Indie Round-Up: From the Inbox – 22 Must-Hear Tracks of the Week (Feb 8, 2021)
How about that Weeknd performance?
The bookending sports match was a nice touch, although they could have used more fireworks and eccentric patriotism.
Now that real life is back, we’ve returned with our latest From the Inbox indie round-up! 22 tracks for you to soak up this week, spanning across genres and countries. Some exciting gems scattered in there!
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Most importantly, if you enjoy something, share it around!
PRICIE – too dang good
Introducing the debut single from Australian/Nigerian R&B/dance artist PRICIE. Get used to hearing her name because it’s only a matter of time before “too dang good” takes the world by storm. You’ve heard it here first people.
Read the full post here, and catch this track on the upcoming podcast episode!
Tkay Maidaza x Yung Baby Tate – KIM
Inspired by Lil Kim, Kim Kardashian, and (of course) Kim Possible, Australian/Zimbabwean rapper Tkay Maidza has shared her new video for “KIM”. See if you can spot the references in the video for this hard-hitting, confidence-fuelled track.
The Pirouettes – Oulala
Vickie Chérie and Leo Bear Creek, the duo that make up French electro-pop act The Pirouettes, released their new album EQUILIBRE over the weekend. From the album is the hit single “Oulala” and the accompanying music video, featuring a ballet rehearsal/dance number. The groovy, French-pop track is hard to resist.
Hear this track on the podcast episode.
Dasha – $hiny Things
20 year old rising indie pop star Dasha is celebrating our differences with her new single “$hiny Things”. She explains, “$hiny Things’ is all about confidence in the person you’re with and within yourself. The “shiny things” are everything that other people have that you don’t. Instead of letting that lead to insecurities you gotta focus on all the shiny things that you have that others don’t.”
Her glossy pop songwriting has a honey-coated sweetness to it and brings out a subtle R&B swing on “$hiny Things”
Couch – Black Bear Lane
Boston-based soul-pop group Couch are releasing their debut EP on February 26th. Performing as an eight-piece on their latest single “Black Bear Lane”, the band put everything together over long-distance songwriting sessions and managed to capture their cohesive, funk-infused spirit and raw, homegrown talent.
Don’t forget to wait for the sax solo.
Sam Rappaport – Till The Morning Comes
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sam Rappaport is keeping things smooth and laid-back on his jazzy and soulful new single “Till the Morning Comes”. Bringing out Norah Jones and Randy Newman vibes, his new track is a pleasant and must-add for any Sunday morning playlists.
Mira Belle – About Blue Eyes
In can be easy to fall for someone based on their looks. Biology kicks in and it’s game over. For indie singer-songwriter Mira Belle, she was always smitten by an ex for his sharp blue eyes, but after dating him, she realized there was a lot of issues beneath the surface. Her new single “About Blue Eyes” is directed at the realization that someone who they are “inside” should always be the most important factor.
Psymon Spine – Channels
New York-based group Psymon Spine are gearing up to release their new album Charismatic Megafauna on February 19th. The collection features a cluster of genres, expanding their indie rock sound to infuse with psychedelic, new wave, post-punk, and disco. Their latest single “Channels” is an exemplary track, blending together a bunch of different flavours for the psych-dance track.
You can catch this one on the Starting Line-Up playlist and on this week’s podcast episode.
Death From Above 1979 – One + One
Toronto-based dance-rock duo Death From Above 1979 are returning with their fourth album Is 4 Lovers on March 26th. Their new single and video “One + One” is a love song of sorts, written while Sebastian Grainger’s wife was pregnant, and about the growing family.
Serj Tankian – Elasticity
System of A Down frontman Serj Tankian is releasing his new solo EP Elasticity on March 19th, and has shared the new title track and music video. Featuring his signature vocal style, the song is not as heavy metal as SOAD (which is part of the reason he’s releasing them under his own name), but still in-your-face and infused with more electronic influences.
Polar Echo – Sympathy
Like many others, Seattle-based duo Polar Echo are concerned about the dying live music scene due to the pandemic. Their new single “Sympathy” is an anthem about remaining hopeful and lifted with a familiar energy to Kings of Leon and Royal Blood.
DYLYN – Make It Naked
Toronto indie electro-rock artist DYLYN has shared the her new title track from her forthcoming EP, combining influences new and old to build her electrifying modern rock sound. True to herself and her music, her new single “Make It Naked” is an unapologetic electro-rock banger that captures what DYLYN stands for as an artist.
Night Beats – New Day
California-based/Texas-born Danny Lee Blackwell is releasing his latest album Outlaw R&B under his band Night Beats on May 7th. The lead single “New Day” is a sandy and smokey garage-rock track written about the California wildfires, capturing the western, desert rock of Dan Auerbach and Queens of The Stone Age.
Chet Faker – Get High
Chet Faker, the alter ego of indietronica icon Nick Murphy, has officially returned. After reviving the project back in October 2020 with the single “Low”, he has followed up with the jangling new track “Get High”, all about escaping the craziness of the world. It’s been over six years since 2014’s Built On Glass, so maybe a new project is in the works…
San Holo ft. Bipolar Sunshine – Find Your Way
Multi-instrumentalist and producer San Holo has announced his new album BB U OK ? will be out May 21st, and has paired the news with his latest single “find your way” featuring vocalist Bipolar Sunshine. It’s a hopeful and contemporary pop track, bringing emo-R&B and lush electro-pop into the mix.
Dempsey Bolton – Backup
After completing his undergrad in Astrophysics (no biggie), Dempsey Bolton changed course to pursue a career for his first love as a musician. His slow-burning, R&B sound comes to life on his new single “Backup”. Incorporating his multi-instrumentalist skills with lush pop production, his new track is a blend of Jack Garratt, Troye Sivan, and Bruno Major.
Ryk – Diamonds
Stockholm-based, Germany-born classically-trained songwriter Ryk is a hidden gem in the European indie scene. His new single “Diamonds” is a spine-tingling chamber-pop infused opus that gentle guides his stunning vocals into a bold mix of Son Lux and James Blake. His new EP Parasite Future was released over the weekend and is a gorgeous collection of neo-classical pop.
Sad Night Dynamite – Smoke Hole
UK genre-bending duo Sad Night Dynamite shared their new single “Smoke Hole” a few days back. It’s a compelling blend of hip-hop, indie pop, and dark electro-pop, making them one of the year’s most exciting acts with the upcoming release of their debut mixtape out February 26th.
Read the full post here and check them out on the upcoming podcast episode.
RedBrickGang – HERMOSA
Manchester, UK creative collective RedBrickGang dropped their new mixtape CULT on Friday. Their lead single “HERMOSA” is a grime-infused hip-hop track that brings out the South East energy and melodies, overtop a catchy Spanish guitar sample.
Steven Wilson – SELF
Long-serving Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson released his new solo album The Future Bites a few weeks back, and has dropped the visually-stunning deepfake music video for “SELF”. Exploring the narcissistic tendencies of social media and society, the music video changes gears to question the concept of identity in a digital age where reality is easily skewed.
It also answers the question, “does Steven Wilson’s haircut look good on other celebrities?” No.
Russell Louder – Home
PEI-born, Montreal-based indie pop artist Russell Louder will be releasing their debut album Humor on February 26th. With a first look into the emerging artist’s sound is the lead single “Home”, a glitchy, ’80’s-pop inspired tune lead by Louder’s Annie Lennox-esque vocals. Working as the album’s introduction to the “protagonist”, it sets the tone, asking the question “where is home?”.
Jennifer Hall – SFA
Chicago-based indie singer-songwriter Jennifer Hall shared her new single “SFA” recently, written about being supportive and empathetic when someone is trying to change their ways. The groovy track is reminiscent of Florence + The Machine, and Sarah Barthel (Phantogram), but with a more homegrown, indie flare.
Olive Louise – Nothing’s The Same
Using her classically-trained talents to create lush, pop arrangements, New York based indie artist Olive Luoise has shared her new single “Nothing’s The Same”, melting together piano-forward melodies, 808s, and her airy vocals.
