We are now our third Sunday into the year of 2020, and we want to make sure that hopes of a better year are still on the agenda. And we believe that there are few better ways to do so, than by bringing you a completely fresh batch of brand new tracks, all from independent and talented artists.
This week saw a good sense of versatility in the tracks that came our way. A lot of these tracks come from artists who are showing no signs of slowing down after a very productive 2020, and we are very glad to see it.
So without further ado, let’s dive into our top 9 picks of the week.
Track Of The Week
Jenny Kern » Coming Back For Me
Jenny Kerns compelling narrative of normalising solitude, and gorgeous instrumental, come together to make a remarkable listening experience with ‘Coming Back For Me’.
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The first single release of 2021 for Brooklyn-based indie pop artist Jenny Kern, ‘Coming Back For Me’ is a ballad about solitude, and learning to be okay with being alone. Especially during times like these, it is a sentiment that countless listeners will surely connect with. But even with the context of this track aside, an equal sense of connection comes with the deep, progressive, and cosmic sound of this track’s absolutely gorgeous instrumental. It really gives off dristing and highly atmospheric vibe that expertly reflects the idea of being alone with one’s own thoughts, fears, and hopes. It was easy for us to tell that a tonne of thought went into the creation of both this track’s story, and its production, before ultimately fusing them together. What results is truly a remarkable listening experience throughout.
Bertie Newman » Lost
The debut single release from Bertie Newman successfully reflects his effortless and convincing way of conveying emotion musically.
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The debut single from Hackney born and raised singer/songwriter Bertie Newman, ‘Lost’ instantly gets Newman’s 2021, and furthermore his discography, off to an incredibly soulful and intimate start. Inspired by the likes of Bon Iver, Hozier, and Jake Bugg, Bertie Newman successfully captures that sense of captivating and heavenly beauty that his influences have conveyed, in this stripped back yet deeply ambient debut single. After his break-up with a long term partner, all of the emotions, and especially the strong sense of being lost that arrived in the aftermath, all provide the framework of this extremely heartfelt tune. We certainly hope that in future releases, Newman continues to convey emotion so convincingly, and so effortlessly through his music.
Found Instruments » Aren’t You Glad
‘Aren’t You Glad’ brings us a more atmospheric, dream-like, and indulgent side to Found Instruments.
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‘Aren’t You Glad’ is the third single release from singer/songwriter Jack Joseph’s musical project Found Instruments, and also serves as the single to kick off 2021 for the artist. In comparison to both of the 2020 releases put out by Found Instruments, which felt engagingly earthy and raw in their respective sounds, ‘Aren’t You Glad’ is noticeably more dream-like and atmospheric. Through the uncertain times of early 2021, ‘Aren’t You Glad’ definitely feels like a fitting release. While bringing us a colder aesthetic which feels perfect for January, ‘Aren’t You Glad’ successfully offers listeners an uplifting feel with its dreaminess. On top of all this, ‘Aren’t You Glad’ is a wondrous and unique addition to Found Instruments’ discography.
Jacqueline Loor » Just A Memory
Even with the generous amount of haunting ballads Jacqueline Loor has given us over the years, ‘Just A Memory’ stands as her most sleekly made song to date.
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After successfully establishing her sense of versatility with her 2020 releases, Miami singer/songwriter Jacqueline Loor gets her musical 2021 off to an early start, by returning to the more deep, emotive, and haunting sound that she is arguably best known for through her newest release ‘Just A Memory’. The echoing effects of both Loor’s vocals and the piano melodies, pair perfectly with the smoothness of the strings found in ‘Just A Memory’. Even with the generous amount of atmospheric ballads that Jacqueline Loor has put out, we feel that ‘Just A Memory’ comes across as quite possibly her most well-produced and sleekly made track of hers to date, and is most effective when it comes to carrying a soulfully healing effect.
Jessamynn » Gold
Jessamynn gives us a very good sense of her uniquely atmospheric country-pop sound, in her brilliant debut single.
‘Gold’ is the debut single release from singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jessamynn, and gave us a very good sense of her uniquely atmospheric country-pop sound, both effortlessly and instantaneously. ‘Gold’ also brings us a joyfully upbeat sense of warmth, which makes it a perfect tune when it comes to picking listeners up in these times. Jessamynn was also one of many people, who turned lockdown into an opportunity to write as many songs as possible. And with ‘Gold’ being the first official release to arrive as a result of her efforts, things most certainly seem promising for this fabulous artist. We are indeed very excited to see what else Jessamynn might have in store for 2021.
Joell Jordi » Compromise
‘Compromise’ flawlessly shows us an authentic Britpop feel, that truly taps into the musical history of Joell Jordi’s hometown.
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After finishing his musical year of 2020 off with his self-titled debut EP, Manchester singer/songwriter Joell Jordi wastes no time when it comes to kick-starting his musical 2021, with his newest single ‘Compromise’. And with this new single, Joell Jordi is already showing a rapid growth in both refining his sound, and drawing as much similarity from elements of preceding artists that have come out from Manchester. ‘Compromise’ flawlessly shows us an authentic Britpop sound that felt instantly accessible, especially for the big Britpop-heads tuning in. The engaging and dynamic energy that ‘Compromise’ brings, convinces us that Joell Jordi knows exactly what kind of sound he wishes to pursue.
Julia-Sophie » I Wish
Julia-Sophie carries through her experimental and abstract sound into 2021 with ‘I Wish’, while the track offers a more dynamic and busy atmosphere.
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‘I Wish’ is the first 2021 release from Julia-Sophie, an experimental avant-pop artist who we have absolutely loved listening to, since she first started releasing under this project in 2020. This track is also the first official single release to follow her debut EP y?, and successfully carries Julia-Sophie’s wondrous sonic aesthetic into the new year. However, while the majority of Julia-Sophie’s 2020 material carried a deep and hazy vibe, ‘I Wish’ feels like a slightly more unique experience in comparison, in the sense that this track feels a lot more dynamic, upbeat, and sharp in its rhythm. We love the sense of business that each of the musical elements come together perfectly to create, and we are thrilled to witness this brand new chapter in Julia-Sophie’s discography.
Sasha Daniel » Already Freed
‘Already Freed’ is an empowering anthem about Sasha Daniels’ faith in her relationship, without feeling a need for procreation.
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Following on from her 2015 debut EP Compass, indie pop artist Sasha Daniel continued her musical journey with 2 single releases, as well as her sophomore EP Too Much Information in 2020. And with 2021 now coming into play, Sasha Daniel keeps the musical ball rolling with her newest single, and first 2021 release, “Already Freed”. An empowering and shameless ballad reflecting upon Sasha’s faith in her relationship, without feeling a need for procreation, the track points to how free she feels as a result. And for many listeners who want to feel a similar level of self-assurance, ‘Already Freed’ definitely seems like the kind of track that will connect with those people. And thanks to the fusion of this song’s sentiment, and its atmospheric instrumental, it definitely connected with us too.
The Woods » Conversations We Should’ve Had
With its more electropop-inspired sound, ‘Conversations We Should’ve Had’ is instantaneously engaging.
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Having released EPs in both 2019 and 2020, the Scottish folktronica artist known as The Woods have productively kept the enjoyable tunes coming. And in the state of 2020, and the lockdowns that ensued, this only added more fuel to The Wood’s productive flare it seemed. This reflects well with how the start of 2021 has seen The Woods hold no hesitation towards releasing his newest single. ‘Conversations We Should’ve Had’ offers listeners a more electropop-inspired framework, in comparison to The Wood’s more folk-inspired melodies. Singing about the conflicting feelings and emotions that most people have felt as a result of lockdown, and pairing this track’s narrative, with its warm and colourful sound, and ‘Conversations We Should’ve Had’ is instantaneously engaging.
New Music Sunday » Best Songs Released This Week
