We have arrived at the penultimate week of February, and thus, we have also arrived at what we like to think as the penultimate week of the Winter months. And we feel that many independent artists may feel the same way, as we are beginning to hear more and more sounds that feel more synonymous with Spring.
Nevertheless, we come to you with a very versatile mixture of amazing tracks this week, to cater to all kinds of music lovers. In this article, we will be taking a look at 9 of our favourites.
Track of the Week
Lena Minder » Stay Around
Absolutely oozing with intimacy and softness in its sound, Lena Minder’s ‘Stay Around’ felt captivating from beginning to end.
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After releasing music and touring under the name of Liv Summer, the Switzerland-born singer/songwriter Lena Minder, now based in Berlin, saw 2021 as a fantastic opportunity to musically start afresh, by releasing her debut single release under her true name. ‘Stay Around’ not only puts Lena Minder’s past musical experience on full display, this quality makes up the background for what feels like a remarkably intimate single. ‘Stay Around’ had us captivated from beginning to end, with how softly every element is played, but clearly to great effect. It absolutely oozes with that kind of intimacy that allows songs like this one to be so compelling and enjoyable. We are most certainly confident that the future is bright for the new musical avenue this awesome artist is taking.
Amy Ellen » This Life
With each of Amy Ellen’s single releases feeling more and more polished, ‘This Life’ is the next link in that chain of growth.
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‘This Life’ is the first 2021 single release from dublin-based indie folk artist Amy Ellen, and is also the fourth single release in her discography overall. From her 2019 debut to now, it was easy for us to sense the gradually increasing amount of polish with each release. And with this, it’s definitely safe to say that ‘This Life’ is the next link in that chain. As well as being the most refined single so far from Amy Ellen, in terms of its production, it also stands out, thanks to a few more rock-inspired musical elements thrown into her signature mix. All of these qualities come together beautifully, to create a wonderfully wholesome and soaring sound, that feels like a fitting atmosphere for the warmer spring months ahead.
Aonian » Ascent
Blending electronic and more exotically traditional instrumentation together, ‘Ascent’ feels equally unique and warm.
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Debuting with a remix of the Speakman Sound single ‘Hold the Line’, this week saw UK producer Aonian release his first original single. ‘Ascent’ instantly stands as a unique piece amongst your typical electronic instrumental pieces, and makes that possible by fusing psychedelic and dreamy electronic sounds with more arabesque instruments. This ultimately creates a sound that artfully presents a well-mixed fusion of past and present. Furthermore, the sounds used in ‘Ascent’ put us in a soundscape that feels incredibly warm and bright, and thus, had us reminiscing of the summer days, which hopefully in 2021, will be a better opportunity to cherish music like this together.
Jack Frohlich » School Boy
‘School Boy’ continues to push the focal theme of Jack Frohlich’s youth and upbringing, in the lead-up to his upcoming EP.
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Following the release of ‘Superhero’ in late 2020, ‘School Boy’ is the newest single release from Birmingham based singer and musician Jack Frohlich. On top of this, it is the second single to tease Frohlich’s upcoming EP, titled Silver Going Grey. And much like how ‘Superhero’ focuses on themes of growing up, ‘School Boy’ further strengthens the supposed narrative of this upcoming EP. Specifically, this new track sees Jack reminiscing on how he found himself during his school years, despite that environment also impeding his introspection. With this heartfelt story being pasted onto a bright and nostalgic melody, and ‘School Boy’ stands as a brilliantly compelling and connective tune.
King Castle » Dracula
King Castle’s debut single stands as one whose compelling nature will be sure to connect a lot of its listeners.
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‘Dracula’ is the debut single release from Basingstoke artist King Castle, who recorded this track during the 2020 lockdown, which serves as a testament to the fact that such strange times don’t have to hinder your creativity. By juxtaposition a bright and warm melody (which uses guitar and horn loops as primary elements), with a narrative focus on narcissistic relationships that drain people of their energy, ‘Dracula’ is laced with a bittersweet feeling, whilst also standing as an engaging and nostalgic track, in the way of its sound. And due to many relationships that feel similar to the one addressed in this track, taking place amongst many during lockdown, ‘Dracula’ succeeds in being a track that connects a vast majority of listeners.
Naytiive » Redlight
While ‘Redlight’ has more of an emphasis towards pop accessibility than his debut, the funky atmosphere is still alive and kicking.
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After bringing his own unique brand of funk pop to the scene with his debut single, 2020’s ‘Flawless’, the North London artist Naytiive arrived with his sophomore single this week. And with his debut realling setting the standard of funk to expect, ‘Redlight’ takes that quality and tailors it to ultimately give it a more accessible feel. Don’t get us wrong though; while ‘Redlight’ has a more of an emphasis on pop, that funky atmosphere is still alive and kicking. On top of this, this new track carries a more nocturnal feel, further expanding the exploration of moods across Naytiive’s discography as it stands now. All of the elements that this track carries, including some amazing vocals, blend together perfectly to make a brilliantly vibrant experience.
overpass » Otherside of Midnight
The sophomore single release from overpass, sees them push their style out into more nocturnal and cosmic territory.
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Following their debut single ‘One Night Lover’, Birmingham-based indie-rock four piece overpass arrived with their sophomore single, and first release of 2021, this week. Whilst their debut set the indie rock bar with the highly accessible sound of that single, ‘Otherside of Midnight’ sees overpass push the atmospheric boat out a little further. This follow up stands as a far more unique-sounding single, thanks to the nocturnal and cosmic, yet highly energetic and festival-ready sound, which makes for a remarkably enjoyable musical experience overall. Encapsulating the struggle of wanting to help someone help themselves in its lyrics, this sophomore single feels incredibly wholesome at its very heart.
Strange Souvenirs » Pixels
‘Pixels’ feels like a true musical journey, slowly carrying us along its cold and brooding ambience.
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Following the brooding ambience of their previous single ‘The Way I Fell In’, post-rock outfit Strange Souvenirs arrive with their first 2021 single release, which seemingly elevates the aforementioned qualities even further. ‘Pixels’ feels extremely cold and snowy in its atmosphere, and this allowed the track to feel incredibly captivating in our minds. In fact, we’d even go as far to say that there’s almost a Radiohead kind of quality to how this track feels. And by feeling sonically unique at every turn, ‘Pixels’ feels like a true musical journey, that has our souls drifting through each segment. Being released while adding the finishing touches to their debut album, the artfulness behind ‘Pixels’ definitely has our hopes high.
The Bobo » Enough
‘Enough’ shows us that a gorgeous track, both in sound and narrative, can sometimes still be created swiftly.
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After the Oxford-based musical project, known as The Bobo, spent the majority of 2020 focusing on her debut EP Fun. Songs Funeral Songs in Disguise, she had more recently set herself the goal of writing and producing a song within 24 hours. And throughout the third lockdown in the UK, that resolution led to the creation of ‘Enough’. Being a song that was created so swiftly, we were amazed to find how much depth it carried; not only in its beautifully deep and drifting electronic sound but also in the story that it tells. ‘Enough’ stands as a very personal and introspective single and is a musical tribute to her dad, who helped her through her struggles growing up. That being said, ‘Enough’ shows that a great track can be made in a short amount of time.
New Music Sunday » Best Songs Released This Week
