Indie Round-Up: From the Inbox (Feb 15, 2021)
Happy Family Day to my fellow Canadian readers!
Hopefully you’re not sick and tired of the same people you’ve been locked down with for the past year.
And if you are, here’s a great little escape with 23 of the week’s best new releases! From indie rock to hip-hop to jazz, there’s a wonderful collection of music just below.
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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).
Most importantly, if you enjoy something, share it around!
daysormay – Everything Is Changing
Vancouver-based trio daysormay have been dropping hit after hit since their stellar re-introduction with “Role Model”. Their new single “Everything Is Changing” is still rooted in their indie pop roots, but with a more centred, introspective maturity as they create a time capsule for their future selves, adding to the list of reasons why these guys are not to be missed.
Toledo – Sunday Funday
Toledo, the Brooklyn-based duo of Daniel Alvarez and Jordan Dunn-Pilz, wrote their new EP Jockeys Of Love while on either ends of the love spectrum – one freshly situated in a new relationship, the other working through the break-up after a five year relationship. That range helps to find a sweet spot on topics, including their latest single “Sunday Funday” which combines slow yet warm folk stylings to open about alcoholism in a new relationship. The dichotomy of sound and subject give Toledo an interesting edge.
Dog Trainer – Serious
NYC duo Dog Trainer noticed that a lot of love songs were either about the honeymoon phase of falling in love, or the toxic instability and drama. Their new single “Serious” was written instead about the realness of long-term relationships, most notably their own. With bedroom electro-pop at the helm, Dog Trainer make the emo alt-pop sound into a heartfelt love song.
For Those I Love – Birthday / The Pain
Irish artist David Balfe is paving his own path with his exciting musical style performing as For Those I Love. Spoken word, electronica, and dashes of electronica and hip-hop to add flavour make up his new single “Birthday / The Pain”. The self-titled upcoming full-length from Balfe is based on a number of traumatic and heavy experiences in his own life, but he manages to create something stimulating, insightful, and cathartic from within the ruins.
El Michels Affair – Ala Vida
“Cinematic soul” is not a genre that comes up often, unless of course you’re Leon Michels. His love for American soul and the early days of rocksteady and reggae helped shape his unique, yet familiar sound. An established touring and studio musician, while also being a noteworthy producer and songwriter from psych-rock to hip-hop since the mid-00’s has inspired Michaels to release music under his own project El Michels Affair over the years. Their latest effort Yeti Season will be out March 26th, and the triumphant and brass-filled instrumental lead single “Ala Vida” is here for your ears.
Lokoy – relay
Norwegian producer/multi-instrumentalist Lokoy released his stellar debut album badminton back in January. A fun and collaborative effort, the record was a wonderful introduction to one of Europe’s most up and coming artists. From the release is the sultry electro-pop tune “relay” featuring Nils Bech. Lokoy turns the seemingly chill song into a weird, ‘Apathetics Anonymous’ group session in Oslo that is full of strange tasks and challenges (hence the age-restricted warning).
Sophie and the Giants – Right Now
UK pop act Sophie and the Giants want to bring back the energy of live shows and the lasting feeling of real-life highs with the new single “Right Now”. With a vibrance similar to AlunaGeorge and Ellie Goulding, it is a catchy and spirit-lifting future-pop hit that is going to be stuck in your head until summer rolls around.
Charlotte Cardin – Meaningless
Having just announced the April 9th release date of her debut album Phoenix, Canadian indie pop singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin continues to take the world by storm with her astounding powerhouse vocals and Adele-meets-Alessia Cara intensity on her new single “Meaningless”. Goosebumps.
Gilligan Moss – Slow Down
The sweetest music video of the week goes to “Slow Down” from synth-pop act Gilligan Moss. Their brightly coloured claymation video complements the groovy reminder to smell the roses perfectly, creating an open space to dance, relax and enjoy life.
Danny L Harle (DJ Mayhem) – Interlocked
At the end of this month, electronic producer Danny L Harle will be releasing his immersive and genre-spanning album Harlecore, which will include a virtual 24/7 online space called Club Harlecore. With separate rooms depending on your taste of music, Harle has covered as much ground as humanly possible with his music. His new single “Interlocked” is one of two (the tranquil “Ocean’s Theme” being the other), and will make any basshead pleased with its pounding bass melody and jackhammering energy from “DJ Mayhem”.
PLAY DEAD – Shaun
Being in a kick-ass band at 16 is pretty sweet. Not to mention being in one that’s putting out a debut EP on an actual record. South London punk trio PLAY DEAD are releasing their debut EP, Skint, on 26th March 2021 via Blitzcat Records and have shared their lead single “Shaun”.
Written about bassist Ollie’s grandmother’s boyfriend, “Shaun” is all about the badass, old man who once got arrested for punching a guy off his bike. You know, stuff like that. It’s a fun, blistering track and is a fantastic start for these Brixton youth.
Gentlemen Rogues – Do The Resurrection!
Austin-based indie rock group Gentlemen Rogues put out their 2-song single Another Fine Batch of Sappy Little Numbers back in December, but have just shared the new music video for the catchy, ’90s-alt rock tune “Do The Resurrection!” It’s a sappy and catchy tune, bringing out some nostalgia-fuelled emo-rock and alternative fresh from the best music city in the world.
POSTDATA – Nobody Knows
Wintersleep frontman Paul Murphy revived his solo project POSTDATA back in 2020 and is gearing up to release his new full-length Twin Flames on March 5th. His previously released single “Nobody Knows” has been given a “covideo” featuring superimposed cut outs of Murphy around random spots in Toronto performing for (extremely) socially distanced shows.
Bodies of Water – Women In Love
Keeping the DIY spirit of indie rock alive, Bodies of Water recorded their newly released full-length Is This What It’s Like in a garage in Northeast Los Angeles. That homemade aesthetic is combined with a friendly, quirky sense of humour for the music video for “Women In Love”, which includes a cameo from frontman David Metcalf’s daughter Bernadette. Poking fun at the expectations of relationships, the moody, DIY tune is given a lighthearted companion.
Tablefox – Tired Soul
New Zealand alternative rock outfit Tablefox wanted to celebrate the strong women in their lives on the new single “Tired Soul”. Singer Clinton Bell dedicates the song to “those special mothers, partners, wives and sisters who put up with our shit and still support us no matter what.” It’s an energetic and inspiring tribute, and will be on their upcoming album IV.
Casual Vice – Instead
California duo Casual Vice wanted to recreate the carefree vibes and bright thoughtfulness that comes with being in the moment and free to enjoy life on their new EP Joie de Vivre. Their lead single “Instead” is a glowing opening track that kicks things off in the right direction in tune with the lo-fi style MGMT and STRFKR.
PACKS – Hangman
Toronto singer-songwriter Madeline Link, who has spent some time performing with indie rock group Triples and as a solo artist under the name PAX, has regrouped for her recent signing with Royal Mountain Records. Now with a full band as PACKS, Link has shared a new studio version of previously released single “Hangman”, as well a live-from-an-empty-park solo take. The slacker-rock, laid-back energy and Link’s unfiltered vocals is a warm combination for this dreary February.
Dre Waves$ ft. redveil – Wordsmith
As per the few words in his submission, Dre Wave$ is the next best up and coming rapper from Washington, D.C. His new single “Wordsmith” is a bouncing hip-hop track with old school samples and steady flow that leads both Dre and his feature redveil through their confident rhymes.
Clairmont The Second – intres-ting
One of Toronto’s hidden gems Clairmont The Second is on the come-up. His 2020 album It’s Not How It Sounds helped to build traction on his artistic vision as a hip-hop artist, and for exclusive supporters, the album was released as a cassette. From the B-side is the haunting single “intres-ting”, and now CTS has shared the cult-like music video. Moody jazz-infused samples and avant-garde details give the track a certain edge that’s transposed into the vintage-tinged music video.
Haviah Mighty – Obeah
Everything she touches seems to turn to gold. Toronto rapper Haviah Mighty returns with another stellar new single, “Obeah”, and its suspenseful music video. Produced by her brother Mighty Prynce and featuring cameos from her father and friends, Haviah keeps things a family affair and surrounds herself with the right people – a theme that makes for an interesting twist in the music video.
Sherley Gene – On My Mama
Montreal-based R&B artist Sherley Gene is shooing off the creeps with her new single “On My Mama”. Ditching the common pick-up line “do I know you?”, Gene turns away unwelcome advances with her confidence and swagger on the modern Destiny’s Child-esque hit.
Baby FuzZ – I’m Trying My Freakin’ Best
Fusing together glam rock, indie rock, emo, pop, soul, and synthwave, Baby FuzZ works through the conflicting emotions during his self-planned 100 date tour back in 2019 on his theatrical new single “I’m Trying My Freakin’ Best”. A natural pessimist, Baby FuzZ tries to find the bright side while struggling as an artist with his music. The anthemic and Meat Loaf-esque guitar solo on the song’s second act is enough to give anyone a jolt of confidence through dark times.
Myele Manzanza – Portobello Superhero
I admit, there isn’t enough jazz featured on my site. Mostly because it doesn’t naturally find its way here, but there’s also an intimidation factor. But on Myele Manzanaza‘s new single “Portobello Superhero”, it’s just pure straight jazz club vibes that are welcoming, complex, and exciting. Cruising just under the 9 minute mark, this new track is worth the patience involved, as the revolving doors of instruments from some of London’s best young artists take turns on solos and verses – with Manzanza keeping things moving from behind the kit (he really chimes up around the 5 minute mark).
