The first week of June has swiftly gone by, and with its passing, we have been blessed with a plethora of amazing new music from upcoming artists.
The running theme this week, it seems, is that many artists are beginning to have their say on the current affairs with the lockdown period, and the resulting effects. So without further ado, let’s dive into our nine top picks for this week.
MOAK » Tomorrow’s Promise
MOAK’s newest single ‘Tomorrow’s Promise’ is a shining example of true quarantine anthem. This is the first 2020 release from London-based spoken word artist MOAK, and one that addresses our situation of lockdown in MOAK’s own creative way. The artist seems to show a vulnerable side, and this is something that many of us could get on-board with. Talking about cancelled plans, and hindered ambitions, this is an incredibly relatable piece of poetry, and thus, very engaging.
Talking about cancelled plans, and hindered ambitions, this is an incredibly relatable piece of poetry, and thus, very engaging.
INDIE TOP 39
Anna B Savage » Dead Pursuits
The latest track from London-based singer/songwriter Anna B Savage really puts her dramatic, theatrical, and above all unique vocals to the forefront, made all the more prominent by a soft yet layered instrumental made up of piano, acoustic guitar and a few electronic elements. And despite the overall softness of the instrumentation, ‘Dead Pursuits’ stands as a truly gripping track.
This track really puts Anna B Savage’s dramatic, theatrical, and unique vocals to the forefront.
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Bamboo Smoke » Are You Awake?
Southeast London’s alt-pop three-piece Bamboo Smoke seems to be teasing a new album or EP cycle as shown by their second release of 2020, ‘Are You Awake?’. Much like their previous single ‘Maybe I’, Bamboo Smoke continue to take a cavernous and intimate approach to their sound. But with ‘Are You Awake?’ specifically, the group have really succeeded in creating a soulful and near-epic atmosphere.
Much like their previous single, Bamboo Smoke continues to take a cavernous and intimate approach to their sound.
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Feiertag & James Alexander Bright » It’s Alright
Dutch producer Joris Feiertag has seemingly had a very productive 2020, with his six-track Severance EP, he followed through with three more tracks thus far. One of those tracks was his collaboration with Oli Hannaford titled ‘Seasons” which we all really enjoyed. But his newest release sees the producer teaming up with James Alexander Bright. ‘It’s Alright’ proves to be a soundscape of ambience and smooth grooves, which all represent both artists incredibly well.
‘It’s Alright’ proves to be a soundscape of ambience and smooth grooves, which all represent the two artists incredibly well.
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Féz » I Want You
On his brand new pair of singles (which are both sheltered under one project titled Nomad II), we went ahead and picked ‘I Want You’ from the pair because of how well it eased us into this short musical experience. Being the first of the two tracks, ‘I Want You’ has an undeniably warm ambience to it, and feels like the musical equivalent of basking in the summer glow.
‘I Want You’ has an undeniably warm ambience to it, and feels like the musical equivalent of basking in the summer glow.
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Hannah Blackburn » I’m Fine
With her fourth single to be released and her very first of 2020, Canberra singer/songwriter Hanna Blackburn tugged at our hearts with ‘I’m Fine’. We feel that the stripped back, but simultaneously moody and gritty tone really go hand in hand with Blackburn’s soft and soothing vocal style. It also shows to be a very apt track contextually, and many listeners should be able to relate to this song with the current state we are in. It’s an interesting musical take on the effects of mental health to say the least, and we appreciated every second of this beautiful song.
‘I’m Fine’ is an interesting musical take on the effects of mental health and we appreciated every second of this beautiful song.
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Kehard » Stay
We are really impressed with just how much musical material Indonesian artist Kehard has been involved in this year. Since only making his musical debut in late 2019, he has really been putting the creativity and work into each of his collaborations with other artists. But this week, we received a very special track from Kehard, as it is his first-ever solo effort. And even without the help of other artists, Kehard still stands as an artist who has realised his idea of how he wants to approach his style. ‘Stay’ is a brilliantly smooth and indulgent tune, and essential addition to your summer playlists.
Despite being his first solo effort, Kehard still stands as an artist who has realised his idea of how he wants to approach his style.
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Layzee Gold » My, Myself & I
The newest release from indie-pop group Layzee Gold has “quarantine anthem” written all over it. It’s a refreshing co-incidence that a lot of the tracks we’ve heard this week have revolved around quarantine, but ‘My, Myself & I’ was certainly one of the most blatant when it came to this idea. This track has an excellent sense of pacing, and a very engaging rhythm to it, along with a fitting tone for its quarantine context.
‘Me, Myself & I’ has an excellent sense of pacing, and a very engaging rhythm to it, along with a fitting tone for its quarantine context.
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Tommy Down » Mrs Blue
After releasing his debut single ‘Superficial’ back in 2018, multi-instrumentalist Tommy Down has made sure he has had a triumphant 2020 thus far, with four tracks being released this year. The latest of those four songs is his brand new single ‘Mrs Blue’. This track fits very well with the time of its release, with a sound that feels warmer than his previous releases. There is also a more classical feel that Tommy Down has seemingly played around with recently, and has furthered its growth with this new track, that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh at the same time.
With ‘Mrs Blue’ Tommy Down conveys a sound that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh at the same time.
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We have picked only nine songs that stood out this week, however below you can find the playlist that features 39 songs. Do you agree with our pics? Let us know on our socials.
