartbreak songs to play on the radio during our late night drives and we’ve just found one – ‘Awake’ by STRUAN.

Surprisingly written with this in mind, STRUAN explains he created ‘Awake’ because he was out in Los Angeles and couldn’t sleep thinking about his ex.

Sounds like: LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, Joan, The 1975

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Beauty Sleep – The Dark

Beauty Sleep

Rising Belfast dream-pop trio Beauty Sleep creates magical, synth-driven music. The three met at a friend’s party and bonded over a mutual love of G&Ts and music.

They are gearing to release their debut LP, ‘Be Kind’ is set for release on 17th May on Quiet Arch records. Listen to ‘The Dark’ below.

Sounds like: All Tvvins, Pleasure Beach

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Caswell – Surface

Caswell

Following a stint of live shows last year, including Latitude Festival, Caswell releases ‘Surface’, a song of self-discovery and re-empowerment to reach a potential she didn’t realise she had the whole time.

It’s a crisp and clear rendition with definite musical intentions, and sets the tone for her second EP, to be released in April.

Sounds like: Låpsley, Skott, Lorde, Charlotte Cardin, Jorja Smith, JONES, Ray BLK, Sigrid, Maggie Rogers

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O Future – VOYEUR

O Future

Meet O Future (fka OOFJ), an electronic duo mixing electronics with symphony orchestra and voice consisting of Jens Bjornkjaer originally from Denmark and Katherine Mills Rymer from South Africa, now located in Los Angeles.

O Future’s new single ‘VOYEUR’ gains pleasure in watching other people’s vanity from afar in what the duo calls a “global turn on”, and with a gorgeously, exciting looping bass line throughout, what’s not to enjoy?

Sounds like: Grimes, Georgia, Santigold

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Sea Girls – Open Up Your Head

Sea Girls

Current favs, Sea Girls, share their latest single, ‘Open Your Head’ – it’s about unconditional love and is another brilliant addition to their stellar back catalogue

Can’t wait for their album? In the mean time you can catch them at one of their live dates in the UK this February and March…

Sounds like: The Kooks, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club

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Leaone – Prairie Fires

Leaone

Meet Leaone (pronounced ‘Lee-own’).

After landing support from the Arts Council England’s International Development fund, Leaone found himself working from Transmitter Park Studios in Brooklyn New York, alongside multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Marsh (of Lana Del Rey’s band) and Abe Seiferth (Yeasayer, Bears In Heaven, James Murphy), on a body of new material.

The result is ‘Prairie Fires’, a deeply devastatingly emotive song that Leaone wrote at a time when he had to leave behind a blossoming romance.

Sounds like: The National

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Girl Crush – Baby Steps

Girl Crush

Last but definitely not least is Girl Crush, the music and fashion project of Swedish/British duo, Ottilia Kjulsten and David Sugar.

These two have a special interest in lost youth, lust-stricken heartbreak and a future that never arrived, which they define as “promcore”. Their new single ‘Baby Steps’ is out now via Brilliance Records.

p.s. Want to be as cool as these guys? Then buy one of their limited edition pieces of merchandise which they offer with every track release.

Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, LOVE SICK, So Below, Ralph, Anna of the North, Call Me Loop, SUMif

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Weekly Gems 55

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RKCB – Till We’re In The Sea

RKCB

Los Angeles-based duo RKCB shares the beautiful new single, ‘Till We’re In The Sea’.

RKCB fuses neo-soul, modern electronic R&B and dreamy synth-pop with avant-garde lyrics, resulting in an unparalleled sound that has echoes of Icelandic band, Ásgeir, bringing back memories of long drives by the cold seaside.

The song is taken from their ‘Shores’ EP which aims to tackle global warming and climate change.

Sounds like: Ásgeir, Talos, Aquilo, Solomon Grey

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Like Swimming – The Ground

Like Swimming by C. Johan Knobe

It’s been a minute since we last covered Swedish trio, Like Swimming and goodness aren’t we glad they’re back!

‘The Ground’, the more organic and typical indie-pop style compared to their last single, ‘Strike A Pose’, is released ahead of their double EP Resistance / Relations’, out on DigSin.

Sounds like: Chvrches, Chrome Sparks, Of Monsters & Men

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ROE – Down Days

ROE

Rising folktronica artist ROE has just reeased her new single ‘Down Days’, whilst currently on a UK tour with Snow Patrol.

A song dedicated to those down days, the song is described as “grumpy electro-pop” by ROE herself, but we think this gives herself an injustice as we all suffer down days and there’s nothing wrong with being reflective about that.

‘Down Days’ is out now via Fictive Kin Records.

Sounds like: Emma McGrath, Soak, Florence + The Machine

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Jack Hawitt – Grow

Jack Hawitt

You may not know the name Jack Hawitt, but you soon will.

Despite his HUGE success with previous releases with DJ Lucious and his cover of Dua Lipa‘s ‘Be The One’, his new single ‘Grow’ seems like the first personal release from the solo act – and one that is about “embracing the past and diving into the future.”

Sounds like: Matt Corby, Freya Ridings

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Fintan – Say It Again

Fintan

Meet Canadian busker and soon-to-be-artist, Fintan.

A deeply honest take on modern-day pop music, confessional track ‘Say It Again’ is the closest Fintan has come to knowing himself, being as deeply honest as possible.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan

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Trapdoor Social – The Move

Trapoor Social

Independent band Trapdoor Social are on ‘The Move’ with new single.

Blending Cali surf rock with pop/rock, the band’s music is energetic and passionate, with lyrics that play with love, philosophy, and social critique.

Sounds like: The Kooks, Panic! At The Disco, Great Good Fine Ok

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Unlovable – Wait

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Unlovable - Wait

Introducing mysterious Paris/New York-based duo Unlovable.

Their soul-searching new single ‘Wait’ is a dynamic heartbreak anthem with thick washes of wistful vocals and a powerful undercurrent of ambient electronica.

Sounds like: Kllo, Broods, Phantogram, ASTR

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Spazz Cardigan – S.O.S.

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Spazz Cardigan

Spazz Cardigan is another exciting artist from Nashville who leans on the slight left side of pop, and it’s no surprise considering his wide array of influences spanning Queen, NSYNC, Kanye West to Björk, David Bowie to Sun Ra.

A classically trained piano player, Spazz Cardigan is also self-taught at guitar, bass, drums, and production. His new single ‘S.O.S.’ is catchy indietronica with popular vocal chants and a steady and highly contagious clap that ticks gently throughout the song.

Listen below:

Expect his ‘Vulnerabilia’ EP out on 22 March.

Sounds like: FUN, Myylo

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Weekly Gems 54

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Malory – Blue Umbrella

Malory

Rising pop artist Malory shares the beautiful ‘Blue Umbrella’, which we have had on repeat all week.

Seeking inspiration from life actions, ‘Blue Umbrella’’ started life on a tube journey after Malory had observed a family and noticed the father had a sadness in his eyes and seemed strangely discontented.

The Londoner was later in the studio making an experimental instrumental with producer Danny George when they noticed there was a blue umbrella left in the studio, which Malory found represented the image of an unhappy corporate figure in the rain on his way home from work.

Expect her debut album ‘Cornucopia’ out on 1 March.

Sounds like: Zella Day, Aurora

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Noé – Pity Party

Noé

Raised between Hong Kong and Aix en Provence in France, Paris-born singer/songwriter Noé doesn’t want to fit inside a musical box any longer.

Not quite defining her sound, her low-tempo music gathers inspiration from a blend of Pop, R&B and alt-indie sounds, tied together through painfully honest lyrics.

Her new single, ‘Pity Party’ highlights Noé’s tendencies to overthink and sometimes feel sorry for herself.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ

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Crow – Go

Crow

Exciting new Argentinian/American artist Crow shares the sultry single ‘Go’.

The song channels the idea of courage – following brutality at the hands of bullies during Crow’s school years – with hypnotic and melodic soundscapes and introspective reflection.

Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, CHLØË BLACK

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Gold Spectacles – Courtside

Gold Spectacles - Courtside

Forming in London, Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter/producers who create “baroque-pop”.

Their new single ‘Courtside’ focuses on dependence in a long distance relationship, and uses flute, spanish guitar with analog synths to create a post-modern landscape.

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Bombay Bicycle Club, San Fermin, Fyfe, Astronauts, Carousel, Dan Croll, Nick Leng, Bibio, ROSTAM

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Drinker – Something I Want

Drinker - Something I Want

Brooklyn-based duo Drinker shares ‘Something I Want’ – a track slightly darker than your average musical tipple.

Inspired by a mututal love of James Blake, songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh “wanted to create a visually diverse and bold message with the video for “Something I Want” and enlisted the help of NY based LGBTQ focused film maker Tyler Byrnes. With the implementation of stop motion animation and found footage, we aimed for a stark and surreal aesthetic to paint America’s multi-generational story of consumerism.“

Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala

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2CRE8 – Naughty Boy

2CRE8

Dutch DJ/producer duo 2CRE8 has today released their debut single ‘Naughty Boy’.

Having spent their time growing up together at high school, it was until a gig in December 2014 that everything fell into place and they decided to form a duo.

Check out ‘Naughty Boy’ with its bold dance-led lyrics and a catchy flute drop, which definitely hints at their playful side.

Sounds like: Harlee, Just Kiddin, Blonde, The Magician, Calvin Harris, Rihanna

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Ariela Jacobs – Missing You

Ariela Jacobs

Externalising her thoughts, Ariela Jacobs considers the concept of missing her old self in new song ‘Missing You’.

New York born and Melbourne bred, indie-pop singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs was raised on a diet of literature and art. Her songwriting sends the listener on a journey both intimate and other-worldly; with melodies with clear folk-based lines, underscored by lush chords and pulsing rhythms.

Sounds like: Evvy, Linney, Goldroom, Le Youth

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Satellite Mode – Kissing In Photographs

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Satellite Mode

NYC-based indie outfit Satellite Mode seeks inspiration from afro-disco grooves in ‘Kissing In Photographs’.

Founding members Jessica Carvo and Alex Marko first met in a songwriting session where they quickly found mutual confidence from experimenting with each other’s strengths; Jessica flourished as a powerhouse singer, whereas Alex’s classically trained ear brought structure to the off-kilter soundscapes that the band was creating.

‘Kissing In Photographs’ is laid back but at the same time has an underlying energy that will make you want to get up and dance, pleasantly expecting a big blow out (which comes in at around two minutes).

Sounds like: Like Swimming, Arcade Fire, Jinka

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Weekly Gems 52

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Ayelle – Obvious

Ayelle

Mellow music-maker Ayelle shares her self-reflecting new single ‘Obvious’.

The Swedish-Iranian R&B singer-songwriter teamed up with producer Jonah Stevens, to delve furhter into her lyrical clarity and sultry vocals.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Banks, 4AM, Wet, IYES, The XX, SOHN

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Jinka – Ghost 2 U

JINKA

Jinka’s track ‘Ghost 2 U’ is glitchy trip-pop at its finest.

Ghost 2 U” is the Transylvanian artist‘s most emotionally dynamic track to date.
It juxtaposes a heavy, industrial half-time drop reminiscent of acts like Cashmere Cat, Amnesia Scanner or Tommy Cash with touchingly fragile and intimate tale-telling verses.
Jinka’s vocals evolve over a loop of pluck-sounds that unavoidably take your imagination to an underground stalactite cave hidden in the souterrains of Berlin.

Sounds like: Kate Boy, I BREAK HORSES

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daste. – SOBER

daste

Australian trio daste. is comprised of Callum MacDonald, Braxton Tahi & Tyler Harden.

Focusing on the smaller details (with the ‘d’ in daste. standing for detail), their new track, ‘SOBER’ is a summery lo-fi number showcasing simple, yet effective songwriting, and shares the idea that a clear head is always better than a mediocre, intoxicated one.

It’s out now via Mammal Sounds Records.

Sounds like: RÜFÜS DU SOL

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Malihini – Delusional Boy

Malihini

There is always an air of romanticism with Italian culture and Italian duo Malihini are no exception to this rule.

Their new single ‘Delusional Boy’ has upbeat drums, neatly undercut by its recurring vocal refrain, “Delusional Boy/Delusional Girl” – the downbeat rejoinder conveyed with a typically euphonious duo vocal melody that juxtaposes between a falsetto male part with baratone-esq female vocals, which all in all, creates an extremely easy-to-listen-to pop track.

Expect their debut album ‘Hopefully, Again’, out on 8 March via Memphis Industries.

Sounds like: SAMA, Beach House, Tennis, Chairlift, Au Revoir Simone

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HighSchool Jacob – Cant Get Enough

HighSchool Jacob

Highschool Jacob is an indie pop artist who has a serious way with words, so don’t mess.

Based out of Los Angeles, this nu-funk extraordinaire weaves catchy and retro melodies and engrossing stories to make head-nod worthy and heartwarming music.

Listen to ‘Can’t Get Enough’ below.

Sounds like: Daft Punk, Du Tonc

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Jesse Hite – When It All Comes Down

Jesse Hite

There is a definite lo-fi, funk theme in this week’s gems. Introducing Jesse Hite – an exciting solo artist who has just shared his debut ‘When It All Comes Down’.

An American artist living in France, Hite effortless blends sounds thanks to this move across the Atlantic, as well as travels through Asia.

‘When It All Comes Down’ is the first single of a three-song EP to be released. The song is full of character, soulful lyrics, in which Mite manages to create as much blooming sound as music troop, Jungle between a large number of them!

Sounds like: Shy Girls, YAKUL, Jungle, LCD Soundsystem

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youthxx – New Frontier

youthxx

Taking on the challenge of a new anthem for millennials is youthxx (also one half of Golden Coast).

‘New Frontier’ achieves anthemic territory with an inspiring, unforgettable vocal and sharp contemporary production that mixes synthetic and organic sounds with finesse.

Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, Golden Coast

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Myylo – Jonesing

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Myylo - Jonesing

We are loving Nashville-based artist Myylo and his finely-tuned, unique take on pop.

With a series of releases under his belt, the emerging pop act looks to cement himself as a consistently genuine artist with his latest offering ‘Jonesing’. After participating in a week-long Telluride, Colorado writing trip with Mike Posner, and another with Baby Face and Spotify Secret Genius, he shares his rhythmic and playful take on a typical love story, about a boy who is ” just too damn far away”

Sounds like: FUN

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Weekly Gems 51

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Mark Diamond – Steady

Mark Diamond - Steady

Seattle-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Diamond shares slow-burning pop song, ‘Steady’.

At just 25, Diamond already oozes so much self-love and confidence, and with this being a debut, we are blown away by his frank approach to welcoming such feel-good emotions.

‘Steady’ is out now via Stardog Records/Republic Records.

Sounds like: Tom Petty, Hootie & The Blowfish

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Stats – Lose It

Stats - Lose It

UK-born band Stats embrace spontaneity by transfusing genres in their music, such as 70’s art rock, 80’s synth grooves, and cosmic disco-pop.

The new single ‘Lose It’ is about temptations to simply vanish into thin air, a desire that most of us have probably faced in life. Let’s hope Stats don’t disappear anytime soon.

Expect their ‘Other People’s Lives’ album shortly.

Sounds like: Arcade Fire, Pet Shop Boys, Nimmo

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Suzi Island – Halo

Suzi Island - Halo

Brighton trio Suzi Island shares vibrant new single, ‘Halo’.

Produced by Larry Hibbitt (Nothing But Thieves, Sundara Karma, Sea Girls, Marmozets), ‘Halo’ has a bittersweet sound throughout and is a clear bound forward for Suzi Island following their last two singles.

Sounds like: Nothing But Thieves, Sundara Karma, Sea Girls

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Kita Menari – Pretty Sure

Kita Menari by Joram Kaat & Rens Polman

Kita Menari by Joram Kaat & Rens Polman

Kita Menari is the synth-pop project of Dutch artist Micha de Jonge.

His new single ‘Pretty Sure’ is an infectious slice of indie-dance-pop with a big nod to classic Passion Pit-.esq synth effects.

Kita plays Eurosonic Noordeslag on 19 January, so check him out if you can.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Passion Pit, MGMT, Phoenix, The Naked And Famous, Silversun Pickups, Matt & Kim

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