From the Inbox: 26 Songs To Get You Through The Week (11/30/20)
Well, folks. It’s almost December.
We’ve made it through yet another month, and fortunately, I’ve been busy keeping track of all the best, new releases November had to offer. This week, I guide you through 26 of my favourite songs of the week, including the latest from Lokoy, Rina Sawayama, and Meg Warren. Plus a handful of new introductions to get you excited about 2021 already.
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).
And lastly, I’ve introduced a monthly newsletter and you can visit our Patreon account if you’d like to show your support!
Don’t forget to listen to the new From the Inbox: The Podcast episode to learn more about some of the week’s featured tracks – out every Tuesday morning!
Lokoy – a mistake
After sharing one of the grooviest indie tracks of the year just a few weeks back with “both eyes”, Norwegian artist Lokoy is back with another exciting release. Featuring vocalist Emilie Østebø, “a mistake” is a melodic and brimming indie pop hit that will probably need to be heard over and over again.
Read more about the song and Lokoy’s upcoming release here.
Youth Sector – Teeth
Coming out of the UK post-punk scene is Youth Sector. Based out of Brighton, the 5-piece have this insatiable art-rock quirkiness to their sound that is certainly in tune with the Talking Heads and Parquet Courts. On their latest single “Teeth”, the band encourage a wide grin with their funky bass lines and groovy chorus hook; you’ll be singing “TEEEEEETH” all day.
Ashleigh Ball – Keep On Pretending
There’s something about Vancouver indie pop artist Ashleigh Ball that is irresistible. Maybe it’s the bright smile, blonde hair, and bounce in her step. Or it’s the glowing, bubblegum pop voice of hers. Whatever it is, it all comes together on her new single and video for “Keep On Pretending”. The colourful clip and song have an interesting backstory – read more here.
Total Brutal – Egypt
It’s not always easy to remember to have fun every once and awhile, especially as we get older. Los Angeles-based indie pop artist Emily Moore wrote her latest single “Egypt” as a reminder to channel your inner kid and let loose every now and a again. Performing as Total Brutal, Moore mixes together pop elements from Fleetwood Mac, Selena Gomez, and Phoenix on the single to add some colour to our lives.
Arlo Parks – Caroline
Surprise, surprise: it’s another new Arlo Parks track! The London-based singer has been planning to take over the music world in 2021 with her upcoming album Collapsed In Sunbeams. Her latest single “Caroline” continues her moody, bedroom-pop sound, bringing in melancholic vocals and subtle R&B grooves on the people-watching track.
Dope Lemon – Kids Fall In Love
While the name Dope Lemon may not sound familiar, I’m sure Angus Stone will. The side project of one-half of acclaimed Aussie sibling duo Julia & Angus Stone, Dope Lemon is a summery, laidback side of Angus. On his new single “Kids Fall In Love”, his psych-folk groove sound pairs wonderfully, reminiscent of Van Morrison, Vacationer, and Sublime.
Rook Monroe – Honey
With his new project Californialand out December 14th, L.A.-based indie pop artist Rook Monroe revisits the sweetness of summer on his latest single “Honey”. With a glowing Jonas Brothers-esque vibe, and sugar-coated production, “Honey” will certainly wash away the winter blues (for now).
Local Nomad – Karen
As an ode to the Beatles’ rooftop concert, Long Island indie rock act Local Nomad took their new single “Karen” to the skies. Based on the fictitious group The Karens, the mock-umentary style music video is celebrates the band’s “return”, as Local Nomad sing about the meme-culture icon. Despite its comedic intentions, the song is pretty damn catchy and entertaining.
Exit – Material
New England pop-punk group Exit are doing their part to keep the genre alive. With a new project in the works, the trio have shared their latest single “Material”, bringing together the pop of Mayday Parade with the energy of Bearings, while still leaning into the world of alterantive rock.
KennyHoopla – ESTELLA ft. Travis Barker
I was just talking about how pop punk is still alive and kicking. Not only is it still making waves, but the future is looking hella bright. KennyHoopla is one of the artists paving new directions for the sound, giving a rugged pop style that’s washed with contemporary genre-blending alt-rock like King Krule and Dominic Fike.
Plus, it certainly helps to have Travis Barker in your corner.
Mike Edel – Still Thinking About You
Firstly, this music video was shot before COVID closed the world. Secondly, it’ll make you want to call all of your closest friends and give them a hug.
Seattle-based indie rock musician Mike Edel released his new album En Masse last week. It was an exploration of life’s best things, like love, friendship and exploration, and included in that mix is “Still Thinking About You”. Edel gathered his closest friends from Vancouver for the shoot as he sings about keeping those most important always in his heart.
Meg Warren – Wild Woman
With her new EP A Thousand Ways out this past weekend, Toronto-based indie artist Meg Warren has shared her new single “Wild Woman”. Written about looking back at a fearless version of your past self, the new track is bold and anthemic at its roots. Not to mention, the chorus is as wild as the name would suggest, with Warren letting off some steam with a synth-drenched hook.
Gillian Stone – Bridges
Toronto-based artist Gilian Stone spent the last 10 years building the finally-released song “Bridges”. Emotionally driven, the new song gradual slips into an explosive post-rock finish, as Stone’s ethereal vocals lay the ground work for a dramatic tune about alcohol’s uncontrollable effect on emotions.
Sofia – Evol
With only two songs on her Spotify, Belgian indie pop artist Sofia is a secret gem. Her new single “Evol” has an eerie resemblance to Zara Larsson and Billie Eilish. It’s a dense, moody banger that flips a switch into an electro-trap hit, making it a exciting from start to finish.
Rina Sawayama – LUCID
Speaking of rising stars, Rina Sawayama has come into her own in 2020. Her debut full-length Sawayama came out at the same time as Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, and Sawayama stole the show. The British-Japanese pop artist has shared a deluxe version of her album, including this new track “LUCID”. As a genre-melting artist, her new single dips into the world of EDM with an electro-hit chorus while she serenades on each chorus.
Sophia Bel – No More
Montreal-based indie pop singer-songwriter Sophia Bel has released her sophomore EP Princess of the Dead Vol.II over the weekend. From the release is “No More”, the glitchy, dark-pop track about embracing being self-assertive. The explosive drum-n-bass chorus edges out the track, as Bel brings out the future of pop.
Distant Matter – Chrome ft. Lily
If you’re reading this, then you’re probably a music fan. And if you’re a music fan, you’re probably one of many that seem to constantly be surrounded by music 24/7. Alex Swartz-Seligman. the Toronto-based artist better known as Distant Matter, wrote his new single “Chrome” to show his appreciation for music; it’s a song about songs basically. Featuring the angelic vocals of fellow Torontonian Lily, “Chrome” is a glitch-pop hit channeling the likes of Flume and French house.
Ivory Layne – God Save The Queens
For the new music video for “God Save The Queens” from indie pop artist Ivory Layne, she aimed to invite as many women as possible to take part. The montage of every day women and heroic icons alike is a wonderful visual alongside the anthemic and inspiring track from the young Nashville star. Natasha Bedingfield and Taylor Swift come to mind as Layne’s bright vocals lead the way.
Judith Hill – Americana
Speaking of empowering women, Judith Hill’s new music video for the hard-hitting track “Americana” features Hill as a number of female characters fitting back against racial discrimination. As a biracial Japanese African-American, Hill has faced her share of racial hardships, and the funk-based punch of “Americana” helps to leave it all on the table.
BERWYN – VINYL
Following his breathtaking debut LP DEMOTAPE/VEGA, UK artist BERWYN has added to his discography with the new single “VINYL”. His familiar soft-spoken and poetic delivery overtop a slow-burning trap beat is part of the reason why the British musician is one of the most exciting voices of the year.
Hugo Valentine – Change
London-based indie artist Huge Valentine plays into the nostalgia of ’80s and ’90s piano pop-rock on his new single “Change”. It has the charm of Elton John’s more melancholic and warm-hearted ballads, as Valentine sings about staying true to yourself.
Lee Paradise – Hollow Face
Toronto-based cyber-punk artist Lee Paradise is set to release his glitchy new album The Fink this Friday. On the lead single “Hollow Face”, hypnotic synthesizers fiddle with hip-hop edged beats and disorienting melodies. It’s funky, groovy, and mysterious.
waants – I Won’t Be Sad
While I’m not one for autotune vocals, the new single “I Won’t Be Sad” from Halifax indie pop artist waants (Adam Warren) seems to be an exception. Drawing inspiration from Rostam and Vampire Weekend, the bouncing piano-pop track has a certain lightheartedness that lets the vocals blend into the instrumentation. Plus, the music video which features Warren’s daughter and her cousin, is an adorable accompaniment as the two explore Halifax on a summer’s day.
Beach Riot – Blush
Brighton fuzz-pop group Beach Riot are getting ready to release their debut album Subatomic Party Cool in June 2021. Leading the way and making a solid first impression, the group have shared their new single “Blush” alongside an exclusive raspberry blush craft beer (there’s only 50 orders available!). For those of you that take them up on the drinks, their new track is a perfect pairing, with its crisp guitar melodies and sweetened pop-fuzz vocals.
Borts – Me & The Demons
Reaching from Salibury, UK, punk trio Borts have shared their new single “Me & The Demons”. The post-punk-meets-emo-rock tune feels like the perfect addition to a ’05 mixtape with its Los Ccampesinos! pop flare and American Football-driven guitar chords before finishing off with a brimming sing-along. Their debut album Preach This! will be out Spring 2021.
Catholic Guilt – Life In Three Part Harmonies
Today, we’ll finish off with something a little bittersweet. Australian alt-punk group Catholic Guilt wanted to capture the excitement of a live show for the animated music video for “Life In Three Part Harmonies”. The emo-pop-punk tune not only rips open into a dynamic ballad about live music, but the music video highlights all of the best parts of a live show, including crowd surfing and meeting up with a friend at the bar.
…Sigh…
