With the clocks now turned back, the British summertime of 2020 has truly been and passed. But while the warm weather has left so soon, the weekly helping of awesome new music is staying put.
This week, many of the tracks we have enjoyed carry some brilliant songwriting skills, so be prepared to find out about many interesting stories behind our top 13 picks of the week.
Track of the Week
Lena Rich » Constellations
‘Constellations’ makes it clear that Lena Rich’s exciting and intimate pop approach, along with her fearless sense of versatility, is here to stay.
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With ‘Constellations’ being the second 2020 single release from folk-pop singer/songwriter Lena Rich, following her debut album, 2018’s Something In Between, this track serves as a continuation of a brand new chapter for the artist. And with her previous single ‘Dream Song’ seeing Lena Rich lean towards a more ambient and intimate pop approach, the reigns are handed over to ‘Constellations’, which also carries a very vast and rural atmosphere that does well to reflect the landscape found on this singles cover art. Her fearlessness towards versatility becomes more and more apparent as this gorgeous tune progresses, and it makes it clear that this exciting new musical direction is here to stay.
CSK » Sojourn
‘Sojourn’ not only continues, but develops upon the colourful, whimsical, and layered atmosphere of CSK’s music
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The musical project of Bristol based artist David Brown and long-time collaborator Matt Carter, CSK focuses on creating atmospheric tunes that pull together a wide array of genres, with a heavy emphasis on making the listener feel something. This was made clear with CSK’s debut album Two, which was released in June this year, and carried the very first batch of CSK tunes. This week, we were blessed by the next chapter in CSK’s discography; that being the brand new single ‘Sojourn’. This track not only continues, but develops upon the colourful, whimsical, and layered atmosphere that CSK has shown to champion this year. The wide array of instrumentation only adds to just how indulgent and resonant this track truly is.
Jasmine Rodgers » Flies
‘Flies’ not only serves as a “healing song” for Jasmine Rodgers herself but also as an exciting new chapter in her musical journey
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‘Flies’ is the first original single from singer/songwriter Jasmine Rodgers since her 2016 debut album Blood Red Sun. And with ‘Flies’ being what feels like the beginning of a brand new chapter, this track serves as a beautiful “healing song” from the artist. In terms of its writing, ‘Flies’ serves as a window into life, when comparing the little things to the big things. This deep and meaningful narrative is masterfully backed up by an enchanting, ambient, and progressive alt-folk melody, which effortlessly whisks the listener into its soundscape, which feels initially somber before evolving into a more hopeful sound. It is fair to say that we are definitely excited to see what this awesome track might be heralding.
Jessie Monk » Maybe In Another Life
Jessie Monk puts her talented songwriting on full display, pairing it with the intimate and warm melodies of ‘Maybe In Another Life’
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Along with being an independent artist, Jessie Monk is also a brilliant storyteller, focusing on the people she has met when writing for her heart-warming country tunes. With her sophomore single ‘Maybe In Another Life’, Jessie Monk sings about longing for somebody who isn’t available, which is paired with a bittersweet yet still warming melody that makes for the perfect country-folk vibe. The way that the vocal melody pairs with the rest of the instrumentation also creates an incredibly intimate atmosphere that is sure to make listeners feel as if they are experiencing this lovely tune live. With ‘Maybe In Another Life’ being the first teaser for Jessie Monk’s upcoming EP, we are very excited to see what is on the horizon.
Karethe Eriksen » River
Karethe Eriksen manages to beautifully tackle the subject of being stuck in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t love them back, in this gripping ballad
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Following not too far from her debut single ‘Common Space’, singer, songwriter, and composer Karethe Eriksen brings us her sophomore single release. Titled ‘River’, this track’s lyrics reflect upon the confusion brought upon somebody who is stuck in a relationship with somebody who hasn’t chosen them back. We find this to be a very unique subject to tackle in a love song, but Eriksen has managed to craft something truly beautiful out of it, with the deep, atmospheric, and acoustic-focused sound, as well as vast and gorgeous vocal melodies, contributing further to the sheer beauty of ‘River’. With a sense of strength that comes with the conflicting lyrics, ‘River’ is a remarkably gripping ballad.
Kelly Jane » Runaway
With the dreamy and wholesome vibe that Kelly Jane’s ‘Runaway’ creates, this track serves as a reflective hand to hold for those anxious about adulthood
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The first single that Northamptonshire-based artist Kelly Jane has released since her 2017 debut EP Took Some Time, ‘Runaway’ is a track that tells of the trouble in adapting to adult life in your twenties, along with the confusion and anxieties surrounding such a thing. Given the specific circumstances of 2020, this makes the sentiment of ‘Runaway’ all the easier to resonate with. But with the dreamy and wholesome vibe that the sound itself creates, ‘Runaway’ serves as a musical hand to hold for those who really feel what Kelly Jane is singing about. But as the track is reflective of Kelly’s own struggles with adulthood, we are thrilled to see that she has truly found her feet as a songwriter.
Lava Suit » Follow
‘Follow’ displays a more pinned-down aesthetic and spiritual soundscape that truly feels unique to Lava Suit
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‘Follow’ is the third single from the musical project of producer Gideon Kretschmer, known as Lava Suit, since deciding to make his debut via this new independent approach this year. While his previous tunes have revolved around a unique indie-rock sound, ‘Follow’ stands as a track that displays a pinned-down aesthetic that truly feels unique to Lava Suit. With a more spiritual feel in this track’s sound, ‘Follow’ will effortlessly have listeners lost in its soundscape and atmosphere. The track’s lyrical concept is one that focuses on the parallels between the urge to connect with others, and being at peace with oneself, ‘Follow’ is bound to empower those who feel alone during these times.
Parker Sounds » Tightrope
Parker Sounds explores the push and pull of dysfunctional relationships with ‘Tightrope’, which will artfully resonate with countless listeners
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With the Australian alternative pop-rock band known as Parker Sounds productively building their discography up since earlier this year, ‘Tightrope’ is now their fourth single release. With this brand new track, Parker Sounds explore the idea of the push and pull that comes with dysfunctional relationships, artfully comparing the subject matter with the loosening and strengthening of a tightrope. But symbolic writing aside, the upbeat sound of this track felt effortlessly engaging with us. Stylistically, this track almost reminded us of Foals in a way. Yet ‘Tightrope’ also carries a more intimate feel, especially in terms of vocals, which will undoubtedly resonate with countless listeners.
Phoebe Coco » White Horse
Phoebe Coco’s pseudo title track for her debut album stands as the best representative of what we can expect
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With an incredibly productive 2020 thus far, artist Phoebe Coco’s has spent this year teasing her debut album, titled My White Horse & I. Not only does her latest single release serve as a pseudo title track of sorts, but it is also the final track to tease the album, which is just on the horizon. In comparison to some of Phoebe Coco’s other 2020 singles, ‘White Horse’ carries a somewhat more stripped-back and whimsical feel. And with this, the sense of importance that it carries in its gorgeous progression really allows it to stand as the best representative of what we can expect from the new album, which we will be greatly looking forward to hearing.
Rod Coote » Ghost Town
The increase in depth that ‘Ghost Town’ has gives it a highly-festival ready warmth, despite a more deep and sombre sound than Rod Cootes past tracks
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Following the debut EP from Newcastle (Australia) based folk artist Rod Coote, released in 2019, his brand new single ‘Ghost Town’ serves as what feels like a new chapter in Coote’s discography. With this new single, Roger Coote takes his folk style and evolves it into a more sombre and atmospheric sound, but one that still feels warm enough in its melody, that it remains a wholesome experience. But the increase in depth that ‘Ghost Town’ has gives it a highly festival-ready aesthetic. And much like the best festival-ready anthems we’ve heard this year, this track definitely took us to a place that felt warm, joyful, and above all summer-like in spirit, which is definitely something that many listeners are longing for.
Skyddsnätet » Miraklet
Listeners will easily be able to pick up on the mood that Skyddsnätet’s powerfully sombre sophomore single creates
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‘Miraklet’ is the sophomore single release from Stockholm based indie-pop trio Skyddsnätet. With the title of the track translating to “miracle”, the lyrics highlight a story about the cold relationship between father and son, and the fact that it would take a miracle to resolve it. But even with the Swedish lyrics, any listener will be able to pick up on the mood that ‘Miraklet’ creates, which definitely feels more deep and sombre than Skyddsnätet’s debut single. Despite the more melancholy framework of this track, ‘Miraklet’ still stands as a tune that carries uniqueness, accessibility, and engagement, all while bringing us a sound that is beginning to carve out the aesthetic of this exciting new group.
Skylights » Darkness Falls
‘Darkness Falls’ takes a much more serene approach, with the use of strings adding even more emotional gravitas than previous Skylights singles
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‘Darkness Falls’ is the second 2020 single release from the Yorkshire-based indie rock band that is Skylights. And as they continue to grow their fan base rapidly, ‘Darkness Falls’ broadens their colourful and energetic discography as they prepare for their upcoming 2021 UK tour. With their previous tracks carrying such an invigorating and nostalgic energy, it is easy to see why Skylight are growing as fast as they are. Nevertheless, ‘Darkness Falls’ takes a much more serene approach, with the use of strings filling in where gritty guitar grumbles left off. That being said, we love how the more emotional gravitas that ‘Darkness Falls’ carries, adds a more epic element to the discography of Skylights.
Théa Marie & The Dunwells » Settle Down, Love
‘Settle Down Love’ masterfully combines the styles and aesthetics of both Théa Marie and The Dunwells together, in this amazingly atmospheric tune
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Following their debut album that was Then, earlier this year, soul-rock trio Théa Marie continue releasing music, with their brand new single ‘Settle Down Love’. This new tune sees Théa Marie collaborating with Leeds-based musicians and brothers The Dunwells, to create a sound that masterfully combines the styles and aesthetics of both artists together. While ‘Settle Down Love’ carries the indie depth that Théa Marie championed in their debut album, it also wields the sense of downbeat intimacy that feels more synonymous with The dunwells. The result of this stylistic polymerisation is something that we found amazingly atmospheric and completely unique in the discography of Théa Marie.
Below you can find al of the 39 awesome songs that were released this week. Don’t be shy to give us a cheeky follow and spread the indie music vibe with others!
