w.c. beck, first flight

w.c. beck, first flight

Brooklyn-based folk roots musician W.C. Beck recently released 10-track album First Flight. There is a warmth about the work in its entirety , from the first lines of initial track “Steel Bird” can attest to that, though if you listen through “Colosseum” and the slow, gorgeous demeanor of “The Long Way Home”, you just may come to agree with us. “Unknown Bust” speeds things up quite a bit, and could easily be the soundtrack to a sunny-day montage with all of your loved ones, while “A Place to Land” is more vulnerable, both lyrically and sonically.

“Powder Blue” is inspirational and uplifting in its disposition, and while we “turn it around” after listening, “Grey” brings us to a slow, simplified track that is just as melancholic and beautiful as the color itself can be. “(Holding on” To a Coast” has a glittering, summer country soul vibe to it, and it has us salivating over our next BBQ soundtrack. But “Among the Waves” is the true beach day staple, as you can truly imagine walking over the dunes to the waves in slow motion to this gem of a track. Beck rounds it all out with a layered, crawling beaut of a track called “Cathy Jo” that seems to be the most introspective and lovely track of the bunch. By the end, we feel relaxed and admire the adventure Beck was able to carve for us sonically.

01. Steel Bird
02. Colosseum
03. The Long Way Home
04. Unknown Bust
05. A Place to Land
06. Powder Blue
07. Grey
08. (Holding On) To a Coast
09. Among the Waves
10. Cathy Jo

Keep up with W.C. Beck here.

rainne, “dirty little dream”

rainne, “dirty little dream”

What mood did you wake up in this morning? Because we guarantee pop outfit RAINNE‘s new track “Dirty Little Dream” will completely transform you. (Bold claim. We know.) We’ve got the exclusive premiere of the new track, which is replete with the sultry vocals of bandmates Annie Dingwall
and Justin Klunk and an attitude we know you can’t resist. Admits Annie of the track:

Seductive, dark, and clever, ‘Dirty Little Dream’ explores the possibility that your wildest dreams may not be what you’d expect. At first glance, it’s a seductive song engulfed in passion, but upon further listening, maybe that’s only part of the story.

So press “play,” and jam into the dark hours of this beautiful summer day.

Check out the song on your favorite platform and keep up with RAINNE here.

jacqueline harvey, “came around”

jacqueline harvey, “came around”

We’re talking about reminiscing a lot, and it’s no different with Jacqueline Harvey‘s new single “Came Around”. The pop singer utilizes her signature sultry vocals to address a past love interest, as the instrumentals usher in a dance floor vibe. It’s truly a sonic delight to experience, and we think you’ll agree.

Keep up with Jacqueline Harvey here.

loveclub, “gone”

loveclub, “gone”

When you’re reminiscing on a past relationship, you can experience a whirlwind of emotion. That’s what Vancouver-born, Los-Angeles-based singer-songwriter/producer Loveclub addresses in his new track “Gone”. While we are guided through the emotional turbulence of wanting a past love to have turned out differently, we are given time to reflect on our own relationships – past, present, and future – with the backdrop of a gorgeous soundscape. Loveclub really seems to play with dissonance in a way that we can only describe as hypnotic, and we’re falling more in love with each listen to this track.

Keep up with Loveclub here.

kayta, “dress later”

kayta, “dress later”

On Friday, Montreal-based singer-songwriter KAYTA released her sultry new track “Dress Later”. This time around, she has taken a gorgeous R&B spin on a total pop dream, and we’re falling more in love with each listen. It’s time to “let yourself” sink into something soothing and invigorating at the same time. Enjoy!

Keep up with KAYTA here.

olivia nelson, “cherry chapstick”

olivia nelson, “cherry chapstick”

London-based singer-songwriter Olivia Nelson is setting the tone for your summertime romance with her new track “Cherry Chapstick”. Smooth and soulful from the first chords, we can only imagine this track being played while dancing or walking around a bar in slow motion on a sweltering summer evening. (Seriously, can you not imagine several scenarios for the perfect music video as you enjoy Nelson’s sultry vocals?) Check it out below, and let us know what you think on Facebook!

Keep up with Olivia Nelson here.

lauren crosby, i said take me to the water

lauren crosby, i said take me to the water

This weekend, folk rock musician Lauren Crosby released her new full length, I Said Take Me to the Water. From the first chords of “Skylights”, the is very much a soulful vibe to this work. The sass and beauty of Crosby’s personality is palpable through her mellifluous vocals, leading with a slight twang through the 11-track stunner. If you’re looking for the perfect track to sway your hips to at a garden party or while drinking under the stars with your friends, “You Don’t Need a Rose” and “Tak City” fit the bill.

“Something Strange”, “Dead River Road”, and “Madison, Maine” are perfection for playing in the background while you and your closest humans sit around a campfire. Subtle, gorgeous, and simple enough to beautifully complement natural surroundings.

But that’s how we feel about this body of work in its entirety. Crosby has taken an album jam packed with gorgeous, uplifting, and HUMAN lyrics and added her signature twang and some incredible instrumental layering to create a release that is pure warm weather perfection. We’re consistently looking for something to really frame our seasons around, and I Said Take Me to the Water is a prime contender for right now in our lives. Plus, when we go back to the west coast and all of our coastal dwelling friends and family who worship country music are asking for musical suggestions, you best believe this will be at the top of our list. Because Crosby has presented us with just enough of a blend of genres that we can road trip for weeks off this one album.

Don’t test us.

Keep up with Lauren Crosby here.

sara lew, sunday morning

sara lew, sunday morning

As you woke this morning and slowly blinked your eyes, I bet you were wondering just as much as we were. “Is it Sunday morning? Wait, is this the weekend that I’m blessed with or the dreaded Monday morning that my Sunday scaries highlight every week?” And here we are, surviving another solidly difficult and also incredibly wonderful Monday!

But if you truly want to celebrate in style, I’d consider checking out Sara Lew‘s new full-length, Sunday Morning. Comprised of nine tracks that pack a punch, she begins bass-heavy with “Does Anybody Listen” (No, they do not), which segues quite nicely into the deep sounds of the title track. “Same Old People” slows it down, beautiful percussion slowly building on top of the electric guitar chords. “Every Moment” has an almost haunting sound to it, while “Leave the Shed” gives more of a slow burn to its sound, and reminds the listener – as if they could forget – of Lew’s deep vocal range.

“Deep End” feels poetic in its existence, drawing a feeling of melancholy with it, while you get the distinct notion that the instrumentals are trying to lift you out of the melancholy. It’s distractingly beautiful, though the same can be said – perhaps, to a different degree – about the album in its entirety. While “The Balcony” is soft and plays a little more with dissonance than its predecessors, “You Said” picks up the pace and is perhaps the track we can see ourselves dancing most wildly to by an outdoor stage this summer, though each track on Sunday Morning is equally vibe-able. The “Sunday Morning” radio edit rounds it out, and leaves a taste so sweet that we can’t wait for more.

Keep up with Sara Lew here.

elm, “fear”

elm, “fear”

Elm has dropped their electrifying debut single “Fear”, and we’re worshipping the small glimpses of sun we’re getting this week with it. The song itself addresses the acceptance of oneself and the group of people you surround yourself with, while the soundscape makes you feel like you’re floating in giant donuts on the shores of a deep, blue ocean. (Or probably also just dancing in a club until 2am. Both just as luxurious.)

Keep up with Elm here.