Indie Round-Up: 40 Tracks Of the Week (From the Inbox: June 7, 2021)
Happy June!
Welcome to the first From the Inbox of June! If my calculations are correct, this is also around the one year mark of these fantastic indie round-ups! So happy birthday(?) From the Inbox!
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Jackie Hayes – omg
Chicaog indie pop artist Jackie Hayes is dropping her new EP There’s Always Going To Be Something on August 13th. Leading the way is her punchy new track “omg”, detailing the jaded feeling of growing up over top fuzzy guitars and heavy-handed percussion.
bülow – Revolver
Rising alt-pop star bülow has shared her confidence-boosting new single “Revolver”. Its up-tempo beat and bedroom pop vocals give it a fun edge before diving into a pulsating and polished chorus about feeling empowered and confident.
I Know Leopard – Lover Automatic
Serving as the first taste of new music since their 2019 debut album Love Is A Landmine, I Know Leopard have shared their glossy, psych-pop tune “Lover Automatic”. Finding a sweet spot between Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Caribou, the new song is a hazy and colourful jam just in time for the warm summer month with its timeless vintage groove and instrumentation.
Nightshifts – Rest
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Andrew Oliver, also known as Nightshifts, has shared his slow-burning new synth-pop tune “Rest”. The relaxing, self-care anthem is a carefree and lush song that combines his kaleidoscopic instrumentation with his soothing performance.
Boy Golden – KD and Lunch Meat
Winnipeg songwriter Boy Golden is sharing a ray of optimism in the form of a budgetary meal with his new track “KD and Lunch Meat”. Finding the joy in the small things, his infectious positivity and folk-rock twang make for an irresistible combination.
Lawson Hull – Parking Lot
Exploring the monotony of everyday on his new single “Parking Lot”, Australian singer-songwriter Lawson Hull shines a light on the good and the bad of it all. Finding a sweet middle ground, “Parking Lot” is a folk-rock tune about having nowhere to go and being okay with it. Off his upcoming EP Hangin’ Out With Cowboys, out August 27th, Hull’s new song is a warm introduction to the collection.
Betsy – Sugar Daddy
Welsh pop artist Betsy released her new EP Sugar Daddy over the weekend, and has shared her new video for the title track. Combining a soulful pop ballad with eccentric art-pop in the new video, Betsy’s Cher-like vocals hypnotize as the song builds with emotion.
Maize – Gay
As a celebration for Pride Month, Los Angeles-based indie pop artist Maize has shared her anthemic new single “Gay”. Written about her personal experience with romance, the upbeat and catchy song is a welcoming and fun look at love.
Meggie Lennon – Night Shift
With her debut album Sounds From Your Lips set for release on July 9th, Montreal indie singer-songwriter Meggie Lennon has shared her new music video and single “Night Shift”. Her ’60s-pop tinged performance meets in the middle with a modern dream-pop aesthetic, making for an alluring and psychedelic track.
Samia – Show Up
Indie alt-pop artist Samia has announced her new EP Scout will be out July 23rd. Alongside the announcement, Samia scheduled a handful of US tour dates this fall, and has shared the surreal new music video for her latest single “Show Up”, as she mixes together crushing shoegaze with bedroom-pop.
Brvt – Vague
After making their debut back in February with “C02”, Belgian-British electronic trio have followed-up with the heartbreaking new single “Vague”. Written about the uncomfortable realization that someone is not the “right fit”, the melancholic and dense track channels the poignance of Bon Iver and London Grammar for a striking single.
Cots – Flowers
Cots is the solo project of Montreal/Guelph composer, singer, and guitarist Steph Yates. Blending bossa nova, folk, jazz, and classical, with a enchanting art-pop splash of colour and story, “Flowers” is the stark and captivating lead single from her upcoming debut album Disturbing Body.
Mighloe – Cruel
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Mighloe has shared her powerful live performance video for her single “Cruel”. Off her newly released EP Desperate Times, “Cruel” is an empowering and soulful ballad about finding the resilience to put yourself back together after a difficult time.
Seyblu – 26:06
Toronto-based alt-R&B artist Seyblu wrote her new single “26:06” after the duration of time it took her to travel back home from the UK to see her partner. The twenty six hours and six minutes of travel takes on a sultry and smooth jazz-infused R&B sound, filled with romance and Seyblu’s velvety croon.
Sterling Grove x Ellyn Woods – Wake Up
From the upcoming collaborative EP Cabin Days between Montreal songwriter Ellyn Woods and duo Sterling Grove comes the dreamy new single “Wake Up”. Originally recorded back in 2019 in northern Quebec, the song is a swelling mix of dream-pop and alternative, in line with Daughter and CHVRCHES.
Tora-i – Serial
On her emotionally-driven single “Serial”, genre-bending artist Tora-i explores the difficulty of self-growth and discovery, using her gripping and angelic vocals to share her experience overtop a steady and detailed indietronica beat.
Chet Faker – Feel Good
With his new album Hotel Surrender due July 16th, Chet Faker is back with an unwavering and positivity-filled tune “Feel Good”. His familiar brand of hazy psych-pop and vintage soul come together once again as he cruises in roller skates down an empty highway.
David Numwami – Milky Way
Celebrating his love of music, Rwanda-born, Belgium-based electro-pop artist David Numwami has shared his bubblegum-pop “Milky Way”. The colourful charm of the keyboards and synthesizers match his dreamy and simple vocal style for a sunny new hit.
teeballpaul – Reasons For
L.A.-based one-man-band teeballpaul believes with enough hard work and self-believe, anything is obtainable. His new single “Reasons For” is a power-up, electro-pop anthem about celebrating your passion and encouraging yourself to achieve your potential.
LÜNE x Kip Nelson – Chamonix
French bedroom-producer LÜNE and indie artist Kip Nelson have teamed up for the lo-fi hit “Chamonix”, blending French nu-house with indietronica influences.
Keys N Krates ft. Bibi Bourelly – Take It Off
Toronto electronic act Keys N Krates teamed up with German singer Bibi Bourelly for their new single “Take It Off”. Mixing old school Chicago house with contemporary electro-pop, the dance-hungry track pokes fun at emotionally unavailable men in the dating world.
Scrimshire x Afronaut Zu – No Be Today (Yeye Be Dem Policy)
Legendary electronic producer/DJ/musician Adam Scrimshire teamed up with London soul/jazz singer-songwriter Afronaut Zu for the politically-charged track “No Be Today (Yeye Be Dem Policy)”, lifted from the forthcoming jazz-house compilation Global Sounds out this August through Boomerang Records. Filled with groove, funk, and of course, jazz, the confident new single is a powerful mix of rebellion and dance.
MoPodna x Tif Lamson – Sacrifice
New Orleans-based producer/artist MoPodna has teamed up with GIVERS vocalist Tif Lamson for the dance-pop tune “Sacrifice”. Combining crunchy bass rhythms with pop-forward melodies, the new track is a mix bag of fun.
mp.oxford – places
Danish indie pop artist mp.oxford put out his debut EP External Heartdrive over the weekend. Adding to the growing list of talented musicians emerging from Scandinavia, his new single “places” is an alt-R&B-meets-electro-pop hit that could easily cozy up on international pop charts.
I M U R – Birdseye
Vancouver trio I M U R are gearing up to release their new album My Molecules on June 25th. The genre-bending act have shared their latest single “Birdseye” ahead of the date, teasing fans with another introspective and emotionally-charged track.
Check out a recent interview with the group here.
NOA – Alright With Me
Toronto-based pop singer-songwriter NOA is releasing her new EP Honeymoon on June 25th. From the upcoming release is the love song “Alright With Me”, written about meeting someone that chases away the jaded melancholy of dating. NOA’s lush R&B vocals and breezy pop aesthetic combine for a feel-good release.
Foushée – my slime
From her newly released album time machine, Foushée has shared her self-directed music video for “my slime”. The genre-melting track is a hazy and sun-kissed song, soundtracking a Suicide Squad-like bank robbery.
EXUM – Sage The Room
Centered in the world of hip-hop, EXUM moves between genres and styles on his new album Xardinal Coffee. From the newly released collection comes “Sage The Room”, the drill-meets-experimental hip-hop song that captures the intensity and artistic measure of EXUM’s sound.
BROCKHAMPTON – DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY
Still hot off their newly released album Roadrunner: New Light New Machine, BROCKHAMPTON have announced a deluxe edition on vinyl. Alongside the news, the group have shared the psychedelic head-cam music video for “DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY”.
Cadence Weapon ft. Manga Saint Hilare – On Me
From his new album Parallel World, Toronto-based hip-hop artist/producer Cadence Weapon has shared the new music video for “On Me”. Featuring UK grime artist Manga Saint Hilare, the track and video tackle the hyper-surveillance that occurs on a regular basis, bringing the two artists together on security monitors.
Pa Salieu x slowthai – Glidin’
Bringing together two of hottest UK rap artists, “Glidin'” is new collaboration between Pa Salieu and slowthai, both coming off critically-acclaimed LPs in the last year. Pa Salieu’s gritty Afrobeat influence combines with slowthai’s troublemaking style for a hard-hitting result.
Denzel Curry x PlayThatBoiZay – Bad Luck
From the upcoming Dark Nights: Death Metal OST, Denzel Curry goes off-brand for the metal-tinged industrial hip-hop track “Bad Luck” featuring PlayThatBoiZay. The soundtrack for the comic book series will be available digitally on June 18th and physically July 16th.
Check out Chelsea Wolfe’s soundtrack contribution here.
Muscle Vest – Creepy Crawlie
Self-described as ugly rock music, UK noise-punk act Muscle Vest are releasing their new EP Live Laugh Loathe on June 11th. From the collection is the blistering post-hardcore track “Creepy Crawlie”.
Free Throw – Ocular Pat Down
For their new animated video for “Ocular Pat Down”, Nashville-based emo-rockers Free Throw wanted to pay tribute to some of their favourite venues in the USA. Written about arrogant and self-centered people, “Ocular Pat Down” turns the frustration into melodic emo-alt rock, an ideal combination for the unfortunate circumstances live music venues faced during the pandemic without support from the government.
The Murlocs – Bittersweet Demons
Tennis System – Autophobia
Los Angeles emo-rock outfit Tennis System are challenging the fear of being alone on their aptly named track “Autophobia”. The challenges brought on from last year combine for a fuzz-rock anthem about being too afraid to end a relationship over being alone after its over.
MBG – Go O.U.T.
Performing as MBG, alternative rock musician Leena Rodriguez has shared her new single “Go O.U.T.”. Capturing her frustration with the current state of the world, “Go O.U.T.” is a fuzz-filled and riff-driven track that captures the garage-rock sound of the underground rock scene.
Modest Mouse – We Are Between
Modest Mouse are back with the new music video for their latest single “We Are Between”. Serving as the lead track for their upcoming seventh album The Golden Casket, “We Are Between” shifts into a more pop-focused sound from the band, glued together by their post-punk foundation.
Sam Himself – Nothing Like The Night
With his debut album Power Ballads set for release this October, New York-based, Switzerland-born indie alt-rocker Sam Himself has shared the sophomore single “Nothing Like The Night”. His ’80s inspired sound builds the foundation for his experience with slipping into old vices during lockdown and finding ways to escape himself.
Rude Films – Gory Bastard
Manchester-based post-punk act Rude Films have shared their second single “Gory Bastard”. The compelling six and a half minute track combines their shoegaze and slowcore influences with a blistering finale of timeless, ’70s-inspired post-punk and noise rock.
