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.
A twinkling intro locks in the mood, as Swedish pop artist Be The Bear‘s (Christina Wehage) ethereal vocals hit the track before the bass sets in. A dance track to its core, the new track “Mermaid” has more than just a bit of energy to it. And it’s layered, as it was originally written for Wehage’s friend who was struggling with their mental health. As we start to really hone in on the importance of providing support and care to all people, and normalizing a broader discussion about mental health, this inspired art keeps our heads above water. But at 1:02, you’d better be ready to groove.
Keep up with Be The Bear here.
Recently, Brooklyn-based musician IYVES – the moniker for R&B artist Hannah Taxman – released the acoustic version of her soulful track “Gold”. Her vocal range delicately and gorgeously takes the forefront with this production, where she plays with dissonance between lyrical lines. A gospel choir placed sparingly lights up this particular body of work, and we’re left in an intrinsically beautiful ambiance it creates.
Keep up with IYVES here.
Forever X2‘s new self-titled 6 track EP is thrilling, from the very first, edge-tinged lines of “Keep the Devil Waiting” through the last, soothing notes of far more ethereal sounding “Forever Times Two”. The four tracks between are simply the well-rounded center of the Oreo, AKA all some type of amazing. “Think About It” and “Walk the Ocean” have similar paces, the focal point, so to speak, of each track truly being the artist’s raspy vocals. “Mad For Me” sounds much more influenced by punk music, It’s our favorite, as it feels 80’s other-worldly and we’re more than into that headspace right now. If you take the time to sit and enjoy “God Don’t Want”, you’ll feel so much better about the world around you. And the inclusion of such varying soundscapes might inspire you in a different direction.
Forever X2 is definitely worth a listen. I mean, don’t you want to stay on top of new music?
Keep up with Forever X2 here.
Elliah Heifetz has a fresh EP titled New Folk Songs, which is reflected as such. His latest single is titled “Paranoid Blues”, and we’ve been reeling from its beauty ever since we first set ears on it! His gorgeous, rasp-tinged vocals draw you in with a sense of nostalgia, while the strings and light percussion take you on a very earthy, beautiful sonic journey.
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Keep up with Elliah Heifetz here.
In the lead up to the release of Ryan Thompson & The Delicate Hounds‘ new album Waiting On a Ghost, we have a fresh new treasure to delve into. Their latest song “Stop” premiered recently, and it is one for the books. Coupled with Ryan’s robust vocals, the song is a mid-tempo dream. Rife with waning guitars that give it almost a surfer vibe, the track is the perfect amount of scrumptious for a warm weather barbecue. (Not that you needed a reason for a party, but if you want one, this is it.)
Waiting On a Ghost is out May 24th. Keep up with the band here.
Indie-folk duo Cricket Blue are storytellers in ever sense of the phrase, and their new album Serotinalia is packed full of them. With pristine harmonies and scaling acoustic guitars, Cricket Blue is able to cause the listener to drift off into another conscious zone, full of hope, but also darkness.
Members Laura and Taylor are a vocal match made in heaven. As you listen to each song/story, you feel you are at a concert, with Cricket Blue performing just for you. This concert is not at a large venue. It is simply in a small room, with just the sound of Cricket Blues voices and strings enveloping the confined space. The darkness in every song prompts contemplation of self, allowing the listener to be full immersed in the art. I cannot stress enough how talented these two musicians are, and how their chemistry creates an album containing the purest form of the indie-folk genre.
Serotinalia is out now, and you can keep up with Cricket Blue at http://cricketbluemusic.com/. You should keep up with Cricket Blue.
Birmingham-based rock musician Alabama Rose just released a song that was basically made for your next great adventure. “Come With Me” boasts ethereal reverb for days, and robust vocals that weave gracefully in and out of guitar-heavy instrumentals. We’re hearing hints of Zooey Deschanel and Joan Jett coming through, a sound that is enigmatic and timeless all its own. As Alabama Rose urges you to “Come With Me”, the urge to move energizes you. This song is perfect for road trip weather and lazy, beautiful days in the grass.
Keep up with Alabama Rose here.
Indie-soul musician Oliver Kennan releases the music video for his single “The Tinkerer” today, and we’ve got the exclusive premiere. Slightly muted colors give a vintage tinge to the visual that allows it to match its soundscape a little more. A complicated relationship, lots of curls, and some quick choreography make for a stellar visual experience. Explains Oliver:
The music video for ‘The Tinkerer’ is a surreal comedy about a young girl and the chaos of growing up. It re-contextualizes the lyrics of the song which read like the wild inner dialogue of a troubled soul. Everyone knows that adolescence can be just as complicated as adulthood and the contrast of the image of a child and the thoughts of an adult lets us explore that idea and laugh about it at the same time.
Tour Dates
Check out a live version of the song at SXSW 2019 here. Keep up with him here.