Black Flowers Cafe is a quartet from Italy.
Their bright new single ‘Who’ is an indie-pop bop, with dreamy guitars and stadium-ready vocals. Taken from their new album, ‘Flow’, which both questions and answers ten suggestions that represent a fascinating escape from reality.
Sounds like: Foals, Wild Nothing
Dancing on Tables – Not to Need You
Scottish band, Dancing on Tables, explores a more melancholic side in ‘Not To Need You’.
Written in Nashville alongside legendary songwriter Liz Rose (Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood), the hopeful song encapsulates the uphill battles everyone goes through in life but reminds us that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975, Rat Boy, Circa Waves, The Amazons, Blossoms, Wild Nothing, Cassia, Catfish and the Bottlemen
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Stellie – How Do We Look So Good?
Stellie by Jackson Thornbury
Like an early Billie Eilish, Australian artist Stellie is transforming our take on pop.
Inspired by strong female voices, her tender and personal tales are indie-pop slow-burners that cut straight to the heart. Listen to her hazy new single, ‘How Do We Look So Good?’ below.
Sounds like: Billie Eilish
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Lila Drew – Locket
We continue to eagerly turn the pages in Lila Drew‘s magical scrapbook full of uncertainty and confessions, both positive and negative.
The next chapter from the rising 19-year-old London born and LA based independent singer/songwriter is the souful and dreamy, ‘Locket’.
Sounds like: Ariana Grande, Caswell, Billie Eilish
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Cat Ryan – Mannerism
Newcastle-based trio Cat Ryan is no ordinary modern shoegaze band. Oh no. These guys are paving way for a new era of British dreamy indie-pop.
Their new single ‘Mannerism’ is a self-conscious spin on mesmerising music and is out now via Pillar Artists.
Sounds like: Wolf Alice, Sundara Karma, Alvvays, Bombay Bicycle Club, Youth Sector, Tranqua Lite
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GusGus – Out Of Place
It’s great to see GusGus back with another stellar release.
The electronic innovators have released ‘Out Of Place’, highlighting the duo’s affinity for rolling synth-lines and sharp, pop-driven vocals. Listen below.
Sounds like: Simian Mobile Disco, Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Röyksopp, Goldfrapp, Orbital, Roisin Murphy
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Llovers – Feeling Sound
Another Newcastle band for us this week – Llovers.
Releasing the infectious new cut, ‘Feeling Sound’, it’s clear that anyone listening to the track will be enamoured by their immense potential, thanks to their irresistible anthemic tendencies with sparkling riffs, sing-along choruses and playful songwriting.
Sounds like: Alt-J, Foals, Blossoms, Larkins
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Weird Milk – Is That Love?
London baroque pop band Weird Milk shares ‘Is That Love?’.
Having already supported indie risers Alfie Templeman and Pip Blom, and about to support APRE on their UK tour, their latest offering doesn’t disappoint.
Songwriter and drummer Charlie Glover-Wright explains, “The song itself is about a relationship turning sour as a lemon and the main character realising that they don’t need it anymore and they’ll be better off on their own.”
Sounds like: FEET, Sports Team, The Magic Gang, Genghar, The Last Shadow Puppets
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Kelli-Leigh – Cotton Clouds
You may recognise Kelli-Leigh’s vocals from such hits as ‘More Than Friends’ by Jame Hype, ‘I Got U’ by Duke Dumont and Second City‘s ‘I Wanna Feel’, but it’s time for the British singer/songwriter to step out into the light and reveal her first solo music of the decade.
The uptempo pop song, ‘Cotton Clouds’ describes a blissed out relationship. Lovely.
Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Karen Harding, Harlee
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The Day – Tenderfoot
Dutch DIY duo The Day are Laura Loeters from from Antwerp/Belgium and Hamburg based Gregor Sonnenberg.
Sharing the fancy-free video for their cover of ‘Tenderfoot’ by The Lemonheads / Smudge, the latest release is inspired by their youth, as the dream-pop band continue their tasteful take on original classics.
Sounds like: Eliza Shaddard, Ilgen-Nur
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Talii – Good To Be Bad
Orlando-based 25 year old Talii has a wicked streak, as can be witnessed in her sultry and dark pop song, ‘Good To Be Bad’.
Born into a musically gifted and diversely talented family of musicians and performers, she began singing at age 3 and was playing the piano and writing songs by age 7. There is no denying her talent.
Sounds like: Banks
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Scottish band Dancing On Tables shares their effervescent new single, ‘Stay’.
The topic of the song talks about the over-reliance on the other half of a relationship. Usually a subject of heartbreak, the track builds towards the desperate and angry situation the left behind half finds themselves in.
Listen below.
It’s out now via LV Music.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975, Rat Boy, Circa Waves, The Amazons, Blossoms, Wild Nothing, Cassia
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Hot off supporting Cassia on a UK tour, old school friends and bandmates, Dancing On Tables share their new ballad, ‘Black’.
Using their youthful energy and determination to fuel the fire within their music, Dancing on Tables highlight the importance of their roots, as well as raising awareness about the musical talent in the North of the UK.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975, Rat Boy, Circa Waves, The Amazons, Blossoms, Wild Nothing, Cassia
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Georgi Kay – Guilty Pleasures
Singer Georgi Kay is warning us about guilty pleasures in her new single.
Quintessentially indietronica-based, ‘Guilty Pleasures’ is a song about falling in love with someone who, despite the deep emotional connection being mutual, is romantically tied down by another.
Sounds like: Fjer, Alpines
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Satin Jackets – Mirage
The story goes something like “when we’re good, we’re good. And when we’re low, we’re low”. Sound familiar?
Satin Jackets is tapping into our relationship insecurities with a strangely upbeat melody in ‘Mirage’. I guess that’s kind of the definition of a mirage!
It’s out now via Eskimo Recordings.
Sounds like: Goldroom, RAC, Le Youth, Pink Feathers
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Slenderbodies – Amnesia
Exciting new Californian-based duo Slenderbodies share their new single, ‘Amnesia’.
Their music shares intricate guitar melodies and breathy vocal work that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking at the same time.
This is definitely one act you won’t forget in a long time.
Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-J
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LANNDS – Words
LANNDS is Memphis-born artist Rania Woodard and she shares her exciting slow-burner called ‘Words’.
There is nothing brash about this type of music, it’s soothing in its intent as well as thought-provoking.
‘Words’ is the second song off her forthcoming EP, ‘LEGENDS’ (expected March 2018), released on Kobalt/Kitsuné.
Sounds like: Björk, Vök, Låpsley, The Japanese House, Daughter, TENDER
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Von Sell – Hell No
We have been huge fans of Brooklyn-based artist Von Sell for a long time, and we are extremely happy he is back well and singing again after a six month break due to vocal chord issues.
Von Sell takes more of a funky attitude in the production techniques of ‘Hell No’ but we dig it – we’re gonna call it his come-back track!
Sounds like: Summer Heart, Hazel English, Teen Daze
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Jayce Cantor – Done For Now
Singer/songwriter/producer Jayce Cantor shares his radio-ready single ‘Done For Now’.
The song has elements of catchy R&B blended with modern indietronica-influenced production that works brilliantly with Jayce’s soulful vocals as he sings about love and heartbreak.
Sounds like: Craig David, Le Youth
Bliss Nova – Now
…And finally, it’s time for some blissed-out music from Toledo-based duo, Bliss Nova.
Their second single called ‘Now’ hits you instantly with its chilled pop sensibilites and dreamy vocal harmonies.
Some exciting times ahead for these guys.
Sounds like: Summer Heart, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Porches, Cut Copy, Toro y Moi, Caribou, Wild Nothing, Phoenix, Tame Impala, Tuska
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SARO
Los Angeles-based artist, Saro, tells us not to fall in love on his SoundCloud page, but it’s too late as we already have.
He has just dropped his ‘In Loving Memory’ EP (produced by Robin Hannibal (Rhye, Jessie Ware, Jamie Woon, Quadron) and it’s seven tracks of well-crafted pop, and to celebrate, we’ve asked him to put together a playlist.
His chosen theme is “Sleepwalking & Daydreaming”.
Katie Dey – Fear O’ the Light
I learned about the mysterious Katie Dey this past summer and she has become one of my favorites. Her album Flood Network is perfect.
Okay Kaya – I’m Stupid (But I Love You)
Kaya gives me everything I’ve ever wanted lyrically and melodically. I’m an addict.
Temples – Certainty
I love the psychedelic production and sweeter than candy melodies. Temples puts on the best live show too.
Jenny Hval – Period Piece
I get lost in the beauty of the vocal pads. I also love how the guitar is reminiscent of Morse Code.
iamamiwhoami – Sever
Iamamiwhoami has given me endless sonic and visual inspiration over the years. They have 3 full length visual albums that every artist must see.
Moses Sumney – Seeds
Moses has the voice of a god. It can melt butter, too.
TR/ST – Sulk
TR/ST has been one of my favorite bands for years. I have a man crush on Robert Alfons.
Darondo – Didn’t I
So much pain and longing in his falsetto. I can’t decide whether to dance or cry.
Wild Nothing – Chinatown
An all time favorite. “We’re not happy til we’re running away”.
Portishead – Machine Gun
Probably the most riveting production I’ve ever heard. Beth Gibbons performs a haunting vocal that moves me to the core.
Listen to Saro below.
Sounds like: Aquilo, Jack Garratt, Draper, Clean Bandit, Years & Years
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Seeing Hands
Seeing Hands are a dream pop band from Newcastle, UK.
They are debuting ‘I Knew You’, which has been recorded in their hometown and produced by Jack Boyle and John Elliott.
Jangly guitars complement the ambient vocals, and you’d be easily fooled into thinking these guys come from warmer climates.
‘I Knew You’ is out now.
Live Shows
12 Aug – Think Tank?, Newcastle (single launch show)
26 Aug – Tynemouth Surfball, Newcastle
Sounds like: Summer Heart, Day Wave, Wild Nothing, The War On Drugs, Beauty Sleep
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Youth Lagoon
Idaho-based Youth Lagoon (aka Trevor Powers) releases the video for ‘Rotten Human’.
His sound can be described as destructive lo-fi, and is perfectly depicted by the track.
The beautiful video, directed by Patrick Blades and shot in Iceland, features the model, Daytona Williams.
Sounds like: Garden City Movement, Beach House, Kidepo, Brotherun, Wild Nothing, The Antlers, DIIV, Nordic Giants
Neon Indian – Slumlord Rising
This is cool.
Coinciding with his release of the acclaimed new album ‘VEGA INTL. Night School’, Neon Indian has shared an epic short film ‘Slumlord Rising’. Opening with a stunning continuous four minute tracking shot,the film delves into the seedy, and sometimes blood-soaked, Los Angeles nightlife world. Co-directed by Palomo and Tim Nackashi, the film is presented as part of a special collaboration with Yours Truly and Wetransfer, arriving in conjunction with a complete oral history of ‘VEGA INTL. Night School’, featuring the voices of 15 of the album’s contributors.
The new video arrives alongside a relaunch of Neon Indian’s hotline number, which was originally introduced in August to give fans a taste of the new material. Fans who call +1-512-643-VEGA will hear a special greeting from the man himself, and be sent a preview gif of the video.
Sounds like: Justice, Ghost Beach, Miami Horror, Fenech Soler, Kavinsky, Tokyo Police Club, Daft Punk, Thompson Twins, WAVVES, Wild Nothing, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi
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Neon Indian
To celebrate Neon Indian‘s latest tour, we thought we would time travel back to May when he released 80’s synth jam, ‘Annie’.
Find the tour dates below:
08/20 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Desfilia
08/21 – Mexico City – Semana De Las Juventudes Festival – Zocola Plaza
08/23 – Los Angeles, CA – FYF Fest
09/12 – El Paso, TX – Mother Of Pearl Block Party
09/17 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
09/18 – Seattle, WA – Neptune
09/19 – Victoria, BC – Rifflandia Festival
09/20 – Vancouver, BC – Imperial
11/07 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest
* = w/ Toro Y Moi (DJ Set)
Sounds like: Ghost Beach, Miami Horror, Tokyo Police Club, Thompson Twins, WAVVES, Wild Nothing, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi
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