As the year of 2020 is approaching its end, you may argue that most artists have called it a year at this point. But if this week’s edition of New Music Sunday is going to teach you anything, it is that there are still quite a few artists out there that want to end 2020 on a productive high.
We have a good mixture of warm moods and colder ones, amongst our top 10 picks of the week. So let’s dive right in to your weekly fix of incredible new tunes.
Track Of The Week
Jacko Hooper » Muttered Words
The euphoric and soothing sound brought to us through ‘Muttered Words’ is the absolute icing on the cake that is 2020 in the eyes of Jacko Hooper.
indie top 39
This year has seen Brighton-based singer/songwriter Jacko Hooper fully bush the musical boat out. Throughout his four previous track releases, we have been delighted to have come along for the ride, and we have truly been spoiled by Hooper’s immensely soulful and atmospheric sound. But even after all of the amazing sounds Jacko Hooper has brought us this year, he had one more surprise up his sleeve, that being one more track to enjoy, titled ‘Muttered Words’. Hooper concludes his 2020 releases with one last soul-soaking soundscape; and one that really homes in on the whole sense of intimacy and indulgence. The euphoric and soothing sound brought to us through ‘Muttered Words’ is the absolute icing on the cake that is 2020 in the eyes of Jacko Hooper.
Alith Berndarn » Lucid Scent
We have truly enjoyed the sensational sounds that Alith Berndarn has gifted us, with ‘Lucid Scent’ being an instantly shining example.
indie top 39
Experimental electronica artist Alith Berndarn has truly wowed us this year with some immensely ambient and immersive musical pieces. Each of them expertly created a greatly deep soundscape that we as listeners completely drowned in. His latest single release, and sendoff to 2020, ‘Lucid Scent’. Supposedly being the title track for Alith Berndarns upcoming sophomore EP, ‘Lucid Scent’ epitomises the thorough polishing of Berndarn’s unique electro sound, and his implementation of sound design, which in turns has created a handful of musical experiences that are utterly sensational. There is an incredible amount of depth and musical texture in the tunes that Alith Berndarn has gifted us with, and ‘Lucid Scent’ is amongst the most shining examples of this.
CABS » Niagara Falls
‘Niagara Falls’ absolutely oozes with genuine intimacy, and heralds a very promising 2021 for CABS.
indie top 39
While the debut single from the musical duo that is CABS shows a smooth mixture of a selection of genres, the quality that shines brightest with ‘Niagara Falls’ has to be its complete sense of intimacy. With thanks to the tracks acoustic guitar licks, and lo-fi synth sounds, ‘Niagara Falls’ definitely comes across as a track that was made from start to finish by two very genuine guys. But aside from its intimately soothing nature, ‘Niagara Falls’ also carries bucket-loads of summer-like warmth, which is just what the doctor ordered as we approach the winter solstice. And with this pair releasing their debut towards the very end of 2020, ‘Niagara Falls’ heralds a promising 2021 for CABS.
Finn Forster » Time
‘Time’ builds upon the softer sound set up by Finn Forster’s previous B-sides, and stands as one of his most blissful tracks thus far.
After hitting the ground running with his debut single, 2019’s ‘Empty Promises’, Teesside-based indie folk-rocker Finn Forster has since kept his sense of productivity going throughout the year of 2020, despite what the year had thrown his (and everybody elses) way. The events caused by the pandemic gave way to the release of Forster’s Lockdown B-Sides. This week saw Forster release his first single since that project, titled ‘Time’. This track carries on the softer sound that was brought to us by that previous set of B-sides, and presents a more indulgent and dreamy vibe than his more raw and energetic earlier tracks. It is a pleasure to see Finn Forster master both moods, with ‘Time’ being the most blissful pieces he has created thus far.
Matt Hammond » Daze
While arguably being one of the most ambient of his musical pieces, Matt Hammonds acoustic charm still remains on ‘Daze’.
indie top 39
After releasing his debut single ‘Intertwine’ at the end of 2019, vocalist and guitarist Matt Hammond has since released four more original singles that encompass his year of 2020. The newest of these tracks, titled ‘Daze’ is arguably the most ambient of his musical pieces so far, with a subtle addition of musical effects. However, that still doesn’t stop Matt Hammond from bringing out the full potential of his musical weapon of choice. Like the tracks that preceded ‘Daze’, Hammond uses his guitar both melodically and percussively, creating a brilliantly full sound with minimal instrumentation. But with the more ambient twist that ‘Daze’ carries, the future seems even brighter than before for this talented artist.
SAMCHE » Rising
Complementing the upbeat nature of its sound with it’s deep layering, ‘Rising’ is one of two incredible new tracks from SAMCHE.
indie top 39
After bursting onto the scene with his self-titled debut album in 2019, producer and humanitarian SAMCHE commenced his single releases in 2020. Using his experiences of being a creative in the midst of numerous conflict zones to add a greater sense of impact and artistry to his music, it is definitely safe to say that there is a tonne of thought that goes into each of his compositions. With the end of 2020 around the corner, SAMCHE brings us not one, but two new tracks to choose from, titled “Rising” and “Falling”, which were released on the same date, but separate from each other. Out of these two tracks, we had to go with “Rising” as its sense of layering better compliments the upbeat nature that both tracks share.
The Cat Magic » I Don’t Think You Know
‘I Don’t Think You Know’ is proof that The Cat Magic have fully championed the fusion of indulgent dreaminess and accessible engagement.
indie top 39
Already bringing listeners a pretty dreamy style of psychedelic indie music when they debuted in 2019, Bristol-based band The Cat Magic have only developed upon this further during the year of 2020. Their earliest 2020 release, ‘Just The Way’, was a brilliant example of this. However, their third and final single of 2020, named ‘I Don’t Think You Know’, acts as the defining moment of the band’s development of their highly enjoyable sound. The steady and engaging rhythm of this track adds a very nice contrast to the bright and hazy melodic ambience. In short, The Cat Magic has championed the fusion of indulgent dreaminess, and accessible engagement. We cannot wait to see where this band takes their sound next.
The Islas » Last Time Forever
With 2020 seeing The Islas channeling the more ambient side of their sound, ‘Last time Forever’ comes across as their most ambient track yet.
indie top 39
Norwich four-piece band The Islas have brought listeners an atmospheric yet raw brand of indie rock, following their first few singles in 2019. Bringing us two singles under one release earlier this year, we especially enjoyed the former of those two tracks, ‘Close’, which displayed a deepening of the band’s more ambient side. This week has seen The Islas bring us that ambience once again, perhaps in even more apparent form with their newest single ‘Last Time Forever’. The cold ambience and slow, steady pace of this track gives it a more ballad-like feel than any track The Islas have released before, and is indeed a standout piece in that respect. Furthermore, it shows that The Islas are able to champion multiple musical moods.
The Rapports » Dreamer
‘Dreamer’ cements the idea that The Rapports have bounced back from their hiatus, and had us lapping up its layered and festival-ready edge.
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After a hiatus which followed the release of their 2017 EP Come Home, Brighton-based four piece indie rock band The Rapports bounced back in 2020, with the release of a demo single titled ‘Problems’. Between 2017 and this year, it felt very clear that the engaging rock sound of The Rapports has exponentially evolved. It seemed that the band truly wanted to cement this idea, with one more 2020 release. Their newest track, ‘Dreamer’ has the beginning of its runtime, to the very end, completely filled in with nothing less than pure rock sound. This gives a track like ‘Dreamer’ an incredibly layered and festival-ready edge. We are very excited about the likely return to form for this band, as this track especially is overflowing with promise.
TwentyTwenty » Radiate
‘Radiate’ succeeds in capturing the atmosphere that the title suggests, and TwentyTwenty radiated our souls with this re-recorded tune.
indie top 39
The sophomore single from Liverpool-based trio TwentyTwenty, a re-recorded version of their track ‘Radiate’, continues where their debut single ‘Lies’ left off, in regards to expanding upon the band’s genre-bending aesthetic. ‘Radiate’ already seems to carry an even more well-mixed composition than ‘Lies’. This really helped to elevate our sense of immersion to dizzying heights upon enjoying the bright, warm, and undoubtedly festival-ready sound of ‘Radiate’. This track does perfectly to capture the atmosphere that the title suggests, as it absolutely radiated our souls. And in it’s re-recorded state, this track is more beautiful than ever.
Below you can find all 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!
