Well, PRIDE month is here. So is civil unrest, but that’s been bubbling at the surface for some time. We are going to have some insane new releases this month. Keep your eyes glued to this feature, as we continue to add to our list of favorite new music videos throughout the month.
Let’s start it off with “Fight Like A Girl” by Raye Zaragoza, shall we?
First of all, just as a reminder, BLACK LIVES MATTER. Period. If you do not agree with that statement or the movement happening right now, kindly excuse yourself from our viewership.
This month has been heavy. But, as I step out of my white privilege and gain new insight every day, I realize how heavy life is for so many others all the time. As a community, we are doing what we can to make an impact. This is going to include highlighting marginalized artists and the voices of our BIPOC brothers and sisters more regularly, merchandise proceeds to Black Lives Matter, financial donations to the cause. This movement will not fall on deaf ears. These changes are being made for good and for the better.
That said, let’s dive into our favorite new tracks of June 2020. You know this soundtrack gets wild, so expect some jams from Glass Peaks, Vilde, RUNN, Grace Gillespie, Caro, Suns Up, and more!
Civil Rights are everyone’s rights. We will not be free until everyone is free.
Who else popped their head out of their hole long enough to realize that it’s already Memorial Day Weekend? Yup. It totally is. And we’re looking forward to “treading water” in a rainy, sloppy midwest indoors… but not without an ambiance. And who better to provide said ambiance than stunning indie-pop musical project, fakelife (Matt Couchois). With his new 5 track EP, Fall Behind, hitting airwaves and the collective consciousness TOMORROW, May 22nd, we are pleased to bring you your first listen to the work in its entirety below.
It’s difficult to understand the level of talent that is layered within this gem of a cut, as you can detect something even deeper than raw talent. As Couchois counts varying entertainers and artists as family members and predecessors, his legacy seems to have had an impact on his final product. Whether you’ve been in the mood to sit still and revel in the silence, you’ve been antsy to partake in social interaction, or you’ve been all over the place like an emotional rollercoaster (so, all of us), you will find reprieve in the sonic atmosphere that holds steady throughout each track. So let fakelife envelope you in his storytelling capabilities, and enjoy your holiday weekend with the extra bump of enthusiasm!
Keep up with fakelife here.
We were blessed with the presence of live music from Extra Medium Pony during night 2 of our Cancelled Plans Continued. The bauble lights threw an ambiance unlike any other. Donate directly to Extra Medium Pony through their Paypal with email realimportantmail@gmail.com, or to the Imperfect Fifth Tip Jar.
Did you happen to know that Spiders Make Great Poets? That’s the truth, at least, that Blake English will stick to when asked, since that also happens to be the title of his new 5-track EP. Beginning with an otherworldly soundscape, “Sad Girls Dance Party” bursts into an honest yet fun, high energy space worthy of Warped Tour. Maintaining a similar pace doesn’t seem to be difficult for English, as second track “This Is the End” builds to quite an impressive and catchy chorus as well.
It is only with “The Neighbors” that the release slows down, back to the power punk ballad life we will absolutely come to expect from English. But it’s only the first few seconds that allow this sonic reprieve, as everything revs up before we even hit the 45 second mark. If ever there were a physical representation of the Energizer bunny – especially mid-pandemic – we would go ahead and give that honor to English. But don’t mind that assessment, as we are speaking of tourniquets very early on in “A Ghost I Knew from Yesterday,” a track that comes in to remind us that we are hanging out in the emo genre. This, this is the ballad we thought we were getting previously. This is the song we needed to prepare for post-pandemic karaoke nights.
But let’s not get ruffled, thinking the EP will end with no attitude. We jump right into “United States of Depression,” a very sharp commentary on current times. A very open and vulnerable song might lean to the dark a little more than anticipated, but it’s honest. And honesty is what we’ve all been craving.
So revel in it. Then do it again. And let us know which track is your favorite!
Keep up with Blake English here.
In the lead up to his new 4 track EP, Michael Vickers is releasing his new music slowly, tragically slowly, if you ask us. With new track “Dead and Buried,” there is an energy we haven’t felt in a few weeks, and the track leaves us wanting more. With Vickers’ accent-laced vocals, there isn’t a bit of this track that we can imagine anyone not loving. Fall into its quirky, beautiful soundscape below!
Have you been taking your time with the silence lately? Really analyzing every aspect of a sense? We suggest trying on all of this gorgeous, new music for size from this month of social distancing, perhaps in a way that allows you no distractions. (Amidst the bevy of new plants you’ve acquired during quarantine?) We have some stunners this month, and we’re not ashamed of the fact that we’ve gotten lost in this playlist all month.
Enjoy!
As though there could be anything better than the buttery vocals of Reggie Becton on really any track – let alone his 90s-inspired “Rainin’ in LA” released recently – he has just released the official music video for his latest single “Rainin’ in LA,” and the way it reflects its soft and beautiful audio inspiration is absolute magic.
Get lost in this new visual below!
ZEBEDEE really turned it up for Night 1 of Cancelled Plans Continued. Good news? You can watch whenever you want!
Want to donate to any of the independent artists this evening? You can at our Tip Jar!!