From the Inbox: Kick-Start October With 18 Must-Hear Tracks (10/05/20)
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Anyway, I’m sure you’re here to read through my curated selection of new singles from the past week in this handy ‘From the Inbox’ collection, so let’s get into it!
As always, you can find Dusty Organ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify to stay up to date on new releases. You can listen to the entire collection with our handy From the Inbox Spotify playlist.
Also, if you’re looking for a steady collection of favourites, follow my ‘Starting Line-Up’ playlist on Spotify to stay up to date on my Top 20 Picks – some of these tracks can be found on there!
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Deep Sea Diver – Wishing
This one is a little bittersweet. Seattle-based alternative rock band Deep Sea Diver, lead by the very talented Jessica Dobsom have shared their fan-sourced music video for “Wishing”, which features fans outside of music venues across North America (a few Canadian spots if you look closely) that are unfortunately shutdown and facing closure because of COVID. The anthemic and powerful new single from Deep Sea Diver adds a burst of optimism and energy to the situation, building a community through music that helps relieve some of the stress.
If you like their sound, I encourage you to check out more of their music here. Their new album Impossible Weight comes out October 16th.
Laura David – Waste My Time
Fresh out of high school, Toronto bedroom pop singer-songwriter Laura David is just beginning to build her catalogue of music, with only one single to her name on Spotify. Well, you can make that two with her new single “Waste My Time”, an ode to a newly-born relationship in the midst of quarantine. Her voice is wonderfully uncanny to the likes of Clairo and softer Phoebe Bridgers, making for a soothing and heartfelt track. I’m excited to discover someone at the ground level (thanks Rachel), and so should you.
MAX APOLLO – Stop the Show
Once again, Swiss indie pop rock rising star MAX APOLLO has shared another hard-hitting and absolutely stellar single. Following his fire-hot tune “Pressure”, “Stop The Show” is his second track from the upcoming EP Power out on November 27th. Rob Thomas, Queen, young Elton John, and Train all come to mind on this speaker-blasting tune. I know that makes it sound old-school, but it’s refreshingly modern and addictive.
Hear it on my “Starting Line-Up” playlist.
Samana – The Glory of Love
Welsh folk-art-rock duo Samana wrote their new single “The Glory of Love” while hiding away in a remote part of France during lockdown. The pair of Rebecca Rose and Franklin Mockett are both multi-disciplinary artists, and their love for art and exploration come through on the twangy, free-spirited single “The Glory of Love”. It’s simple, lush, and a lovely tune for an autumn playlist.
Wesley Attew – Always The Same
I was introduced to Wesley’s music not too long ago when he sent me his latest single “Where Do We Go From Here”, and the British transplant, who now calls Vancouver home, has followed up with the charming folk tune “Always The Same”. He’s got an alluring richness to his voice that brings out the subtle power of folk music, and on the new track, Attew keeps getting better and better with each release.
The Elwins – Hung Up
As the release date of their upcoming album IV inches closer, Newmarket indie rock group The Elwins have shared their new single “Hung Up”, once again confirming their shift in style and sound. Leaning more into their influences such as The Kinks, The Beatles, and even Neil Young, their upcoming release will be an interesting and welcomed step into new territory. “Hung Up” plays into the middleground, taking a page from their colourful indie pop origins while mixing it with their more vintage detailing.
Teen Creeps – Seeing Shapes
Teen Creeps is three ’90s kids from Belgium that grew up on the music of Dinosaur Jr., Jimmy Eat World, and Sonic Youth. So it’s of no surprise that their new single “Seeing Shapes” is a fuzzy, distorted, emo-rock hit complete with a VHS-filtered music video. I’ll admit, this one took an extra listen or two to get into, but now you can find it on my “Starting Line-Up” playlist.
Their new album Forever will be out January 2021.
MISSIO – Vagabond ft. Esoteric (of Czarface)
Fans of AWOLNATION will be pleasantly surprised with this new release. Converging at a cross between AWOL, Linkin Park, Deaftones, and 30 Seconds To Mars, Austin-based duo MISSIO have shared their genre-defying single “Vagabond”, featuring underground hip-hop star Esoteric from the group Czarface. The result is a post-apocalyptic nu-pop track that hooks you in with the floor-shaking bass and electrfiying chorus.
IIKings – Blue
Whatever sadness you have building up will have to wait for a few minutes. The club-banger “Blue” from Toronto producer-duo IIKings (pronouced 2-Kings) is the drum n bass inspired anthem to clear dark skies. A repeating mantra of “I’m feeling kinda blue” quickly gets lost in the underground club banger that keeps getting bigger and bigger with each drop. It’s a sad-day dance party in a bottle.
Kruder & Dorfmeister – King Size
Kruder & Dorfmesiter last released a new album 22 years ago. The Austrian duo kept busy with singles, tours, and producing duties, and have now returned with the ’90s-hazed single “King Size”, off their forthcoming album 1995, out November 13th. Playing with the early days of groove and dub, the new single is a trippy, chilled-out reggae-infused time capsule, slingshotting the rave days of the ’90s into modern settings.
Outer Rooms – Thunder East
After the ceiling in his “shithole apartment” collapsed, unleashing a sea of millipedes and black mold, Sean Fitzpatrick, member of Toronto indie rock group Outer Rooms, wrote their new single “Thunder East”. While the local government continues to boast about the growth of the city and wealth scattered across the downtown, “Thunder East” is a protest song of sorts, yelling back about the hidden discrepencies of the city through distorted shoegaze and post-rock climaxes.
Brett Newski – What Are You Smoking?
Indie alt-folk singer-songwriter Brett Newski took his show on the road with his new single “What Are You Smoking?”…sort of.
The new music video is just as good – if not better -than the song, as Newski takes to the streets in a giant hamster ball to find a loop hole into performing live. “Brought joy to many, but enraged others” sums up the music video as he tumbles around will singing the cynically-charged tune about the facade that is the “American Dream”.
Did you know him and his drummer were the first band to be kicked out of a Wal-Mart for playing an unlicensed show? Not surprising.
He is also the host of a podcast where artist tell ridiculous tour stories.
Ask Carol – Do It In LA
Dreaming about making it big in Hollywood is the ultimate fantasy for many (let’s be honest). Indie alt-pop duo Ask Carol have taken those star-twinkling dreams and twisted them in with the frustrating, superficial, and downright cynical attributes of L.A. for their hit single “Do It In LA”. They’ve described it as if Blondie and Paramore had a baby, and that’s pretty damn accurate. Fem-punk vocals, a punching chorus, and an irresistible energy wrap it all together for a underrated favourite.
Plus, the band edited and animated the accompanying lyric video below, just cause they can.
Milla Thyme – Heaven Looks Like
Toronto-Montreal hip-hop artist and proudcer Milla Thyme has shared his gospel-infused single “Heaven Looks Like” this weekend. Reminiscent of old-school John Legend, and Chance the Rapper, it’s a glowing and soulful track about the simple happiness from cooking with loved ones can bring. (Let the thyme puns commence).
Featuring vocals from Montreal singer Wayne Tennant, “Heaven Looks Like” comes together on a plate of bluesy piano riffs, a side of clean production courtesy of Bust and The Bass’ Chris Vincent, and a healthy serving of unfiltered positivity.
Maths Time Joy – Two Steps ft. Kevin Garrett
London-based producer and songwriter Maths Tim Joy collaborated with fellow UK vocalist Kevin Garrett a few years ago for their new single “Two Steps”. It’s finally found its way to the spotlight, and the nu-R&B hit is here to stay. It’s subtle pop-influences and trip-hop production paves the way for the glossy vocals from Garrett. It stands tall as a powerful indie release, finding a place in line with the likes of Gallant, The Weeknd, and Daniel Caesar.
Kaky – C’est pas la peine
I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure what French songwriter Kaky is singing about in his new single. I do know that the title “C’est pas la peine” translates to “it’s not worth it”. All the same, his passion and emotive production style is engaging and easily relatable, despite the language barrier. Comparable to Stromae, Kaky’s music has a certain gravitating power that is hard to let go from, and his confidence as a musician and artist is compelling to say the least.
Denzel Curry – Live From the Abyss
As the protests and radical political change occurring across North America continue to inspire people around the world, Miami hip-hop artist Denzel Curry has shared his hard-hitting political anthem “Live From the Abyss”. In under two minutes, Curry throws a fistful of punches against the oppressive climate of the U.S., switching into a grizzly delivery for the song’s climax. Until the end of October, net proceeds from the track will be going towards the non-profit organization Dream Defenders.
(This track is exclusively available on bandcamp and will not be on the Spotify playlist)
YaYa – Change
After COVID cut his plans of playing international basketball short, Toronto’s YaYa took the plunge into recording music. His debut single “Change” is the first step into his new found career as a rapper, showcasing his natural talent for the music world.
