From the Inbox: 20 Songs To Improve Your Week (11/09/20)

Another week has come and gone…

But Dusty Organ is still here to provide you with some of the world’s best new music.

If you’re new to From the Inbox, this is where you’ll find a curated playlist of all my favourite tracks from the past week, hand delivered from my inbox to your music library. Free shipping included.

This week there’s 20 fantastic tracks for you to take in, spanning from electro-pop, hip-hop, and even the return of an iconic hard rock band. (Any guesses?)

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!

James Vincent McMorrow – Gone

Singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is shifting gears with his new music. Moving away from his soulful ballad style, his new single “Gone” walks confidently into the world of R&B and hip-hop, not to mention a simple Afrobeat as its foundation. It’s fitting, considering his new album is all about change and letting loose – there’s no date or name announced just yet, but expect something big in 2021, including a European tour.

Lou Phelps – New Friends

EXTRA EXTRA!, Lou Phelps’ new breakout mixtape has been picking up some well-deserved traction. His recent single “Nike Shoes”, and now “New Friends” are two killer tracks from the Kaytranada-produced record (who is also his brother) which came out October 30th. Blending the lines of hip-hop, nu-R&B, and trap, “New Friends” is a family affair from the power duo.

You can find the track on my ‘Starting Line-Up’ playlist.

Kenny Mason – Exxon

Following his stellar debut Angelic Hoodrat, Atlanta rapper Kenny Mason has dropped a new music video for the single “Exxon”. The song and music video deals with Mason’s relationship with his brother who was incarcerated. It’s poignant and articulate, and the late night clip brings it all together.

Check out the full post here.

Mike WiLL Made-It – What That Speed Bout!? ft Nicki Minaj & YoungBoy Never Broke

Grammy-winning producer, rapper, and songwriter Mike WiLL Made-It has worked with handful of Top 40 hip-hop artists like Gucci Maine, Future, 2 Chainz, Kanye West, and more. His new project Michael is set to release in early 2021, and his new single “What That Speed Bout!?” is the first taste. Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke and Nicki Minaj, it’s a fast-firing, southern trap Top 40 hit filled with bigger and better production than its peers.

Dua Lipa & Angèle – Fever

It’s hard to deny Dua Lipa is the next queen of pop. Her latest album Future Nostalgia was a collossal success, and continuing the streak is her new single “Fever”, featuring Belgian pop artist Angèle. It’s a late-night, sultry pop hit and the music video only makes it better. Exploring the streets after a night out, Dua Lipa and Angèle go on an adventure together – something that still feels foreign this late into 2020.

Molly Annelle – All In

At only 17, Vancouver pop artist Molly Annelle is already making a name for herself as one of Canada’s best kept pop secrets. Makes sense, considering she’s been writing music since she was about 6 years old. “All In” is a dreamy, R&B-infused hit that has Annelle performing well beyond her years, blending into the scene as a seasoned pop artist.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

HMS Morris – Partypooper

Welsh duo HMS Morris have a flashy, snazzy, and jazzy track in their midst with the sensational “Partypooper”. Written to match the rollercoaster of a ride that being a musician truly is, the single is a dance-crazy, party-band hit complete with searing hot energy, a blasting horns section, and a full-bodied sound. Like a circus act of electro-pop, funk, jazz, and rock, “Partypooper” is an instant favourite.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

Conor Albert & Alice Auer – Smile

UK producer and jazz artist Conor Albert caught the attention of Howard Lawrence (of Disclosure) and Tom Misch with his debut single “Only You” this past summer. The chill/contemporary jazz single is just the first launch pad for a growing career, and his new single “Smile” is a wonderful collaboration with fellow Brit Alice Auer. The young pair turned their freshly found friendship into a musical collaboration, and “Smile” is just as perfect as it sounds. It’s a glistening, feel-good fusion of lo-fi, jazz, and R&B, bringing out the best in both artists.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

Feathership – The West Side

Montreal indie folk act Feathership, fronted by singer-songwriter Jean-Philippe Sauvé released their new EP The West Side this past weekend. The glowing, cinematic 4-track effort was filled with melancholic instrumentation and earthy vocal tones, as Sauvé transported listeners. The title track is a wonderful sample from the collection, and its new music video adds to the emotive energy of the music.

Samson Ashe – Simple Man

As the genre of nu-R&B continues to explode in popularity, more and more fantastic indie artists are adding to the pack, including UK singer/songwriter Samson Ashe. His new hit “Simple Man” is a fresh of breathe air following a break up, as he looks inward and comes to terms overtop an explosive synthesizer and cinematic build. There’s a touch of Sam Smith, Years & Years, and Glass Animals scattered across the song, making for something engaging and dynamic with each chorus.

obylx – Another Life

If you’ve been closely following my ‘Starting Line-Up’ playlist, then you may already be familiar with the new single from Bristol producer obylx.

“Another Life” is off his upcoming album Out of the Woods, and is a catchy, synth-pop hit that blends together flashy ’80s arcade tones of Pac Man with driving electro-future pop in the style of Glass Animals. It’s hard not to hit repeat on this one. Read more about his upcoming album here.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

Ludic – Terrified

One of the more unnerving parts of your ’20s is trying to answer the question “What do you want to do with your life?”. The line between pursuing dreams and accomplishing something safe and stable gets more defied as the years progress. Vancouver trio Ludic have written the new anthem that captures the stress of the matter with “Terrified”. The warm and welcoming indie pop hit has the candid and homegrown haze of bands like Dizzy but with the neon lighting of The Darcys. It’ll certainly help cool down the anxiety…for now…

MOTTRON – Walk Away

French/Canadian art pop musician Pierre Mottron worked on his debut album Giants over the last twelve years, reworking each detail to come out, as he puts it: “precise”. His new single “Walk Away” is a sharp and inspired track that blends impressionism, electronica, and experimental pop together. His imaginative songwriting style comes partly from his mind’s eye, creating visual art in his head as he writes. The music video for “Walk Away” is a tangible example of that, as he turns the synth-pop hit into an otherworldly tale.

Espresso – Bottles

Best friends are the best.

Los Angeles indie funk-rock group Espresso have put together an anthem about appreciating the everlasting connection with your bestie(s). “Bottles” is a shoutout to friendship, and the SoCal band take on ’90s reggae-rock stylings of Sublime and early Red Hot Chilli Peppers to bring out the sunshine feeling of having your best pals beside you.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

System of A Down – Genocidal Humanoidz

WHAT YEAR IS IT??

Armenian-American hard rock legends System of A Down have released their first bit of new music in 15 years with two new singles, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”.

All jokes aside, the band have come out of their hiatus to shed a light on the war crimes occurring in Armenia and Artsakh by Turkey and Azerbaijan. Their new singles are part of a fundraising initiative for the Armenian Fund to help fight against the injustices. The music video for “Protect the Land” is a powerful look at the protests and civilians that are involved in Artsakh. You can find a link to the fundraising here.

Sam Roberts Band – All Of Us

It’s been almost two decades since Sam Roberts debuted The Inhuman Condition back in 2002. As his illustrious career continues to grow, the Montreal songwriter and his band put our their latest album All of Us last month to popular reviews. They’ve shared the new music video for the title track, playing with the concept of a switching TV channels through life changing – both positive and negative – events, as the year progresses.

Lumiére – LA.BELLE.JOURNÉE 1971

I may not fully understand what Étienne Côté is singing about, but it sure sounds great. Performing as Lumiére, he was recently signed to Bonsound Records (one of Quebec’s finest labels), and will be releasing a new album in the near future. “LA.BELLE.JOURNÉE 1971” is a guitar-lead, feel-good single that draws out hints of ’70s rock n’ roll while staying colourfully in the ‘now’.

Austin Ward – See You Again

Mississippi-born, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Austin Ward has made it into back-to-back From the Inbox posts. His latest EP Side A came out recently, and the 10-track effort (it’s basically an LP) is filled with his earthy, full-bodied indie folk sound. The latest single, “See You Again”, has Ward traversing into indie rock territory with hooks, electric guitars and a steady bedroom-pop drum beat, written about his girlfriend who he met on a songwriting voice call.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

The Last Morrell – The Party

On his debut EP Sarcasm, British singer-songwriter The Last Morrell brings together the bouncing vintage synthesizers of ’80s pop and the sharp turns of piano pop icons Billy Joel, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. The opening track and lead single “The Party” captures the spirit of the record as a feel-good track about wanting to ditch an unenthusiastic night out. Hints of ’70s psych-pop bleed into a dreamy bridge as temptation to stay builds with the anthemic hit single.

FEATURED IN THE FIRST EPISODE OF ‘FROM THE INBOX: THE PODCAST’.

Motorbike James – Enamored

Toronto indie artist Motorbike James has shared his new single “Enamored” this week. The atmospheric single plays with hints of M83 and David Gray, as he tries to make sense of the inexplicable and unpredictable experience of life. Hazy lo-fi guitars and harmonized vocal layers create a spacey and reflective sound, ideal for late nights.

Kaky – Hors Série #2

This is a little bonus for you music fans.

French producer and DIY indie artist Kaky recently signed to Sony Music, and while visiting the office, he captured some every day sounds to create a kick-ass beat to perform over. Coffee machines, elevators, chairs, and whatever else he can get his microphone to pick up built up the steady, Stromae-style beat.

You can hear his latest single “C’est Pas La Peine” here.