How is it April already, just how? At least with this year going by at super speed, you know you’ve got my goody bag of artist to greet you, like a warm, vaccinated friend, at the end of every month. This month is no different as I share some seriously tasty and highly underappreciated tunes. There were so many standout songs that made it to the LTTP playlist: Paces by Kura Sky and Moor, ‘Meet Me (Just for a Day)’ by Henry Webb-Jenknis, ‘Dogbreath’ by Banji and ‘Dog Tag Supervisor’ by Kolibri are just a few that come to mind. As for the reviews, let me introduce you to 9 uniquely attention grabbing artists that stopped me in my tracks this month – including a few mesmerising music videos!
Dolly Dolores » Dream
This week’s cover star is Dolly Dolores for her track ‘Dream’. This song merits a few listens and it will keep growing on you with each one. I picked up on new details and appreciated new elements almost every time it played. The artistic identity and ‘world building’ ability of this artist can be felt in the measured delivery, slow burning production and details such as sparingly used and highly impactful bass notes and string pads to create the teetering tension and build. I’d love to see how this track would work on a film or cinematic piece as there is so much on offer in the lyric that there are endless possibilities on what story could be portrayed on screen. In principle, Dolly is trying to shake us from our daily slumber and literally tell us to follow our dreams before we grow old and cynical in the conventional, adult world we all eventually join. This is a smouldering and refined track, destined for the big screen.
Joshua Woo » Future Tripping
I can honestly say that I was hooked in by all of the artists I’ve featured this month, whether by their songwriting, tone of their voice or killer production and visuals. But it has to be said, out of all of them, Joshua Woo has my heart. Listening to his music was like stepping into an unearthly, yet wonderfully familiar landscape, filled with unexpected and hugely satisfying twists and turns. The whole concept of ‘future tripping’ is immediately engaging, as it speaks to that unreasonable and anxious part of ourselves which attempts to over complicate things and worry about what’s never happened and may never come to be. Or at least that’s how I came to understand it. The production is filled with zappy, textural details that take this downtempo, ‘anxiety ballad’ as Woo calls it, into the realms of avant-dark-indie. I’ve made up a new genre, just for Joshua Woo.
Statz » Honest
So much to talk about in this track by Statz! The dreamy production, laid back beats and that killer vocal melody are a potent combination and I’m calling this one early for all your summer playlists. To paint you a picture, I’m writing this from the north east of Scotland and ‘Honest’ had me vibing like I was under the hot summer sun, kicking it back in LA, or more specifically, lying poolside with a cold bev in hand. Statz has a deep, resonant vocal tone and an ability to create truly well crafted melodies that are both memorable and moreish. ‘Honest’ is an example of how much work goes into creating a track that is stripped from all the usual overwhelming bells and whistles and chooses to showcase the artistry and craft first and foremost, not shining away from leaving space and letting the song shine through.
No Lonesome » For Carlo
Listening to this quirky and playful track by No Lonesome was like being treated to a miniature Tarinitinio western for all of two minutes and fifteen, exquisite, seconds. The drama created from the deep baritone harmonies in the opening bars are thrown out for a lighter, uptempo feel in the music and production, whilst the real drama is carried through in the storytelling. Murder, lovers and names like Dona Maria and Fabrizio are preciisely the reasons I fell in love with the lyrical wizardry of this artist. Musically, it must be said, there is a rich and lush arrangement of cowboy guitar, remarkably effective horn parts and an expertly navigated dynamic build that means this little song makes one hell of a statement. More please from No Lonesome.
Macarena, CRZE » Mañana
First of all, I have no idea what Macarena is actually singing about and it is the biggest testament to the song that it’s managed to cross all language barriers and communicate its depths through the music and vocals alone. I could listen to this artist’s voice all day. There is such delicacy in her delivery, yet at the same time you can sense the power behind it. As well as the stunning vocal, it was the beautifully intricate rhythms, percussion and warm production from CRZE that truly held my attention in Mañana. Two independent artists that prove you can be at the top of your game, fulfilling your creative potential without a major label. I don’t tend to read press releases (I like to form my own ideas about a song) but I did have a look at the one for Mañana, curious to learn more about its meaning. The artists explain that the song speaks about love and jealousy in an LGBTQ+ romance story, sung in the language of love, Spanish.
Malfoy » Notice
I am SO excited about this artist! We have got in at the very beginning with Malfoy’s debut release and this guy is only going to get bigger, if ‘Notice’ is anything to go by. Cascading synths, pulsating and driving beats and glittering embellishments are orchestrated in a masterful way to create a captivating narrative. The simple lyric is highly effective and there is just enough development and return to those tasty melodic hooks to keep you interested. Although, I pretty much feel that this guy could sing anything and I’d be into it as, for me, the standout feature of this track is the very thing that makes it so unique, Malfoy’s vocal. It’s a voice that is instantly recognisable (a trait of most big names) and something that got my attention with it’s gritty edges and languid delivery, from the off. With a name like ‘Malfoy’ you have to be pretty confident you can bring something to the table, and he doesn’t disappoint.
Rafa Rico » Wonder
‘Cinematic’ can be an overused word when it comes to describing songs, but from the haunting intro of ‘Wonder’ to the storytelling verses that follow, it does feel like a cinematic experience for all the senses. The music video alone is a beautiful spectacle, but it is only effective because of how perfectly it embodies what was already fully realised in the song itself. The sense of journey in the gentle, rumbling drums, the atmospheric, bird-like harmonies and backing vocals that call out from the edges of the track, to the grounding, earthy vocal of Rafa Rico at the heart of it all. It’s all a bit of a masterpiece in songwriting and music making, if you ask me. Allow yourself to be uplifted by this folksy, filmic tune and join Rafa on the mountain top as you let your worries and anxieties fall away. It’s the most blissful five minutes you’ll have this week, I promise.
Tess Daniel » Restless Heart
I couldn’t quite believe it when I found out this was a debut release for Tess Daniel. ‘Restless Heart’ feels like music that has had a long time to mature and form such a strong artistic identity. Perhaps it is artists such as Tim Buckley, Kate Bush and Enya that Daniel cites as inspirations that are contributing to the ‘old soul’ feel this young artist exudes. Lines like ‘you and I have come through cities overrun’ speak to the songwriter in me and it’s the delivery of such lyrics in the form of effortless and soaring melodies that made the experience of listening to ‘Restless Heart’ such a satisfying one. The playful push and pull of the arrangement were a joy and moments of artfully executed transitions and builds are all reasons why I want to hear more from the world of Tess Daniel. This is a songwriter with an artist’s perspective (in the truest sense of the word) and I hope she’s gained a few more fans of this noteworthy debut.
Tendertwin » Absolute Nobody
‘Absolute Nobody’ is a breathtakingly beautiful and mystical track from Tendertwin. This artist has an absolute gift for weaving intricate melodies, complex arrangements and delicate vocals without ever distracting or overreaching. There is a deft balance of magnificent songwriting (‘There’s a funeral in my mind, I don’t know who I killed’ is a standout line) and powerful orchestral-like arrangements that never drown out the emotive vocal wizardry of Tendertwin and only serve to develop the mood and drive of the piece. I am so thrilled that we are living in a multi-genre time where music like this can be embraced and reach the audience it’s meant to. There will be listeners out there, whereupon discovering Tendertwin, will feel like a little piece of their soul has been understood and communicated in ways they would never have been able to articulate. At least, that’s how this music made me feel. Tendertwin stans unite!
Late To The Party » Apr 2021 » Monthly Compilation
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.
