Indie Round-up – 40 Songs For Your Week (From the Inbox: June 14, 2021)

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Bad Buddy – Mind Control

Edmonton motown-surf-punk trio Bad Buddy have shared their first single from their upcoming sophomore album out in 2022. The groovy mesh of styles and genres makes for a catchy and entertaining hit as they switch back and forth between ’50s diner rock and ’90s power-pop riffs.

Lauran Hibberd – Bleugh

UK slacker-pop artist Lauran Hibberd tries to fit off the toxic cycle of terrible romantic partners with her spoken-word power-pop punk tune “Bleugh”. Off her upcoming EP Goober out July 30th, the spoken-word-meets-breakup-anthem is a fun self-deprecating track with an irresistible hook.

Cherym – Listening To My Head

Derry-based trio Cherym have been taking over the pop-punk world day after day. Their most recent single “Listening To My Head” is leading the way, as the three friends turn the Netflix show “Dirty John” into a fast-firing and punchy pop-punk hit, complete with its own music video.

King Shelter – CONCRETE!

Southern California atl rock act King Shelter have returned with their riff-heavy hit “CONCRETE!”, off the band’s upcoming EP Patience. Focusing on the glorification of gun violence, the unapologetic and driving track makes a statement both lyrically and sonically, pulling the listener in with the searing guitar riff and frontman Taylor Hecocks’ articulate delivery.

Settle Your Scores – Meant For Misery

Off their upcoming LP Retrofit, out August 20 via Mutant League Records, Cincinnati punk rockers Settle Your Scores have shared the new single and music video for the pop-punk hit “Meant For Misery”. The nostalgic timelessness of pop-punk is alive and well on the new single, as they bring out hints of Sum 41, Good Charlotte, and more modern bands like Neck Deep for the new single.

Citizen – Black and Red

It’s been a few months since indie rock outfit Citizen released their positively received album Life In Your Glass World (read the review). Nevertheless, they are continuing the momentum with the quirky new music video for the hit single “Black and Red”, featuring a dancing brigade.

Bodi Bill – Big Gong Sounds

German indie art-pop outfit Bodi Bill have shared the bizarre music video for their single “Big Gong Sounds”, off their upcoming album, the first in seven, out later this year. Based on silent films and Faustian folklore, the accompanying visual matches the multidimensional synth-pop song with its strange, surreal style and attention-grabbing power.

Moyka – December (I Never Learn)

Norwegian indie pop act Moyka has shared her new single “December (I Never Learn)”. Written about the proceeding emotions and experiences following a break-up, the glossy melancholic track is equal parts vulnerable and melodic.

Mint Simon – Some of Everything

Indie pop star Mint Simon (they/them), the brainchild of Montreal act Caveboy, has shared their bright, self-love anthem “Some of Everything”. The disco-infused single is a celebration of gender and sexual fluidity, capitalizing on the grooviness of synth-pop and the inviting power of pop.

https://soundcloud.com/user-22940914/mint-simon-some-of-everything

Feels – Walk

Danish R&B pop duo Feels have shared their bouncing new single “Walk”. Capturing the excitement and positivity from a new romance, “Walk” brings out the confidence and good vibes with a catchy chorus and soul-piano riff.

Aston Fenly – Starburst

On his new track “Starburst” Los Angeles-based Danish artist Aston Fenly mixes together his childhood influences of Nirvana and My Chemical Romance for a grungy, emo-trap track along the lines of juice WRLD and Post Malone, focusing on the attention-seeking effects of social media.

MOB RICH – Funeral

Alt-pop duo Mob Rich have revealed their new music video for “Funeral”, the lates single from their debut album Why No Why. The video, directed by the band’s frequent collaborator Jack Dytrych, follows Maxwell Joseph and Connor Pledger as they secretly drive out to the desert in the middle of the night with body bags and shovels – and a catchy pop tune.

DiRTY RADiO – Caramel

Vancouver-based nu-disco electronic act DiRTY RADiO are back with their latest single “Caramel”. Melting together synth-pop, R&B, and dance-pop, the new track is a sultry, Justin Timberlake-inspired summer hit.

Yung Bae ft. Channel Tres – Wonder

Internet sesation Yung Bae has teamed up with funk-R&B artist Channel Tres for the new single “Wonder”. Creating a futuristic funk style, the pair open with a catchy disco beat before bringing in Channel Tres’ signature deep and groovy vocals.

Wez Atlas ft. starRO – Zuum!

Tokyo-based hip-hop artist Wez Atlas has teamed up with Grammy-nominated Japanese producer starRO for the bilingual track “Zuum!”. Born from a session between the two artists at starRo’s home studio, the track blends an up-tempo tropical dance beat with a groovy vibe and a thick and rounded sound that is as melodic as it is unique with Atlas smoothly blending English and Japanese in an inspiring talk about overcoming difficulties and flying high above the waves of life.

jeymon – Bullet

Vancouver indie artist jeymon is killing his self-doubts on his new single “Bullet”. The short burst of rock-infused hip-hop makes for a confidence-boosting and speaker-blasting hit.

Pongo – Bruxos

Angolan-Portuguese artist Pongo has shared her fiery new single “Bruxos”. Translating to “sorcerer” in Portuguese, the new song is about fighting away bad spirits. Deeply rooted in dancehall, kuduro, and Afrobeat, “Bruxos” steers away any negativity with its confidence and power.

Silla and Rise – Pandemonium

Ottawa-based JUNO-nominated ensemble Silla and Rise have released their new single and music video for “Pandemonium”. Initially presented live as part of EVERYSEEKER, a festival that presents contemporary music in Kjipuktuk / Halifax, Nova Scotia, the track evolved into a call-and-response video with Inuvialuk/Gwichin visual artist, Darcie Bernhardt, from Tuktuujaatuq. The initial idea for the song was an adaptation of traditional throat songs Nirliit (geese) and Naujaat (seagulls), blurring it together with sonic chaos and an electrifying wall of sound.

Tails – golden youth

Vancouver producer Tails is getting ready to release his upcoming EP Photos of the Sun this August. Continuing with a rollout of ear-catching singles, his latest effort “golden youth” is a detailed and sonically gripping electronic track.

WIESE – Hear Me

Norwegian DJ and house-pop artist WIESE’s new single “Hear Me” is a summery, breezy blend of deep house synths and radio-ready pop tones. Featuring vocalist Erin Jarvis, the new song paints picture of a young couple getting to take on life again post lockdown.

Jerry Folk ft. Alva Ravn – Ferris Wheel

Electronic producer Jerry Folk has released his latest single, “Ferris Wheel” with his side project FENGSEL featuring singer Alva Rav. Stepping into more alt-pop territory, the new single explores the highs, lows and endless intricacies that life has to offer, mirrored through Ravn’s gentle vocals and silk-textured electronic tones.

Dennis Lloyd – The Way

Israeli pop artist Dennis Lloyd will be releasing his debut album alter this year. Co-produced by Kygo, the upcoming release will be the next big step for the emerging pop star. From the record comes his summer anthem “The Way”. With an uncanny resemblance to Adam Levine and Lukas Graham, the new single is a radio-ready hit with a catchy tropical-house touch.

ABISHA – Wish You Were Mine

UK alt-R&B artist ABISHA is back with her garage-influenced single “Wish You Were Mine”. Combining the underground electronic genre with a sincere and loving R&B message, the new song is an uplifting track best played as sparks fly.

Hiatus Kaiyote – Chivalry Is Not Dead

With their new album Mood Valiant out June 25th, twice Grammy-nominated, Melbourne-based group Hiatus Kaiyote have released the third single “Chivalry Is Not Dead”, inspired by the bizarre mating rituals of leopard slugs (they turn fluorescent) and seahorses (they lock tails and dance). Psychedelic instrumentation and multidimensional tones and effects create a catchy and surreal funk-infused track.

Lxandra – Alright Now

With her stunning debut album Careful What I Dream Of out now, Finnish singer-songwriter Lxandra has shared the final single from the release “Alright Now”. Serving as the LPs closing track, Lxandra builds into a cinematic finish on the new single, bringing along the ethereal piano arrangements and her signature vocal abilities.

Runnner – Urgent Care

Runnner, the project of songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Noah Weinman, released his new single “Urgent Care”, the latest addition from his upcoming album Always Repeating, due out July 16th. Poking fun at his hypochondria, Weinman combines folk instrumentation with a steady drum machine for an oddly charming love story.

Francis Lung – Blondes Have More Fun

Manchester-based singer-songwriter Francis Lung has shared his new single “Blondes Have More Fun”, the latest release from his forthcoming album Miracle, out June 18th via Memphis Industries. Originally written around the line “I just want to die”, Lung shifted focus into a less morbid theme of escapism and wanting to be somewhere else.

Clairo – Blouse

With her sophomore album Sling set for release July 16th, international star Clairo has shared the new Jack Antonoff-produced single “Blouse”. The singer-songwriter steps into her familiar role of diary-entry lyricist, matched with a melancholic and reflective poise.

lewloh – cold these days

Asian-American singer-songwriter Lewloh has shared his second of three singles from his upcoming album michigan/missinghim, out August 27th. Written on a cold, dreary October evening, “cold these days” embodies his feeling of loneliness and longing, mixed with the pathetic fallacy of melancholy-inducing weather.

Morningsiders – Bowry Ballroom

New York City folk-pop trio Morningsiders are excited to announce their EP, Easy Does It, will be released on October 8, 2021. Serving as the band’s first release as new signees to Nettwerk earlier his year, the bright folk pop hit “Bowery Ballroom” relives the magic of live shows in high school, specifically a time when lead vocalist Magnus Ferguson went to see a show at the famous NYC venue Bowery Ballroom for the first time. The uplifting folk sensibilities and naturally flowing storytelling make for a lovely and endearing tune.

Waiting For Smith – As I Saw You Then

Harry Lloyd, the singer-songwriter behind UK indie act Waiting For Smith, has released his love-centered single “As I Saw You Then”. Written about reliving the exciting and fresh moments during a relationship, the song aims to replicate the feeling of falling in love all over again.

The Greeting Committee – Can I Leave Me Too?

Kansas City-based band The Greeting Committee return with their raw and radiant new single “Can I Leave Me Too?” and its accompanying video. Depicting the illusion of seeing your ex everywhere you go, the music video shows the daily struggle of working through a breakup as the moody indie pop song plays like an indie rom-com film soundtrack.

Andrea von Kampen – Water Flowing Downward

Nebraska-based singer-songwriter, Andrea von Kampen, has announced the release of her new album, That Spell, due August 6, 2021. Her new single and video “Water Flowing Downward” highlights her stunning and welcoming vocals, as she lets her restless creativity flow.

Novaa – I’m Hungry

Berlin based alt-pop singer-songwriter Novaa returns with I’m Hungry”, her brand new release lifted from the forthcoming album She’s A Rose due later this year. Fusing delicate electronics over Novaa’s haunting, serene vocals, she offers a poignant message of healing inspired by her own experience with eating disorders.

Mimi Webb – Dumb Love

With a growing international audience prior to releasing a debut EP, British pop singer-songwriter Mimi Webb continues her success with the love-stricken single “Dumb Love”. Bringing the emotion and narrative to life, the accompanying music video has Webb reuniting with an ex at a wedding, as the emerging superstar lets her vocal power do the heavy lifting.

Zach Kleisinger – Nothing Special

Vancouver-based indie folk artist Zach Kleisinger spent four years writing and recording his upcoming debut album Their Symposium, out August 20th. From the release is his rich and stunning single “Nothing Special”, written about the unprovoked sense of anxiety. The looming melancholy and patient vocals combine for a supportive yet staggering piece.

Barenaked Ladies – New Disaster

Scarborough success story Barenaked Ladies are releasing their 16th studio album Detour de Force on July 16th. The international superstars have shared their new single “New Disaster” and its accompanying graphic novel music video. Criticizing the 24 hour news cycle of the internet, the pop rock song keeps a hopeful energy despite its darker narrative.

Michael Cormier – Last Hurrah

Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Michael Cormier wanted to have a bit of fun with his birthday-party inspired single “Last Hurrah”. Featuring reanimated corpses attending a karaoke themed party, the sombre indie folk song captures an introverted sense of loneliness while in a crowded room, while simultaneously giving off war sonic tones courtesy of Cormier’s steady vocals and detailed folk arrangements..

Trust the Mask – Solstice Ritual

With their backgrounds in classical and experimental music and art design, Elisa and Vittoria joined forces in March 2020, just before the lockdown hit Italy, to form Trust The Mask. They started producing music from afar and then joined in the studio last summer, and their new single “Solstice Ritual” combines their creative origins with percussive and unpredictably melodic sounds.