New Music Sunday is our take on New Music Friday where we handpick 39 best songs from the independent music scene that were released this week.
Hello, Indie Top 39 family, It’s easy to focus on all the bad things going on around us. Especially nowadays it feels like every news article is announcing the world’s ending. Despite this, good things are still going on they’re just not heard about because they don’t generate views or clicks. Looking a little bit closer shows that although everything isn’t perfect life-changing advancements are going on all around us.
Similarly, I started writing about music originally because I got tired of hearing people saying “This generation’s music sucks”. It didn’t make sense to me. How is it that in an era where more people have access to music than ever before there is nothing good? So I set out to find music that I genuinely believed was good music so I could share it with those around me.
I hope you enjoy our list this week, here are our top songs this week.
Roos Meijer & Almaghoot » I Dream Of A World
Calling ‘I Dream Of A World’ unique and awesome doesn’t do it justice.
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Roos Meijer’s mellow voice sounds phenomenal over the busy drums and eerie guitar lines. The tight hi-hat sound keeps the song clicking along without adding too much to the texture. Even at its fullest, there is no difficulty hearing the individual voices. Between the mixing and the instrumentation chosen, the song gives off an otherworldly atmosphere. ‘I Dream Of A World’ showcases the sensual vocals and is just cool all around. The clarinet solo matches the energy and adds to the depth. Whenever the chorus comes around it felt new despite its refraining nature.
Christina Jewell » Hallelujah
Power and emotion drive Christina Jewell’s awesome new single ‘Hallelujah’
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‘Hallelujah’ demonstrates Christina Jewell’s light airy vocals incredibly. The thick bass lines paired with the versatile drums allows her unique style to cut through. Although the guitar refrain isn’t complicated, it adds depth and familiarity. It all works together to create a song that pulls elements from all over. At times the melody is supported by a choir of other harmonies, and yet at others it’s just the lone guitar and vocals. Throughout the thinning and thickening of sounds, Christina Jewell easily commands attention. Her voice is soft, yet delivers a power behind the lyrics that is more felt than heard.
Nicole Raviv » What You Started
‘What You Started’ has already worked its way onto multiple of my personal playlists.
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Nicole Raviv sounds incredible over the jazzy instrumental. The cool atmospheric vibe compliments Nicole Raviv’s warm and animated voice. Between the insistent drum beat and explorative guitars, the whole rhythm section compliments the melody. Even when the different voices seem to be off doing their own thing; it all ends up coming full circle. Every new instrument would immediately blend into the texture. It all worked together to create an incredibly fun and easy to listen to song.
Luna & the Fathers » The Ones Who Write Songs
Complicated guitar lines meld with the warm vocals to create a sort of atmospheric beauty.
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German folk trio Luna & the Fathers pair beautiful strings and emotion soaked lyrics on their new single “The Ones Who Write Songs”. The busy rhythm section compliments the lighter delivery of the lyrics. Despite the intricacies of the guitar and supporting lines, the song never loses its easy vibe. When the energy picks up through the chorus’ and as the song pushes forwards it continues the airy beauty it established early on. Everything worked together, sounding beautiful and easy to listen to.
Josh Savage » Someone to Miss
Josh Savage’s tender voice delivers the airy beauty of ‘Someone to Miss’ with ease and comfort
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At times bordering spoken word poetry, lyrics seem to float along. The light harmonic tones give plenty of room for Josh Savage’s powerful yet fragile voice. The lyric “How lucky am I to have someone to miss” perfectly encapsulates the energy on the track. Although the singing borders on melancholy at points, there’s a sense of relentless optimism. Yes it feels sad, but there’s hope nonetheless. Although the song sounds open, there is a surprising amount going on behind the lead vocals helping to deepen the texture. ‘Someone To Miss’ was simply lovely.
Vỏ Sò » Downcast
Vỏ Sò showcase and debut their unique sound on their dreamlike single ‘Downcast’
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Brand new on the scene is UK-based artists Vỏ Sò. Their debut single ‘Downcast’ pulls elements of rock, LO-FI, indie, and a dozen other genres together to create a soundscape unlike any other. The light vocals that periodically dot the texture help give the song direction and leave it all feeling surreal. Using both light melodic guitar lines and thick distorted lines helps the eerie atmosphere and constantly provide something new to pay attention to. Similarly, whenever there was a quiet fill it would add to what was going on around it; oftentimes drifting off into the texture. Although this was the group’s debut, they sound incredibly well developed and sure of themselves.
Xela » No Love
Nothing is going to get in the way of Xela’s dreams on the anti-love anthem ‘No Love’
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Shooting for the stars is difficult enough, and on ‘No Love’ Australian-based artist Xela is making no sacrifices when it comes to their dreams. Through this anthem of independence, the theme is evident – love will get in the way of goals. The thin instrumental allows for every lyric to stand out. Once I heard the bass line I knew this song was going to be catchy, but it was Xela’s powerful voice that kept me coming back. The way it contrasted the heavy electric guitar solo at the end was awesome.
