The first complete week of 2021 is now drawing to a close, and with the craziness that felt rife in 2020 still sticking around, it may be fair to say that many people feel torn about what this year may bring.
We feel that this is why it is vitally important that we keep sharing with you our favourite new tunes of each week. And with this week in particular, the sheer amount of hopeful anthems are just what the doctor ordered.
So without further ado, let’s dive right into our top 9 picks of the week.
Track Of The Week
BAYWUD » All Together Now
BAYWUD renews our sense of hope in 2021, thanks to the strong sense of community and solidarity found in ‘All Together Now’.
indie top 39
With the release of ‘All Together Now’, LA based indie pop artist, songwriter, and musician BAYWUD, brings us the first of a string of singles coming in the first half of 2021, before the release of his debut album in the summer. It is clear to us that this week saw a fair few artists release their take on an empowering and hopeful anthem. And in the case of ‘All Together Now’, we arguably have one of the most euphoric and festive of the bunch. Sending us a message that brings us a stronger sense of community and solidarity, ‘All Together Now’ feels like a natural born ray of hope for listeners to hold on to in anticipation for what 2021 may bring. BAYWUD has most certainly gotten 2021 off to a hopeful start, thanks to this amazing tune.
Addie Hamilton » Tangerine
Addie Hamilton brings us a very important set of messages to hold on to, to go alongside the beautifully enchanting sound of ‘Tangerine’.
indie top 39
The first 2021 single release from Los Angeles singer/songwriter Addie Hamilton, ‘Tangerine’ leads the way for a few more single releases this year, in the lead up to the release of Hamilton’s first full-length album, said to be arriving in the summer. In a time where we are torn between being hopeful for what the year may bring, and being prepared for the worst, ‘Tangerine’ comes at just the right time, to remind us to focus on the beauty that life brings, to keep your sense of faith, and believe that miracles can happen. Hamilton also continues to push her mystifying and bewitching brand of pop forward with this newest track, and we feel that it perfectly reflected that sense of hopefulness both musically and lyrically.
Bits of Alan » Cooking Barefoot
The more lo-fi feel that ‘Cooking Barefoot’ carries truly works in the tracks favour, and gives it a much more intimate feel.
indie top 39
After a hiatus of sorts, following their 2017 debut album Paper Boats, Philadelphia based acoustic indie band Bits Of Alan released the late 2020 single ‘Blue and Green’, which also served as the leading single for the band’s upcoming sophomore album, titled Slatland. With the new year now fully in motion, Bits of Alan brings us the second single release to tease their new album. ‘Cooking Barefoot’ takes a sound, which structurally feels familiar with their previous track, and embellishes it with a much warmer feel. There is also a more lo-fi feel that the band intended to go for with ‘Cooking Barefoot’, and this indeed works in the tracks favour, to ultimately give it a much more intimate feel, that once again taps into its warmer sound.
Dawn Somek » One Day
Taking a more acoustic approach that Dawn Somek’s previous two releases, which pairs perfectly with its bittersweet warmth.
indie top 39
‘One Day’ is the third single release from Israelian singer/songwriter Dawn Somek, who had blessed listeners with a unique sense of groove which blurred the line between different moods with her previous two singles. In the case of ‘One Day’, that sense is successfully conveyed once more. However, this track feels like the first to utilize a more stripped-back and acoustic sound. Straight away, we felt the sense of intimacy that ‘One Day’ conveys so well. It most certainly excels at being the kind of track that reminds us that we are not alone when we are struggling. And paired with the bittersweet warmth of its minimal and accessible sound, ‘One Day’ truly feels like a well-needed pick-me-up for many.
Levy » Seeing Red
The themes of jealousy that serve as the narrative foundation for Levy’s ‘Seeing Red’ came through to us as clear as day.
indie top 39
The third single release from London pop-rock band Levy, and their first release of the new year, ‘Seeing Red’ is the newest showcase of lead singer Levke Kulge’s amazing songwriting. Having created ‘Seeing Red’ as a way to deal with the vicious cycle of jealousy, and also express those feelings musically, that aspect of this new track came through to us as clear as day. Paired with a wonderfully engaging and groovy rock instrumental, which also carries a tinge of nostalgia to it, this track serves as not only an awesome anthem which develops upon Levy’s previous two tracks, but also shapes an incredibly exciting future for both the band, along with their fans.
Neeq Serene » Fields Of Gold
‘Fields Of Gold’ pushes Neeq Serene’s deeply ambient sound forward, while adding more arabesque musical elements that tap into her heritage.
indie top 39
The sophomore single from experimental London-based artist Neeq Serene, ‘Fields Of Gold’ continues where her debut track ‘The Others’ left off, especially in terms of the deep ambience that it brings. But what differentiates ‘Fields Of Gold’ from Serene’s debut, is the more arabesque and regal feel this track carries. We indeed felt that sense of experimentation quite clearly, although this track never feels like it is going too overboard, and instead still flows incredibly well. And we feel that due to this atmospheric approach being a way to better express Neeq Serene’s South Asian heritage, ‘Fields Of Gold’ is both incredibly genuine, and wonderfully unique in its sound.
Odd Postures » Gymnasium
Odd Postures combine their experience as their former band with more dramatic sound elements, to create a truly gripping debut single.
indie top 39
‘Gymnasium’ is the debut single release from alternative rock band Odd Posture, a regrouping of a band who formerly played as The Corner. But after the band’s frontman began working on scoring music for film and television, that experience clearly has its involvement in the theatrical and ambient sound of ‘Gymnasium’. The band wanted to have a visual element to accompany their new musical material, and have been working with director Sean Cartwright to create this. What became clear to us, was that Odd Postures most certainly wanted their music to ooze with as much artistry as possible. And with the immersive and cavernous sound of their debut single, Odd Postures are definitely heading in the right direction.
ONVN & Joshua Baur » In Your Bones
‘In Your Bones’ successfully had us hooked on its electrifying and immersive techno sound.
indie top 39
This week saw Munich-based electronic artist ONVN collaborate with Josh Baur on the brand new single ‘In Your Bones’. ONVN has blessed listeners with a versatile range of atmospheres through his techno sound, with each release seemingly carrying more depth than the last. And with the release of ‘In your Bones’ we get our first exposure to Joshua Barr who adds his vocals to give the song a more luring feel. The upbeat and somewhat dynamic nature of this track almost gave off a similar resemblance to the likes of The Chemical Brothers. And just like all of the iconic techno tunes, listeners have come to love, ‘In Your Bones’ successfully had us hooked on its electrifying and immersive sound.
The Celadors » Too Little, Too Late
The Celadors sing about the rapid effect of climate change as transparently as possible, in their gripping new single.
indie top 39
Returning in 2020 after a hiatus following the loss of their former bassist Mark Jackson, the main goal of The Celadors is to be as transparent and as engaging as possible through their music, and the band indeed delivered this with the handful of singles they had released last year. And with 2021 still young, The Celadors kick the year off right, with an important musical call-out on climate change, in the form of their newest single ‘Too Little, Too Late’. Being as transparent of a band as they are, The Celadors tell it like it truly is; in regards to turning the tides of climate change, we are running out of time very fast. This is the kind of track where being literal is the best approach, which made it the perfect subject matter for this awesome group.
Below you can find all of the 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!
New Music Sunday » Best Songs Released This Week
