Indie Round-Up: 30 Songs of the Week – From the Inbox (July 5, 2021)

Alright, back to work!

Holidays are over; I hope you enjoyed your Canada Day or Fourth of July – but it’s time to jump back into the music world.

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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!

Grady x lovelytheband – The Idea of You

Los Angeles-based bedroom pop artist Grady has joined forces with fellow West Coast trio lovelytheband for the new single “The Idea Of You”. Written with his heart on his sleeve, Grady explores the uncertainty of being in love with someone who doesn’t share the same level of infatuation. The warm indie pop melodies and summery hooks makes the truth easier to swallow.

Ola Village – Anger Problems

Norwegian indie pop artist Ola Village will be releasing his debut EP later this year. Written and produced from his home studio, the 3 track effort is full of charming hooks and ear-worm melodies, including his new single “Anger Problems”. Turning hypothetical arguments in his head with no one into a sing-along ready chorus and groovy funk-inspired licks, the new track is a fun and ambitious favourite.

Mattis – Enough of My Love

After creating a name for himself in the Copenhagen punk and art rock scene, Mattis has switched gears to show his more relaxed and vulnerable side on his new indie pop single “Enough of My Love”. The colourful and dynamic song is an anthemic confession about being open with those most important.

José Junior – Forever

NY-based singer/songwriter José Junior has shared his new video for “Forever”, the lead single from his upcoming EP debut, Yo No Soy Marinero, out July 23rd. Combining his multicultural upbringing with both American, British, and Latin artists, “Forever” combines elements of ’90s psych-rock, new wave, and post-punk with his lush crooning filling in the space.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Weekend Run

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the brainchild of New Zealand-born songwriter Ruban Nielson, have returned with the new single “Weekend Run”. Situated in the familiar crossroads of retro psych-rock and modern alt-pop, the new single is a glossy and euphoric sonic piece that brings the phrase TGIF to life.

BROS – Garbanzo Man

Brothers Ewan and Shamus Currie of The Sheepdogs have released their new single and video for “Garbanzo Man”. Performing as BROS, the new single will be from their upcoming sophomore album Vol. 2, out July 16. About the single, the Currie brothers share, “This carefree little number was inspired by the tasteful latin grooves of masters like Sergio Mendes and Cal Tjader. The name ‘Garbanzo Man’ is a reference to the latin jazz standard ‘Cuchy Frito Man’“. The self-produced video captures the nostalgia of old home movies and evokes memories of the best summer hangs. “We brought a super 8 out to a cottage and filmed ourselves doing as many ‘summer-y’ activities as possible,” says Shamus. “Then we cooked hot dogs.”

Manchester Orchestra x Local Natives – Bed Head Remix

Manchester Orchestra have shared the reconstructed version their chart-topping hit “Bed Head” with the help of electronic act Local Natives. Turning the grandiose rock tune into a twinkling and dense indietronica hit, the song finds a new edge and poignancy with his fresh form.

Listen to the original here, and read the review for The Million Masks of God here.

Rest For the Wicked – Bones

Combining the edge of hip-hop, rock, and indie pop, Rest For the Wicked have shared their new single “Bones” as the duo explore their manic and depressive mental states in isolation. The accompanying music video shows the dichotomy of emotions, as the dripping indie pop track soundtracks the experience.

godz – Kids

Indie pop collective godz have shared their new nostalgia-fuelled single “Kids”. The gentle summery hit is an anthemic trip about young love and the freedom of being young. With its accompanying music video, the animated visual combines the psychedelic world of Netflix’s The Midnight Gospel with the hooky playfulness of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Cloud Vincent – Tennis Skirt

UK-based bedroom rap-pop artist Cloud Vincent has shared his summery new single “Tennis Skirt”. With an infectious bounce and melodic flow, the bright new hit captures a feeling of nostalgia with a ear-catching trendy modern sound.

JASMINEGOLD – Crisis

North Florida hip-hop collective JASMINEGOLD have shared their debut single “Crisis”. The short but sweet track combines the southern hip-hop crawl with an internet-fused sound reminiscent of BROCKHAMPTON and Tyler the Creator.

BUSHIDO CLAN – Gorilla Ninjutsu

UK rap collective BUSHIDO CLAN were influenced by anime for their new single “Gorilla Ninjutsu”, using the phrase as a metaphor for their worldly perspective. The cool, collected track shifts away from their UK home base, and into more of an American style and flow.

Caleb Giles – Won’t Do

New York rapper Caleb Giles has shared his new single “Won’t Do”. Combining his jazz school beginnings with his profound appreciation for hip-hop, his melodic and striking style comes out on his latest contribution.

TONYB – Doubt Me

Nashville-based singer-songwriter TONYB has shared his ’90s R&B inspired track “Doubt Me”. Combining the sultry tones and vocal style of his predecessors, “Doubt Me” kicks into a more futuristic soundscape with its dense bass notes and trap beat production.

Lady Wray – Games People Play

Sharing her first single since 2019, R&B songstress Lady Wray has returned with the El Michaels Affair-produced single “Games People Play”. Incorporating vintage tones and soul-tinged melodies, the song is a compelling cross between ’60s soul and ’90s R&B.

TRS x Teon Gibbs – aint free

Vancouver collaborators TRS and Teon Gibbs have shared the new single “aint free”. Written about the unveiling of a person’s true colours, R&B-hip-hop song melts together a head-bobbing bounce with sultry flow courtesy of the alternating vocal styles from the respective artists.

Elujay – Frequently

Oakland-based R&B songwriter Elujay has shared his genre-bending single “Frequently”. Inspired by the determined and resourceful energy brought out from the pandemic, the new track captures the enthusiasm of a reunion-filled summer with its positivity and hopefulness.

The Halluci Nation ft. Antoine, Chippewa Travellers, Tom Power – Stay

Indigenous production duo The Halluci Nation are gearing up to release their new album One More Saturday Night on July 30th. Their latest single is an R&B inspired track that brings along friends Antoine, Tom Power, and Aniishinaabeg family drum group Chippewa Travellers.

JKP – Vagator

London-based producer JKP was inspired by a trip to Goa, India for his new single “Vagator”. Wanting to incorporate worldly styles of music into the UK rave sound, his textural and organic influences come together on the dreamy instrumental track.

Raz & Alfa – We Go Dance

DJ & Production duo Raz & Alfra have shared their Afrobeat hit “We Go Dance”, combining the dance cultures of Ghana and the UK for an upbeat and lively dancefloor hit.

Gayance ft. KAYTA – Kinda Strange

Montreal-based house artist Gayance will be releasing her debut EP later this year, and has shared her latest single “Kinda Strange”. Featuring vocalist Kayta, the groovy and psychedelic UK garage-influenced track is built on a foundation of an irresistible beat and subtle flourishes.

Mouraine – Do Dat Dance

Edmonton-based hip-hop artist Mouraine will be releasing his new EP Bigger Dreams on August 6th. From the release is the punchy dance track “Do Dat Dance”, inspired by the beat’s groovy bounce and uplifting vibe.

Arón Speer – Necrophiliac

Shifting slightly from his punk origins, Long Beach, California-based songwriter Arón Speer has shared his industrial rock track “Necrophiliac”. Bringing together elements of rock, hip-hop, house, punk, and disco, the amalgamation of sounds slowly tears through into a searing, slow-burning, and speaker-blasting experience.

Absolutely Free – How To Paint Clouds

Polaris Music Prize-nominated psych-pop trio Absolutely Free have shared their new single and video “How To Paint Clouds”, from their longawaited sophomore album Afterouch, out September 24th. The gooey and melodic effort is accompanied by an AI video in which an algorithm built from 2000 internet-sourced paintings of clouds teaches a computer to create its own original paintings of clouds.

Glass Dove – On My Own

Nashville-based act Glass Doves have shared their new single and video “On My Own”. The steady alt-pop track combines the rawness of DIY and the glossiness of synth-pop for a hook-filled track, while the accompanying visuals detail a family man who succumbs to the addiction of brushing his teeth with a magical brush that plays “On My Own”.

HOMESHAKE – Vacuum

Toronto-based artist Homeshake is set to release his new album Under the Weather on September 10th. Leading the way is the downtempo single “Vacuum”, which captures a lot of the album’s emotional baggage. Written during a battle with depression, Under The Weather follows a similar, dreary demeanour, rounded out with relatable hooks and dreamy instrumentation.

Sofia Lafuente – Draw the Line

From her recently released six-track EP Control, UK singer-songwriter Sofia Lafuente has shared her emotionally-driven single “Draw the Line”, and its stripped down music video. Her powerful vocals and alt-pop production come together for a commanding and powerful performance.

Pine the Pilcrow – Black Hills

Inspired by Ardgillan Castle in Dublin, ambient folk collective Pine the Pilcrow have shared their cinematic new single “Black Hills”. Named after the place just beyond the castle where Pine the Pilcrow cellist Rob Campbell would retreat to clear his head, the lush and emotionally-charged song combines the passion of chamber pop with the storytelling of folk for a compelling and striking piece.

Lorkin O’Reilly – Still You

Scottish-American singer-songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly has announced his new album Marriage Material will be out August 20th. From the new release is the heartbreaking and poignant lead single “Still You”. After O’Reilly and his wife separated, the pressure to “move on” and the emotionally draining patience of time served as the inspiration for the delicate new track.

Sarah Walk – simply

From her new EP Simply, singer-songwriter Sarah Walk has shared the stripped title track. A gentle piano and budding string arrangements support her gentle and breathtaking vocal performance, as she sings to an open flame in the accompanying music video, rounded out by iPhone footage of nature.

Trace Kotik – Chaos

Tel Aviv-based singer-songwriter Trace Kotik has shared the lead single from his upcoming album Everything Has Been Done By Now, So Everything Is Possible. Sitting comfortably in a rich indie rock setting, “Chaos” serves as a welcoming point for the new release, accompanied by his conceptual music video.

The music video is an art installation created by Kotik’s father and colleague, Omer Harel, as part of their masters of design studies at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. Featuring a barrel of water with a speaker underneath and a projector above, they are both connected to a computer that feeds data from a website that translates the collective moods (surprise, joy, anger, fear, sadness, love,) of Twitter users’ tweets in different locations, assigning each emotion a color. The speaker receives a frequency matching the color of the mood determined, which then feeds through the projector to cast that color onto the water. The video combines recordings of all of these emotions, symbolizing the chaos of feeling and the beauty of humanity.