From the Inbox: Favourite Hits Of the Week (11/02/20)
This is the third week in a row for a record-breaking amount of tracks.
There has been so much great new music released in the last month, it’s hard to keep up. Fortunately for you, ‘From the Inbox’ is the best way to filter through it all and find the best of the best.
If you’re new here, FTI is where I scavenge through my inbox of submissions and find my favourite new releases from the week! From indie rock to folk to electronic and even hardcore, this week’s collection covers a lot of bases.
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 (it’s also embedded at the bottom of the post).
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!
And lastly, I’ve introduced a monthly newsletter and visit our Patreon account if you’d like to show your support! If you subscribe to our Patreon, I’ll personally make a handcrafted mix CD and mail it to you as a thank you!
Let us know your favourite by tagging us and sharing your thoughts! More importantly, if there’s something you love, remember to share it around!
Valley – sucks to see you doing better
Toronto indie pop group Valley shared their new EP sucks to see you doing better last weekend. The six track release captures the band’s heartfelt and honest personality, and the title track is a great example. Written about the heartbreak side effect of comparing what you’ve got to what’s been lost, “sucks to see you doing better” is a mid-20s anthem about feeling insignificant while trying to feel good about yourself. Other than being uncannily relatable, it’s also an irresistibly great alt-pop track.
Orla Gartland – Pretending
Dublin singer-songwriter Orla Gartland will be dropping her debut album sometime in 2021 – I am certainly one of those people egerly awaiting its release. From the upcoming full-length is the refreshingly honest and self-accepting hit single “Pretending”. Not only does Orla have an exquisite and rich voice, but her songwriting style and personal lyricism is captivating and such a treat. One of her best songs yet, “Pretending” is a great starting point for new listeners just as her career really takes off.
You can hear it and more great singles on my “Starting Line-Up” playlist.
Austin Ward – Honeysuckle
Mississippi-bred, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Austin Ward combines the best of both worlds in his music. It has the rustic, Southern twang in the guitar arrangements, while his silky smooth, and rugged voice has the coolness of the West Coast. His new music video for “Honeysuckle” is fresh from his recent 10-track EP Side A, and captures his Mississippi roots. Written about the innocence of youth from his childhood home, the song’s ethereal and full-bodied sound is reminiscent of warm, late nights.
Johanna Samuels – High Tide For One
On the surface, “High Tide For One” is a soothing and powerfully visceral track. Lush, slow-burning instrumentation and Johanna Samuel’s velvety voice make for a warming sensation. However, the song’s backstory is about Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and the frustration female-identifying people endure against the patriarch. Its embracing soud leaves plenty of room to hear Samuels’ lyrics and encourage reflection on the subject.
Nané – Quaranteen
Already one of my favourite bands of 2020, Austin-based rock group Nané are set to release their debut full-length on November 13th. While this track won’t be on the record, it’s still a fun and groovy hit that shows off yet another strength from the group. “Quaranteen” is a celebration of the world’s resilience under immense, pandemic pressure and is a reminder that finding enjoyment is an important part of being human. So put this one on and forget about things for a little bit.
DZ Deathrays – Fired Up
July 9th feels like a lifetime away, but Aussie rock trio DZ Deathrays have given people something to look forward to with their upcoming fifth album Positive Rising: Part 2. From the release is the lead single “Fired Up”, an anthemic dance-rock track about well, getting fired up. It also comes with a retro-animated sci-fi music video.
You can read more about the track here and find it on my “Starting Line-Up” playlist.
Haux & Samuraii – Fever In The Night
Back in July, indie multi-disciplinary songwriter Woodson Black shared his stellar debut album Violence In A Quiet Mind. Performing as Haux, he will be releasing more new music this year through his collaboration with Swedish delectronic producer Samuarii for a 4-track EP out November 20th. The second single from the collection is “Fever In the Night”, which features Haux’s haunting vocals over a crescendoing Tora-meets-James Blake style trip-hop beat.
Check out the accompanying music which is a continuation of the lead single “Run Run“, which has the two protagonists dancing in the dessert (I guess no one’s found them yet).
Find it on the ‘Starting Line-Up’ playlist. (You should have clued in by now to follow it on Spotify).
We the Commas – I Will
Well, well, well. Look who’s back. It’s the Commas! Brothers Cam, Lenny, and Jordy have been featured on Dusty Organ a few times with their surf-R&B pop tracks, and We The Commas have now shared their debut EP SARB (Surf Alternative R&B) this past weekend. The new new single “I Will” is the finishing touch for the release and along with its feel-good, summery vibe, the accompanying music video lets fans get a closer look at the family’s personality and spirit in the mock-sitcom video.
Hear more of them here, and here.
MONOWHALES – All or Nothing
Toronto alt-pop trio MONOWHALES‘s hit single “All Or Nothing” spent over two months on my “Starting Line-Up” – a prestigious honour if you ask me. Now, the group have shared its new music video. From within their TV, the group break through the white noise with their infectious hooks and chart-topping energy.
Plus, they break a whole bunch of shit.
Lokoy & Safario – both eyes
Norwegian producer Lokoy announced his debut album Badminton will be out January 22nd. From the release is the catchy-af tune “both eyes” which features fellow-Norwegian Safario. Written, recorded, and mixed in just 8 hours (!!!), the pair came out of the home studio with a hip-hop-infused-electro-pop banger. Now its all ours to enjoy.
Drives the Common Man – Night Vision
After realizing he was in a toxic habitual cycle of going out and partying, Indigenous artist Drives The Common Man wrote and produced “Night Vision”. The alt-pop track reflects on breaking the habit and searching for a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle. It’s upbeat and radio-ready style fuses together emo-pop, Top 40, and synth-pop for a catchy and anthemic release.
Empress Of & Amber Mark – You’ve Got To Feel
Singer/songwriter, producer and now label manager Lorely Rodriguez, a.k.a. Empress Of, has shared her new single “You’ve Got To Feel”, which has the Honduran-American artist reclaiming her place as a producer, and letting indie artist Amber Mark take over vocal duties. Written as an empowering, election-oriented single, the electro-pop track has a lot to offer with its catchy hook and layered electronic production style.
Betta Lemme – Mommy
Trilingual indie pop artist Betta Lemme has shared her empowering new single “Mommy”. Aimed to turn heads and start conversation, the new single is about eliminating the agism and sexism against women. The song’s dance-hungry melodies and euro club-style production leads the way as the song’s lyrics flip the tables underneath.
Sad Night Dynamite – Mountain Jack
With only a handful of tracks since making their debut this year, UK duo Sad Night Dynamite are one act that should be on eery indie fan’s radar. Their latest single “Mountain Jack” showcases their genre-bending sound, this time combining trippy electronic production and alternative pop-a-là The Gorillaz on the dystopian downtempo banger.
Hear their previous singles “Icy Violence” and “Killshot“.
KiNG MALA – homebody
For those of you that dread new interactions and sbig groups, L.A.-based alternative pop artist KiNG MALA has your nathem. Her new single “homebody” is all about wanting to ditch the party for a night in, and its infectious groove and glowing chorus makes it all that much more inticing.
Listen to more from KiNG MALA here and here.
Cory Hotline – One Foot In
Toronto funk-pop group Cory Hotline shared their new debut album Cory Hotline over the weekend. The collection is inspired by their desire to make music that is “funky, sexy, future-y and fun”, and the new single/video “One Foot In” really captures that description. From the ’70s-disco bass line to the growling dance-party vocals, all the way to the slippery guitar solo, “One Foot In” makes it hard not to groove along.
Loviet x Adam Blinov – When It’s Over Remix
Toronto indie pop artist Loviet dropped her debut EP Everyone Knows the Thrill When It’s Over (the combined names of each track) back in June. Fellow Torontonian and producer Adam Blinov took the EP’s closing track “When It’s Over” and gave it a late-night drive, neon-coloured remix. Building on the song’s dancing synthesizers and a driving club beat, the new redux gives Loviet’s voice a new platform to shine from.
Bassically – Prepare For It
Hidden away in a makeshift, beachfront studio, Raz Olsher (a.k.a. Bassically) recorded his new album Audio Diaries. Set to be released on November 27th, “Prepare For It” is the latest taste from the record, gluing together electronica and dub with sampled spoken word for a bass-heavy track that’s most textured and stimulating and hypnotic and droning, perfect for an underground late-night rave.
Edwin Raphael – Mild Sanity ft Juletta
Montreal-viaDubai artist Edwin Raphael abandoned a path carved by his father for a career in music, making his debut in 2015. Now signed to Dine Alone Records, Raphael has shared his atmospheric new single “Mild Sanity”, featuring vocalist Juletta. Warm acoustic guitar strumming and Raphael’s haunting vocals form a wonderful combination that encourages reflection and remembering, as he explores the theme of nostalgia and finding something new in everyday patterns.
Julia Stone – Dance
Australian singer-songwriter Julia Stone will be releasing her first solo record in over eight years in February 2021. Sixty Summers is an evolution of her sound, moving away from her folk roots and into a more experimental and synthetic realm. Her new single “Dance” keeps her tranquil vocal style at the forefront, as she sings about those rare moments of pure, deep connection that is often beyond words. The new music video is something equally as touching and romantic, as Danny Glover and Susan Sarandon star as an older couple expressing their excitement for each other without words.
Meg Warren – If I Can’t Do It The Way I Want, Then I Don’t Want To Do It At All
Toronto-based/Newfoundland-born indie artist Meg Warren spent the better part of her career as the frontwoman of indie rock group Repartee. Branching into a solo career, Warren is set to release her new EP A Thousand Ways on November 27th, and following her hit single “Bomb”, she has shared yet another confident and spirited single “If I Can’t Do It The Way I Want, Then I Don’t Want To Do It At All”. Written about putting the chase for fame and so-called success in the rear-view mirror, “If I Can’t…” is about finding happiness in what you’ve accomplished and finding a balance before it’s too late.
Arkells – A Little More
Everyone knows the Arkells, I’m sure. As their career continues to flourish, the group released Campfire Chords earlier this year, a collection of striped-down tracks ready for sing-alongs and late nights. From the album is the new single “A Little More”, inspired by keyboardist Anthony Carone’s father who sold his instruments so his son could learn piano. Not only is the true backstory heartwarming and adorable, but the melancholic chord progression and building choir-style finish makes “A Little More” a touching new favourite.
Dirt Miller – Blinding By Substance
Looks can be deceiving. Dirt Miller may look like a rugged, wandering man, but his voice is something else. Reminiscent of Passenger and Shakey Graves, his guitar-driven single “Blinding By Substance” is about recovering from addiction and overcoming self-inflicted vices to become a better person. Starting with a John Butler-esque guitar part, the song eventually builds into a symphonic cluster of instruments and sounds for the grand finale, following a similar trajectory to Miller’s own life.
Chastity – Drain the Bloodbath
Whitby alternative singer-songwriter Chastity combines bedroom pop, emo rock, and on his more earlier release, punk and hardcore. On his new release “Drain the Bloodbath”, he keeps the weighted, dense instrumentation as his cleaner and lighter vocal delivery sings about finding the end to bad times before making room for a new, better beginning.
Serengeti – Wasps
Rap artist Serengeti and Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier teamed up for a surprise collaborative release With Greg from Deerhoof over the weekend. A few days before, the pair dropped two singles, “Wasps” and “Première”, the latter being a favourite with its haunting and avant-garde hip-hop style. The cyclic piano sample and steady percussion from Saunier dips and dives with creepy horns, doom-filled bass, and Serengeti’s low growl.
Michael C. Duguay x Jeremy Parkin – Candy Store Remix
Canadian singer-songwriter Michael C. Duguay released his compelling new album The Winter of Our Discotheque back in September, marking his return to music following a four year hiatus due to addiction, homelessness, and mental illness. As a companion project, Duguay has partnered with a handful of Canadian indie artists for The Winter of Our Discotheque (Reprise), out December 4th. He’ll be releasing a new single each week leading up to the date, including the electronic remix for “Candy Store”.
Jeremy Parkin, a 23 year old music producer from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Whitehorse, turned the song into a glitchy and atmospheric electronica track that is filled with ambient sounds and textures, resulting in a dazzling hybrid of underground rave and bedroom trip-hop.
Crash The Calm – Devils
Following their 2018 EP Split, Long Island, New York alternative post-rock group Crash The Calm almost called it quits. 3 of the 5 original members departed from the band for various reasons, and founding members Brian Dowling and Patrick Smith were forced to regroup (literally). Set to release their sophomore album A Town Named Nowhere in 2021, the newly shaped 5-piece have shared the first taste with “Devils”, a heavy-hearted blend of alternative, emo, and post-rock.
Boy Blue – Ghost of Saturday Night ft Jaret Reddick
New Jersey pop punk group Boy Blue look like they had some fun making the new music video for “Ghost of Saturday Night”. An adventure filled Uber pool ride on Halloween means lots of weird charactres popping in and out of the car, driven of course by a ghost. The song’s standard pop-punk energy and sing-along chorus shows the young band’s sense of fun, and even includes a verse from Bowling For Soup lead singer Jaret Riddick.
The OBGMs – All My Friends
It’s been a big year for Toronto punk trio The OBGMs, including an underground show just two days before lockdown in March, and a handful of self-directed music videos and singles leading up to their years-in-the-making sophomore album The Ends (which made our In No Particular Order list this weekend).
Adding to their in-your-face, no holds barred style is the sinister new music video for “All My Friends”. Dark shadows, creepy angles, and plain-faced masks have the band in horror film mode for the thrilling track.
LONELYOUTH – In the Deep
Nashville post-hardcore group LONELYOUTH have shared their aggressive new single “In The Deep”. Combining melody with blasting musicality, the new single showcases the best of their influences, from nu-metal to metalcore for this bone-rattling track. Breakdowns, throat ripping vocals, and constant riffs make “In The Deep” a new hardcore favourite, and while the group only has a handful of singles released, they are still immensely underrated.
