Atonement – Winter, Hatchie
Dream Pop queens Winter and Hatchie strum whole new atmospheres on ‘atonement’, asking questions like ‘where did you go?’ and ‘can you wait forever?’. An exhilarating verse meets a chilling chorus, pastel vocals meet an exciting instrumental.
You can listen to the song here:
I Guess It’s Never Enough – Goldpark
The fourpiece band’s Spotify caption ‘making music you want to live in’ really sums ‘I guess it’s never enough.’ The height of its thrill really is at the chorus, but the verses build the ideal momentum for it, all whilst the entirety of the song is enriched by a crazily good voice.
You can listen to the song here:
i was – kaneyorimasaru
If you’re looking for a song that mixes angelic vocals with heavy rock instrumentals, then ‘I was’ by Japanese trio kaneyorimasaru is the song for you. The way the song goes up and down in pitch and tone makes it all the more exciting.
You can listen to the song here:
Easy On Your Own? – Alvvays
Ahead of the group’s October album ‘Blue Rev’, Alvvays ask the question ‘does it get easy on your own?’. The intro sounds like a radio station, suddenly blasting into this warm indie sound. But it’s so much more than that. From the complexity of lines like ‘crawling in monochromatic hallways’ to calling out ‘if you don’t like it, say it’s over’, there’ll be something in the song that provokes your emotions.
You can listen to the song here:
City Of Angels – Nesta, Mereba
To me, the best part of this evening guitar song by alt R&B artist Nesta and singer-songwriter producer Mereba is how alleviative it is. It’s not only the words that are comforting, it’s the way the vocals weave in and out of the instrumental exquisitely.
You can listen to the song here:
Run To You – Joy Weather
Indie rock trio Joy Weather released ‘Run To You’ this month, and I can’t help but a feel like this song belongs in the end of a film. The melodic verses unfold into a free-spirit chorus sung vigorously and majestically.
You can listen to the song here:
Unhappy – Laud, Jorn Newton
This mid 80s sounding pop track with pieces of electronica has a beat that will keep you coming back. There’s the right of amount of instruments and the right timing and tones from the Belgian musician Laud.
You can listen to the song here:
Jumper – Courting
Courting sing fondly of the future in ‘Jumper’, their third single of this year. The guitars are jangly and the lyrics feel enjoyably impulsive amid the early 90s impression you may get from the overall sound of ‘Jumper’.
You can listen to the song here:
Binge – DEADLETTER
I think everyone can agree that there is something 80s to this track by British group DEADLETTER. ‘Binge’ allows you to hear the lead singer’s Yorkshire accent as well as just an stately deep vocal range behind a powerful marching beat.
You can listen to the song here:
FLEX – Dounia
I can recognise synth-pop, art pop and R&B in this melody by Dounia. The song will make you feel as if you’ve been set free, boasting an unforgettable beat and the coolest lyrics ‘Blue aura, bubble gum pink lips’.
You can listen to the song here:
Superstar – Wheal
I was scrolling on Reddit when I found this song, and was not disappointed. Whether it be the rap verse or the more R&B chorus, every section of the song is enjoyable and melodic. There’s also this enticing galactic twang to it – possibly a mirroring of the title.
You can listen to the song here:
Somebody Else – Samaria
This track by R&B/Lo-Fi artist Samaria has it all and so much more. Long notes and high notes, the buttery voice, touches of funk incorporated into the chorus. It’s the small details that bring the song together, without taking the focus off of the main beat.
You can listen to the song here: