From The Inbox: Indie Round-Up for Jan 25, 2021
My sister sent me an article last week that has since gone viral.
The obituary of a woman from New Brunswick named Margaret Marilyn DeAdder. I never met the woman, nor do I have any connection to the family, but there was something so life-giving about this short essay written by her son Michael that I felt drawn to her.
So if you’re looking for a less than ordinary read for the day, there’s your source.
Speaking of inspiring and life-giving, this week’s From the Inbox is packed with plenty of great new music that will have you feeling great about it being Monday. 27 tracks from around the world, capturing the best in all things indie and a little off the radar.
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).
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CONXEPT – Makaveli
Fresh to the scene is CONXEPT, a London-based rapper ready to make a move. His new single “Makaveli” is a hard-hitting track inspired by 2Pac, mashing together a lot of the best qualities of UK rap.
You heard it here first, people.
(You can also hear it on the podcast)
PhotoSynthesizers – Ants In The Antennas
Reigning from Richmond, VA comes the hip-hop duo PhotoSynthesizers, composed of rapper Maurice “Barzencode” Osion and producer Josh Bryant. Their new single and music video “Ants In the Antennas” is from their collection The Worlds Fair, and explores the strength in numbers fighting against social injustice and systematic racism.
R+R=NOW – How Much A Dollar Cost
If the names Robert Glasper, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Terrace Martin, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin and Justin Tyson mean anything to you, then you know just how stacked the line-up is for jazz supergroup R+R=NOW. The ensemble came to be after Glasper recruited for a SXSW show, and they’ve been gigging and recording ever since, including their 2017 LP Collagically Speaking. Building their discography, R+R are releasing a live album, recorded from the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC in 2018, which includes their cover of “How Much A Dollar Cost” from Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly (which Martin co-wrote).
Frank Leone & Teardrop Estates – Bad Things
Rapper/producer Frank Leone and filmmaker/experimental electronic producer Teardrop Estates have reunited once again following their 2017 single Scary Gary, this time as a full-length titled SUNDROP. Their first taste of new music comes as “BAD THINGS”, a hazy, lo-fi hip-hop track about unexpectedly falling in love.
Sammy Rae & The Friends – Creo Lo Sientes ft. C-BASS
Sammy Rae and her band The Friends are an eight-piece collective based in New York City but come from all over the world. Their music governs in a place of inclusion, community, and high-spirits, which certainly comes to life on their new single “Creo Lo Sientes” with its Latin roots and big-band energy. It’s off their newly released EP Let’s Throw A Party, a party we shall have.
Hear this track on the podcast.
Paul Caldwell – Monday
Irish-born, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Paul Caldwell just released his new EP Headlines on the 18th, and the artist has shared his new single “Monday”, a wonderful, jangling piano ballad about the solitude and emptiness of a Monday morning. It’s a sad song, but the piano manages to bring out a bit of hope and energy into the mix.
BEL – Treading Water
Los Angeles-based indie singer-songwriter BEL released her debut EP back on the 15th. Her latest single “Treading Water” is a highlight from the release, showcasing her glossy, Fleetwood Mac-inspired sound and earthy vocals.
Paul Jacobs – Half Rich Loner
Montreal alt-rock group Pottery released their enticing new album last year, and frontman Paul Jacobs has already continued the stream of creativity with his new solo project Pink Dogs and the Green Grass, out April 30th. From the newly announced album is the lead single “Half Rich Loner” and its hazy, animated music video.
Bits of Alan – Queen V Dudley
Four years after their debut full-length Paper Boats, indie alt-rock group Bits of Alan have announced their sophomore release Slatland will be out March 15th. From the collection is “Queen V Dudley”, a midwest emo style track that encompasses the genre’s natural dreariness and melancholy overtop electric guitars.
Bill J.r Jr. – Dear Neighbour
Russell Gendron, the Vancouver-based singer-songwriter, is releasing his new album Homebody tomorrow (Jan 26th). Under the moniker Bill Jr. Jr., his folk-rock sound is brought to life on the single “Dear Neighbour”, which was written about his childhood friend growing up who is now a successful architect with a family and the different paths that they took.
Enjoy the track and the live performance from a van in this 360 video below:
Snowk ft. Froya – Miyanomori
Having just released their new album Powder back on Friday, Japanese electronic duo Snowk have also shared the new single and video for “Miyanomori” featuring vocalist Froya. The duo’s popularity is on the rise, for good reason, with their melodic and adventurous sound, playing on the styles of Mura Masa and Flume.
Hear this track on the podcast.
Slenderbodies x Crooked Colours – Superpowerful
Los Angeles duo Slenderbodies have teamed up with Australian trio Crooked Colours for a summery, Afrobeat-infused future-pop hit, “Superpowerful”. Sure, it’s January, but with the right headphones or speakers, it can quickly become a warm afternoon in July with “Superpowerful”.
Tommy Newport – Yellow Lines
On his new single “Yellow Lines”, Wichita-based indie pop artist Tommy Newport is bringing out the colourfulness of funk and pop, as he compares zoning out while driving to drifting through life on autopilot.
Hear this track on the podcast.
FJ Law – Tongue Tied
Danny Hall, the name behind indie electro-pop act FJ Law, has released his new single “Tongue Tied’. Written about not having the right words during tough situations, he shares bits and pieces about a toxic relationship he had when he was 18. Despite the song’s origins, it’s a colourful, and well-produced hit.
andrésio – Flash
Inspired by the film “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind”, indietronica artist andrésio wrote his new single “Flash” about not being able to to forget about someone years and years later. The contrast of the deep bass production and andrésio’s whispering vocals creates an appealing depth to this brooding track.
MRBN & Ciara Cargiulo – rainy days (MRBN Remix)
Belgian production duo MRBN teamed up with friend and indie pop songwriter Ciara Cargiulo for this future-house remix of her latest hit “rainy days”. Keeping her original vocal performance at the forefront, the remix adds some upbeat production to bring the song to a new level.
Barbarossa – Awakeners Awaken Us
James Mathé, better known as singer/producer Barbarossa, will be releasing his sixth album Love Here Listen on March 5th. His new single “Awakeners Awaken Us” is a shimmering, glossy folktronica track looking back at a relationship from his young adulthood, and how he has grown from the experience.
Your Paris – First
Indie pop duo Your Paris, the combo of Nick Babcock and Laila Kharouba, made their start at the beginning of 2020. They closed the year off with a performance on CTV’s Your Morning, and are looking into 2021 with a positive perspective. Their new single “First” is their first single of the new year.
Melpo Mene – All Of This Is True ft. Russian Red
Stockholm-born, Los Angeles-based indie pop artist Melpo Mene (named after the Greek goddess of music and song Melpomene), has teamed up with Spanish indie folk artist Russian Red for the dreamy single “All Of This Is True”. The duet’s lush instrumentation and balanced vocal performance makes for a charming release about understanding emotions and feelings have been experienced by countless people in human history.
La Femme – Foutre le Bordel
One of the most exciting groups to come out the France music scene is La Femme. Their energizing and genre-bending songs have taken over North America recently and their latest single “Fourte le Bordel” (which loosely translates to ‘Fuck shit up’) is no exception. With their upcoming album Paradigmes coming out April 2nd, they’re keeping things eye-catching and dynamic as they tease the release with this colourful party-punk number.
Run the Jewels – Ooh La La (Mexican Institute of Sound Remix ft. Santa Fe Klan)
RTJ4 was of the best album’s from 2020, and the duo of Killer Mike and El-P are keeping things interesting with this groovy, Latin remix of their hit “Ooh La La”. Mexican Institute of Sound (the alias for Grammy-nominated producer Camilo Lara) and rapper Santa Fe Klan give the track an exciting new sound and look.
Matt Yonge – Hindsight 2020
Toronto-born, Montreal-based rapper Matt Yonge has pushed through the doubters with his new single “Hindsight 2020”. After deciding to launch his music career following his 29th birthday, Yonge has closed off a hectic year with a kick-ass track about pushing forward in life.
Judith Hill – Baby, I’m Hollywood!
Grammy award-winning musician Judith Hill will be releasing her new album Baby, I’m Hollywood! on March 5th. The title track is a triumphant and blues-rock-laced track about the highs and lows of being apart of the music industry.
The Bramantes – Calling
Brother-sister duo The Bramantes are making some exciting, fresh tunes in the Toronto music scene. Abigail and Eli Bramantes mix together jazz-influenced vocals with snappy beats and samples respectively, creating a neo-soul, neo-house mix on their latest single “Calling”.
Rare Americans ft. Clare Twiddy – Knives, Guns, & Bed
Vancouver collective Rare Americans are releasing their sophomore album Rare Americans 2 in March (followed soon after by RA3 later this year), and have shared their punk-inspired track “Knives, Guns, & Bed”. Cementing their invigorating and Clash-like energy, the new song is about a love-hate relationship that neither party wants to give in or give up on each other, keeping things going all night. The music video is out today, so congratulations on being one of the first to watch the epic battle straight from their imaginative Crooked City.
Awfultune – lovesick
awfultune, the moniker for NYC-based, trans bedroom lo-fi pop artist Layla Eden, has shared her new single “lovesick”, as she runs headfirst into the cliché of being helplessly in love. It’s an easy-to-love dream pop track with uncomplicated synths and a laissez-faire indie performance.
MOWUKIS – The Bird, The Bones
To end this week’s collection, French experimental electronic artist MOWUKIS has released his tranquil new single “The Bird, The Bones”. Incorporating sporadic electronic textures, calming nature sounds, and his soft vocal delivery, this one is a welcomed break from the rest of the world.
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