Brazilian indie-pop artist Libra is making us appreciate that unique and beautiful summer night feeling with his new single of the same name, featuring the gorgeous vocals of Marnie Price. The video is shot to mirror Libra’s iconic vintage style, as he strums a beautiful mirrored guitar and meanders through the streets of Southern California. Vibrant cuts to preparing tasty summertime beverages add an appeal to the video that you can almost taste.
This is the perfect track to enjoy while your summer nights wane. The video is just as indulgent and beautiful.
DIRECTED BY ZEH MONSTRO IMAGES BY BORIS FRAT EDITED BY JULIAN DE LA CELLE
Today, San Mateo-based Hunters Chorus – an instrumental music ensemble championed by Ramon Fermin – releases a 7 track collection titled The Boy Ain’t Right. From the first meandering lines of “Snaggletooth” through the mellifluous composition of “Lion Killer,” straight through the end of 8 minute and 29-second seventh track “Sage,” there is a slow, summer evening feel to the release. This release is absolute perfection to enjoy while the sun sets over the skyline, or to have as the background to a beautiful, intimate warm-weather celebration.
Says Fermin of the release: “I wanted this album to have a soft, organic, living room feel with all the funny little imperfections that come about in the process of just throwing it together.”
Looking for a quirky new track that is also highly relatable? (At least, in the music world it is.) Sean Padilla – or, in this case, The Cocker Spaniels – is releasing snippets of his upcoming album The Cocker Spaniels Are Still Alive And So Are You, and the new release, titled “Nobody Wants To Play Last,” is just that. The logistics around a concert and the lineup can get really dicey, so anyone who has found themselves in stage performance will feel for this one. We’re particular fans of the percussion.
Padilla was, admittedly, feeling lots of emotions during the pandemic-long creation of this impressive 20-track album, due out August 13th. Of the “brand new song,” Padilla explains:
From the spring of 2014 to the beginning of the pandemic, I supplemented my household’s income by working as a booking agent for touring artists of various genres. This song was directly inspired by my experiences as a booking agent, and the lyrics summarize most of my grievances about the live music industry.
This was one of the last songs that I recorded for the album. The drums were recorded in one take, while my toddlers were in the room with me. I sat them on the opposite side of the music room, then gave them art supplies to occupy themselves with while I played.
While I was practicing the lead guitar part, Layne texted me the news that Derek Chauvin had been found guilty of murdering George Floyd. I took a few minutes to cry, then recorded the part in two takes.
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Chianne focuses on conscious pop music to uplift the listener’s soul. This mission is especially palpable in tracks like her new release, “Truly Free.” With a big, anthemic presence, the song itself feels like a big love ballad. And it is, as at the end of the day the song is about loving yourself, and coming into situations as you are, to be accepted fully in that way.
“I hope this song inspires you to always be true to yourself, truly free to be you and to freely express yourself, stay firm and committed, trust yourself and walk the path of your dreams, guided by your heart and intuition, despite what others may say or think of you,” implores Chianne.
In the mood for a bit of soul mixed into your next favorite pop-driven track? Junior Mesa has done just that, setting a relaxing mood with his high-pitched vocals that counter the bitterness in the lyrics. The track itself speaks of putting up walls when a relationship cannot pan out the way you’d imagined and are highly relatable.
The video is highly entertaining. Basked in gorgeous colors, watch Junior dance through the pain with a masked stranger. The video itself seems to be trying to distract from the internal struggle of the protagonist, using humor and the arts to its advantage. Check it out below, and make sure to “like” it over on Youtube.
North Carolina-based musical collective The Collection really hit a beautiful stride with their latest release, a call to action called “Loud.” The indie-alt pop group has created a string of gorgeous tracks together, each with underlying tones of hope. “Loud” follows this pattern, with an expansive and freeing nature.
Lead singer Wimbish was inspired to write the track after protesting last summer following the George Floyd murder.
I watched as peaceful, angry protesters were cornered and attacked by the police. I was one of those maced in the face, alongside many. Over the next many months, I grew angrier and angrier watching white moderates and even “liberal” friends of mine argue over the validity of the protests – how they were being carried out, etc.. and it was astonishing to me – their refusal to lend their voice, to this very necessary movement.
The song serves as an anthem for protest, unity, and a sense of empathy for the times ahead. You can check out the beautiful melody and intrinsically catchy lyrics below.
Alternative duo Wild Americans have given us a smooth, delectable taste of their upcoming album release in latest track “Again.” Drummer Mike Neglia and guitarist Andrew Milea met and formed the musical project in New York, making beautiful music together that mimics the pop rock flare of yesteryear. “Again” follows suit, with bittersweet lyrics beautifully woven together with crashing cymbals, whirring guitar, and a Beatles-esque twinge. It’s a meandering, beautiful, and introspective single that will have you feeling calm and cool in the summertime heat.
One-Dimensional Man is due out August 13th. Keep up with Wild Americans here.
July. It’s the middle of summer. Things have been terribly hot. (Thanks, global warming!) You need a music video or two (or way more) to cool down with. While we can’t promise that every video will keep you calm, cool, and collected, we can promise that they will keep you entertained and help you take your mind off the weird. Here are our favorite new releases of July 2021.
For years now, we have been bringing you the best and most invigorating new music each month in a playlist of sorts. Our soundtrack features are perfect to pull from when your friends ask you for new music suggestions, or when you want to surprise and delight guests at functions you may be hosting or planning. Though the pandemic put a lot of gathering on pause – and continues to, as new shutdowns are announced with a round of variants – we found such strength in submissions this month. These songs are perfect to make you feel more connected to the world, no matter the circumstance.
We’ve got a range of tracks this month from artists like Charlie Parr, Young Mister, Zero Trust, Santana, CHVRCHES, and more. So dive in – like you’re cannonballing with wreckless abandon into warm waters. We’ve got you.
